BackerKit

BackerKit evolved from a Kickstarter pledge management tool into a major crowdfunding platform in its own right, with a strong books and publishing category. Its "Collab-Funding" feature is uniquely valuable for authors — multiple writers can team up on shared campaigns, such as genre-specific story collections, splitting costs and audience reach across all participants.

• Best for: Authors launching a book campaign who want Kickstarter-level features with dedicated publishing community and collaborative funding options
• Key features: Collab-Funding for joint campaigns, Book Bazaar collaborative events, Pledge Manager for post-campaign fulfillment, audience intelligence tools, email marketing included
• Pricing: 5% platform fee plus 2.9% + $0.30 per pledge; fees only apply if the campaign is funded
• Book-specific: Dedicated publishing/books category page and recurring "Book Bazaar" events (Summer Edition + a fall flagship) where indie authors pool their audiences into themed, synchronized crowdfunding runs spanning novels, audiobooks, anthologies, poetry, picture books, and comics
• Human-only policy: BackerKit bans projects that use AI in whole or in part; all Book Bazaar projects are verified as human-created — a meaningful differentiator for authors and readers who want an AI-free platform
• Why authors choose it: The strongest alternative to Kickstarter for book projects; used by high-profile fantasy authors including Brandon Sanderson's team