Anthea Sharp is the founder of the mighty FB group Kickstarter for Authors, and has given workshops, talks, and consulted with creators on hundreds of Kickstarter campaigns over the last four years. In addition, Anthea has raised over $130k on Kickstarter for her own projects. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Feyland series and the Darkwood Chronicles. Discover more about her books and consulting services at fiddleheadpress.com.

Kickstarter for Authors 2nd Edition - Including Bonus Materials by Anthea L. Sharp

Bring your author dreams to life!

•Make awesome books & special editions

•Nurture superfans

•Boost your income

•Free yourself from the retailer hamster wheel!

Whether you're writing fiction, poetry, nonfiction, children's books, editing anthologies, or involved with any number of bookish endeavors, Kickstarter for Authors, 2nd Edition gives you the essential tools and techniques to launch your first project - or lift your next one to new heights.

"Anthea's knowledge about Kickstarter has been invaluable. From how to use the platform, to best practices, and more, Anthea has been a huge help with navigating Kickstarter." - Rebecca L. Garcia, creator of four successful campaigns funding a total of $140k

This book distills all the best advice and research in one bursting-at-the-seams package. In addition to detailed step-by-step instructions and a comprehensive Kickstarter Checklist, it contains the current best-practices for successful campaigns, pitfalls to avoid, and a look at the newest tools Kickstarter has rolled out to help creators. Plus, read a new exclusive interview with Kickstarter's Director of Publishing.

BONUS MATERIALS – Exclusive to this StoryBundle!

In addition to the newest edition of Kickstarter for Authors, Anthea has included a bundle packed with extra goodies, including: Top Tips for your Kickstarter Campaign, a printable twelve-page PDF checklist going over every step of setting up your project, Bonus Promo Secrets, and a 24-page AMA she did with backers of her most recent Kickstarter, full of great Q&A.

CURATOR'S NOTE

In her biographical materials for Kickstarter for Authors, Anthea mentions that she's made over $130,000 on Kickstarter and she runs a Facebook group called Kickstarter for Authors. What she only mentions in passing is that she has a large and rabid fanbase for her fiction under two different names. It almost feels like Kickstarter is her hobby. It's a good hobby that helps her grow that fanbase, and brings in more readers every day. Now, with the second edition, she's revealing how to use Kickstarter more effectively in 2026 than ever before. – Kristine Kathryn Rusch

 

REVIEWS

  • "As an author, Anthea's guidance on the Kickstarter platform has been irreplaceable. When I first saw her post about her personal results on Kickstarter, I thought "that's wonderful, but it would never work for me." Still, I joined her Facebook group and started reading and studying. My first campaign funded at $9,000+. All I did was read Anthea's advice and study campaigns. If you're serious about running a Kickstarter or even just exploring the idea, back this project and read this book!"

    – E.V. Everest

  • "Anthea Sharp is the Kickstarter master! I would not have had such a successful campaign without her wisdom and guidance."

    – USA Today Bestselling Author Rose Garcia

  • "If authors are looking at the possibility of doing a Kickstarter for their work, this is one of THE key resources you should get. Anthea has studied this extensively, run her own campaigns, and oversees a popular Facebook group for authors looking at Kickstarter. It was so helpful in running my own successful campaign. It's well-organized, easy to read, and very informative. I highly recommend it."

    – Jason C. Joyner

  • "What an outstanding resource. Any author planning to do a Kickstarter campaign must have a copy of this in the toolbox. The information is super-current, extremely readable, and packed with critical information and tips."

    – Kayce Lassiter
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

About the Book

Kickstarter for Authors is a comprehensive guide created by a writer (me!), for writers. Drawing on my experiences of running twelve successful campaigns to date, plus my deep study of the platform, I'll walk you through every step of crafting a successful Kickstarter campaign, start to finish. From strategizing your project and setting attainable goals to building an enticing campaign page and engaging with backers, we'll leave no stone unturned.

