What would a Veil War Kickstarter look like
by veilwar
Fabulous feedback on the last post, thank you all.
In response to Ian and Allison, especially – my thought about Kickstarter was not that it would replace all the hard work and relentless progress you discuss (and exemplify) – but rather purely as an adjunct to it. As an additional means of advertising, rather than purely a means of making money off my writing directly. Between the hundreds of readers here on this site, plus facebook, twitter, boards, etc – it was my thought that I could, potentially, gain enough traction on a modest kickstarter campaign to achieve some success.
Also, looking at successful (and unsuccessful) kickstarter campaigns – it seems that Tobias Buckell has the right of it:
I think there are three things that make for a Kickstarter success:
1) An intriguing product
2) Created by an entity that has proven it can deliver it
3) Created by an entity that has a following (or publicity reach)
Any two of those create an atmosphere where I think success is more likely. Hit all three, you’re likely to see something interesting.
To which I would add that being able to create a compelling kickstarter campaign is a necessary fourth thing. A lot of the less successful campaigns have decidedly non-compelling awards. I would argue that I have #1 and as soon as I finish the novel, #2. I certainly do not have an internet-scale following, but it’s not exactly zero, either.
As for the campaign itself, here’s what I tentatively imagined as a Veil War kickstarter project:
$5 Mention in the credits (included in all bigger awards)
$10 eBook (included in all bigger rewards)
$25 Trade paperback
$35 Signed trade paper
$50 Limited edition signed hardcover
$75 Artwork – nicely matted and so on
$100 Red Shirt – you will be named, and then killed
$150 Red Shirt + Signed Hardcover + Artwork
$200 Minor Character – you appear, as yourself, in the story.
$250 Minor Character + Signed Hardcover + Artwork
$500 Bonus Story – 2000+ word story, all for yourself to do with as you choose
$750 Supremely grisly and/or heroic death
$1000 Super double-plus mega pack – all smaller rewards in one awesome package deal
I’d also thought that perhaps some other things could be worked in:
- various types of merch, the sort that is easily created on CafePress or similar sites and based on the artwork.
- access to background information and projected storylines.
- meet with the author personally or via internets
Don’t want to overload it, really – but it seems that there are a fair number of people who like being patrons, and will actually pull the trigger on the larger awards. The big question of course is whether any of those people read the Veil War.
My thinking is that if it works, fantastic! I get money, additional publicity, feedback, and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart-cockles. After it’s over, I go on and put the book up for sale on Amazon and proceed as normal. If it doesn’t work, so what? I finish the editing and so on and put the book up for sale on Amazon anyway. It seems perfectly complementary, and wouldn’t in anyway interfere with what I would be doing regardless, and might actually help it along.
What say you?
Might wanna talk to Larry Correia who writes Monster Hunter International books and ask his advice. He just had a kickstarter that way way exceeded his goal.
Interesting – just looked at it. Very successful, though also not for one of his books, rather for an RPG based on his books.
Another interesting thing to note – that very successful campaign raised just over 80k, and with only 800 backers. Average contribution of about $100.
While straight sales are going to get you some cash, you are missing out on the few people who would actually pay more for your work. Setting a moderately low goal would also allow you to more easily exceed that goal, adding to hype, perhaps.
He also has a very big following that if he likes your work, he will promote your stuff. He also is a very awesome writer. He likes to help new writers. What is it gonna hurt to email him and ask him if he has time would he read your scribbles…lol
Nothing at all! I’ll send him an email – as you say, it can’t hurt.
I would be in for $50, I love military fiction
I’ve been thinking of launching my novels
http://morlockpublishing.com/the-book
via kickstarter as well. From a notes file I keep, some ideas I have for levels and incentives.
$ 5 – book 1 ( PDF )
10 – both books ( PDF )
$55 – both books ( hardcover)
$99 – 2x both books (one set for friend)
$150 – character name of your choice (appears 5 times)
$199 – signed, limited edition map of Aristillus
———–
ideas for incentives:
* +$5 patch
* +$5 patch #2
* “thank you” in book
* +5$ story
* +5$ story #2
* character in book
* map
* second set of book
Count me in!
You can count me in at the $150 level…
This is way old and I meant to comment when you posted this on the BS BUT it is an AWESOME idea.