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
I want to order this as a gift or donate it to an individual, classroom, or group of my choosing. Can you send my rewards to someone else?
Wow! Yes, first of all, THANK YOU for helping us reach more kids by donating your books to a classroom or group of your choosing. Yes, at the end of the BackerKit campaign, you will receive a survey where you can select more add-ons, and there you will enter the physical mailing address where you want your reward(s) sent.
Is my card charged during or after the campaign?
Your card is not charged during the campaign. A pledge is just a pledge. Your card is charged only on September 26th and ONLY if the campaign reaches its funding goal. Therefore, there is no risk in supporting this campaign.
Do I have to pay extra for shipping?
US Backers: Shipping will be assessed at the end of the campaign during fulfillment. We realize that it isn't super fun to pay for shipping in a few months when the book is done, but it is the most accurate way for us to charge the exact costs for shipping each reward. Add-ons may incur additional shipping costs for physical rewards. International Backers: We will do our best to keep the costs for our international backers as low as possible. Please note that recipients may be charged VAT depending on your location. The books will be shipped from the US, but if we receive a large number of international orders, we will figure out another option so that it is as cost effective as it can be for our readers.
Why are you doing a crowdfunding campaign? Isn't it easier just to publish the book first?
When BackerKit announced Booktopia, we thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other authors and generate excitement for this book. BackerKit is a great platform where backers like you can help creative projects like this come to life. Launching on BackerKit allows us to do a print run and create a higher-quality book for you. It also allows backers like you to get unique opportunities and rewards - like being featured in the book itself, adding your name to the end pages, and featuring sponsors. These are all fun things that we wouldn't be able to do if we published it straight away.
What happens if you don't make your goal?
This campaign is all-or-nothing, so if we don't make our goal, we will be disappointed, but we will assess what went wrong, and adjust our timeline to get the book published in a different way.
Will I be able to buy the book after the campaign?
Yes. The book will be available to purchase once it has been published and printed. If the campaign is not successful this will take longer to be available. All of the special BackerKit reward tier packages and pricing are only available during the campaign (Sep 5-26, 2024), so if you wait until the book is published, you will not be able to access the limited reward tiers. Please submit any general, sponsorship, or press inquiries to Lisa: [email protected]