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Crowdfunding isn’t a new idea, but we haven’t spent much time discussing it here at Pub Crawl– and I think it’s becoming increasingly relevant to writers today who have more options than ever to publish their work.

Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have been around for more than seven years, and by far have become the best known way to finance projects and products by appealing directly to the consumers who want them. In comparison to the old standby of PayPal donations, and its many limitations and hassles, if enough people are interested in your Kickstarter project, you will raise enough money to hopefully deliver on your promises. But if you don’t have enough support, your proposed project usually goes away quietly.

Many authors have successfully used Kickstarter to self-publish books, using the funding to hire editors, proofreaders and artists; distribute them in print and electronic forms, and even market them. Considering one of the largest hurdles for self-published writers is spending the money to make their books as polished and professional as traditionally published books (or perhaps even more so), this is a fascinating and exciting way to get work out to readers, as well as promote books before they’re released.

Slightly newer to the scene is Patreon, which has quickly become “the world’s largest crowdfunding site for artists and creators” since it was established in 2013. In a nutshell, Patreon allows people to provide ongoing support to an individual–not necessarily for a particular project–through a monthly commitment of as little as $1. As implied by its name, it’s evoking the old patron model of enabling creative work, while offering supporters incentives like exclusive content, early access, and sometimes even a voice in what work gets produced.

(Another site that has recently appeared is called ko-fi, basically an online tip jar that lets fans buy you a cup of coffee with the click of a button, perhaps more as a sign of appreciation than a viable, continuous income stream.)

Essentially, what all these crowdfunding services offer is a way for fans to buy time for creators to make more of the thing they enjoy, and let them know their work is valued and in demand. As a writer with a job and a toddler, a sink full of dishes and piles of dirty laundry, I often must be picky about what projects I sign up for and prioritize the paying work — contracted books and stories — over the shiny ideas I want to play with, or the unpaid blogging I might want to do. So getting “paid” by patrons to write a fun short story that I may not be able to sell (or the novel I may not be able to sell, yikes)  has a certain appeal. My friend N.K. Jemisin recently launched a Patreon that will allow her to quit her day job, the dream of many a writer, so far attracting more than $3800 in less than a week as of this writing.

The simple fact is most writers can probably produce more if they only had more time, and 40+ hours a week is a lot of time.

If I ever did a Patreon or something similar, I suspect it would be to raise funds for a babysitter so I can write more and do more events.

— Ecto Cooler Myers (@ecmyers) May 20, 2016

Every $15 buys me an hour of writing, which is roughly 1,000 words. 7,000 words is a story. 80,000 words is a novel. Creative math.

— Ecto Cooler Myers (@ecmyers) May 20, 2016

As more writers I know create Patreons with a wide range of success, I’ve been thinking more about this phenomenon. (Interestingly, as far as I can tell, not many YA writers have embraced Patreon, but it seems to be gaining popularity in the science fiction and fantasy community, of which I am also a part.) The truth is, I personally have a difficult time separating the idea of crowdfunding from charity, even though intellectually I know that people are buying something they want or rewarding you for something only you can provide. Part of me also imagines this as creating yet another array of deadlines and expectations and obligation to your supporters, who are basically making an investment in you and your work. You have more time, but on some level you’re also more accountable, potentially to dozens if not hundreds of people. How much do you ultimately owe them for helping make it possible?

But I am also aware that one of my hangups is the fear that I won’t get much support, or that I’ll be “competing” with all the other Patreon creators out there for the same dollars. Who needs an additional metric for comparing their own success to that of others? And before you remind me that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others, and that writing and publishing isn’t really a competition, allow me to suggest that this isn’t an entirely irrational consideration. I think a solid fan base is essential to a successful Kickstarter and Patreon, so your newer writers, less published writers, and debut writers probably won’t benefit from them as much — or at all.

What do you think about crowdfunding creative efforts? Have you supported any Kickstarter or Patreon campaigns? What would get you to donate your money to support a writer beyond buying their published work?

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The Media Diversified nonprofit has launched an indiegogo campaign for the Bare Lit Festival. They aim to raise £7,000.00 (roughly $10441.55 USD).

The intent behind this U.K.-based event is to exclusively showcase works by writers of color. The festival will take place from Feb. 26, 2016 to Feb. 28, 2016. We’ve embedded a video about the project above.

Here’s more from the campaign page: “Last year, the U.K.’s three largest literary festivals featured over 2000 authors. Of those 2000+ authors, only 4% were from Black Caribbean, Black African, South Asian or East Asian backgrounds. We’re aiming to change that.”

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Comics creator Barry Duffield has launched an indiegogo campaign. He hopes to raise $21,300.00.

Duffield has completed the first installment of a comedy-horror series called Tandoori Apocalypse. He plans to use the funds to create the next three issues. We’ve embedded a video about the project above.

Here’s more from the campaign page: “Tandoori Apocalypse celebrates cultural diversity in a unique and fun way. You will fall in love with the wanna-be romantic Raj and the big hearted clutz Vimal, you will laugh and cry at the antics of the other survivors stuck in the corner store only days before the Earths inevitable fall to a Vampire plague.”

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Don Bluth might be an animation legend, but you don't need to give money to him.

The post Don Bluth Doesn’t Need Your Money To Make A ‘Dragon’s Lair’ Pitch appeared first on Cartoon Brew.

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Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo announced a partnership with Vimeo last weekend at Sundance that will make the video-hosting site as the preferred distribution platform for films funded on Indiegogo.

