Author Plans Multi-Book Kickstarter Launch
Author Tyrean Martinson is preparing a March 2026 Kickstarter campaign for her "Dark Blade" fantasy trilogy. The campaign will coincide with the release of a new edition of the first book and the launch of the second and third books. This strategy reflects a growing trend of authors using crowdfunding and bundled releases to engage readers directly.
- Tyrean Martinson is the author of multiple young adult fantasy and sci-fi series, including "The Champion Trilogy" and the "Rayatana" series, in addition to poetry and non-fiction works about writing. - The Kickstarter for "The Dark Blade Trilogy" is set to fund a new cover and a new map for the first book, "Dark Blade Forged," alongside the release of the second and third books. - This multi-book launch strategy follows a significant trend in the publishing industry, with a 2025 survey indicating that 30% of authors are already selling directly to their readers and another 30% plan to begin doing so in 2026. - The most successful publishing Kickstarter to date, a 2022 campaign by fantasy author Brandon Sanderson for four "secret novels," raised over $41.7 million from more than 185,000 backers, demonstrating the high potential of this model. - Crowdfunding platforms allow independent authors to fund the production of high-end special editions with features like foiled covers and custom illustrations, which can cost $5,000-$10,000 for a print run. - Successful author Kickstarters often go beyond the books themselves, offering tiered rewards that can include merchandise like enamel pins, tote bags, and even custom jigsaw puzzles in "swag boxes." - In addition to her work as a novelist, Martinson is also a writing coach for students and has published several books of writing prompts. - The romance genre has seen explosive growth on Kickstarter, with the total amount pledged to romance projects growing more than 23 times from 2022 to 2023.
