It’s not every day that you see a children’s book skyrocket to $40k in funding but that’s exactly what Lizzie Charbonneau orchestrated with her debut book, Your Whole Body.
Lizzie graciously shared some of the behind-the-scenes tips on how she shared her book with readers during the pre-launch phase and how she approached her target audience.
How long did you plan your campaign during the pre-launch/outreach phase?
Engaged readers
Mass outreach

You mentioned that you didn’t have a large following on social media following but used it to connect with others in the genre who did have large audiences.
Why do you think this approach has been so successful for you?

What has surprised you the most about this campaign/launch?
What do you wish more authors knew about (what advice or tip) before launching their books on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo?
Will you continue to launch future books via Kickstarter?
It is also a trusted middle-man and has the all-or-nothing approach, which gives people more confidence that they’ll get what they paid for.
However, it is a lot of work and is very stressful. If I have another book in me that I’m as passionate about as this one, I’d do it again. Otherwise, probably not.
Do you have any other tips for authors looking for a model for success?
What great tips from a wonderful author!
As you can see, Lizzie engaged with her audience and conducted outreach for approximately five months. She made it as easy as possible for readers to know what they were getting in the Kickstarter campaign by sharing a watermarked PDF of her manuscript and a super press kit designed for easy sharing on social media.
Even with all of that success, Lizzie admits Kickstarters are still stressful and a ton of work!
Be sure to order her book, Your Whole Body, if you’re not already one of her 1500 backers and connect with her below.

Author bio
Lizzie DeYoung Charbonneau is a children’s book author, software developer, and mother. Lizzie grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and currently resides in Massachusetts.
Lizzie believes it is important for young children to know the names of all of their body parts. To help teach her son about his body, Lizzie looked for a picture book that discussed genitals the same way as other body parts. She wasn’t able to find one, so she decided to write it, consulting with parents, child safety experts, pediatricians, gender specialists, and educators. The result is Your Whole Body, an inclusive book for children about the entire body.
To learn more, visit arcticflowerpublishing.com.
Illustrator bio
Misha Iver is an illustrator who has made her home in Burlington, Vermont.
Because she believes that children’s literature represents inspiration, transformation, and hope, she feels lucky to work in this field where she can be a part of a significant and beautiful force.
Misha Iver draws her deepest inspiration from nature, and her love for botanical illustration has made it a specialty of hers.
You can connect with Misha at mishaiver.com.
If you’re interested in learning WHAT it takes to create a campaign that has this level of success, then you’re invited to book a free 60-minute discovery call with Lisa Ferland here.
Please, serious inquiries only — you must have big goals ($10k or more) and be ready to work hard and invest in your own success.