Some worlds are remembered.
Some are forgotten.
And once in a while,
One is found again.
This is what it feels like to discover a forgotten world.
Project Schedule
Studying mythology and Manichaeism
After years of pursuing history, mythology and ancient languages as hobby, the author decided to study them in university at Master grade.
While he studied, Old Persian, Avestanid, Middle Persian (Parthian, Pahlavi, Manichaean), Sogdian and Sanskrit; he also took some courses on Elamite language and studied Elamite under Dr Arfaei’s supervision and Professor Wouter Henkelman voluntarily.
For his master project the author of AzNameh decided to translate The Book of Kawan or The Book of Giants written by Mani, a Persian prophet in the 3rd century directly from the original middle Persian texts;
Gathering forgotten lores
While working on the translation of Mani’s Book of Giants, the Author came across several gnostic stories and Mesopotamian lores that was only available for academia, so at this time the author of AzNameh starts collecting these forgotten lores to bring them back to life in a proper time.
Writing the first draft of AzNameh
After several years of studying and taking notes, AzNameh finally found its way to paper and a long the way about 20 beta readers helped the author to add, edit or remove lines and paragraphs to the book; each of them left their essence in this book.
Starting the Illustration
After a long search for illustrator who can design this epic, Kourosh LorNezhad was the only one who had the ability and the same understanding of the text as the author; so, we decided to give him 100% freedom of choice to bring this book to life, as if it was written centuries ago, and all of a sudden, an artist decided to design this book as he want. The artist choices may be different than the authors perception, yet this is all that is matter. A book come to life as Kourosh LorNezhad imagines it like any other masterpieces.
Finalizing the Original Text
While Kourosh was illustrating the book, the author added or revised parts of the book, where it was necessary, a new design was commissioned.
Editing the Original Text
When the original text was finished, the most important edit of the book began. Mohammad Zargaripour did an amazing job with keeping the tone and registers of all characters coherent and provided a robust and amazing base for all translations of AzNameh.
Translating the text to English
The author could translate the book to English, yet he decided to let this to a professional translator; Samaneh AfshariNeyrizi, gave the book another life and the English readers will witness an epic fantasy unlike anything they read.
Translating the text to French
Although this campaign has nothing to do with French translation, yet AzNameh is set to have several languages, and French will be coming to life in 2027. The French edition translated by Refigh Aziz and its prose and tones would impress any French literary lover.
Proofreading and Editing of the English Text
The English translation was proofread, edited and read by several beta readers.
Proofreading and Editing of the French Text
The French translation was proofread and edited.
Finalizing the illustration
After 30 months of work, Kourosh LorNezhad finalized all the illustrations including 121 original hand-drawn illustrations, the book cover, slipcase, dust jackets and even some other designs, all by pencil, marker and pen; all by hand and using traditional method, as if the book is illustrating in past centuries.
Finding the Printing Facilities
We went after the best printing facilities we could find, and we started negotiating with them; finally, we chose just a few to have some samples.
Registering the Maison Artystone publishing house
In order to deliver an astonishingly amazing book, the one that can stand the test of time, we decided to register and run a publishing house in grand Lyon, France.
Please check the Maison Artystone page for more information about this publishing house.
Printing different samples of AzNameh
We checked a lot of samples, papers, bindings, materials and finally we decided to print this volume of AzNameh in Artron printing facilities; please read the rest of the page to see why we took this decision.
WE ARE HERE
After all these years, everything is ready to bring this mythological epic fantasy to life; in the meantime, we started the illustration phase of the next volume.
Launching the Kickstarter Campaign
The Kickstarter campaign is set for November-December 2026, and we hope the world let its forgotten lores see the light of a new day with your support.
Post-Campaign Phase
We will use the Kickstarter Pledge Manager after the campaign ends to collect shipping information and shipping fees.
For those who purchased the patron tiers of BEYOND THE BOOK, they will provide their selected name in this time.
Printing
When the campaign is finished and the post-campaign phase finalized, we will start the printing process in January – February 2027.
The single known risk to this timeline is Chinese New Year (January 20 – February 10, 2027), during which Chinese printers typically close. We have structured the print order timeline to ensure files reach the printer before December 15, 2026, to avoid this window entirely. If a delay occurs, backers will be notified immediately with a revised date.
Artron will print this volume of AzNameh, please read the rest of the page for more information regarding the Artron and its quality.
Quality Control
Artron‘s print quality is proven, yet we will double check and ensure everything meets the craftmanship of a museum-grade artifact. We will check every single book, and if we feel something is wrong, we will ask for a new print.
We will issue Certificate of Authenticity, and Sign the Archive Edition in this phase.
