He got up and sat on the edge of the bedstead with his back to the window. “It’s better not to sleep at all,” he decided. There was a cold damp draught from the window, however; without getting up he drew the blanket over him and wrapped himself in it. He was not thinking of anything and did not want to think. But one image rose after another, incoherent scraps of thought without beginning or end passed through his mind. He sank into drowsiness. Perhaps the cold, or the dampness, or the dark, or the wind that howled under the window and tossed the trees roused a sort of persistent craving for the fantastic. He kept dwelling on images of flowers, he fancied a charming flower garden, a bright, warm, almost hot day, a holiday—Trinity day. A fine, sumptuous country cottage in the English taste overgrown with fragrant flowers, with flower beds going round the house; the porch, wreathed in climbers, was surrounded with beds of roses. A light, cool staircase, carpeted with rich rugs, was decorated with rare plants in china pots. He noticed particularly in the windows nosegays of tender, white, heavily fragrant narcissus bending over their bright, green, thick long stalks. He was reluctant to move away from them, but he went up the stairs and came into a large, high drawing-room and again everywhere—at the windows, the doors on to the balcony, and on the balcony itself—were flowers. The floors were strewn with freshly-cut fragrant hay, the windows were open, a fresh, cool, light air came into the room. The birds were chirruping under the window, and in the middle of the room, on a table covered with a white satin shroud, stood a coffin. The coffin was covered with white silk and edged with a thick white frill; wreaths of flowers surrounded it on all sides. Among the flowers lay a girl in a white muslin dress, with her arms crossed and pressed on her bosom, as though carved out of marble. But her loose fair hair was wet; there was a wreath of roses on her head. The stern and already rigid profile of her face looked as though chiselled of marble too, and the smile on her pale lips was full of an immense unchildish misery and sorrowful appeal. Svidrigaïlov knew that girl; there was no holy image, no burning candle beside the coffin; no sound of prayers: the girl had drowned herself. She was only fourteen, but her heart was broken. And she had destroyed herself, crushed by an insult that had appalled and amazed that childish soul, had smirched that angel purity with unmerited disgrace and torn from her a last scream of despair, unheeded and brutally disregarded, on a dark night in the cold and wet while the wind howled

10 Crowdfunding Platforms for Writers

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CrowdfundingforWritersWhy not get people to support you while you write your book, instead of waiting until afterwards? 

This is called crowdsourcing or crowdfunding, depending on whether you are using the crowd for money or for support. 

But how does one go about crowdsourcing? There are many ways and the steps are simple.

First, determine what kind of “crowd” is right for you. Consider your readers, Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections, or any other group who is ready to help you flesh out new creative content. For instance, if you are looking to grasp your reader’s attention, you might consider reaching out to authors and/or bloggers in your genre who would offer you insight.

Now you are ready to make contact. Once you’ve targeted a crowd and have set the goals you want to achieve, it’s time to start your campaign. Your main objectives will be to consider the length of your campaign post, determine the best ways to connect to a group, and consider ways of engaging with prospective readers.

The key to all of this is finding the right crowdsourcing platform for your book, but be aware of the risks that come with every online forum. Always make sure you’re dealing with trustworthy organizations. For instance, make sure the site you are visiting doesn’t redirect you to murky web addresses, and is not asking for personal or financial information. Also, if you choose to participate in a crowdfunding project, make sure the ideas or comments you contribute are your own and not taken from someone else.

So there is your blueprint for crowdsourcing a book. Take a sip of this method and try these:

10 Crowdfunding Platforms for Writers

1. ROCKETHUB

RocketHub-1024x313RocketHub is known for helping content creators connect with partners to fund their creative projects. Their website has been specially designed to help all writers achieve their goals. They work with governments, educators, and communities to make sure your opportunities will reach success. There is no charge to launch your project, and unlike other crowdfunding platforms, RocketHub doesn’t carry an all-or-nothing system. They specialize in using commercial names to help promote your writing project for larger audiences.

2. UNBOUND

Unbound-LogoUnbound supports the kind of writing that doesn’t get published but should be published. They shine a light in a dark tunnel for creative writers with The Unbound Model — a straightforward plan that gives writers the chance to publish their dream book. The writer simply pitches an idea, and if enough readers support it, the book has a bright future.

3. AUTHR

AuthrAuthr is a crowdfunding website that provides its users with a platform for pre-marketing a book concept before you even write it. It also gives supporters the opportunity to fund money to help you write the book. Authr also sponsors a sales referral page where a writer can gain courage to market and sell their book.

4. PATREON

patreonPatreon is the way to go for writers to earn continuous funding directly from their readers. As a content creator, you get paid for creating the things you’re currently working on. Fans pledge money per month or per project, and then you get paid every month, or every time you release a new project.

