I think this will be an important book. If nothing else, it’s going to be controversial.

I’ve never invested in paid professionals to edit my novels or design their covers. My reasons are twofold:

• When I submit a manuscript to a traditional publisher or agent it’s polished enough (thanks to several excellent beta readers many of whom are authors themselves) that I reason it’s about the best it can be with the exception of a few typos. Why pay a couple of thousand dollars to make it perfect when, if the story is good (I’m assuming) a publisher or agent will overlook the few minor errors and offer me a contract?

• When that doesn’t happen (so far), then paying maybe $4000 to a professional editor and cover designer is an expense that will never be recovered (I’m assuming) in royalties considering there is almost no way of differentiating the good from the bad when it comes to self-published books on Amazon. This assumption is more based in fact, since I’ve reviewed the work of many self-published authors who have paid thousands of dollars in editing, books covers and reviews and have had less success than me.

It has occurred to me though, both my assumptions may be wrong.

So, what if there is a third way?

For my next novel, I’ve decided to see if I can fund raise to pay the costs of a professional editor and cover designer. Why anyone would want to invest in my book, I have no idea, but then our government provides free money to many who aspire to be authors and this way at least way you have a choice – and maybe even some benefits

I’m planning to use two platforms to raise the money, Kickstarter and Patreon.

With Kickstarter, every project creator sets their project’s funding goal and deadline. If people like the project, they can pledge money to make it happen. If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers’ credit cards are charged when time expires.

Patreon is a membership platform that provides business tools for content creators (that’s me) to run a subscription service. It helps creators and artists earn a monthly income by providing rewards and perks to their subscribers.

My work in progress is a murder mystery that also delves into politics, racism, prejudice, BIPOCs (that’s right, Black and Indigenous People of Colour), the alt-right, domestic terrorism, white supremacy and, of course, action, suspense and romance (have I left anything out?) It’s my quest, through fictional characters, to try to make sense of what’s going on in this country. The deeper I dig the weirder –and scarier – it gets. If nothing else, the book’s going to be controversial.

The plan is to start with Patreon where subscribers will receive bi-weekly updates on how the story is progressing, including asides into research I’m undertaking of some very sensitive and controversial issues. Once the novel is nearing completion, I’ll launch the Kickstarter campaign and announce the funding deadline.

In my next post, I’ll layout the fee and rewards for subscribing as well as the fundraising goal and deadline.

Working title is The Thin White Line.

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