From Mark, CEO of Stories Rule Press:
If you’ve been following Stories Rule Press for a while, you may have noticed something new this year: We’re going to be running more Kickstarter campaigns. That’s not an accident—and it’s not a pivot away from traditional publishing so much as an expansion of how we work with readers.
Kickstarter Is About Participation, Not Pressure
At its best, Kickstarter isn’t about preorders or hype. It’s about inviting readers into the process. A Kickstarter campaign lets us:
- Create special editions we couldn’t otherwise produce
- Gauge real reader interest before committing to large print runs
- Offer formats and extras that don’t fit neatly into retail channels
It’s less “selling” and more collaborating.
Why Kickstarter Works Well for SRP
Stories Rule Press is a small, reader-focused press. That means we care deeply about:
- Quality over volume
- Long-term readership
- Direct relationships rather than algorithm chasing
Kickstarter supports all of that. It allows us to:
- Fund higher-quality production (especially hardcovers and special editions)
- Keep projects financially sustainable without cutting corners
- Communicate directly with readers who care about a specific series or author
In short, it helps us make better books, not just more books.
Not Every Book Will Be a Kickstarter
This is important. Kickstarter is a tool—not a rule.
Some projects are perfect for crowdfunding. Others are better suited to a traditional release through the SRP store and retail platforms. We choose the approach that best serves that particular book and audience.
You’ll never be required to “follow everything everywhere” to read SRP books. Kickstarter simply gives us another way to connect with readers who want something special.
What This Means for You as a Reader
If you like:
- Exclusive editions
- Behind-the-scenes updates
- Having a say in what gets produced
- Supporting books directly at their creation stage
Then Kickstarter campaigns are an opportunity. If you prefer to wait for standard releases, that option will still be there.
Either way, the story always comes first.
— Mark.
PS: Our first Kickstarter project for this year is here. Check it out — it closes very soon.
