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Self-publish your book by raising funds through crowdfunding

Self-publish your book by raising funds through crowdfunding

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You can self-publish your book by raising funds through crowdfunding. You can fully finance you project (and more) if you apply the necessary effort.

The truth of the matter is a lot of crowdfunding endeavors fail – while there are several factors involved, that’s primarily because of lack of effort on the author’s part. Some authors think crowdfunding is an instant panacea.

If you are prepared to do the ‘hard yards’, crowdfunding is a great way to finance your book (and gain early sales and readership).

The record book crowdfunding project is Brandon Sanderson’s post Covid-19
Surprise! Four Secret Novels crowdfunding campaign.

That campaign raised approximately $61 million Australian dollars in just one month. That’s right $61,000,000.00. You probably won’t raise that amount – but you can raise several thousands of dollars if you apply effort and are savvy. Sanderson’s campaign is a great case study demonstrating that the principle of crowdfunding for books works. You use the same principle but just need to scale your expectations down!

Sanderson’s campaign is a shot-over-the-bow for the traditional publishing industry that often hold authors captive with the “you can’t publish alone because you need capital” mantra.

Do you already know (or can find) and can contact 100-200 people who might support your new book? If so read on…

Contents

1. What is crowdfunding?
2. Steps to crowdfund for the publishing of your self-published book in Australia
3. How much money can crowdfunding raise for my self-published book project?
4. Can crowdfunding be a way to pre-sell a self-published book in Australia?
5.What are the best crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for self-publishing a book in Australia?
6. What are the negatives of using crowdfunding to help self-publish your book?

1. What is crowdfunding for self-publishing in Australia?

Crowdfunding in Australia refers to the practice of raising funds for a project or venture by soliciting contributions from a large number of people—typically via the internet. Individuals or organisations are able to secure funding from a large number of backers.  Crowdfunding is often used for creative projects, start-ups, and small businesses.

Crowdfunding is a great way to build a effective book publishing project. In our experience your publishing project needs only around 100 supporters to say your crowdfunding endeavor is a success (albeit a measured success).

There are various forms of crowdfunding available in Australia, including reward-based, equity-based, and debt-based. Australian crowdfunding is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Corporations Act 2001.

2. Steps to crowdfunding for your self-published book in Australia

Here are the steps you can follow to crowdfund for book publishing in Australia:

  1. Define your project: Clearly articulate the purpose of your book, what it’s about, and what you hope to achieve with it.
  2. Choose a crowdfunding platform: There are several crowdfunding platforms available in Australia, such as Pozible, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo. Choose a platform that is right for your project and meets your needs.
  3. Create a campaign: Set up your campaign by creating a profile, adding your project description, setting a funding goal, and defining the rewards you will offer to backers.
  4. Promote your campaign: Use social media, email marketing, and other channels to promote your campaign and reach as many potential backers as possible.
  5. Keep your backers informed: Keep your backers updated on your progress and share regular updates on the development of your book.
  6. Reach your funding goal: If you reach your funding goal, you can use the funds to publish your book. If you do not reach your goal, you may not receive any funding, depending on the platform’s policy.
  7. Deliver rewards: Once your book is published, deliver the rewards you promised to your backers.

Note: Before starting your crowdfunding campaign, be sure to familiarise yourself with the regulations and laws in Australia regarding crowdfunding and ensure that you comply with them. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for regulating crowdfunding in Australia.

 3. How much money can crowdfunding raise for my self-published book project?

The typical amount raised in a crowdfunding campaign for a self-published book in Australia can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the popularity of the author, the genre of the book, the target audience, the marketing efforts, and the quality of the campaign.

On average, successful crowdfunding campaigns for self-published books in Australia can raise anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. The amount raised needs to cover the costs of publishing and marketing the book, as well as fulfilling any rewards promised to backers.

