Archives of Kickstarter Fund

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Ordinary Women. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Feminist Frequency.

What do they have to say about the project?

Ordinary Women: Daring to Defy History is Feminist Frequency's new video series about challenging stereotypes, smashing the status quo, and being defiant.

What caught your eye?

You may know Feminist Frequency, and Anita Sarkeesian, from her Kickstarter campaign for the video series Tropes vs Women, which you may have heard about from the absolutely ludicrous, coordinated, and horrifying backlash against the project. The thing was that the backlash itself only proved the need for the videos she was making.

This series looks at women from history who stood out, fought against the societal roles prescribed them, and made a difference. Pretty cool.

Why should I back it?

The more women controlled media there is, the more women-centered stories there will be. That equation is easy to understand. What's harder to understand is how freaked out certain men get by the very fact that Feminist Frequency exists. They see conspiracy theories so nonsensical and overblown that, when you watch a video and find just a nicely produced video essay about presentation of gender stereotypes that is really kind of gender & media studies 101 told in a straight-forward non-inflammatory comprehensive way with a chill narrator who patiently makes her points and throws no bombs, you end up scratching your head about why the hell they freaked out so bad.

Then you decide to back everything she does because you hope that, in the balance of power, people like her end up having more than the people fighting her. And, because, after seeing her talk once you heard her say this great thing that has stuck with you ever since: "One of the most radical things you can do is to actually believe women when they talk about their experiences."

How's the project doing?

They need the help. They have 12 days to go, and they're only at under $84,000 of a $200,000 goal. They're using a new Crowdfunding Platform called Seed and Spark that is geared towards films, instead of Kickstarter this time. If you're in, better get in soon to help get them to their goal.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 12
• Funds pledged: $240
• Funds collected: $160
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $800

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Zentropa, a Graphic Novel 30 years in the making. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

John Mahoney.

What do they have to say about the project?

A new Si-Fi epic in the tradition of the old Heavy Metal Magazine comic strips.

What caught your eye?

First, the artwork is crazy. It really is in that tradition of Heavy Metal (the magazine), which despite its rampant over-sexualizing of women characters, published some freaky, freaky shit. Comics that would take you places no others did, that would visualize strange mechanisms, and creatures, and nightmare situations that hung on a hybrid web of fear and wicked-cool visuals.

Mahoney's work certainly recalls that. He's a professional artist, so there's not much of a surprise there. But what is more surprsising is that he's started and given up on making comics many times in his life. It was only after having a large life-threatening tumor removed that he decided to knuckle down and make his dream project.

And his dream project, inspired by his hospital stay, sounds like it contains nightmares.

Why should I back it?

If you want one of those books you can look at, and look at, and look at, getting lost in the line work and thinking about how cool it is, then this book is for you. The thing is, this style is just not seen anymore in the comics world. It's nice to see something so starkly different.

How's the project doing?

Great. 18 days to go, and they've raised about 230% of their goal. Don't give because you feel guilty, give because you want a copy.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 11
• Funds pledged: $220
• Funds collected: $140
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $820

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

FASHIONPEDIA - The Ultimate Fashion Bible. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Fashionary International Ltd.

What do they have to say about the project?

A visual fashion dictionary with extensive information and easy-to-read layout in a compact size. Mini, but mighty.

What caught your eye?

I love visual dictionaries. I mean, my job is a designer, and a well thought-out visual dictionary is one of my favorite books to hold.

I remember seeing a Tumblr post that had diagrams for all the different kinds of, say, ladies shoes, or men's collars, or types of hats. Why is this interesting? Well, I'm a writer, and I want to talk with authority about the things that my characters, some of whom are fashion mavens, are wearing. That means I need to know.

A book like this is even better than some random internet gif. All the detail! All the fashion! All the facts! And, if you're not a writer, maybe you're a fashion designer. Even better.

Why should I back it?

Unless you're like me, maybe you shouldn't. But, if you look at this campaign and kind of go omg this is amazing, like I did, then you probably should. I think it's fair to say this one is totally self selecting. Either you're going to get it or you're not, and if you do, just pointing to it is going to be enough for you to want it. I mean, just look how amazing the design is. Seriously.

How's the project doing?