But crowdfunding on Kickstarter isn't just about raising money for your book (though that's a significant perk). It's also about opening up the potential of your writing career. It's about connecting with readers who'll love your work as much as you do. It's about leaving your mark on the world with your words and stories.

More and more authors are finding success (often in the 5-figure funding range) with their projects on Kickstarter. Are you ready to join their ranks?

In this new, updated edition, you'll find all my best advice and research in one bursting-at-the-seams package. In addition to detailed step-by-step instructions and a brand-new comprehensive Kickstarter Checklist, it contains everything you need to succeed: current best practices for successful campaigns, pitfalls to avoid, and a deep dive into the newest tools Kickstarter has rolled out to help authors & creators reach their goals.

What's new in 2025?

A lot! So much has changed on Kickstarter since 2023, when the first edition of this book came out.

Not only has the Kickstarter interface gone through some serious upgrades, with a bunch of significant new functionalities, the book and publishing ecosystem on the platform has been rapidly expanding and shifting.

While some of the core best practices remain, there are now a lot of new things for an author using Kickstarter to consider. I have brand-new and refined advice for almost every aspect of the platform.

One of the most positives shifts is that as more authors are using Kickstarter, more readers are using the platform as a place to discover new books. Back in 2022-23, funding amounts were generally lower, especially for "unknown" authors. Now, however, more and more projects are funding solidly into the mid-four-figures. Even better, five-figure campaigns are becoming fairly common for more experienced creators. Kickstarter is "the one weird publishing niche that the big retailers don't want you to know about!"

What's new in the 2025 edition?

•Special Editions - A new section in Part Four discusses what elements go into making a special edition. Plus, I look at many of the current printer options around the world and point out some pros and cons of each.

•New Pricing and Profit Section – Chapter Four is expanded with more information on budgeting, costs, and how to make a profit on your campaign.

•Campaign Creation - Completely revised step-by-step walkthrough from start to finish. Chapters Five through Seven are heavily rewritten, and include information on Pledge Over Time, Secret Tiers, Featured Reward, Late Pledges, and more.

•Brand New Interview - More insight from Oriana Leckert, Kickstarter's Head of Publishing, about the changes on the platform - plus a peek at what's ahead.

•New information on Fulfillment Managers & Campaign Management - What to look for with shipping help, for both US and non-US creators. Plus, when is it a good idea to get some extra assistance with your project, and what options are out there for authors? Find this in Part Four.

•Kickstarter's Pledge Manager – A whole new chapter! (Chapter Six)

•Backer Survey Changes – It's totally different now. (Chapter Sixteen)

•More Promo Tips – Chapter Fourteen goes more in depth on how to find backers.

•Scammers - As more and more authors see success on the platform, the bad actors are moving in. What to watch for and how to protect yourself, in Chapter Twelve.

•Tested Strategies - Authors have learned a lot over the last two years. Every section of this book includes new knowledge on what's working best, and how to ensure your campaign is set up for success.

•UPS - Why to never use them when shipping overseas from the US. I discuss this in the new Going Global section.

•Going Global – A new addition to Part Four of the book. Tariffs, sourcing books from overseas printers, the EU's new GPSR requirements, international shipping issues, and how to navigate the sometimes turbulent seas of doing business in a global economy.

New Kickstarter Features

If you haven't run a campaign in a while, these are the new things Kickstarter has rolled out over the last two years. I'll talk about each feature, tell you how to optimize it, what it's best for, and the various pros and cons of each.

•Expanded Prelaunch Page

•Late Pledges

•Secret Tiers

•Featured Rewards

•Campaign Table of Contents

•Pledge Over Time

•Late Pledges

•Kickstarter's New Pledge Manager

•Backer Surveys

•New Backer Report functionality

Many of the new features interact in surprising ways. I'll guide you through all of these changes so you can make the absolute most of your campaign!