Department of Lore Launches Kickstarter for Sci-Fi Fantasy Novel ‘MAYA: Seed Takes Root’
Department of Lore unveils its debut novel, “MAYA: Seed Takes Root,” marking a significant entry into a new sci-fi fantasy universe.
LOS ANGELES, August 05, 2025
Department of Lore, known for its multidisciplinary storytelling and neo-mythologies, has initiated a Kickstarter campaign for MAYA: Seed Takes Root. this novel serves as the first installment in the expansive sci-fi fantasy universe of MAYA.
The universe is the brainchild of filmmaker anand Gandhi, whose previous works include Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad, and game designer Zain Memon, creator of Shasn. The novel plunges readers into a meticulously crafted world where minds are malleable, decisions are influenced, and destinies are manufactured, often unbeknownst to the individuals involved.
In the world of MAYA, a shared dreamscape perpetuates the societal divide between the privileged and the disenfranchised. The narrative posits that a single individual breaking free from this constructed reality could irrevocably alter the course of their world.
Those who back the Kickstarter campaign will gain early access to MAYA: Seed Takes Root, with its official release scheduled for August 19, 2025. The campaign also features exclusive artwork,deeper lore,and early updates from the developing MAYA universe.
“The worldbuilding we did for Ship of Theseus was just the beginning,” Gandhi stated. “With MAYA, we’re building a universe that spans mediums and ideas-and Seed Takes Root is where it all begins.”
MAYA: Seed Takes Root is envisioned as the first of many interconnected narratives within the MAYA universe. Future expansions are planned across various media, including films, games, graphic novels, toys, and immersive experiences.
“Designing games taught me how systems shape choices,” Memon added. “In MAYA, most characters don’t realize they’re part of a larger game they can’t control.”
The Kickstarter campaign for MAYA: Seed Takes Root is currently live. For more facts on the MAYA universe, visit departmentoflore.com.
Watch the latest trailer here.Additional assets are available here.
