If you’ve read this blog at all over the last six months or so, you’ve probably noticed that one thing has occupied quite a lot of my time and attention: crowdfunding my debut novel.
For the uninitiated, crowdfunding works like this…
My lovely publisher, Unbound, offered me a contract for the publication of my novel, on the condition that I raise the £4,000 needed for production through pledges, which are a bit like advance sales of the book.
Everyone who pledges gets a copy of the book, with their name on a list of supporters included in the back. The £4,000 then goes towards the production of the book, so that’s editing, cover design, marketing etc.
Most people are fuzzy on what crowdfunding is, but for an author it often feels like running up to people, screaming BUY MY BOOK in their face and then crying until they give you money.
Joking (sort of).
Crowdfunding is super hard work, especially if you’re a new writer with a small network, but it’s pretty cool and rewarding too.
At the moment, I’m a mere one pound (ONE POUND!) away from being two thirds of the way to my target, which is a sum that has been annoying me all week. As I’ve moved slowly closer to my total, the possibility of being published has become more real and I’m already thinking about the next steps – although what I should be thinking about is finding another 50 or so people to buy my book and help me hit that target.
If you know anyone who enjoys speculative or dystopian fiction, or likes to support the arts, do send them my way. And have 15% off for your trouble (code: disappeared15).