They're totally kicking ass. 20 days to go, and they've raised about 330% of their initial bid. Look, they don't need you. But, ask yourself, do you need them?

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 10
• Funds pledged: $200
• Funds collected: $120
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $840

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Expand history's reach with Young Adult books. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Quindaro Press.

What do they have to say about the project?

We're publishing YA page-turners from America's hidden history. They're not just for kids!

What caught your eye?

I like their pitch exactly as they lay it out: they're making history books for a YA audience. So, they use the compelling storytelling of good narrative nonfiction, with the idea to teach kids about history.

Quindaro Press is a fairly new endeavor, but as their video points out, in a world of dystopian fiction, isn't it nice to sneak a few fascinating real histories into kid's hands?

Why should I back it?

The books are not only historical, but really interesting — from the untold history of women and girls that worked munitions factories for the Civil War; when their were accidents, the reporting favored news of the war. Or a report from an eyewitness at the Battle of Gettysburg, a 15 year old girl named Tillie. Or the story of Clarina Nichols, who worked for women's rights after escaping an abusive marriage in the 1820s. Or the story of twenty tribal nations marched west to reserves when the government's Indian Removal plan was put into action in the early 19th Century.

Those four books in this series this Kickstarter is covering, and you can get the whole bundle for $50. That's not such a bad deal.

How's the project doing?

13 days to go, and they're 51% funded. It might be close, so if you're tempted, now woudl be the time to back.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 9
• Funds pledged: $180
• Funds collected: $120
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $860

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling Anthology. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Apex Publications.

What do they have to say about the project?

Upside Down is a collection of short fiction. Each story examines a tired trope or common cliche and twists it into something new!

What caught your eye?

What a fun project. Short fiction that takes a trope — Prostitute with a Heart of Gold; the City Planet; The Singularity Will Cause the Apocalypse; Heroine Loves a Bad Man; The Magical Negro, just to name a few — and flips it in some way.

The editors leave it up to the author to decide how to destroy the trope they chose, so no doubt there will be a lot of imaginative upending of some hoary old cliches.

Plus the production values look great — nice artwork, nice video, nice presentation.

Why should I back it?

A ton of reasons, but here's a good one: Seattle's own Nisi Shawl is included.

Plus it's cheap! Get the ebook for $5, or the softbound print copy for $15.

How's the project doing?

28 days to go, and they're 45% funded. It's a good bet they'll make it.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 8
• Funds pledged: $160
• Funds collected: $100
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $880

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Comics days. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Kristina Vilciauskaite Shephard.

What do they have to say about the project?

Comics days in Vilnius is the first international comics festival in Lithuania that will be held on 14 - 16 of April 2016.

What caught your eye?

Independant comics festivals are the best. It's important for creators to have a place to gather and share their art, and talk to like-minded people to learn and make community. Think about how vibrant our own Short Run Comix and Arts Festival is.

So here are some folks trying to stage an international comics festival in Lithuania, called Comics Days, and it will be the first of its kind over there. That's a project we can get behind.

Why should I back it?

I'm guessing most of you reading this aren't in Lithuania, or aren't planning to visit for the festival. So, this raises the important question: what's in it for me?

Art and comics! Look at their rewards. For as little as $5 you can get a sticker pack. There are posters, comics, and even original art. And the branded gear is beautiful, as are the posters. I know a few of you reading this salivate at the idea of some rare, cool foreign art in your collections. Here's your opportunity to snag some.

Not to mention you're helping creators overseas get their community going. That's worth a few bucks.

How's the project doing?

21 days to go, and they've only raised about 18% of their $4,500 goal. So, they need the help. Pitch a bit in, let your friends know — those emails that a friend just backed a project on Kickstarter are pretty powerful. Let's see if we can't give them a little bit of a boost.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 7
• Funds pledged: $140
• Funds collected: $80
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $900

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Arwen Curry.

What do they have to say about the project?

Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary, explores the remarkable life and legacy of the groundbreaking 86-year-old author.

What caught your eye?

This one is pretty self-evident. Le Guin is one of the greats. Like so many, the Earthsea books cracked open my mind when I was a kid, and my mom read them to me, a little bit at bedtime over months. A school for wizards? Whoa. What an amazing thing to consider, and her mix of beautiful prose, great humanity, and startling insight into the minds of all kinds of characters cemented her legacy. And then she wrote a ton of other great books.

