Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform where creators can gather support and funding for a project in advance in order to create something that would otherwise be too large to tackle.
Things like bespoke editions of books with illustrated character art, gold foil stamping, and printed edges.
I use Kickstarter as a preorder system. It gives me an organized way to offer signed editions, elaborate bespoke hardbacks, and additional bonuses for collectors and superfans without having to purchase an entire pallet of books from a printer. If there are only 6 people who want gold foil hardbacks, I can order only 6.
Most projects on Kickstarter are NOT for preorders. They are wishes and dreams organized by category (games, publishing, movies, etc) and if the project doesn’t meet their funding goal, no money is paid and the project doesn’t happen.
But even if a project does hit the funding goal and the creator is paid, there’s no guarantee the project will be finished and distributed to backers. ALL Kickstarter campaigns carry a measure of risk because of this.
I do my utmost to keep this risk as low as possible for my book projects. The story? Written. The ebook? Formatted. The cover art? Paid for. The paper and hardbacks? Test printed and checked for errors. And publishing? Well, you already know I’ve got that part handled. I published short stories and novellas every single month for six years straight.
Long time readers will remember I launched a small campaign in 2023 to put the Black Trans Fairy Tales in print. I sent signed editions all over the world! This campaign will be very similar, ebooks, paperbacks, signed options, and an opportunity to be the first readers to hold these stories in print!
Let me break down the steps for you so there are no surprises:
1: You make an account on Kickstarter and add your payment option of choice so you’re ready to go when the campaign starts: www.kickstarter.com
2: I share the kickstarter pre-launch page and you click NOTIFY ME! So that you get an email the moment the campaign is live.
3: Campaign Launch! You browse the amazing books available and pick our your favorite format.
4: Addons- you can pick from a long list of my catalog stories to add to your purchase. Always wanted that one scifi series? It’s here. Need to have a copy of the Black Trans Fairy Tales hardback? You’re in the right place. Pick and choose your addons (or none at all)
5: Confirm your purchase. Here’s the tricky part. You’re going to check out but your card will NOT be charged right away. We’ve made a promise to each other. I will provide the books, you will pay for them—but not until the event is over!
6: Campaign stretch goals. If the fundraising reaches higher and higher numbers, you’ll unlock bonus goodies for everyone. Free ebooks, new addons, downloadable art—it could be anything! You’ll get regular updates from me as the campaign runs, keeping you in the loop.
7: Campaign Ends. THE DAY HAS COME. We met our funding goal! All of the people who confirmed their purchase at step 5 have their credit cards charged. Sometimes there are hiccups here, so double check your expiration date! You’ll have a chance to update your card info if you need to.
8: The Waiting Period. It lasts about two weeks during which those last minute card fixes happen. At the end, Kickstarter sends me a bank deposit and now the fun really starts.
9: The Survey. This is perhaps the most important part of the process. Here you get to tell me everything you want me to know. Your email for sending ebooks, your mailing address for physical books, exactly how to spell your name in the personalized signature you want in your signed books. Filling out this survey means I can send you your goodies
9.5 There are always a few people who don’t fill out their Survey. I do my best to reach out, both through the kickstarter system and directly whenever possible, but it’s up to you to take action. You can always find the survey in your kickstarter account, so leave yourself a reminder in the calendar two weeks after it ends. If you don’t fill out your survey, I can’t send you your books!
10: I have the money and the information I need to order books and ship them! Non-signed books are direct-shipped. Ebooks are sent instantly via email. Signed books are ordered, signed, packaged by hand, and shipped back out. This fulfillment process is the step that takes the longest. I have spreadsheets to double check, addresses to spellcheck, and signatures to sign!
11: Books Start Arriving. OmgOmgOmg, it’s the best part of this whole project. You receive your books in the mail/email. You take photos. You share them on facebook and insta and with friends. You send me delightfully sweet emails that I save in a “you love me” folder to remind myself in the future. No one but the kickstarter backers has these books! You’re in an exclusive early club.
12: After fulfillment, the books are put up for sale on my own website
13: and then we start planning the NEXT one!
I hope you’ll join me!
Questions about this process? Hit reply on any newsletter I’ve sent you and ask me anything. I’m happy to help.
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