Here is some simple math:

  • Number of supporters: 150
  • Cost to print your book: $10
  • Crowdfunding contribution: 110 contributors at $25 (bronze reward: 1 book), 25 contributors at $45 (silver reward: 2 books) and 15 contributors at $60 (gold reward: 3 books). This equates to (110 x $25) + (25x$45) + (15x$60) = $2,750 + $1,125 + $900 = $4,725
  • Net financial support gained:  Funds contributed – Cost of books  = (110x1book)+(45x2books) + (15x3books) – 245 books x 10 = $2,450  Net funds = $4,725-$2,450=$2,275

It’s important to note that the success of a crowdfunding campaign is not only determined by the amount raised, but also by the level of engagement with backers and the quality of the final product.

4. Can crowdfunding be a way to pre-sell a self-published book in Australia?

Yes, crowdfunding can be a way to pre-sell a book in Australia. Reward-based crowdfunding is a popular method of pre-selling books, as backers can receive rewards in exchange for their contributions. For example, an author can offer signed copies, early access, or other exclusive perks to backers who support their campaign.

By pre-selling their book through crowdfunding, authors can also gauge interest in their book, secure funding to cover the costs of publishing and marketing, and build a community of supporters who can help promote the book once it’s released.

It’s important to keep in mind that pre-selling a book through crowdfunding is not a guarantee of success, and authors need to put in the effort to promote their campaign and reach a wide audience. They also need to fulfil any rewards promised to backers, which can add to the costs and complexity of the publishing process.

5. What are the best crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for self-publishing a book in Australia?

Here are some of the best crowdfunding platforms in Australia to raise funds for a self-published book:

  1. Pozible: A popular Australian-based crowdfunding platform that supports a wide range of creative projects, including book publishing. It offers a variety of funding models, including all-or-nothing and keep-what-you-raise.
  2. Kickstarter: A well-established, international crowdfunding platform that has a strong presence in Australia. It’s a popular choice for creative projects, including books, and operates on an all-or-nothing funding model.
  3. Indiegogo: An international crowdfunding platform that supports a wide range of projects, including books. It offers both all-or-nothing and keep-what-you-raise funding models.

These are just a few examples of the many crowdfunding platforms available in Australia. When choosing a platform, it’s important to consider factors such as fees, funding models, and audience reach, and to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you fully understand the platform’s policies and requirements.

6. What are the negatives of using crowdfunding to help self-publish your book?

It’s not all “sweetness and light”! Here are some of the negatives of using crowdfunding to raise funds to self-publish your book in Australia:

  1. No guarantee of success: There is no guarantee that your crowdfunding campaign will be successful, even if you put in a lot of effort to promote it. Crowdfunding is not a guaranteed source of funding and success is highly dependent on the quality of your campaign, the popularity of your project, and the level of engagement with backers.
  2. Limited reach: Crowdfunding platforms typically have a limited audience, and reaching a large number of potential backers can be challenging. You will need to invest significant time and effort into promoting your campaign to reach a wider audience.
  3. Competition: There is a lot of competition on crowdfunding platforms, and it can be difficult to stand out among the many other projects seeking funding.
  4. Campaign costs: Running a successful crowdfunding campaign can be expensive, with costs including platform fees, marketing and advertising expenses, and rewards for backers.
  5. Legal and regulatory compliance: Crowdfunding is regulated in many countries, including Australia, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with the laws and regulations that apply to your campaign. Failing to comply with the regulations can result in fines and legal repercussions.
  6. Fulfillment of rewards: Once your campaign is successful, you will be responsible for fulfilling the rewards promised to backers, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Green Hill will help you get book production underway well before your campaign ends (usually authors conduct 2-month crowdfunding campaigns).
  7. Unmet expectations: Crowdfunding campaigns can sometimes lead to unmet expectations, as backers may expect a certain level of quality or completion that is not met. This can result in negative reviews and damage to your reputation. How do you get a quality book published? Certainly keep production in Australian hands. Have you heard of Green Hill Publishing, Australia’s trusted self-publishing company?