The filmmakers have Le Guin's full cooperation. This will be a rare and privileged look into the woman who created so many great works.

And, even better, she's a Northwest writer — she's lived in Portland since 1959.

Why should I back it?

Because, odds are, you're a Le Guin fan as well, and the idea of watching a few hours of her talking about her writing — as well as interviews with other writers like Michael Chabon and Margaret Atwood, is just thrilling.

"Any kind of imaginative fiction trains people that there are other ways to do things and other ways to be. There is not just one civilization, and it is good, and it is the way we have to be. It trains the imagination." - Le Guin, from the video.

The rewards, especially if you dig deep into your purse, are good. Signed artificats, and even a 1-minute audio answer to a writing question from Le Guin herself. But, like all films, the reward is the film itself.

How's the project doing?

20 days to go, and they've up over $140k of their $80k goal, so quite well. But, like I said last week, filmmaking is expensive. This money they're raising secures another funding grant that covers most of their costs, but they will use every penny we throw at them, and then some.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 6
• Funds pledged: $120
• Funds collected: $40
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $920

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

The Invisible Universe Foundation a history of blackness in speculative fiction. We've put in $20.

Who is the Creator?

M. Asli Dukan.

What do they have to say about the project?

The Invisible Universe Foundation is dedicated to researching and promoting the history of African Americans in speculative fiction (fantasy, horror and science fiction) literature, cinema and related multimedia through the activities of archiving and producing literary and media materials and presenting cultural events.

The first project is the Invisible Universe documentary which explores the relationship between the Black body and popular fantasy, horror and science fiction literature and film and the alternative perspectives produced by creators of color. This documentary features interviews with major writers, scholars, artists and filmmakers and explores comics, television, film and literature by deconstructing stereotyped images of Black people in the genres. The Invisible Universe documentary ultimately reveals how Black creators have been consciously creating their own universe.

What caught your eye?

Well, first we need to say that this is not a Kickstarter. This project was run as an IndieGoGo project that raised $6,616 (out of a $20,000 goal), and has now raised an additional $11,942 on the Fractured Atlas platform.

What caught our eye was the scope, ambition, and need of the project. While exploring how modern black writers like Octavia Butler and Samuel Delaney (just to name two) deal with the (relatively) current world of black America through their fiction, Dukan also found the Black Utopianists writers of the 19th century who did a similar thing in their time. Check out this beautiful graphic that shows this timeline.

From the clip (below), and the website (be sure to check it out), you'll get a sense of the style of the work, and what she's going for. I so want to see this film. It looks marvelous.

Why should I back it?

Did you look at that graphic? Down at the bottom, with all the writers ghosted on the poster, there is Octavia Butler, and a few people to her right, Nisi Shawl. Seattle is well represented. Wouldn't it be amazing to send some support back?

How's the project doing?

If the original $20,000 for the IndieGoGo is a measure, there's still $1,500 or so to go. But, my god, making films is expensive and complicated. I'm sure this crew could use every bit we could send there way.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 5
• Funds pledged: $100
• Funds collected: $40
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $940

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

PEN America presents Passages. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

PEN America.

What do they have to say about the project?

A new literary translation series featuring contemporary voices from around the world.

What caught your eye?

PEN American Center is a longstanding (since 1922!) org working to advance literature and defend free expression. Since 2005, they've been hosting the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature.

According to them, in the US only 3% of books published are works in translation, and only nine languages account for 90% of the world's translations. They're doing work to make sure international arts are represented.

Passages will be a literary journal where each issue features a different region in translation. They've aready produced Africa, and Brazil and Mainland China are next.

Why should I back it?

Books are the greatest machines of empathy in the world. If you're feeling like your literature is staid, or you're tired of reading the same sorts of stories each week, or seeing the same sorts of covers coming out of the New York publishing houses, get a different perspective by backing this.

Scroll waaaaaaay down past all the 1-backer options (which are a little silly, but Kickstarter doesn't allow you to alter your pledges after they are backed) and get to that little gem of reward: $35 for all three issues mentioned above. That's where you want to be.

How's the project doing?

