Children’s book authors often face steeper costs when creating their books than adult fiction or non-fiction writers.
There are the additional costs of illustration (ranging from $1200-$10,000 for a 32-page picture book), and often the cost of a print run of 3,000-10,000 books from either local printers or printers overseas. Then there are warehouse and fulfillment fees to cover for orders placed on Amazon.
Many children’s book authors are turning to Kickstarter and IndieGoGo to not only fully fund their books but also boost their marketing efforts.
- In the Facebook Group, Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators, which I recommend joining, many of the authors have successfully Kickstarted their books and subsequently, their self-publishing businesses to great success.
Why Crowdfund Your Book?
Crowdfunding does a few things that waiting to market your book launch doesn’t.
When you crowdfund your book, you…
- Validate your book’s idea with your audience before you get too far down the road of creation
- Engage with your audience in a more personal way and offer them special rewards in addition to your book—something you can’t do on Amazon.
- Communicate directly with your backers—Amazon does not provide you any information about who buys your book
- Generate more funds for your book than you can selling the same number of books during a pre-launch (profit margins are a bit larger than royalty rates)
- Boost your confidence when your book is demanded by the readers. There is a feeling of incredible pride and humility when you realize that your readers are helping you create your book.
- Create a viral buzz about your book. By cramming three months of marketing efforts into 30 days, you generate a veritable swirl of energy around your book.
- Can afford a better team. When you crowdfund your book, instead of footing the bill from your own pocket, you can pay thousands for an experienced illustrator. You can opt for the thicker paper that’s more expensive. You can end up with a higher quality book when you have a larger budget (all things considered equal, of course).
And magic takes place during and after a crowdfunding campaign.
Like local news coverage, radio spots, cross-collaborations, and other opportunities that occur when you start reaching out to anyone and everyone who might be interested in your campaign.
The time-limited nature of the campaign forces creators to be bold and take action when it comes to marketing outreach that doesn’t usually happen during other book launches.
Examples of Children’s Book Crowdfunding Campaigns
While some campaigns are more successful than others, almost every campaign listed has resulted in an incredible boost to the visibility of the book, the sales, and/or the audience who is ready to purchase subsequent books from the author.
Note: *All of the following book images are linked to my Amazon affiliate account which results in tiny donations in my tip jar when you click at no extra cost to you.*
Title: The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry—travel books for kids
Author: This Little Street
Backers: 928
Total raised: $38,560 (154%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1157341531/the-adventures-of-lily-huckleberry-travel-books-fo
Title: The Children’s Book for Little Girls Who Dream BIG! Rad Girl Revolution
Author: Sharita Manickam & Jen Bruno
Backers: 616
Total raised: $21,436 (142%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radgirlbook/the-childrens-book-for-little-girls-who-dream-big
Title: Not Especially Special
Author: Katie Savage
Backers: 320
Total raised: $15,154 (126%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2093056334/not-especially-special-a-childrens-picture-book/
Title: ‘You Stole my Name’, Dennis McGregor’s new children’s book
Author: Dennis McGregor
Backers: 407
Total raised: $27,302 (137%)
Title: I’m NOT just a Scribble—Children’s Book that Inspires ART!
Author: Diane Alber
Backers: 423
Total raised: $15,343 (153%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/282178178/im-not-just-a-scribble-childrens-book-that-inspire?
Title: Finally! A Book About Disabilities That Everyone Can Enjoy!
Author: Jay Miletsky
Backers: 166
Total raised: $13,923 (116%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/newpaigepress/childrens-book-publishing-company-with-a-twist
Title: Seeds and Trees: A children’s book about the power of words
Author: Brandon Walden
Backers: 104
Total raised: $6,550 (131%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/585313274/seeds-and-trees-a-childrens-book-about-the-power-o?
Title: If I Had A Giant Toe
Author: Jill Clark
Backers: 137
Total raised: $5,457 (136%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/861097175/if-i-had-eleven-toes
Title: Cami Kangaroo has Too Many Sweets
Author: Stacy Bauer
Backers: 201
Total raised: $6,411 (160%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1325593273/cami-kangaroo-has-too-many-sweets
Title: Scavenger Scout: Rock Hound
Author: Jamie Untz
Backers: 109
Total raised: $7,215 (103%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744028727/scavenger-scout-childrens-book-for-kids-who-rock?
Title: Into Your Dreams
Author: Roger Blonder
Backers: 197
Total raised: $16,760 (111%)
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/76408786/into-your-dreams?
Want to go behind-the-scenes?
Get even more insights with in-depth interviews by crowdfunding authors…
Kathleen Cruger and Thankful Frankie
Stacy Bauer and Cami the Kangaroo
Now, don’t be fooled by the amazing successes of the authors who have funded their books using crowdfunding
There is nothing easy about crowdfunding even though these authors make it look effortless.
One in three crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter fail (1 in 3!).
Click here to get on my calendar for a free 20-min chat to see if a) crowdfunding is right for you and b) if I can help you.
Crowdfunding is tough, but I’ve created tools and templates to make it easier.
Click here to hop on my calendar.
Also…grab my freebie below and avoid some pitfalls when planning your campaign.
Hi Lisa! This is a helpful blogpost, even though I’m looking into publishing a fantasy book! My question is, one of the most expensive aspects for my book, would be paying an illustrator to create artwork. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around paying 200-300$ per artwork for a book that requires at least 25 illustrations, if that will then cost me around $7500. I’d be setting up a really high cost for the book already, just by including images in it, wouldn’t I?
Hi Nathan – illustrations are always the most expensive and if you love the artwork, then that’s the cost. You can reduce the costs by limiting the number of illustrations or by finding an illustrator who can operate within your budget.