These are just some of the negatives of using crowdfunding. It’s important to carefully consider these and other potential drawbacks before launching a campaign, and to be transparent and realistic about what you can deliver to your backers.

You can self-publish your book by raising funds through crowdfunding, but you need to be aware of the pitfalls.

SUBMIT YOUR BOOK DETAILS
CALL US 1300 810 131

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Green Hill at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

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Just one of the many exhibition halls at Frankfurt Book Messe

Hall 1 – just one of a giant campus of exhibition halls of 400,000 metres of floorspace

Green Hill is again at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany or ‘Frankfurt Busch Messe’.

I’m here scouting the industry – it’s always rewarding adding to Green Hill’s expertise and capability. As always indie publishing  or self-publishing isn’t a feature of the Fair. Instead most of the world’s traditional publishers are here: over 4.000 companies/exhibitors from 92 countries  – yes, that’s not a typo. Over the five days there will be almost 250,000 visitors – yes again that’s not a typo. Of the 250,000 there are about 125,000 industry professionals (like me).

What is Green Hill doing here?

We are  constantly adding to our expertise and the Messe is a great way of doing that. Our print broking  division (Fox Merit) has had discussions with many book printers exhibiting here (mainly from China, Korea and Hong Kong) as we endeavour to provide the world’s best print options at value. An important part of the industry is book production technologies. Green Hill already has good capability in this area and it sets us apart from solo graphic designers trying to master book production at a competitive cost to indie authors.

The Messe has returned to its former strength after the Covid pandemic. Everyone is back. All the new tools and technologies are here along with all the traditional publishing giants of the publishing industry. Of course the big feature of the Messe is the trading of foreign language publishing rights. It’s a feeding frenzy – a market place where publishing rights are bought and sold with gusto.

DAVID WALTERS  ~ Business Development Manager

 

rankfurt Buch Messe

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Denis Schleck

Book ‘rock-star’ Denis Schleck draws overflow audiences

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Hall 1 at Frankfurt Buch Messe

Brazil - just one of almost 100 country exhibits

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Interested in publishing your book but unsure where to start or what is even involved? Tell us about your project and we will post you a copy of our:

 

The Little Book of
Big Publishing Tips.

 

In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

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Why book design clichés sell (and why they’re a good thing)

Why book design clichés sell (and why they’re a good thing)

‘I want my book design to be unique. Something no one has ever seen before. This will sell my book.’ 

This is a common statement we hear from authors—especially those releasing their first book. You’ve poured your heart into your manuscript, and you want the outside to reflect how special it is. You want it to stand out, to be different and to “wow” people. But the truth is that a truly unique cover isn’t always what sells a book, in fact it can have an opposite effect. Most bestselling books within a genre follow a visual trend—and there’s a good reason why. 

Readers are drawn to what they recognise. They make fast decisions based on visual cues. When they scan a bookstore shelf or scroll through online listings, they’re looking for signals:  

  • Is this the type of book I usually enjoy?  
  • Does this feel like a thriller? A romance? A fantasy?  

And they rely on the cover to answer that question for them. 

If your cover doesn’t speak the language of your genre, it risks being overlooked completely. 

Most bestselling books follow visual trends within their genre. Not because they lack creativity, but because they know how to play to the expectations of their target audience. 

Let’s unpack why cover clichés aren’t something to fear and how embracing them can actually be the smartest move you make for your book. 

Contents

1. Trends are your friend
2. Why familiar covers sell more books
3. What about being original?
4. But I don’t want my publisher to use stock imagery for my design
5. Final thoughts

clock - estimated reading time  Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

1. Book design trends are your friend

Take a look at Emily Henry. When she burst onto the scene, her covers were bold, colourful, and “romantic” in a fresh, modern way: flat, vibrant colour palettes, illustrated figures, playful, clean design. They spoke to the genre.  

Suddenly, the shelves were packed with similar designs, and that wasn’t by accident. Her covers worked and they connected with readers. They signalled exactly what kind of story was inside: light-hearted, heartfelt, contemporary romance with emotional depth. Readers responded in droves—and other publishers took note. That’s how book design trends start. 