At 20 days to go, they're 90% funded, so looks like they'll make it. But still, throw your money in. This is a fine deal for a nice set and a good cause. They'll look handsome on your shelf.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 4
• Funds pledged: $80
• Funds collected: $20
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $960

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Making Room for Good Trouble. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Microcosm Publishing.

What do they have to say about the project?

Microcosm is an independent, punk-inspired book publisher. We're about to turn 20. This is our story.

What caught your eye?

We love seeing indie publishers, especially ones as long-lived as Microcosm — they started in 1996 as a record label and distributer — and especially ones in the Pacific Northwest — they're based in Portland. After twenty some years, they have published over 350 books, have nearly three million books in print, and are still going strong.

So why throw a Kickstarter? Well, their founder Joe Biel wrote a book about his experience in publishing, and it's coming out soon. They're trying to clear space in their warehouse, so the Kickstarter is about selling backstock to make room.

So the rewards are all about getting you some books. In fact, in one of the best deals on Kickstarter, if you back for $50 you get a signed copy of Joe's new book Good Trouble, plus 24 more books. Whoa. That's an average price of $1.90 each. Total score — there's some great stuff in there.

Why should I back it?

Get the 24 pack! But also, you have to love Microcosm's message. On their website they say "Microcosm Publishing empowers readers to make positive changes in their lives and in the world around them. Microcosm emphasizes skill-building, showing hidden histories, and fostering creativity through challenging conventional publishing wisdom with books and bookettes about DIY skills, food, gender, self-care, social justice, and art."

And 50% of the books they publish are by women. Yes!

How's the project doing?

5 days to go, and they've more than doubled their goal of $3,000, so they're gonna make it. Just get in on this for the 24 book deal. Seriously!

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 3
• Funds pledged: $60
• Funds collected: $0
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $980

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

Fitting In: Tales of Supernatural Outsiders. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Jeremy Zimmerman.

What do they have to say about the project?

A collection of urban fantasy stories about supernatural entities in a world not made for them.

What caught your eye?

Local talent! Jeremy, and his wife Dawn Vogel, run the Mad Scientist Journal website, where they publish "a new story from the world of mad science every Monday." This is their fourth collection they've produced using Kickstarter.

I like the theme of outsiders, especially when mixed with the supernatural. Since Frankenstein, monster stories have been used as metaphors for feeling apart from other people. I like that they're tackling that straight on. And, as they say, "we are particularly interested in stories beyond the usual Western supernatural population. Vampires and werewolves are fine, but we'd really love to also see stories tapping into African and Asian myths."

You can get a copy of the book as cheap as $15, which is a nice price for helping bring something like this to life.

Why should I back it?

Support local small publishers! Genre stuff like this often gets put on the side table, if you're not in the fan base, but there's a particular pleasure in cracking a good themed anthology. You owe yourself the experience, if you never have — you may think you know what you're going to get, but there are always surprises.

Plus, work like this is a labor of love. I would guess that Jeremy and Dawn are putting these projects out because they love them, they want to give back to their community, and because they're filling a gap where they wanted to read deeply where other people weren't publishing. I hazard to say that nobody's getting rich, here. It's about bringing things they love to fruition.

How's the project doing?

At 33 days to go, and only about 11% there. But, based on their track record, I imagine they'll make the mark

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 2
• Funds pledged: $40
• Funds collected: $0
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $1000

Every week, the Seattle Review of Books backs a Kickstarter, and writes up why we picked that particular project. Read more about the project here. Suggest a project by writing to kickstarter at this domain, or by using our contact form.

What's the project this week?

A Gay Ol' Time. We've put $20 in as a non-reward backer

Who is the Creator?

Kiernan Sjursen-Lien.

What do they have to say about the project?

A Gay Ol' Time will be an approximately 110 page anthology of 48 portraits of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit Americans born in the 1800s, with accompanying short biographical quatrains. It aims to shed a little more light on these people history tends to forget, memorialize them in watercolor portraits, and invite its readers to research them further.

What caught your eye?

First, the illustrations, of course. Sjursen-Lien has a wonderful style, and is studying illustration and animation at CalArts.

But mostly, it's about representation. Mainstream history overlooks swaths of people who don't fit the traditional narratives. They help remind us that people outside the mainstream existed when most historians prefer to pretend they did not. Projects like this help to tell the stories of people mostly forgotten. Plus, it's just charming. Have you looked at the illustrations yet?

