T.A.A. CARES

Last week, told the story of how I met a kindred spirit on Kickstarter, a site where authors and

other creative entrepreneurs to earn funds needed to create projects that might not otherwise

come to pass, the catch is that you must earn the minimum of the funds you request, so anyone

who uses Kickstarter needs to really budget out what the project you’re proposing.

 

You can earn more than the minimum, but you MUST meet the minimum target price you set or any

 

 

funds earned with return to their respective donors (Called “Backers” on Kickstarter).

 

The reason for this distinction is because Kickstarter isn’t a charity (As they say here) but a way for people to fund their dream projects, and in return for the funds and believe in the project, you give the backers incentives that are possible by funding the project in question. I was But there are countless other projects that need championing, and while

Given the niche of this site, I feel it’s important to support new voices that for whatever reason can’t be via traditional means. So, I’m launching an initiative that will shed light on projects I believe need to come to pass, and if money’s the only (or most glaring) barrier to entry-

 TAA_CARES 2

I’ve wanted to do this for some time, and now’s the right time to start, and my first project being highlighted through T.A.A. CARES t is the prime example of what this site’s about. 

Learn more about the project (And incentive rewards should the project be funded) here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsidwell/fetch-an-illustrated-book?ref=category

And watch the pitch video below-

I know for many of you money’s tight, and I’m no different, but I also know how it feels to have the drive, passion, and perseverance to bring to a project, but lack of money or connections gets in the way. I often say to my writer friends that , as much as I want (and continue to search for) an agent for my long term career. But there are always some projects that I want full creative control over, and platforms like Kickstarter make it possible to get the money needed to pay our partners (Illustrators, cover designers, print costs, etc.) what they are worth, without mortgaging your place of residence (If you have that option…) to do it.

While I’m not ready to self-publish, I have nothing but respect (And some envy…) for those who are betting on their passion and perseverance, it’s not an easy thing to do, and our current economic issues (Global or individual) don’t help ease the pressure. I ask those of you who can donate, do so, and if you can, spread the word to those who can.

Donate funds before the project deemed “Failed” and I don’t want to see these free-wheeling canines stuck at the start line before they even start their engines.

Writers, share this blog post to anyone you know who sees in this project what I do, I ask parents and loyal readers to T.A.A. to do the same. If you choose to donate, please e-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com, write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line, and tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention series and author or creator)

If you you tweet about this project, please use the hashtag “#taacares” so people know you learned of the project through this site.

*If the project is funded, I’ll select three winners at random who will win one of the following-

1 Grand Prize Winner will recieve: A signed copy of the “FETCH”  + a signed edition of my upcoming debut novel, GABRIEL (Pub. Date TBA) published by G8Press.

2 runners-up will win a signed copy of GABRIEL (pub. date: TBA)

 (If you wish your copy to be personalized for you or who you may gift it to, let me know in your entry)

*NOTE: Prizes will only be awarded if the project is funded at the minimum amount.

Winners will be announced on the site, Facebook (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts) and Twitter (@TAA_Editor). DON’T send your contact information (Other than the email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 21st, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time) Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S. (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada. 

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word. 

UPDATE (9/19/13): You no longer have to donate to enter the giveaway!

Please click the link below for the updated giveaway rules-

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/fetch-giveaway

Until next time,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

How I met a Kindred Spirit On Kickstarter

 

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For those of you unfamiliar with “Kickstarter” it’s part fundraiser, part social network, all about giving authors and other creative types the chance to turn their dream projects into reality.

Unlike ebay, though, your project has to be screened and approved by Kickstarter, so just like authors submitting manuscripts (or illustrators portfolios of their work) we can be rejected, and if we don’t earn the amount of money set as a benchmark, all money’s returned to their respective donors (Which Kickstarter calls “Backers”), so this isn’t an easy way to score funds, but it is a WAY, and it can be an added motivator to help authors committed to their work make connections with their backers, and lead to networking opportunities not possible before.

It’s essentially an ebay-style fundraiser service with a social network aspect, but unlike Facebook, you have to be a paying “Backer” to be part of the dialogue of a Kickstarter project. Minimum is 1.00 ($USD), but can be higher, and the more you can donate, the greater the rewards backers can earn. 

In terms of book projects, I’ve seen everything from signed editions (If and when the campaign earns it’s target amount), being mentioned in the acknowledgements, and for one project I will highlight next week (That’s nearing it’s final days and hope you’ll open your pocketbooks for along with me) you can even have your dog illustrated into the story!

 I connected with this author who had this cool Kickstarter campaign, sadly it was too late for me to donate, and she only raised half the the money she needed, but long story short (For once), I reached out to her and offered to help if I could, though she didn’t reach her goal on Kickstarter, she’s determined to make her picture book series happen, and her first book is available in limited quantities, and it’s GORGEOUS! Her illustrator reminds me of the late, great Fred Marcelino, and even though the campaign’s over, you’ve got to see the video while you still can, she did a good job on it, IMHO-

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennifercarson/fox-hollow-tales-first-in-the-series-illustrated-s

For those of you who are still “Social Networking” averse, THIS is a prime example of TRUE down-to-earth networking at work. I would NOT have known about Jennifer Carson or this charming book had I not leapt into Kickstarter, and while her Kickstarter campaign didn’t earn out, she and her illustrator are not giving up, and when this book comes to fruition, your literary rat will tell you about it.

In the meantime, I urge you to check out Kickstarter to see if there are projects you’d like to be a backer for. The best part about Kickstarter is that you can make a difference if earnings are met, even exceeded the target goal. You might even have the honor of one day saying “I helped this author get started” not just by donating your money, but also by saying (Even if not aloud) “You’re Enough.” Two words ANY person wants to hear in life, but especially when they do something that comes from their hearts, and are willing to put themselves out there above and beyond to do so.

While I couldn’t help Jennifer financially get this book off the ground, meeting a kindred spirit in terms of what we write and read, Kickstarter’s platform brought me to someone I’d otherwise might not know about, and her story among others I found browsing Kickstarter campaigns this summer reminds me why it’s so important to give back.

To learn more about Jennifer Carson-

Check out her interview the blog  for “Fiber College of Maine” (http://fibercollege.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/artist-interview-jennifer-carson/)

Follow her on Twitter (@JenniferCarson)

Stay tuned next week for an important post on how you can contribute to another new voice in the world of animal fantasy, and what you can win (From me) if you do.

Until next time,

May the fantastic fauna be with you.