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
REWARDS > How Will Digital Rewards Be Accessed?
All digital rewards will be delivered through BackerKit's post-campaign Pledge Manager. After the campaign, you will receive an email that will direct you to start an account (if you do not already have one), and through that, you will be able to access any digital rewards that are available.
REWARDS > Can I get my physical rewards signed?
Yes! It'll be a slight up-charge ($1 USD for each CD/book), but this will be an option you can select in the post-campaign management system. Please note that, due to logistics, we cannot offer signatures from the book authors, but a member of the production team will be excited to sign the books.
REWARDS > Will Paperbacks Be Upgraded To Hardcovers?
Yes! If we reach the stretch goal for hardcovers, then everyone who has pledged for a physical paperback copy (vol. 1 only) will automatically be upgraded to hardcover copies.
REWARDS > If Tales vol. 2 is opened up, how do readers get a copy of it?
If you have pledged at the ADVENTURER level, you will automatically get a digital copy of Tales vol. 2. For those pledged at the READER level, an add-on will be made available for you to add it to your pledge.
SHIPPING > When will my pledged items ship out?
We anticipate fulfillment beginning Spring 2024. We will post regular updates, including any dates from our manufacturing partner(s) as we receive them.
SHIPPING > When will shipping be charged?
Once the campaign ends, and you fill out your post-campaign survey, BackerKit will ask you to input your address. You will have the opportunity to adjust your pledge at this point. However, you will be charged for shipping as we get closer to sending the rewards.
SHIPPING > What if my shipment gets lost or arrives damaged?
We will assess and handle replacements on a case-by-case basis. For shipments sent outside the USA, we may not be able to bear the expense of reshipping lost packages.
STORIES > Where Can I Find the Anthology Submission Guidelines?
For answers on submission process, genres/themes/prompts, word counts, and additional guidelines, please visit the Author Submission Guidelines Google doc: https://bit.ly/totbp-guide
STORIES > How Long Can My Story Be?
For information on word counts, genres, and more, please visit the Author Submission Guidelines Google doc: https://bit.ly/totbp-guide
STORIES > Can I Submit Multiple Stories?
As long as each story meets the minimum word count and the total word count of all your stories does not go over your backed amount (i.e. 1,000 for standard, 2,500 for middle upgrade, and 5,000 for full upgrade), then: Yes!
STORIES > Will New AUTHOR Tiers For Tales vol. 2 Follow the Same Price Reduction Schedule?
Yes! Whenever Tales vol. 2 AUTHOR tiers open up, they will start at $350 and drop $20 for every $12k raised. Authors please note: you do not have to pledge in both a vol. 1 and a vol. 2 tier. (I don't think the BackerKit software allows for it, anyway.)
STORIES > Will My Story Idea Work For the Anthology?
First, check out the Anthology Submission Guidelines Google doc (https://bit.ly/totbp-guide). If you still have questions about whether your story will work for an Anthology submission, please message us through Facebook or reach out to [email protected].
STORIES > How Will Quality of Submissions Be Guaranteed?
Jane, our editor, will be working with every author directly. Each author will submit a version of their story that has already gone through self-revision (no first drafts!) Jane will provide detailed notes on structure, pacing, character, etc. Authors: please be prepared to accept feedback and to work with Jane to rework and fix up any issues. As long as you're willing to put in the work with her in the edit phase, Jane will help everyone to find the gem within.
STORIES > What's this about royalties?
We are currently searching for a distribution partner who offers simplified revenue sharing/royalties. Every author whose work is included in the anthology will receive royalties. As we look into various distributing partners, what is important to us is that 1. we have partnered with a trustworthy distributor, 2. royalties/revenue sharing is handled automatically, and 3. reporting is included. For a more in-depth understanding of the royalties we are offering, please visit the author contract template: https://bit.ly/totbp-agreement and let us know if you have any questions.
STORIES > Can I Preview the Contract?
Yes! We have spent some time negotiating with our veteran authors and their agents to refine this to where it is currently, though there are a few changes in order to accommodate the crowdfunding nature of this campaign. What this means is that the agreement you will be receiving with respect to the rights of your stories will be very near to that of the veteran authors. To view a copy of the contract template, please visit the link below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are happy to talk through things! (We know that contracts can be overwhelming.) But we also want to make sure that you are happy with what you will be signing! •• https://bit.ly/totbp-agreement ••
PERFORMERS > I Can Play an Instrument. Can I Help?
Hi! We LOVE connecting with performers! While we can't guarantee that we'll have something for you, we have been known to collaborate with fans who have shown a high degree of musicianship. Please hit us up and send us your reel! We can best be reached through Discord, but you can also email us through the contact form on our website to connect.
MUSIC > How Will Quality of Submissions Be Guaranteed?
Please see the FAQ answer for the question, "ANTHOLOGY: How Will Quality of Submissions Be Guaranteed?".
MUSIC > What's this about royalties?
Hey! You're going to be professionally published, and you'll be going through a professional process to polish your performance. Or at least your song. ("Song" just breaks the alliteration.) That means you'll be getting royalties, like a professional. (In the form of "rev share" that will automatically be disbursed to an account you create, as it will greatly simplify the process.) ~~ We will be using Symphonic to distribute the music all across the world, and you will receive an industry standard equivalent percentage of the sales for your track! ~~ One thing you will want to do is to sign up for a PRO such as BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC (if you can, depending on where you live.) This will allow for additional "public performance" royalties to be collected and disbursed to you. The process for all of this is automatic.
MUSIC > Will I be able to choose between MP3 and a lossless format?
Yes! And good news - for backers, selecting lossless (likely WAV) will be a FREE upgrade.
MUSIC > Can a Composer Write a Song For Their Own Story?
Absolutely! If you select the "Author + Songwriter" tier, you can either score your own tale OR let us pick another author's to write for. It's totally up to you.