Eerie Ghosts and Vampires of the New Orleans French Quarter
Created by Laura Martone
An exclusive pair of spooky, self-guided tours created by two Big Easy storytellers. In ebook, print, and audio. Enjoyable anywhere!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
AN APOLOGY AND A RECOMMENDATION
almost 2 years ago
– Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 07:10:43 AM
Howdy, y’all!
I hope you’re having a groovy week – and I hope, too, that you’ll forgive me and Dan for the inadvertent delay in sending out our backer surveys.
As with our recent Kickstarter campaign, this is our first time working with BackerKit, and thanks to my perfectionistic tendencies, I’m striving to get all the post-campaign essentials as “correct” as possible. So, thanks in advance for your patience with us.
Of course, when I published our last project update on July 1st – just prior to the Martone clan’s annual midsummer reunion in northern Michigan – I had every intention of sending out the surveys right after the holiday weekend. But given that Dan’s brothers had planned to stay up north until this past weekend, I should’ve realized that I was being too ambitious with my Kickstarter promises.
Though most American families use Thanksgiving and/or Christmas as a yearly excuse for major gatherings, the Martones have always had the Fourth of July, which is typically the only time each year we manage to get my parents-in-law, Dan’s two brothers, his four nieces, all related partners or pals, as well as me and my hubby in one place. And while we’re all together, it’s usually fun, hectic, and rather distracting for work-related tasks.
Hence, our present tardiness.
But please rest assured that we will send out the surveys soon.
In addition, over the next couple weeks, we aim to finish the following tasks:
wrapping up and emailing you the July deliverables (that is, the digital wallpaper, NOLA glossary, and NOLA pronunciation guide)
scheduling all online tarot readings
setting the dates for our two stretch-goal events (the author Q&A and the NOLA watch party)
uploading all the relevant add-ons (namely, our published sci-fi and fantasy novels) to BookFunnel
and prepping all the early-bird and second-week perks (including two of our novels as well 13 titles from some of our fellow authors).
In the meantime, though, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have – and while you’re waiting for our next update, please check out our colleague Emma Shelford’s current Kickstarter campaign, Murder and Mozzarella, which ends in less than 50 hours.
Emma, a successful urban fantasy author, is launching a new culinary cozy mystery series – the Cheese Café Cozy Mysteries – under the pen name Michelle Ford, and Murder and Mozzarella is the first in this tasty new series. Set on a gorgeous Canadian island filled with zany characters, this entertaining novel features a cheese-centric eatery, a spirited gourmand club, a handsome local Mountie, and an amateur sleuth determined to solve the puzzling murder of her eccentric aunt’s next-door neighbor.
“Cheese is pungent,” the author says, but “murder stinks.” I happen to agree, which is why I happily backed this campaign – which offers both digital as well as physical rewards, from cheesy recipes and picnic planners to signed hardbacks and book-club packages. If this sounds like a series you might enjoy, I hope you’ll support it, too.
Well, that’s all for today, my friends. I hope you have a lovely rest-of-the-week, and I’ll be in touch soon!
Sincerely,
Laura Martone
A TASTE OF LOUISIANA IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN
almost 2 years ago
– Fri, Jul 01, 2022 at 06:22:44 PM
Howdy, y’all!
I hope everyone’s feeling good and enjoying life these days.
As for me and Dan, we’ve spent the last two weeks juggling a number of projects – not the least of which has been prepping the digital deliverables for our eerie New Orleans campaign. Additionally, we’ve been working with BackerKit to set up all the post-campaign surveys, which we intend to send out next week.
But first, we’re celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with the Martone clan in northern Michigan. This holiday reunion has been an annual tradition since before I joined Dan’s family over two decades ago. For the past several years, however, we’ve incorporated a new facet to the festivities – a bit of my own childhood known simply as “a boil.”
Now, down in southern Louisiana, my family typically hosts crab or crawfish boils, but up north, we “settle” for some spicy shrimp, andouille sausage, and a plethora of produce, from corn, potatoes, and mushrooms to green beans, garlic, and pineapple. Dan – who’s both a terrific cook and a major fan of Cajun and Creole cuisine – always takes the helm for this particular meal. Not just because he’s the most qualified for the job (yes, even over me, a native New Orleanian) but also because he adores bringing a taste of the Big Easy to his parents, brothers, and nieces in northern Michigan. And luckily for us, they (and all their guests) seem to love this relatively new tradition just as much.
the Martone family boil from a few summers ago
Of course, all of us also appreciate the homemade dessert that my talented hubby usually provides after each boil. Oftentimes, it’s one of his many different bread puddings (like the tiramisu version he plans to serve after tomorrow’s boil), but a few summers back, he created one of my all-time favorite desserts: an enormous, berry-filled Gentilly cake (the New Orleans version of a Chantilly cake). With any luck, I can convince him to make that again next year! Yum!
