BackerKit FAQ

How does BackerKit crowdfunding work?

Crowdfunding is a collaborative way to bring ideas and projects to life. Project creators post their idea for a project, and backers pledge money to make the project possible. Backers get behind the scenes access and backer-only rewards, which can include exclusive products, special pricing, creative input, content, and more.

To become a backer, select a pledge level that features the reward(s) you would like to receive when the project is successfully completed and make your contribution.

All-or-nothing crowdfunding model: The creator sets a funding goal and a deadline to raise funds. If the project does not meet the goal by the deadline, backers credit cards are not charged and no money changes hands.

Crowdfunding projects can happen at various stages of the creative process. Make sure to check the estimated timeline of when rewards will be delivered. Project creators will keep you updated on the progress toward completion and delivery of your rewards.

Backing a crowdfunding campaign is not the same as purchasing an item from a store. When you back a campaign you are supporting the creation of something new. Rewards are almost always delivered, but are not guaranteed.

When will I be charged for my pledge?

Your payment method will not be charged right away. You will be charged for the amount of your pledge when the campaign ends and the project reaches its funding goal. You will not be charged if the campaign does not reach its funding goal.

What happens after the campaign is over?

The Creator will send out a survey that will ask you for more information about your pledge, your shipping information, additional items you may want to add to your pledge, and collect shipping fees if applicable.

The survey will be sent to the email address we have on file with your pledge.

Any additional payment will be charged when you complete your survey and confirm your order.

Project FAQ

What are the risks and challenges with this campaign?

There are always risks to consider when running a crowdfunding campaign. Anticipated risks include: ensuring the books arrive on time and in pristine condition; ensuring the production of items from the stretch goals aren't a hindrance to meeting production goals, and that shipments of signed copies go out on time. I will overcome these risks with time management, attention to detail, communication, and a strict delivery timeline. That said, I will communicate with you and let you know what's going on and how I plan to address any production or shipment delays.

What is the timeline for this project?

**WATCH THIS SPACE: This is a tentative schedule that will continuously update/shift as the project moves forward.** The current timeline for this project is as follows: 30 September-12 October: Complete set up and send out Smoke Surveys 12-14 October: Assess Smoke Surveys 15 October – 2 November: Send out the rest of the surveys and begin ordering rewards 2 November-30 November: Complete ordering and begin packaging and shipping rewards December 2024-February 2025 Ship any rewards that weren't shipped out in October/November **WATCH THIS SPACE: This is a tentative schedule that will continuously update/shift as the project moves forward.**

Is shipping included in the prices?

Shipping is NOT included in pricing. Once your pledge is finalized, and you've completed your survey, it will be applied. If you are on a tier with digital items, there was no charge for shipping. If you selected a Build Your Own Tier with prints and/or Oracle cards, and your account showed a charge of $25.00 for shipping, I gave you a credit of $23.00. This means your shipping price is $2.00. That said, if you change your pledge level or choose a physical add-on that exceeds $2.00 in shipping costs, I will adjust your credit(s) accordingly. If you selected a tier with a hardback copy of Blood Ties and your account showed a charge of $50.00 for shipping, I gave you a credit of $15.00. This means your shipping price is $35.00. That said, if you change your pledge level or choose a physical add-on that exceeds $35.00 in shipping costs, I will adjust your credit(s) accordingly. I was hoping to add all complimentary credits at once after everyone put in their addresses, but since I've gotten several inquiries on the matter, I went ahead and adjusted it manually. If you're still experiencing issues with your order, please contact the Backerkit Team, or you can email/message me directly at [email protected].

I was charged $30 for a pendant. Is this a mistake?

Yes, this was a mistake. If you were an early bird backer, your pendant should be $0.00 and you should have the option to choose between gold or silver. Please be sure to choose a pendant color so I can update accounts that show both. If you were not an early bird backer, but chose the pendant as an add-on, your pendant should be $15.00 and you should have the option to choose between gold or silver. Please be sure to choose a pendant color so I can update accounts that show both--though, I don't think this has happened. If you were not an early bird backer and did not choose a pendant as an add-on, please contact me or the Backerkit team so I can remove the pendant from your order. I'm not sure how these were added automatically to accounts that didn't want them, but technology can be finicky. As far as I can tell, issues with the pendants have been fixed. But, please reach out to the Backerkit Team, or you can email/message me directly at [email protected].

