Kickstarter for authors is a crowdfunding strategy where writers pre-sell copies of their book to fund production costs like editing and printing before release. This method allows independent authors to validate market interest, cover upfront expenses without personal debt, and build a dedicated community of readers prior to the official book launch.
The traditional path of writing a book in isolation and hoping for sales upon release is changing. Crowdfunding has emerged as a powerful tool in the self-publishing landscape, shifting the financial risk away from the author while proving that an audience exists for the work. Whether you are printing a niche memoir or a graphic novel, platforms like Kickstarter and BackerKit offer a structured way to gather funds and fans simultaneously.
The Strategic Value of Crowdfunding
Many authors mistakenly view crowdfunding solely as a way to “beg” for money. In reality, it is a sophisticated pre-order system. When an author launches a campaign, they are not asking for charity. They are offering a product—the book—in exchange for early support.
Successful campaigns achieve three specific goals:
- Cash Flow Management: High-quality publishing requires capital for professional editing and cover design. Crowdfunding secures this capital before you pay the invoices.
- Market Validation: If 500 people back your project, you have proof of concept. If only 5 people back it, you know you need to refine your positioning before spending thousands on printing.
- Community Building: Backers are not just customers. They are investors in your success who are more likely to review and recommend your book to others.
Platform Comparison: Kickstarter vs. BackerKit
For years, Kickstarter was the default choice. However, BackerKit, originally a tool to manage pledges after a campaign, has launched its own crowdfunding platform specifically tailored for creators. Understanding the difference is vital for your strategy.
| Feature | Kickstarter | BackerKit Crowdfunding |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Source | High organic traffic (millions of monthly visitors). | Lower organic traffic; relies more on your existing email list. |
| Funding Model | Strictly “All-or-Nothing” (must hit goal to get paid). | Offers both “All-or-Nothing” and flexible funding options. |
| Pledge Management | Basic. Often requires third-party tools for complex orders. | Integrated. Seamlessly handles surveys, add-ons, and shipping. |
| Best For | First-time creators needing discoverability. | Established authors with a strong email list. |
Preparing Your Campaign Assets
A successful launch requires months of preparation. You cannot simply post a link and wait for money. The most successful authors treat their campaign page like a high-converting sales landing page.
1. The Budget Breakdown
Transparency builds trust. Your campaign page should clearly explain where the money is going. If you ask for $5,000, show the math.
Concrete Example: Instead of listing “Production Costs,” break it down: “Editor: $1,500 | Cover Artist: $800 | Printing 500 copies: $2,200 | Kickstarter Fees: $500.”
2. The Pitch Video
Kickstarter data suggests that projects with videos have significantly higher success rates. This does not need to be a cinematic masterpiece. A simple video of you holding a prototype of the book, explaining why you wrote it, connects you emotionally to the reader.
3. The Main Story
The text on your campaign page must hook the reader immediately. Use headers and images to break up the text. Focus on the benefits to the reader rather than just the plot of the book.
Need Professional Assets?
A crowdfunding campaign is only as strong as the book behind it. WriteLight Group specializes in author websites to host your landing pages and professional editing to ensure your manuscript is ready for print.
Designing High-Converting Rewards
Rewards are the products backers receive in exchange for their pledge. The key is to offer value at different price points without overcomplicating your fulfillment process.
The Tier Structure
Avoid creating too many confusing options. A standard structure often looks like this:
- $10 – Digital Tier: Ebook (PDF/ePub) + Your name in the acknowledgments.
- $25 – Physical Tier: Paperback copy + Bookmark + Ebook.
- $50 – Deluxe Tier: Signed Hardcover + Art prints + Digital Pack.
- $100+ – Superfan Tier: Limited edition binding, 1-on-1 author chat, or character naming rights.
Stretch Goals
Stretch goals are targets set beyond your initial financial goal. If you ask for $5,000 but reach $7,000, you unlock a bonus for everyone. This incentivizes backers to share your campaign.
Concrete Example: “If we hit $8,000, every physical backer gets a custom foil sticker. If we hit $10,000, we upgrade the paperback cover to have french flaps.”
The Shipping Trap
Shipping is the most common reason crowdfunding campaigns lose money. Authors often calculate the cost of the book but forget the cost of the box, the tape, the label, and international postage rates.
Do not include shipping costs inside the pledge tier price if possible. Instead, charge shipping separately after the campaign ends using a “Pledge Manager” (like BackerKit or PledgeBox). This allows you to charge accurate rates closer to the actual shipping date, protecting you from postage price hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kickstarter money considered taxable income for authors?
Yes, funds raised on crowdfunding platforms are generally considered gross income by tax authorities like the IRS. However, authors can usually deduct production expenses such as printing, editing, and shipping against this income.
What happens if I don’t reach my funding goal on Kickstarter?
Kickstarter uses an all-or-nothing funding model. If you do not reach your financial goal by the deadline, no backers are charged, and you receive zero funds. This protects creators from having to fulfill orders with insufficient capital.
Can I use both Kickstarter and BackerKit?
Yes, many authors use Kickstarter to run the initial campaign and then use BackerKit as a pledge manager to collect shipping fees and upsell add-ons after the campaign ends.
0 Comments