What does it really take to run a successful Kickstarter as an indie author—and live to tell the tale? 😅

In this episode of Book Craft, I’m joined by author Amanda Rautio, who just wrapped up her first-ever Kickstarter campaign (and exceeded her goal ). We dig into the realities of crowdfunding, from managing expectations and print runs to why Kickstarter has become such a powerful tool for indie authors.

Amanda also shares how her academic background in classical history shaped her novel, The Tale of Kore, her approach to writing fantasy rooted in Greek mythology, and why deep research is just as important as inspiration when it comes to rich, immersive storytelling.

We talk in-person events, book marketing, the many hats of self-publishing, and the pros and cons of platforms like IngramSpark and Amazon—no sugarcoating here.

Plus, we peek ahead at what’s next for Amanda, including a delightfully dark new project set in a metaphysical circus.

If you’re curious about Kickstarter, indie publishing, fantasy worldbuilding, or building a loyal readership one book (and one event) at a time, this episode is packed with insight—and a few honest laughs along the way.

Where to find Amanda:

https://www.themythosmith.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/themythosmith/

Takeaways

*Amanda Rautio successfully completed her first Kickstarter campaign, exceeding her goals.
*Crowdfunding is a vital tool for indie authors to manage print runs and pre-orders.
*In-person events help build recognition and a loyal readership.
*Research is crucial for Amanda's writing, especially in Greek mythology.
*The Tale of Kore was inspired by Amanda's academic background in classical history.
*Amanda emphasizes the importance of managing expectations during crowdfunding campaigns.
*Self-publishing requires wearing many hats, including marketing and distribution.
*Ingram Spark presents challenges for indie authors, similar to Amazon.
*Amanda's writing process involves a mix of inspiration and extensive research.
*Future projects include a dark fantasy set in a metaphysical circus.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Amanda Rautio and Her Journey
02:57 Kickstarter Campaign Insights
05:58 Managing Expectations in Crowdfunding
09:08 In-Person Events and Community Engagement
11:59 Research and Inspiration for Writing
14:59 Exploring Greek Mythology in Writing
17:59 The Rise of Haduwas: A New Adventure
21:02 Writing Process and Research Methodology
25:59 The Underworld Journey and Absurd Rituals
28:52 Easter Eggs and Reader Engagement
30:00 Series Structure and Future Works
31:00 Exploring New Dark Fantasy Concepts
32:35 The Challenges of Self-Publishing
34:34 Finding the Right Editor
36:37 Navigating the Publishing Landscape
39:16 In-Person Sales and Market Strategies