Just like in the fashion world, book cover trends emerge when a particular look resonates. When it feels timely and captures the current cultural mood. A few titles catch fire, the aesthetic spreads, and soon it becomes the visual shorthand for that genre or tone. 

It’s not about copying—it’s about communicating. Covers that follow genre trends aren’t lazy or unoriginal; they’re strategic. These cover designers are using design language that readers already understand. 

Think of it this way: if your book is a romantic comedy, but your cover looks like a thriller, you’re sending mixed signals. A reader might skip right past it—not because they won’t like your story, but because your cover told them it wasn’t for them. 

Trends work because they help your ideal reader instantly identify that your book is the kind of book they’re looking for. So instead of asking ‘How do I make my cover unlike anything else?’ try asking, ‘How do I make sure my cover speaks clearly to my reader?’ 

That’s the real key. 

Back to contents

2. Why familiar covers sell more books

The word “cliché” often gets a bad rap, but in the world of book design, clichés exist for a reason. 

These familiar visual elements don’t just appear out of thin air. They became common because they consistently help connect the right readers with the right books. In a highly saturated market where readers are bombarded with options, clarity and instant recognition are powerful tools. 

Here’s why using well-worn design elements can actually drive more interest (and more sales) for your book: 

2.1 They grab attention—fast

Studies show that humans process visual information in less than half a second. That’s all the time you have to make a first impression. When someone scrolls through an online bookstore or walks past a shelf, your cover needs to immediately communicate this is for you. And it needs to do so without the reader even thinking about it. 

Familiar genre elements—like a silhouetted figure on a foggy street for a crime thriller, or a pastel-illustrated couple on a romantic beach for a romance—act like a visual shortcut. They let the reader know “this story is the kind you love”. No guessing, no confusion, just instant recognition and connection. 

That moment of clarity makes all the difference between a scroll-past and a click-through. 

2.2 They trigger emotional responses

We’re wired to respond emotionally to what we see. Colour theory, typography, layout, and imagery all evoke specific feelings—and savvy cover design leans into that. 

Think about it: 

  • Red and black on a thriller cover can create a sense of danger, urgency, or high stakes. 
  • Earth tones and serif fonts on historical fiction suggest something grounded and classic. 
  • Pink often signals warmth, romance, and softness, making it a favourite in contemporary love stories and uplifting women’s fiction. 

When your cover uses visual elements that align with the genre and emotional tone of your story, you’re not just creating something attractive, you’re priming the reader’s expectations before they’ve read a single word. 

This kind of alignment between genre, emotion, and design builds trust. And trust leads to purchases and loyal readers. 

2.3 Examples of successful visual clichés

Some visual elements have become so closely tied to their genres that they’re instantly recognisable—and incredibly effective. These aren’t outdated or lazy design choices. They’re genre anchors—reliable cues that tell readers in a split second what kind of story they’re about to step into. 

  • Science Fiction: Futuristic and clean fonts, dark tones, figure among a landscape. 
  • Christian Novels: Light blues and whites, landscapes, bird imagery. 
  • Fantasy: Cloaked figures, glowing swords or magical runes, typographic, enchanted landscapes. 

 These aren’t tired clichés—they’re trusted markers, and in a sea of titles competing for attention, that kind of instant clarity is a tool. It helps readers spot the kind of book they already love, which means your book lands in the hands of someone who’s genuinely excited to read it. That’s the overall goal. 

Back to contents

3. What about being original?

Originality isn’t about breaking the mould. It’s about adding a fresh twist within the mould. You can (and should!) aim to create a cover that feels distinct, but if your design strays too far from what readers expect, it runs the risk of being confusing or invisible. 

