More Bookish Kickstarters Worth Backing
On my list of things to be thankful for this year, I think I might just have to add Kickstarter. We’ve used it to fund two volumes of Start Here at Book Riot, and it has been responsible for bringing us some delightfully bookish projects like To Be or Not to Be, Jett Smith and The Alien Grave, and books trailers like this one from Red 14 Films:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAtifF-YtEE[/youtube]
Kickstarter may have succeeded, at least in my opinion, in removing some of the stigma from self-publishing. Backers get to have a say in what gets produced and how much they are willing to pay for it. We get to help ensure that quality is high, and we become a part of the process. We have ownership of the finished product. That’s a great feeling.
In the the spirit of the season, I hope you’ll consider giving to these projects. You’ll have their (and my) thanks.
The folks at Noble Beast Classics are seeking funding to create a baker’s dozen of interactive ebooks that take classic works of literature and give them a science fiction or fantasy twist. They successfully funded their first book, Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus, and they were so successful that they’ve decided to do a whole run of stories, including A Christmas Carol in Space, Pride & Prejudice Coven, and Never Safe in Neverland, a Dystopian Peter Pan. They are seeking $67,000 and at this writing, they still have a long way to go to meet that goal. Thankfully, they just got started. The project ends on December 12. Backers will get their choice of titles.
First, I’d like to welcome Australia to the world of Kickstarter! Hi, Australia!
This is a fun project that came out of a marathon writing session at the University of Queensland Writer’s Club. They set out to write a collection of short, awkward love stories, and if Ron Jeremy’s blurb isn’t a sign of their success, I don’t know what is. What can you look forward to in reading this stories?
Sea men! Prostitutes! Really hairy people! Daleks (Ejaculate! Ejaculate! Exterminate your clothing)! Demons! Mothers (or is that the same thing)? Alleyways! Affairs in the library! Best friends! Best enemies! An itch downstairs, and more!
They are seeking $1000 AUD, which is about $923 US, and they are just over half way there. Backers will receive eternal gratitude and, in most cases, a DRM free ebook. There’s a print option, too, though you’ll have to spring for shipping to the US. The project ends on December 8.
And now a warm welcome to the UK!
‘Tis the season of NaNoWriMo, and these notebooks are the perfect gift for the aspiring writers in your life – for next year’s NaNo, of course. Each notebook contains “200 pages of potential” and comes with a booklet that gives the rundown on the very basic elements of novel-writing. While I’m sure that there are a fair number of budding wordsmiths that would buy this for themselves, I think it’s a great gift to give the person in your life who has always wanted to write a novel but never gotten around to it. Show them you support their dream. You won’t get it in time for Christmas, but you’ll get a head start on next year’s various gift-giving occasions. They are seeking about $6500 US, and $25 will get you the notebook of your choice. $50 will get you all three. The project ends on December 7.
Ever, Jane is a online role-playing game that allows you to live in the world of Jane Austen. Considering the astounding continued popularity of her novels, this must be an experience that lots of people want to have. Well, here you go. There’s already a playable demo, but it’s just a glimpse of the parties and balls and other social engagements that you’ll be able to attend if the project is funded. They are seeking $100,000, and they are more than halfway to their goal. Backers will get access to the game in its development stages and there are additional perks like ball gowns, horses, and town homes – in the game, of course. The project ends December 1.
Since we’re talking about games, there are a few other projects that are already funded, but they are super awesome, and you need to get in on them!
First, there are amazing playing cards inspired by The Princess Bride. $15 will get you one deck, while $40 will get you all three. There are three totally different styles, and they are just too cute. The project ends on November 26.
Shakespeare Deathmatch is a game that allows you to pit Shakespeare’s most famous characters against each other. Designed by a couple of teachers, the game doesn’t require a whole lot in the way of materials. They are having special cards printed, but you can just as easily play with regular cards and a set of rules. Teachers must be very resourceful, after all. You can be playing for as little as $3. $40 gets you custom cards and a T-shirt. The project ends December 18.
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