EXCLUSIVE: Rocketship Entertainment to publish THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END novel in print

The Beginning After the End, the novel that started it all, will finally hit bookshelves in print, seven years after its online debut.

Rocketship Entertainment has licensed the print release of The Beginning After the End, the hit webnovel created by TurtleMe. The author previously teased the news on social media, hinting at an upcoming Kickstarter campaign.

That campaign officially launches on August 5, offering fans softcover editions and a deluxe hardcover illustrated edition of Volumes 1 to 3—along with exclusive merchandise. Backers can pledge for the following rewards:

• Softcover edition

• Deluxe hardcover illustrated edition, featuring ten full-color original illustrations per volume; debossed 14-karat gold and mother-of-pearl covers with a die-cut barn door design; a leather-bound slipcase secured by a zinc alloy sword

• Blind box enamel pin set

• Collector’s gift box including acrylic standees, a replica of the Dawn’s Ballad sword, and detailed maps of Alacrya and Dicathen

Volumes 1–3 will be released on retail shelves in 2026, with the remaining nine volumes to follow through future Kickstarter campaigns.

Here’s a first look at Volume 1’s softcover edition, courtesy of Rocketship Entertainment:

Although Yen Press licensed the webcomic adaptation for print in 2022, the original novel remained digital-only. Fans had long hoped to hold the story in physical form—but TurtleMe had other plans in mind.

“I held off because I wanted to make sure it would be special, something true to my vision that fans could proudly showcase on their bookshelves when the time came,” TurtleMe said. “Partnering with Rocketship and Kickstarter is finally giving us the chance to make this a reality, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

CEO and publisher of Rocketship Entertainment, Tom Akel echoed that excitement, describing the story as a “high watermark in isekai fantasy.”

“TurtleMe has created an ageless story that has captured the imaginations of fans around the world,” Akel said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring these novels to print for the very first time.”

TurtleMe, whose real name is Brandon Lee, began writing The Beginning After the End while searching for an escape from his corporate life. He first published it on RoyalRoad before moving to Tapas, where the series quickly rose to the top of the platform. The novel’s success led to a webcomic adaptation that has now amassed over 75.5 million views.

In another milestone, The Beginning After the End recently became the first American-published webnovel to inspire an anime adaptation.

The Kickstarter campaign kicks off August 5.

Source: Rocketship Entertainment