Dan’s scrumptious Gentilly cake
Having lived and traveled throughout the United States, I can attest that it’s often difficult to locate delicious New Orleans cuisine in any restaurant outside of southern Louisiana, but fortunately for me, I can always find some wherever my hubby happens to be!
Well, I should get back to the family. I trust that all of my fellow Americans have equally delicious plans for this summer holiday – and naturally, I hope all of our international backers have a wonderful weekend, too.
So, until the next update, have fun, be safe, and watch out for the dark side!
Sincerely,
Laura Martone
A HEAPING BOWL OF GRATITUDE!
almost 2 years ago
– Sat, Jun 18, 2022 at 03:20:26 PM
Howdy, y’all!
I hope your weekend is off to a terrific start – wherever you are right now.
As you probably know, our Dark Side of New Orleans campaign came to a close yesterday at 9pm EDT – and because of your much-appreciated interest, enthusiasm, and support of our spooky project, our first-ever Kickstarter was a huge, rip-roaring success!
Seriously, Dan and I were absolutely stunned by the results. When we launched our campaign 24 days ago, we had no earthly idea that we’d hit $4,582 with 101 backers! To say we far exceeded our expectations would be a major understatement.
And naturally, I meant to send this message last night, but I was honestly too pooped to organize my thoughts. Now, though, after a day of reflection and celebration, Dan and I simply want to say…
No, really, thank you so much for believing in us and for backing our project. We are incredibly grateful – and we always will be. Thanks you for sharing this amazing journey with us.
Of course, it’s not over yet – far from it.
As soon as Kickstarter gives us the green light, I will send out the necessary backer surveys to ensure proper fulfillment of all your rewards and perks, and soon after that, I’ll be in touch about the tarot readings, various deliverables, and two online, stretch-goal events – the Q&A session and the watch party – so please keep an eye on your email inbox.
Until then, I hope you have a wonderful weekend – each and every one of you!
Much gratitude always,
Laura (& Dan) Martone
Let the good times roll!
almost 2 years ago
– Fri, Jun 17, 2022 at 05:51:54 AM
This clip makes me laugh every time I see it. It's the perfect thing to watch while finishing up this campaign!
TOURING THE BIG EASY IN PERSON + OTHER COOL CAMPAIGNS
almost 2 years ago
– Thu, Jun 16, 2022 at 05:50:08 PM
Howdy, y’all!
I hope your week’s going swimmingly. I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll get straight to the point.
We’re only $106 away from our second stretch goal – and about 50 hours away from the end of our campaign. So, before time runs out, I just want to let you know about a few discounted reward tiers.
Obviously, our campaign’s focus is The Dark Side of New Orleans: the audio, ebook, and print versions of our self-guided ghost and vampire tours of the New Orleans French Quarter. As previously shared, Dan and I created these excursions so that folks could get a taste of New Orleans from anywhere in the world – on their own timetable.
But because we LOVE showing visitors around our favorite city in the world, we’re also offering a variety of in-person tours. All are private, customized excursions that include any necessary pre-planning sessions and, depending on the tour, relevant costs for food, cocktails, cover charges, and lodging (for up to two people).
We realize they’re pricey, and we know money is tight for most of us these days, so we’re not expecting anyone to opt for them right now, but just in case you know someone who might be interested in a private tour, we’re providing the following discounts for the last 50 hours of our campaign:
The NOLA COCKTAIL TOUR reward tier ($600) now includes two separate tours: a cocktail tour of the French Quarter and a music tour of the FQ and adjacent Faubourg Marigny.
The NOLA FOOD TOUR reward tier ($600) now includes two separate tours: a culinary tour of the French Quarter and a music tour of the FQ and adjacent Faubourg Marigny.
The NOLA TOUR TRIO reward tier (formerly $1,500), which includes three separate excursions (food, cocktail, and music), is now $1,000.
Of course, you don’t need to be with us to enjoy New Orleans. Whether you live here, plan to visit soon, or hope to come in the future, you’ll find plenty of amazing sights, sounds, and tastes all on your own. If you’re looking for any ideas, though, consider a few of our favorites.