3.1 Fiction book design: Clarity over cleverness 

For fiction, your cover’s job is clear: communicate genre and tone at a glance. If a potential reader needs to stop and figure out what your cover is trying to say, they’re likely to move on. People don’t browse bookstores with the intent of solving puzzles—they’re scanning for books that feel familiar, exciting, and right for them. 

Originality, in this context, is about detail, not structure. Maybe it’s a unique colour palette, an unusual perspective, or a symbolic object that adds intrigue. But the overall design still needs to stay rooted in genre conventions to effectively do its job 

3.2 Non-Fiction book design: Visual cleverness shines 

Non-fiction is a different ball game. Readers often expect to be surprised, challenged, or intrigued. This means there’s more room for visual metaphor and unexpected juxtapositions. 

  • A book about burnout might use an open box of matches that have already been burned. 
  • A book on modern leadership might feature a chessboard, but with something slightly off.  

These covers don’t need to scream a specific emotion—they need to spark curiosity. In non-fiction, the cover can function almost like a hook or question: ‘What is this about? Why does this image feel strange? I need to know more.’ That kind of intrigue works because the reader comes in prepared to be educated or provoked. 

3.3 The bottom line 

Being original doesn’t mean being obscure. It means being smart and adding just enough personality to a proven formula. When you respect the language of your genre while finding a subtle way to express your unique voice, that’s where great cover design lives. 

Back to contents

4. But I don’t want my publisher to use stock imagery for my book design?

Let’s clear something up: all publishers use stock photography. 

From Big Five publishing houses to indie imprints and everything in between, stock imagery is an industry-standard tool in the cover designer’s toolkit. If you look at the copyright page or back cover of some of the books on your shelves, chances are it will say stock photography has been used. 

It’s a smart, efficient, and professional way to create compelling, high-quality book covers. 

Stock images aren’t used because of laziness or lack of originality. They’re used because they provide access to a vast, high-resolution library of professionally lit, styled, and edited visuals. These images become starting points that allow designers to focus on crafting something polished and impactful without the limitations of budget-heavy photo shoots.  

Cover designers use stock to streamline the process and focus on composition, storytelling, and style. When you work with a professional designer, they’re not just pasting a stock image onto your cover and calling it done. They’re manipulating it, blending multiple images, adjusting colour palettes, cropping, layering textures, adding lighting effects, typography, overlays, and illustration work. 

And what is the end product? A cover that looks custom-built and is aligned with your genre, your tone, and your target reader. 

In many cases, the original source image is unrecognisable by the time the final cover is complete. That’s the magic of thoughtful design: it turns something ordinary into something emotionally resonant and uniquely yours. 

4.1 What if someone else has the same stock image used in their book design? 

It’s a fair concern, but the likelihood of another book using the exact same image, in the exact same way, is low. What truly sets your cover apart isn’t just the photo, it’s how it’s used. The typography, layout, colour grading, and overall aesthetic come together to make your version distinct. 

If you’re working with a skilled designer, they’ll most likely avoid overused stock or generic imagery that risks blending too far into the crowd. 

Stock photography isn’t a compromise. It allows designers to deliver creative, beautiful, and market-ready covers at a fraction of the cost and time required for custom photoshoots or illustrations. 

So, if you’re worried your cover won’t be “original enough” because it uses stock—don’t be.  

Back to contents

5. Final thoughts

In the end, great book cover design isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about understanding the expectations of your readers and using familiar design elements to your advantage.  

By embracing genre conventions and leaning into trends, you ensure your cover resonates with your audience and stands out in a crowded market.  

Originality isn’t about being obscure; it’s about finding the perfect balance between clarity and creativity. When you respect the visual language of your genre while adding your unique touch, you’ll create a cover that not only grabs attention but also draws readers in, eager to discover the story inside.  

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SUBMIT YOUR BOOK DETAILS
CALL US 1300 810 131

Featured Blog Posts:

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The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

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The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

Interested in publishing your book but unsure where to start or what is even involved? Tell us about your project and we will post you a copy of our:

 

The Little Book of
Big Publishing Tips.

 

In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

submit your project details