Crowdfund Your Book

Crowdfund Your Book

In the new era of self-publishing, crowdfunding and print-on-demand is sweeping through the publishing industry. Indie Publishers, like myself, are looking for more ways to get books in front of readers. But if you're self-publishing, this is even MORE important.

Check out our IndieGoGo Campaign for an example of an Indie Publishing Crowdfunder.

https://igg.me/at/soonkitty

What is Soon Kitty?

An illustrated picture book adventure of a procrastinating kitty with too much to do and no idea where to start. With illustrations by the talented James Ishizaki and written by YouTuber Grant Uchida, the message of Soon Kitty's plight hits a little close to home for me and my dreams as a writer and publisher. It's the kind of thing you want to tape to your motivation wall.

Where to start?

1. Write a good book. Make sure it's a story that sticks with you. Make sure there's tension or conflict. It can be internal, external, or both. But without conflict, most stories fall short. Also look for the strong message you're trying to send. We don't just write books to hear our words read by someone else. We write because there's something inside us that needs to be said, something that needs to come out. Find that, and you'll have more motivation to persist when you're on your 5th or 6th draft.
2. Research Your Options. I'm not going to get into each here (that's a whole other rabbit hole), but you're looking at 3-4 options.
• Traditional Publishing (writing Query Letters to agents, ect.)
• Self-Publishing (doing it all yourself; hiring an editor before publishing it on somewhere like Amazon's KDP or Barnes and Nobel's Press; learning formatting or hiring for it, cover design, ect. and then marketing like crazy ex. Crowdfunding, Social Media, &/or Advertising) --I strongly recommend checking out the Self Publishing Formula guys if you want to go this route.
• Indie Publishing (looking for micro-publishers like myself)
• Or a Hybrid of these options (just be up front and read paperwork thoroughly before signing with any publisher about your goals and plans)
3. Make a decision and go for broke. Start writing manuscripts like you've never written manuscripts before. A one off hit is about as likely as hitting the lottery--we still hope to hit it, but never count on it. This road is a marathon and will always take longer than you expect, more effort, and more rejection than you think you can handle. But if you're committed to doing this, then NOTHING can stop you.

Labor of Love

Last night was both one of the most exciting experiences of my life and one of the most peaceful. I count the birth of my best friend's daughter as the most incredible day of my life since my wedding day and honeymoon.

I was very apprehensive about being there at first. But once I arrived, there was no turning me away unless it was to get her dinner the second her little one was born. (It ended up being breakfast and she had it waiting before the baby was even out.) I was afraid of the whole process before. I don't really know how our bodies work down to the nitty gritty. Sex Ed was so long ago and primarily geared towards teaching you not to get pregnant at an early age or catch HIV. They succeeded in that regard. But I digress.

I was never comfortable with how the female body works. I wanted kids, but would almost prefer to adopt just to avoid the unpleasant business of popping one out down there. The idea of carrying the baby wasn't the problem. It was fear of the unknown.

After this experience, I can honestly say I feel there's nothing to be afraid of anymore. I am not intimidated by it any longer. If my best friend can do it, so can I. Thank you, Marcy, from the bottom of my heart for that experience.