THE COCKTAILS
New Orleans is the home of many famous cocktails, from the Sazerac, a brandy concoction developed by local apothecary Antoine Amedie Peychaud in 1838, to the hurricane, a fruity rum punch invented at Pat O’Brien’s during World War II.
One of our favorites is the Ramos Gin Fizz, which was created by Henry Charles “Carl” Ramos at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon in 1888. Typically served in a Collins glass, this frothy, slightly tart classic combines two ounces of dry gin, a three-quarter ounce of simple syrup, three dashes of orange flower water, one fresh egg white, a half-ounce each of heavy cream, lemon juice, and lime juice, and enough chilled club soda to fill the glass.
It likely sounds like a complicated cocktail – and frankly, it is – but its scrumptious, refreshing flavor makes it well worth the effort. Some local bartenders might wince when you order it – as it requires a bit more prep time and shaking vigor than the average cocktail – but I've found that offering a bigger tip helps to counter any grumbles!
the Ramos Gin Fizz
THE CUISINE
The Big Easy might be known for several memorable cocktails, but it’s the cuisine that captures most people’s attention – and rightfully so. Between the fresh seafood, Cajun and Creole traditions, and more creative fare, New Orleans is the ideal place for any self-respecting gourmand.
Consequently, Dan and I have a LOT of favorite dishes, from seafood gumbo to chicken and andouille jambalaya to fried green tomato and shrimp remoulade po-boys. But one particularly special choice is the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake at Jacques-Imo’s in uptown New Orleans. At once creamy, spicy, and oh-so-decadent, it’s the kind of dish you might want to share with someone – but naturally, you don’t have to!
shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake
THE MUSIC
There’s little Dan and I love more than listening to live music in the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny. Over the years, we’ve been known to frequent several different venues, especially The Kerry Irish Pub on Decatur Street (where you’ll hear everything from country music to classic rock to Irish and Scottish ballads) and The Spotted Cat Music Club on Frenchmen Street (a great place for old-fashioned jazz and blues).
Not surprisingly, we have a long list of favorite local musicians, but one of our top choices is undoubtedly Meschiya Lake, whose amazing voice snagged our attention well over a decade ago, when she was performing on Royal Street with several other young buskers. Nowadays, though, music lovers will flock to a variety of venues to see her perform, whether she’s singing with just piano accompaniment or an entire brass band.
Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns at FQ Fest
I hope we’ve given you some helpful food for thought (pun intended) for a future trek through NOLA – but if you’d like to know a bit more about us, please check out this short video:
Thanks, as always, for listening! And thanks, too, for being such wonderful backers!
Oh, and if you’re curious about other indie publishing projects on Kickstarter, please check out the following campaigns from four of my fellow authors.
Just launched today by my friend Jamie Davis – and already fully funded, woohoo! – this campaign focuses on a trilogy of limited hardcover omnibus editions of the author’s complete, nine-book, contemporary fantasy series about tireless paramedics and their supernatural patients. The limited editions also include five short stories (two of which are exclusive to Kickstarter). Jamie’s campaign runs until June 30, but the sooner you back it, the more perks you’ll likely receive.
Another buddy of mine also launched his campaign today – which fully funded in about 20 minutes! Bryan Cohen – the founder of the 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge, the co-host of The Sell More Books Show Podcast, and the CEO of Best Page Forward – is offering a brand-new book on email marketing for self-published authors, and Kickstarter backers will receive it three months before the rest of the world. The campaign, which ends on June 30, also features an exclusive email marketing challenge, plus a ton of other useful goodies for indie authors.
Yet another pal of mine is running a terrific campaign for writers. Audrey Hughey, the creator of The Ultimate Authorship Planner and the yearly dated Author’s Planner, has dedicated her career to empowering her fellow authors and helping them reach their version of success with a supportive community and a variety of organizational tools. Since creating her first planner in 2018, Audrey has improved upon it over the years, and this campaign, which ends on June 24, provides even more optimization with significant updates, digital versions, and more.
Through this campaign (which ends on July 1), author Solo Storm is featuring her six-book contemporary urban fantasy series Waters Dark and Deep. At the heart of the series lies a teenage girl who, after discovering she’s a lost princess of archangel descendants, realizes the whole Archworld wants to murder her. If you like reading about royal bloodlines, complex friendships, family drama, slow-burn romances, and battling angels and demons, then you might love this series. Ideal for fans of young-adult fare like The Mortal Instruments and The Vampire Diaries.
OK, that’s all for now. Thanks again for your time and interest – and please don’t hesitate to spread the word about our NOLA ghost and vampire project. Only 50 hours left to back this spooky campaign!