I don't want to complete my survey because the shipping charges and item charges look incorrect. What's going on?

If your survey has issues regarding shipping and item charges, it's most likely due to either your shipping address not being added in, or there is a tech error. EIther way, please contact me. If it's a shipping issue, input your address and save the progress on your pledge. You may not know this, but you can input your address in your survey(s) without confirming/completing them. For someone like me who is running their first campaign--and who has much to learn about shipping--it's helpful to input your address. Also, cards aren't charged for shipping until after the orders are locked. That's why I made the survey completion date 30 October and the lock order date 1 November, I wanted to make sure all orders had the correct amounts on them before charging them on 15 November. If there's an issue with an item you purchased, or didn't purchase, please contact the Backerkit Team or email/message me and I'll get you squared away. You can also post a comment in the Updates section of the project page and I'll see it immediately. 

When can I expect to receive my rewards?

Digital rewards will be available as early as November 2024, barring any unforeseen issues. I will ship all physical rewards, and any extraneous digital rewards, in February 2025. I will keep you apprised of the exact access/shipping dates as the project moves toward completion. Critiques and One-Hour sessions will take place between September and November 2024. I will send out a calendar via survey and/or email once the campaign ends and all pledges have cleared. You must schedule your session within 48 hours of receiving the link.

Is there a payment deadline for failed charges in BackerKit?

The deadline for failed charges in BackerKit was 15 October 2024. However, since the smoke survey is going out later than expected, I've asked BackerKit to make it 11:59 PM on 30 October. I'll make an update on this page letting you know the date once I hear back.

When and how will my manuscript be critiqued?

🩸I will critique up to 10k words of your manuscript. The critique will include notes on developmental, line, and copy edits, and proofreading. You MUST submit your document as a .docx file via a Google Drive link. The document MUST be in English. There are only five slots available. 🩸Critiques will begin in October 2024 and end in November 2024. The tentative slots available for critiques are below. I will email you a link to the calendar once your pledge clears so you can schedule your critique session. 🩸Please, be aware that these slots are subject to change at the author's discretion: 13-19 October; 20-26 October; 27 October-2 November; 3-9 November; and 10-16 November. 🩸To secure your slot you MUST schedule your critique within 48 hours from the time the campaign has ended. If you DO NOT schedule your critique within 48 hours, your spot will be forfeited and you WILL NOT receive a refund. 🩸The ONLY exception is if there is an issue with payment on Backerkits' end. In that instance, I will send you the link via email once the issue is resolved.

When will I "Meet the Author"?

🩸If you sign up for a one-on-one conversation with me, a link to a calendar will be sent to you via email once your pledge clears so you can schedule your critique session. Scheduling will take place between 24 and 48 hours after the campaign has ended. If you DO NOT schedule your critique within 48 hours, your spot will be forfeited and you WILL NOT receive a refund. 🩸The ONLY exception is if there is an issue with payment on Backerkits' end. In that instance, I will contact you with the link once the issue has been resolved. 🩸There are only ten slots available for this pledge level. I project that one-on-one conversations will occur between 10 October and 17 November 2024. I will not schedule any one-on-one consultations for this campaign after 17 November 2024 because I have to prepare for the holiday season. So please, please, please, make sure you have scheduled and attended your session on or by that date. 

Do you allow refunds?

Refunds are allowed for add-ons purchased during the campaign and add-ons purchased post-campaign through the survey.

What will my refund amount be?

Your refund amount will be for the items you purchased minus the processing/Stripe fees.

What is the refund deadline?

The refund deadline is 11:59 PM on 30 October 2024 and is only for add-ons purchased during the campaign and add-ons purchased post-campaign.

If my survey is locked/charged, how will you handle my changes/edits?

If your survey is locked/charged, it will be unlocked ONLY for those who are requesting refunds for add-ons.

Can I remove all add-ons including those from the BackrKit campaign and survey?

Yes.

What is the last day you'll approve changes on surveys?

All changes must be locked in by 11:59 PM on 30 October 2024.

How will digital rewards be distributed?

Ebooks will be distributed via Bookfunnel, where Backers have the option to download a PDF, read in the Bookfunnel app, or download to their Kindle. DIgital 4x6 art prints will be distributed via BackerKit. Instructions for manuscript critiques and one-on-one meetings will also be distributed via BackerKit.

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