Shipping
We will use the Kickstarter Pledge Manager after the campaign ends to collect shipping information and shipping fees.
Shipping costs are not included in the pledge price and will be calculated based on the destination country and selected reward.
We are working to secure the most reliable and cost-effective shipping options. Final shipping rates will be displayed in the Pledge Manager before you complete your order. Please note that any applicable import duties, customs fees, VAT, GST, or other local taxes required by your country are the responsibility of the backer, unless otherwise stated. We will do our best to ensure that all rewards are carefully packaged and shipped safely. Once fulfillment begins, backers will receive tracking information whenever available
Fulfillment
Our goal is to have all rewards delivered by the end of July 2027. Generally, you would receive it sooner, yet human errors are a part of being human, and if we face issues, we would be 100% transparent and update everyone and will do our best to deliver all packages until the end of July 2027.
Next Volume is in writing phase, and its illustration has already been started
While the printing process of the first volume of AzNameh is in progress, the second volume is in drafting and illustrating phase and it is expected to be finished in the next 18 month.
How AzNameh will be printed?
Sotheby’s
CHRISTIE’S
Bonhams
NAGEL
Chanel
Dior
ELIE SAAB
Bentley
Hermes
Tiffany
Louis Vuitton
Yayoi Kusama
Classic of Mountains and Sea – Illustrated Collection Edition
Cinema of Wong Kar Wai
David Lynch
The Carl and Betty Pforzheimer
When choosing a printer for AzNameh, we chose the same uncompromising standard.
Artron Awards
The Schonste Bucher aus aller Welt
13 books
Since attending the appraisal of the award Schonste Bucher aus aller Welt in Leipzig, Germany, in 2004, 12 books printed by Artron have won the title of The Schonste Bucher aus aller Welt, earning honors for China and Chinese.
The Most Beautiful Books in China
157 books
Since attending the appraisal of The Beauty of Books in China in 2003, Artron has 124 books in 19 consecutive years rated as The Beauty of Books in China. Artron is the enterprise printing the most books with the title of The Beauty of Books in China.
Premier Print Awards
422 awards
Since attending the appraisal of the Premier Print Awards in 2002, Artron has won a total of 68 Benny Awards and 420 Premier Print Awards. Artron is the printing enterprise that has won the most gold awards in the world in a row in the last decade.
China Print Awards
71 awards
Since attending the appraisal of the 1st China Print Awards in 2007, Artron has won 3 Grand Prix and 14 gold awards. Artron is the enterprise that has won the most China Print Awards.
Hong Kong Print Awards
294 awards
In APAC, since attending the appraisal of the Hong Kong Print Awards in 2000, Artron has won 10 Overall Winner Awards. Artron is the enterprise that has won the most Overall Winner Awards in history.
Shanghai Print Awards
42 awards
Since attending the appraisal of the Shanghai Print Awards in 2008, Artron has won 3 Grand Prix, 24 gold awards, 11 silver awards and 4 bronze awards.
Other categories
219 awards
Artron has also won Education Publishing Awards, Asian Printing Awards, Sinar Mas Print Awards, National Book Binding Awards, Beijing Printing Awards, Red Star Awards, etc.
Shipping
We will use the Kickstarter Pledge Manager after the campaign ends to collect shipping information and shipping fees. Shipping costs are not included in the pledge price and will be calculated based on the destination country and selected reward. We are working to secure the most reliable and cost-effective shipping options. Final shipping rates will be displayed in the Pledge Manager before you complete your order. Please note that any applicable import duties, customs fees, VAT, GST, or other local taxes required by your country are the responsibility of the backer, unless otherwise stated. We will do our best to ensure that all rewards are carefully packaged and shipped safely. Once fulfillment begins, backers will receive tracking information whenever available
We assume these prices for shipping, so please consider these prices when you pledge because this will be added later, when the campaign is finished.
Fulfillment
Our goal is to have all rewards delivered by the end of July 2027. Generally, you would receive it sooner, yet human errors are a part of being human, and if we face issues, we would be 100% transparent and update everyone and will do our best to deliver all packages until the end of July 2027.
Gallery
One World.
Crafted for Different Libraries.
How would you like to experience AzNameh?
Every reader discovers the same forgotten world.
Choose the one that belongs in your library.
For Readers
For Collectors
Beyond the Book
Receive an Archive Edition and choose a name and become one of the eternal characters of AzNameh forever.
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AzNameh: Humanus of The Seven Climes
1 250,00 € -
AzNameh: Founder of A City
2 500,00 € -
AzNameh: Founder of A Dynasty
5 000,00 € -
AzNameh: Ascend as A Daeva
10 000,00 €
