Has anyone tried KICKSTARTER?

My husband suggested I do one for my books as he's had a lot of success doing them to help costs publishing his comics.

I don't know the ins and outs so well but he did mention the first time he tried one it was difficult as he was new and had no product to show people and his rewards weren't appealing. He's hit his goal 3 times since then.

Having an interesting video is also very important I've heard and updating. I'll have him offer up some suggestions

Warning, the following is just my 2c, use or ignore at will.

I have helped fund several books on Kickstarter. I don't know if this will help but this is why I skipped over your listing (when I saw it a few days ago, not knowing you are on AW).

The reward of an ebook at $10 is about right--but I wasn't sure I wanted the book. It seems like YA story in the real world until you suddenly say those who lose on a website die. I was left confused about genre. I also felt your very overt diversity message seemed a bit forced and tentative (I don't want to fund "tryng", just "doing") and you never say who the protagonist/s is/are.

Then you say you will spend the money on things like a vanity reviews e.g. Kirkus Indie which is a program I am fundamentally not in favor of and do not think is effective--and you say you think this will give you credibility. You then list things like book trailer and posters--but not sending out ARCs to real reviewers. Promote any way you like, but this is not an approach I would put my money into (even for *my* books).

Long story short: good rewards, IMHO terrible blurb, not something I want to fund.

I helped a group of writers in the steampunk sim of New Babbage, in Second Life, to raise funds to produce a short story anthology. It was interesting and fun, since most of the funds were raised by people wanting to get their own copies.

*However* I think your goal of over $4000 is a bit... er... something. Your estimates are way over the top and you're paying for reviews, something many of us frown upon.

Frankly, imo, you'd be better off to save and save and save, like anyone pursuing a dream or goal. It may take longer but I think you should be able to cut quite a few corners if you downgrade your goals and scale back your expenses.

jmo, ymmv.

IMHO: In my humble opinion.

And I didn't think the website killed people, but suddenyl I knew this was not a book set in the real world. So I didn't know what it was.

You need to do more than spark interest to get thousands of dollars. I would suggest starting by specifying the genre. FWIW I never even watched the video--being a reader i tend to go by what is written on the page.

And you don't have to pay for reviews. You need to work out how to get reviews people actually read without paying for them beyond copies of the book and postage (which I would happily fund). It is entirely possible for self-published books to get real, free reviews.

The one thing you should not cut us getting a professionally made cover. Covers are important. Covers sell books. Kirkus Indie reviews do not.

I think you need to do more research in this forum and others about how to self-publish before asking for money, any amount. You can cut costs and/or find other resources before hitting up friends and family for money.

And your sample chapter? I couldn't read it because of the small white font on a dark background. You need to make it larger and go black on a white/light background. It'll be a lot easier to read.

Salt said:

Wow! I trust reviewers more than book covers, but I do know that I pick up books that I find attractive but its what Booklist, New York Times, Kirkus and the professional people say that keep me interested. Okay, so kick out the reviewers? Is there anything else you guys think will help?

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You need to research how to get a reviews in those places that you read reviews and your target readers read reviews. Hint: paid reviews don't go there. Check out *exactly* where the paid reviews go.

Is part of yor budget dedicated to editing? I would think editing and cover art would be at the top of my list, if I was following the path you're on.

Good for you for including that budget item!

Salt said:

Please and thank you!

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Okay I talked to him and here's what he had to say. When he first tried a Kickstart it was for a project still in the works. His goal was 2500 dollars. He didn't hit the goal. He felt there were three main reasons for it. The goal was too high for what the cost of the fundraiser was for...meaning he was trying to help raise funds for a project no one knew about or how much it would cost. 2500 was just an arbitrarity number and there was nothing to back it up.

Also since he was in the process of creating the comic there was no history. A lot of people try to make comics or music or books and ask money for it but people are reluctant to put even 5 or 10 bucks down if there's a chance it won't see the light of day.

Lastly his rewards were boring for what his project was. He hadn't put out a comic and he was offering copies of a product no one knew would come out and sketches from artists no one knew. It just seemed random.

The second time he did one was with a few issues under his belt, a history of publishing and a smaller goal (1000) to cover print costs, con fees and some promotion. He hit the goal. On the third go around with the same goal and more books under his belt but with some more unique rewards like reviews from pro creators he quadrupled his goal.

Figure out what you need to fund your book. Will 1500 cover printing of some review copies, an editor or cover artist? If that does it then don't go over 1500. Heck if 1500 covers everything make the amount lower. Kickstart doesn't have to exist to fund the entire project, it can be used as a support to help you. And if your goal is 1000 and people donate 1200 you still keep it. But if you miss goal by 50 dollars you won't get any of it.

I have seen Kickstarter used as a valuable too for smaller and established creators a like. Just sit back and think about what you need and what you can offer and good luck!