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http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/16/business/lake-jibo-robot/ And there is a story there. I’m certain! Here’s another link to “JIBO” if you’re interested in seeing more, or being creeped out of your own skin. Either way, here you go: http://www.myjibo.com/Filed under: writing for children Tagged: family robots, indiegogo, JIBO, MIT, robots

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What is Altered Perceptions?

As described at the Indiegogo site for Altered Perceptions, "Altered Perceptions is an anthology of great authors, donating their work to help author Robison Wells, who's crippled by debt, caused by his mental illnesses."

Full details are at the Indiegogo page. It explains Wells' mental illnesses, the impact, and what the funds that are being raised will (and won't) be used for. The anthology will be original work, a mix of short stories and deleted scenes.

One reason I wanted to highlight this campaign is the treatment of mental health issues in the media, in books, in casual talk. Mental illness is not talked about the way that we talk about cancer, yet the impact, financial and otherwise, is the same. An illness is an illness is an illness. And this campaign is for Wells, yes, but is also to raise awareness of mental illness. The funding goal is high, because they're "also hoping that we can reach our goal and then overshoot it, to have money to set up a foundation for authors who suffer from mental illness. We know that many authors--even authors contributing to this anthology--are struggling with mental illnesses."

The second reason is Robison Wells is not just an author, but a young adult author, and I'm Team YA all the way!

The campaign started in April, so some of the perks are already claimed. But, there are still plenty of great perks, from books to a writing retreat to dinner and a movie with James Dashner.

The campaign ends May 24.

More: Claudia Gray's interview with Robison Wells; Tanita Davis explains her support of the project; a 2012 Guest Post by Wells at Teen Librarian Toolbox; Shannon Hale's post on writers, mental illness, and this campaign.

Amazon Affiliate. If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

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YOU DID IT! THANK YOU! Maggie’s 31-Day Audiobook Crowdfunding Campaign has ended and we’re Over the Moon! You soared over the $3,000 goal and so the story will be narrated and produced by the great Tavia Gilbert. We can’t wait … Continue reading →

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COLUMBIA, South Carolina – Longtime Realtor Rusty Shealy knows the value of a good piece of property. So after months of searching, he jumped at the opportunity to purchase a home with 4.5 wooded acres, the perfect place to build … Continue reading →

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Young vaulters are rising to new heights every day at Saddleback Pole Vaulting Club in Mission Viejo, California. They’ll get an added boost with a Mean Green Skypole like Maggie used to vault over the moon! Saddleback Coach Dan Cassidy … Continue reading →

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The person who brought Maggie Vaults Over the Moon to our sport belongs on the award’s stand! I can say this without boast or brag, because that person isn’t me, Grant Overstake. The man who helped storybook heroine Maggie Steele … Continue reading →

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FORT WORTH, Texas – They may call this The Lone Star State, but the sky above Fort Worth dazzles with many superstars from TexasPoleVault Club at EliteSportz. The club’s brightest star is Desiree Freier, the new girls’ national high school indoor … Continue reading →

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THANK YOU! Because of your great response, we surpassed our first funding goal in only 19 days! Acclaimed audiobook narrator Tavia Gilbert will perform Maggie Vaults Over the Moon by Grant Overstake. Her talented performance will lift this inspiring story … Continue reading →

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Is good old-fashioned grit the missing ingredient in today’s youth? Yes it is, according to a report on today’s National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.   In a segment titled, “Does Teaching Kids To Get ‘Gritty’ Help Them Get Ahead?” reporter Tovia … Continue reading →

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Without the timely support of a few key members of her caring community, storybook pole-vaulter Maggie Steele would never have vaulted over the moon. But because the right people stepped up at just the right time, the gutsy farm girl … Continue reading →

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Vaulter Magazine is offering a one-year subscription valued at $155 for a pole-vault fan who contributes $140 to Maggie’s Audiobook Campaign! Vaulter Magazine is eager to help narrator Tavia Gilbert perform and produce Maggie Vaults Over the Moon on audiobook. … Continue reading →

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Serious jumpers, serious coaching, seriously… The coaching staff at Texas Pole Vault at EliteSportz is very serious about helping vaulters of all skill levels jump higher. If your ready to jump high, willing to work for … Continue reading →

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POLE-VAULTERS AND COACHES! GILL ATHLETICS is the Grand Prize Sponsor for the ongoing Maggie Vaults Over the Moon Audiobook Crowdfunding Campaign. The Grand Prize includes a Mean Green Skypole, a 15-foot Skypole Pole Bag, and a roll of the new … Continue reading →

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Just as sure as temperatures will skyrocket on the Kansas prairie this summer, vaulters will leap to new heights at Tailwind Pole Vault Club Summer Camps. In fact, tiny Jamestown, Kansas should change its name to PR City, because more … Continue reading →

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COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Rusty Shealy Pole Vault Club has pledged five 3-Day Summer Vault Camp slots, valued at $425, for vault fans who contribute $375 to Maggie’s Audiobook Campaign! Coach Rusty Shealy is eager to help narrator Tavia Gilbert … Continue reading →

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RAISE THE BAR POLE VAULT CLUB has pledged a 3-Day Summer Camp, valued at $275, for a vault fan who contributes $250 to Maggie’s Audiobook Campaign! The camp will be held June 24-26 at the club’s facility in Reno, Nevada. … Continue reading →

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GILL ATHLETICS, the world’s largest track and field equipment manufacturer, is proud to be the Grand Prize Sponsor of Maggie’s Audiobook Campaign. The package, valued up to $650, includes a Mean Green Skypole just like Maggie used to vault over … Continue reading →

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