Patron Thoughts

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

While I do create, I don't currently use my photography for crowdfunding. I mostly drop coins into crowdfunding-hats (both the virtual and the literal kinds). ysabetwordsmith asked some of us who are more patronly-inclined to share our thoughts on crowdfunding.

In real-life I've supported musicians and a street performer (mime) who busk on the street I work on. I sometimes go on a walk at lunch to get away from the frustrations at work and to specifically drop coins in hats along the way.

Online I've supported a film, stories, art, photography, poetry, divination, a small publisher and a start-up business. Wow, when I list it I didn't realise how much I've done in the last year and a half to couple of years being introduced to the concept of Crowdfunding!

Most of my online support has been to people I've met on LiveJournal or Dreamwidth. I start by enjoying their work and after reading/viewing for awhile realise I really want to support their efforts and show my appreciation. It's kind of a "thank you, please do something again soon!". I've also supported a couple of things over on Kickstarter. There's a lot on there and I try to keep my budget under control so I don't tend to support a lot there.

Recently I discovered a musician I really like. She's working on building a music career. She busks on Queen Street (legal if you have a license and follow a few rules), has a cd, plays at farmer's markets. I've heard her a couple times on Queen Street but don't usually get the chance to listen for very long. When I found she'd be playing at a local farmer's market I jumped at the chance!

I had a good time, felt myself relaxing as I walked around and picked up some stuff and then later sat and listened to her play. It was nice to connect and just take time to enjoy her voice and her music. I realised I wasn't used to the smaller audience and more direct contact with a musician. I don't usually sit and watch the buskers at work for very long, and other than that I haven't watched much live music in decades other than large-audience concerts and I have missed it.

Crowdfunding is like that visit. As a society we seem to become more accustomed to mass-produced things, from the food we buy to the gifts, to our entertainment. Face-to-face interactions with artists becomes less common, and I wonder if people will become uncomfortable with it or not realise it's ok, that it's a great way to influence and further be influenced by art/artists.

EMG-Zine Fundraising - Kicks off Today!

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Crowdfunding isn't only applicable to fiction and artistic pursuits - it can also be used as a funding model for non-fiction!

I'm here today to kick off fundraising for the July-December 2012 run of EMG-Zine, and talk a little about the project history and future.


About the Project

EMG-Zine is a free online e-zine for writers and artists in the genre of science fiction and fantasy. It focuses on non-fiction, with business advice, tutorials, walk-throughs, interviews, information about products and services... a wealth of information for people in the business of art, and an entertaining 'zine for people who appreciate it, too, with a gallery of themed artwork and a selection of fiction and poetry every month.

It was begun in 2006 and has been running monthly (without fail!) since that time. If you glance at a calculator and do a little math, you will realize that means we've got 67 total issues! Our archives are available for browsing, and we've got a treasure trove of information for anyone looking for licensing and publishing advice, creative tips, healthy suggestions and entertaining discussion about the art of the business.

( More information... )

Funding July-December 2012

We're safe through June of next year, but not any longer than that!

$1515 / $900 total funding needed by December 2011. 17% done! If we haven't made this goal, the June 2012 issue will be our last!

Any extra earned in that time period goes to site features (I have a laundry list of things I'd like to do to make it easier to use and more rewarding for authors and artists!). If we fall short of our goal, any subscriptions that extend past our end-date will be refunded (pro-rated) and we'll end on a high note, taking our last year to really go out with a bang.

If you'd like to see this valuable resource continued, please consider supporting us in one of the many ways available! Subscriptions (with a free advertising banner in our rotation!) are available for purchase, there are three print volumes of the best of our first three years available, or you may donate through Paypal. Some pieces available through Sketch Fest go to support (or partially support) EMG-Zine. You can also submit work to the 'zine and donate all or some of your earned credits back to the project - these count towards our goals, too!

My heartfelt thanks to all of the writers, artists and supporters who have made our first six years possible! I hope we can look forward to many more!

Interview with Steven Lambert of "Aether Dancer"

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm pleased to present this interview with Steven Lambert aka jadedeath .  One of the co-creators of Aether Dancer, he also serves as the producer and director.  Aether Dancer  is a steampunk television show, currently in crowdfunding at IndieGoGo to raise money for filming the pilot episode.  That campaign is currently at $515 of $50,000 with 27 days left.  Let's sit down with Steve and find out what makes this project so exciting!

( Pull up a chair and join the conversation... )