There's a nice array of rewards. There's a $5 reward that gets you a mention in the book, $10 for a PDF, $25 for a copy of the book, and $35 for a signed copy. There's limited rewards at $125 and $200 for prints and original art, but act fast on that $200 original art one — there are only 4 of 10 left, at this writing.

Why should I back it?

Have we mentioned the adorable artwork? For $25, a nice book with color artwork telling stories about people you've never heard about is really of fun. If you read the page, Sjursen-Lien is very clear about their (they/them is Sjursen-Lien's preferred gender pronoun) intent. For example, they picked quatrains to write about the historical figures "Because of the fact history is written by those in power, it can be very difficult to find information on minorities that is not skewed. Much information on people's sexual and romantic orientations is somewhat controversial because of this lack of information. Keeping this in mind, I wanted to be as true as I could to each person without danger of misinformation. Utilizing quatrains not only adds to a simple charm I wanted for this little book, but also allows things to be boiled down to simple, provable facts with multiple sources to cite."

That kind of attention to detail and research is to be applauded, and the project is both unique, and compelling. We think it's a great choice for our first backed project.

How's the project doing?

At 21 days to go, and double the original goal already pledged, the project is doing extremely well.

Do they have a video?

Kickstarter Fund Stats

• Projects backed: 1
• Funds pledged: $20
• Funds collected: $0
• Unsuccessful pledges: 0
• Fund balance: $1020

Each week in 2016 we are going to invest $20 in a Kickstarter project. On Saturdays, starting tomorrow January 9, we'll be reporting on the Kickstarter we back, and how the fund is going.

That gives us 52 Saturdays in 2016, so the fund is 52 x $20, or $1040. If a Kickstarter we back fails, we'll put that $20 into another project, allowing us to increase our pledges if we deem a project worthy.

Why are we doing this? We're in a new age of publishing. Kickstarter is sometimes self-published authors, but sometimes it's boutique publishers. Sometimes it's poets trying experiments, sometimes it's comic artists trying to use money to create space in their life to work. We are big fans of small independent publishing, and we wanted to find a way — even if it's modest — to support this scene.

We hope you follow along, and maybe inspire you to invest some money in projects that look interesting to you. Let us know if you do.

Here's some anticipated questions answered:

OMG, please cover my Kickstarter!

No guarantees, but please tell us about it. Email kickstarter at this domain. Please keep in mind we're only going to be backing projects related to publishing in some way. Projects unrelated to publishing will be ignored. But comics! We're into you! If you're not in the "publishing" category, you still count.

You'll be getting a ton of rewards!

We'll be backing at a non-reward level. We want all of the money to go to the creators.

What's your account on Kickstarter?

kickstarter.com/profile/seattlereviewof

Does the project have to be from Seattle?

No, but it certainly helps if it is.

Are you just trying to pick winners?

No, we're trying to find projects we think are interesting, or doing worthwhile projects. Some of these will be popular projects, no doubt, but we hope to back lots of smaller projects as well, doing our part to bring attention to neat projects that may be flying under the radar. We're not scared to back projects that might fail, but of course, we hope the money goes to the creators.

What are you looking for?

A certain level of professionalism, a dedication to craft and experimentation, a spirit of artistic adventure, a bit of verve and daring is nice to see. We like projects that are likely to deliver if successful, and seeing a nicely prepared project is a good signal for that.

And, of course, we're looking to highlight projects that may not get much attention. Maybe the creator could use a little marketing boost. We hope that being on the site here will help, in some small way.

Only Kickstarter? Why not IndieGoGo?

We'll consider any crowdfunding project. Personally, we like that Kickstarter forces creators to reach a minimum before a successful funding. In fact, we think it's crucial to the success of projects. It helps creators focus more clearly, and learn to promote themselves more creatively, and it's a conceptual proving ground — after all, if you can't convince your audience your thing should exist, then there's a possibility that it shouldn't. But, we've seen some important, and interesting, projects on other sites, so although Kickstarter is our default, a good project on another platform is certainly eligible for consideration.

So tune in here tomorrow, and every Saturday, around 9am, and let's see if we can't explore some cool projects together.