What is Kickstarter?

Several of my subscribers have never heard of Kickstarter and have asked how they buy the book when it launches. The following is an explanation. Get in touch if you want to know more.

Kickstarter is a trusted online platform (kickstarter.com) designed to assist new creators in seeing the demand for their ideas and raise sufficient capital from pre-orders to ensure a project can succeed without the burden of significant financial risks. It is the world’s largest crowdfunding website.

How does it work?

The creator sets a funding goal and a timeframe for achieving it and asks backers to pledge (money) in exchange for a reward. Kickstarter holds the pledges until the timeframe is reached.

If the funding goal is not achieved within the timeframe, the Kickstarter project fails, and all pledges are cancelled. If the sufficient funds are raised by the end date, the creator receives the funds and sets about fulfilling the rewards.

How does this apply to OUR WILD PENNINES?

I am the creator and, subject to amendments, the following apply:

My funding goal is £15,000. The money will go towards printing, postage and packing, storage and distribution and fees.

My timescale is 30 days and is scheduled to commence on 1 July 2025.

You are the backers.

The rewards will include printed copies of Our Wild Pennines and other exclusive items.

The recommended retail price (RRP) will be £45 per copy. I will be asking backers to pledge £40 per copy of the book, with further discounts available for multiple purchases. I aim to fulfil all pledges by mid-October 2025.

I undertake to communicate fully with all backers until their pledge is delivered.

How do backers pledge to buy the book?

If you subscribe to my website, you will receive periodic updates on progress, and when the Kickstarter page goes live, I will post a link for backers to pledge.

What is my commitment?

I have invested the last seven years in time and equipment, capturing images, researching local conservation issues and putting it all together in Our Wild Pennines, my first published book.

I hope others appreciate the book and it sells well enough for me to cover some of my costs and possibly even make a small profit.