I'm writing a daily update on Kickstarter for my backers there and will continue to share some of that here on the blog and in newsletter updates. I'm quite fascinated with this platform and am liking it more as I become more familiar with the possibilities. Kickstarter leans in to fantasy elements in fiction. Since it's become a place for fans to connect with creators over beloved franchises, I thought it might be a good fit with the Dragonfire Novels. So, even though this is a complicated campaign (which made it less of a good choice for a first effort), this content is a better fit for backers already using Kickstarter.
All industries change and digital publishing is no different. We've seen steady erosion in the ability of authors to connect directly with readers through tools at the various retail platforms: the portals, quite naturally, want their customers to remain within their environment. I think it's past time for authors to forge new and better connections with their audiences. Kickstarter offers one way to do that.
My plan is to use Kickstarter campaigns to repackage existing content in 2023, so I can get my bearings there. I have a lot of content, after all, and there are plenty of options available to feature it in new ways. I have three more campaigns in the planning and will let you know when they can be followed. After that, I hope to use Kickstarter to launch new content. It's much harder to have a big launch day than it was years ago, but production costs have only gone up. By giving readers an early peek at Kickstarter, I hope to cover the costs of publishing before that launch day, maybe have more reviews and see my books leave the harbor of my office under full sail.
I've started that process already. While this campaign's focus is the hardcover omnibus editions of The Dragonfire Novels, I've also added an early ebook of the next Dragonfire Novel. Kiss of Enchantment is Orion's story and will be published in November - but those who support that reward tier at Kickstarter will be able to read the book in the spring.
Kickstarter is also fun. Not only are there many many interesting projects (I could buy tarot card sets until the end of time there) but the community itself is very warm and welcoming. I like that creators share each other's campaigns and back each other's campaigns, and I like the intimacy of writing an update to my backers every morning. Although the campaign requires my attention while it's running (and probably will for a while afterward), the focus makes it easier than having an online store - which is open 24/7 forever. I'm going to remove the physical content for sale from my websites today. In future, all signed books will be available through Kickstarter campaigns. I'll still sell the big digital bundles directly in some cases, with BookFunnel fulfillment.
And I like making the swag. 
With a campaign at Kickstarter, I have the opportunity to create new swag specifically for a group of enthusiastic readers. One of my projects this time is printed Dragonfire Family Trees. It looks as if there will be more than twelve of them, printed on 6x9" postcards. I want these myself (!!) and we're just $200 away from adding them to the campaign.
Here are the Mermaid Gemstone Bracelets that are included with the Early Bird BookWorm swag boxes. I finally got a picture of them. They're more turquoise than they appear to be here - like an azure sea! - and this mermaid reminded me immediately of Quinn's talisman in Kiss of Fire. She's not wrought iron and the charm is too small to be a doorknocker, but the shape is evocative to me.
Have you checked out my Kickstarter campaign yet?
If not, here it is.
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