5. CROWDRISE

Crowdrise_logo_326x80CrowdRise is an fundraising platform that cares about raising money for charitable causes and having fun while doing it. Their online platform is designed to help you create a successful fundraiser for any good cause. The CrowdRise platform allows you to customize your own campaign, so you can create a place to send your supporters to raise enough money to fund your best project.

6. PLUM ALLEY

paPlum Alley focuses primarily on women with creative projects. They offer a “rewards based’ model of crowdfunding, which entails people giving money to support a project they want to create. It is the duty of the creator to launch an organized campaign in a way that shows what they want to raise money for and why it matters to them. Plum Alley has a long-standing history of helping women achieve success.

7. WRITERSFUNDING.COM

c8Kq3yQCWritersFunding is a crowdfunding platform where people who want to raise money for their writing project can create fundraising campaigns to tell the story of their dreams. Writers from all over the world can use WritersFunding, both to raise money and to connect and contribute to other writers.

 

 

8. KICKSTARTER

logo-kickstarter-300x96Kickstarter is an funding platform for creative projects. As a creator, you have full control of your project. You are able to set your own funding goal and deadline. When you are ready, you can launch your project on the Kickstarter site and share it with the online community. In a nut shell, if people like your project, they can pledge money to make it happen.

9. GOFUNDME

gofundme-logoGoFundMe makes it simple to raise money online for the things that matters to you most. Here, you can personalize your fundraising campaign and share it with the people in your life. The money you collect goes directly to you and each donation you receive is yours to keep.

 

10. INDIEGOGO

logo-indiegogo-300x150Indiegogo believes anyone with a dream should be able to make it happen.  They make it their mission to help you achieve success by clearing the obstacles creators seem to face when bringing their projects to life. Indiegogo empowers their community to discover and elevating great projects all around the world. Campaign strategists, retail partnerships, campaign and marketplace support—all are available to help you bring your ideas from dreams to reality.

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17 comments

    1. It depends on the genre of the book. I own a company that helps authors market their books. Feel free to take a look at emeraldlakebooks.com and use the contact form if you’d like to talk.

      Reply

  3. Why did not include Publishizer? They are a fantastic option for authors wanting to use that crowdfunding concept to get their book out there.

    Reply

  5. John…which of these would you think has the best potential for books that would contradict conventional wisdom…specifically regarding the misguided advice for Americans from the food and financial industries?

    Reply

    1. I was just at a convention where Kickstarter was there, and they have a pretty robust publishing platform. I know it’s obvious, but they seemed on top of their game.

      Reply

  6. I am currently trying to complete my novel but keep hitting road blocks. I have ideas for other books, I just don’t know where to start, my ideas are dancing in my head all the time. I just want to complete one book before I go to the next.

    Reply

    1. I think your situation is in fact…….very normal. I’ve been writing for over 35 years and, again, you’re normal. I’ve set my priorities like this. On a current project, leave a little time for “creative interruptions” and just audio tape your thoughts. I find one you have fed the dragon, it will sleep (for a while). That should allow you to complete your 1st book. After, repeat the process. Good luck.

      Reply

  7. I tried Publishizer for my memoir and although I received 5 interested publishers, I did not raise one penny in funding. I think crowdfunding works best of you are a popular person among a large group of friends, organizations and social clubs. If you are an introverted, reclusive writer, crowdfunding will fail you.

    Reply

  8. Hi Everyone – as a response to the Covid crisis. I created a bi-weekly Zoom event called A Writer’s Desk (https://www.facebook.com/writersdesks/?modal=admin_todo_tour) which features 15 minute interviews with writers. We’ve had Simon Winchester, Tom Holland, Isabella Tree, Heather Dune Macadam and others. It’s a lot of work with some ancillary costs- reading, prepping and doing the interviews, paying for the Zoom subscription – so I would love to hear from anyone with suggestions about the best place to try and crowdfund this. I am not looking to become rich from it, but would like to feel I wasn’t draining my (very limited) personal resources to keep it going. All best Simon Worrall

    Reply

    1. Good evening Mr. Worrall,
      I love writing and I need some expertise i.e. suggestions.
      I want to self-publish my first children’s book. I see there are a few platforms for the funding for writers. Can you offer any advise?

      Thank you

      Reply

  12. All my books have publishers but I want to launch a mega marketing plan to promote me and my mission : boost Public Awareness of Modern Day Slavery and the dangers and suffering of the victims
    I need 4600£ to do this

    Reply

Every writer NEEDS this book.

It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.

Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.

Learn More

Every writer NEEDS this book.

It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.

Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.

Learn More