Since my exploits with Kickstarter, I've become a huge believer in their mission. The website allows artists and other creative types to organize pledge drives as a way to fund random endeavors. Artists offer incentives at various levels of giving, which are usually quite generous. Thoughts on Kickstarter from my December 2009 interview with CBR:
I found Kickstarter.com through Jamie Tanner, very talented comic book creator of "The Aviary." He had a project on the site. I was completely enamored by Kickstarter. I spent an entire day just watching videos of people talking about things that inspired them, things they were passionate about. I could care less about circumnavigating the globe in a sailboat, but it was cool to hear someone with such enthusiasm. And hell, just try watching the LaPorte, Indiana video without getting a little choked up. Kickstarter is not for the cynical. It was a good experience for me. It's not only about raising the money; it's also about finding that supportive circle of friends and family. I was very moved by the encouragement we received. The only problem I had was collecting everyone's mailing address. (If you don't send me your address, I can't mail you your pledge rewards!)
Would I do it again? Probably not. If I did, it wouldn't be for a few years -- and only if my back was against the wall, I needed to get something in print or my life would be over. A true passion project. I mean, Kickstarter is great, but it's just that: a kick start. It's not intended to be a sustainable means of having a career in any creative field. Yes, people do get good rewards for their pledges. There is a fair exchange going on, but there still is a "hat in hand" quality to what you're doing -- and you can't keep doing that over and over again. So, Kickstarter was good, but I've had my experience and I'm probably not going to do it again. However, I will keep supporting other projects on Kickstarter.
This year, I've supported: Jamie Tanner's next graphic novel Gordon McAlpin's Multiplex Spike and Diana Nock's Poorcraft Joel Schroeder's Dear Mr. Watterson documentary Joseph Pais's RIP No. 01 Josh Elder's Reading With Pictures anthology Kody Chamberlain's SWEETS comic book series
I have one more project that I would like to recommend. Jess Smart Smiley (real name?) has a comic book called "A Map in the Dirt." It looks beautiful. Seriously, the hand lettering alone is worth your money.
Go here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jess-smart-smiley/new-comic-book-by-jess-smart-smiley.
Pledge your support.
