American author Robert Cloase is crowdfunding his novel 'The Leviathan Papers' through Kickstarter, a major international crowdfunding platform. The book reimagines the English Civil War with original interpretations and fictional elements woven into historical events. Known for works blending humor with science fiction and fantasy, Cloase is turning directly to his established fanbase to cover production costs including editing, cover design, printing, and e-book formatting.
This project exemplifies a growing model where independent authors bypass traditional publishers and gather production funds upfront from loyal readers. By combining historical themes with speculative fiction, the project differentiates itself through a niche appeal that attracts dedicated fans of genre-blending work.
Highlights
- Independent author publishing model leveraging existing readership
- Historical fiction with unique speculative elements provides market differentiation
- Author's established reputation and distinctive style build trust with supporters
Why this campaign attracts support
Editorial analysis based on publicly available information. It is not a confirmed account of why backers chose to give.
The project succeeds because it's grounded in an author with an existing fanbase willing to support new work. In Western crowdfunding culture, Kickstarter has become the standard platform for writers to assume creative and financial risk by raising production funds before completing their books—a practice that shifts traditional publishing timelines. For niche works like alternate history fiction, this model works especially well because devoted fans of the genre are motivated to help bring specialized projects to life. The author's track record in blending humor with speculative elements reassures backers that they'll receive a polished, entertaining final product.
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A note from the editors
This project offers valuable lessons for Japanese creators considering self-publishing crowdfunds. While Western audiences respond well to niche, high-concept premises, Japanese audiences typically prioritize emotional connection to the creator and clear understanding of the project's vision. Japanese crowdfunding success would benefit from emphasizing the author's personal motivation for tackling this historical theme, alongside visual elements like cover design mockups and sample passages. The reward structure—featuring signed copies, limited editions, and other exclusive items—also merits attention from independent publishers in Japan planning similar campaigns.