The Book
The Dinosaurs Did It is an 8.5 x 8.5, full color, soft cover children’s book intended for ages 3-9. It’s about a little boy, Shawn, who lives in a house full of dinosaurs. Despite Shawn’s attempts to tell his mom about the dinosaurs’ escalatingly bad behavior, she thinks he’s responsible for all the “accidents” at home.
The story is based on my brother, who persistently told my mom that buffalo were to blame when he got in trouble. While she certainly knew better and the fictitious buffalo never materialized to take responsibility for their mistakes, my brother playfully insisted upon their existence throughout my entire childhood. It became one of my favorite family stories and I couldn’t be happier to share this slightly modified version of it with you.
Watch the video below for a little more information about my goal for this book and why I created it.
The Author
Again, my name is Amanda Bowyer and I'm the author of The Dinosaurs Did It. I run a successful online business, freelance for various companies, and write and publish my own books through my company, Beauty In, Geek Out LLC.
My journey to becoming an author has not been an easy one. In fact, my personal story started with years of academic struggle due to multiple learning disabilities. Watch the video below to learn more about me and one of my greatest hopes as an author.
Progress and Use of Funds
So far, both the story and the illustrations are finished. There's some fine-tuning still to be done on the images (I still need to crop some of the images to the ideal size and get all my bleed measurements accurate), but things were complete enough for me to order a proof of the book already - which you saw in my Kickstarter project video above!
It's pretty much a cake-walk from here!
Funds raised will go directly to the final production and distribution of the book, as well as all the fun backer rewards and add-ons I've got lined up. I'm also a supporter of http://kickingitforward.org, so 5% of my total profits will go towards helping to fund more Kickstarter campaigns!
Bonus Rewards for Backers
I have a number of FREE bonus rewards for backers that unlock as we hit different pledge goals!
If we hit the $750 mark, all backers at the Triceratops level and above will get a free sticker. That means that if you pledge at least $13, you'll get one of these exclusive Kickstarter stickers!
Stickers will measure at approximately 3.43" x 1.93" and will be in full color.
Understand that this design is a rough draft and may be subject to change if/when this backer bonus is unlocked. I just wanted to create something quickly to give you a visual. If altered, it will only improve!
If the total pledge amount of $750 is met, backers at the Triceratops level and above can purchase additional stickers for $.75 each.
If we hit the $1000 mark, all backers at the Triceratops level and above will get a free sticker and bookmark. That means that if you pledge at least $13, you'll get one of these awesome, two-sided bookmarks in addition to the sticker!
Bookmarks will measure at approximately 2" x 6." The front will be in full color, but the back may be black and white.
Understand that this design is a rough draft and may be subject to change if/when this backer bonus is unlocked. I just wanted to create something quickly to give you a visual. If altered, it will only improve!
If the total pledge amount of $1000 is met, backers at Triceratops level and above can purchase additional bookmarks for $1 each.
If we hit the $1250 mark, I'll be ECSTATIC and all backers at the Triceratops level and above will get a free sticker, bookmark, and door hanger. That means that if you pledge at least $13, you'll get one of these Kickstarter exclusive door hangers, in addition to your free sticker and bookmark!
These one-sided, color door hangers are pretty rad, measuring at 3.5" x 8.5."
Understand that this design is a rough draft and may be subject to change if/when this backer bonus is unlocked. I just wanted to create something quickly to give you a visual. If altered, it will only improve!
If the total pledge amount of $1250 is met, backers at Triceratops level and above can purchase additional door hangers for $1.50 each.
Campaign Goal
As things have progressed, I've decided I REALLY want to be able to offer The Dinosaurs Did It Coloring Book add-on, so as long as we reach our $500 goal, backers at the Triceratops level and above will be able to add it for only $7!
When/if we hit the $500 mark, backers can add a coloring book version of The Dinosaurs Did It to their pledge. This coloring book will be full-length, but will not include the text from the book. It would make a perfect add-on if you're planning to give the book as a set!
Let's get this add-on unlocked!
Stretch Goals
I've got two stretch goals to start, but if things really start heating up I will add more! As each stretch goal is reached, awesome backer add-ons will be unlocked. Here's the first one!
When/if we hit the $750 mark, backers can add a The Dinosaurs Did It puzzle and/or poster!
Puzzle
The puzzle will be 10" x 8" and will be of the cover of the book or a favorite image from the book. Because these will have to be individually ordered, if unlocked, the add-on price will be $30. That does mean, however, that you'll be able to choose which book image you want on your puzzle. The $30 also includes any additional shipping.
Poster
The poster will be 11" x 17" and will be an image or set of images from the book. I'm still working on the final design, so the images below are just placeholders so you get an idea of the poster look and size. If unlocked, posters add-ons will be only $10!
I'll release more specifics about each of these add-ons as we get closer to the stretch goal.
***Again, please note that the images above are just rough-draft placeholders. If it looks like we're getting close to this goal, I will update these images with real design plans (likely after getting backer input!).***
When/if we hit the $1250 mark, backers can add a The Dinosaurs Did It desk calendar and/or post card set!
Desk Calendar
The desk calendars will include images from the book, matching them with each month of the year. Calendars will be for the 2017 year and I'll release final images when we get closer to this particular stretch goal. Desk calendar add-ons will only cost $10 each!
Postcard Set
More information to come about the post card set once we get closer to this stretch goal!
Active Add-Ons
1. Additional Copy of The Dinosaurs Did It - $10
2. Additional Signed Copy of The Dinosaurs Did It - $12
3. The Dinosaurs Did It Bookmark - $1
To add an add-on to your pledge, click your account icon in the top right corner then select The Dinosaurs Did It from your "Backed Projects." A new page will appear. Scroll down to "Your Pledge" and click "Edit."
Once there, you can change your pledge amount (or backer level if you want); just add the additional cost of the add-on you want to your total pledge amount and click "Continue."
After the campaign is concluded, I'll send a message to all my backers to confirm which add-ons are wanted. If you have questions before then, feel free to ask!
Why Kickstarter?
I chose to introduce The Dinosaurs Did It as a Kickstarter because I wanted the opportunity to offer the book, as well as the backer rewards, for as absolutely cheap as possible. I could have sent the ebook straight to Amazon and made print copies available through CreatSpace, but those companies take a portion of the profits and make it necessary to increase the cost of the book. I'd much rather cut them out of the selling process and give the saving directly to you!
While you'll likely see The Dinosaurs Did It for sale on Amazon a short while after the Kickstarter has concluded, things like the screensaver, sticker, poster, puzzle, and door hanger likely won't be available again.
Risks and challenges
To be honest, there isn't much risk involved because the book and illustration are already done. Potential setbacks could include, however, unexpected issues with printing or shipping delays. I've already accounted for these possibilities a little by setting the delivery deadline as December. To be honest, it's possible I'll be able to get orders to backers significantly earlier than that.
I've really tried to account for everything ahead of time, including the cost of producing and shipping the books to me, as well as what it will cost for me to ship them to you.
In general, I'm a problem-solver and will figure out any unforeseen issues as they arise!
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Funding period
- (30 days)