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Three editions, one kingdomRead Matthew's story, or give your child their own.
All three editions share the same kingdom and chess lessons. What changes is whose story it is. Prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.
As written
Matthew's adventures, exactly as his dad wrote them.
- eBook, each
- AU$7.99
- Paperback, each
- AU$19.99
- Box set, Books 1–4
- AU$69.99
The Named Edition
Your child is the hero, and the letters come from you.
- Your child's name through the whole story
- He, she or they, as your child prefers
- Letters signed by you, Grandma, or whoever you choose
- Siblings become the Rooks and Bishops, and your pets become the Knights
- Your child's name on the cover, and a numbered Founders' bookplate
- Softcover
- AU$45
- Hardcover
- AU$65
- All five, softcover
- AU$199
- All five, hardcover
- AU$249
The Heirloom
Your child, your family, your words, made with the author.
- Letters written for your child from your interview answers
- Your whole family mapped onto the board
- Their own calming steps in the Reset Routine
- A painted portrait of your child on the cover
- Linen hardcover, gold foil, numbered bookplate, gift box
- One book
- AU$995
- All five books
- AU$2,450
The three editions, side by side.
The chess and the story are the same in all three. The personal parts are what change.
| The seriesAs written | Founders' EditionThe Named Edition | By commissionThe Heirloom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whose story | Matthew's, as his dad wrote it | Your child's, by name | Your child, your family, your words |
| Your child's name | No | Through the whole story and on the cover | Through the whole story and on the cover |
| Pronouns | As written | he, she or they, checked by a person | As your family chooses |
| The letters | From Dad | Signed by you, Grandma, or whoever you choose | Written for your child from your interview answers |
| Family on the board | Matthew's family | Brothers and sisters become the Rooks and Bishops, pets become the Knights | Your whole family mapped onto the board |
| Reset Routine | The standard five steps | The standard five steps | Your child's own calming steps |
| Cover | Series cover | Your child's name, and a numbered Founders' bookplate | Painted portrait, linen hardcover, gold foil, numbered bookplate, gift box |
| Formats | eBook, paperback, box set | Softcover or hardcover | Linen hardcover |
| Time | At launch, through retailers | Proof emailed within 2 business days (planned), printed once you approve | Four to six weeks, including two proofs |
| Price | eBook AU$7.99, paperback AU$19.99, box set AU$69.99 | From AU$45 softcover, AU$65 hardcover, all five from AU$199 | AU$995 one book, AU$2,450 all five |
Swipe the table sideways to see all three editions.
Build your child's book. Watch it change as you type.
About three minutes. This is a preview: nothing you type leaves this page, and ordering opens at launch.
Dear Ava,
From the moment you arrived in this world, you brought a kind of gentle magic with you.
Ava stepped onto the board and felt it instantly.
Planned at launch: free standard delivery in Australia. We email a proof within 2 business days and print once you approve it.
The store opens with the first print run, so nothing has been ordered and nothing you typed has left this page. Join Letters from the King to hear first, or ask us a question.
- Pay a 50% deposit and receive the questionnaire
- 30-minute video call with the author
- First proof: letters and story (2 weeks)
- Second proof: painted portrait and cover (2 weeks)
- Printed, foil-stamped, numbered and shipped (1–2 weeks)
A kingdom written for your child.
Grandparents, godparents and aunties order these too. Choose who signs the letters, add a card in your own words, and see the proof before anything is printed.
The letters can be signed by Dad, Mum, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Pop, or any name you type, such as Aunty Jo. Your dedication, up to 300 characters, goes on the first page.
- Gift box and handwritten cardYour message, written by hand.AU$12
- A second copy for the grandparentsOne for home, one for sleepovers.AU$59
- Audio letters, recorded for themThe opening and closing letters, read aloud.AU$49
- Named Mission cards to printThe book's Missions, with your child's name.AU$15
Questions about the editions.
What is the Founders' Edition?
The first printing of the Named Edition, before the fully illustrated edition. It has painted covers, chess diagrams in every chapter and the whole personalised story, and every copy carries a numbered Founders' bookplate. When the illustrated edition arrives, Founders buyers are offered an illustrated copy, with a cover child who looks like theirs, for AU$55.
What if my child's name is long or unusual?
Names up to 12 letters fit the cover on one line, and up to 18 letters fit on two. For longer names, add a nickname for the cover and the story still uses the full name. The preview shows the name exactly as it will print.
Can the story use they/them?
Yes. With they/them, the verbs change too ("they were", not "they was"), so every they/them edition is checked by a person before printing. That check is included in the delivery time.
Do I have to send photos for an Heirloom portrait?
No. The portrait can be painted from your cover choices and a written description. If you want to send photos, we ask for your separate consent first. Only the illustrator uses them, and they're deleted 30 days after you approve the final proof.
Can I return a personalised book?
Personalised books are made to order, so they can't be returned for a change of mind once you've approved the proof. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law always apply: if a book is faulty or not as described, you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund, and if it doesn't match your approved proof, we'll reprint it.
Is Book Five included in the set?
Yes. Book Five is being written. A set order prints Books One to Four first, and Book Five follows when it's finished.
More answers on the questions page, or ask us directly.
Letters from the King.
One short letter a month, for parents. A letter from the books, the real moment behind it, and one Mission to try at the kitchen table. Founding families hear first when the store opens, and get first access to the numbered Founders' Edition.