Congratulations to SAE 3D Animation alumna Inga Teder on reaching the target for the Kickstarter campaign to launch her debut novel, Cotswold Mist.
The novel’s campaign sought £17,000 – and to date, the project has received £19,895 from 333 backers.
Cotswold Mist is a cinematic fantasy brought to life with digital illustrations from talented artists in the game and film industries.
Written by Inga, the book is inspired by true local historical events and mythology in the beautiful region of the Cotswolds.
Commenting on reaching the target, Inga said: “It was such an unexpected roller coaster! Even though my team and I spent over four months preparing for the launch, nothing can truly prepare you for what happens during a live campaign.”
“We ran into all sorts of challenges – our campaign page froze at one point, stopping funds from coming through, and our social media accounts got blocked for no clear reason right when we needed them most.”
“But despite all that, it was an amazing experience. Seeing the support from backers made all the hard work and stress so worth it.”
Ingas has compiled some essential do’s and don’ts when it comes to crowdfunding. They include:
- Do have a clear vision: Know exactly what you’re offering, who your target audience is, and what you’re asking from your backers. A well-defined purpose makes all the difference.
- Do prepare thoroughly: A successful campaign starts long before launch. Building interest and trust through a strong pre-launch campaign is crucial. You need to connect with your audience, share your vision, and get them excited.
- Don’t rely on luck: Success doesn’t come from chance. It requires hard work, flexibility, and the ability to turn around your strategy when needed. Be ready to take risks and adapt to challenges.
- Do seek expert advice: Collaborate with marketing consultants experienced in crowdfunding, and connect with creators who have successfully run campaigns in your category. Their insights are invaluable.
- Don’t underestimate the workload: Crowdfunding is a full-time job, requiring constant updates, engagement with backers, and troubleshooting unexpected issues.
The project was recently featured in the December issue of Cotswold Life magazine (see above) and Inga is now working with an editor on the final version of the novel.
She said: “Our aim is to ensure every chapter, event, and element of the world-building is as engaging and immersive as promised. It’s a meticulous process, but an exciting one.”
“On the illustration side, we’ve commissioned nearly all of the artwork, with some pieces already completed. Each illustration is unique yet harmonized within the same mythical world of beasts and ghosts. Working with talented new artists has been a privilege, and their contributions are bringing the story to life in breathtaking ways.”
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