A Book Bigger Than My Granddaughter? Really???

I admit it – I am a diehard Seth Godin fan. I read his blogs daily. I buy his books. I like the way he thinks – most of the time. Most importantly, I like the fact that he makes me think.

So this summer, when he announced a new book project on Kickstarter, I was intrigued. I knew I wanted to learn how Kickstarter worked, for my entrepreneurship course at Purdue, and here was a chance to learn firsthand with a Seth project.

Some background: Kickstarter is a crowdsourcing website that funds creative projects. You post a project and people support you financially. Typically you offer something in return – but you offer goods or services and NOT an equity stake in your endeavor.

In Seth’s case – he wanted funding for his new book, The Icarus Deception. His goal was to raise $40,000. 4,242 backers later he had raised $287,342 – with pledges ranging from $4 to $1,150. Interesting to see that many months later the higher dollar pledges sold out but there are plenty of the $4 pledges remaining.

So, back in July I took the plunge. I pledged $111 in my little experiment – which got me EIGHT copies of the hardcover edition of his new book, plus two signed copies of his children’s book, PLUS the limited-edition, mammoth digital collection in print.

In Seth’s description, he says this is a book heavy enough to kill a small mammal. Actually, I think it might kill a medium sized creature – not a book you tote around, and clearly a book that fits on no bookshelf I own. And in typical Seth fashion, he’s done something that makes me think…

• How do you get people’s attention in a crowded and noisy marketplace?
• Is bigger better?
• What is the difference between art and novelty? Between something of value and something ridiculous?
• Can there be value in being ridiculous?

You can draw your own conclusions. Here are some of mine:

• People will support new and interesting ideas – if you give them a place and a way. Kickstarter shows me that there is generosity, curiosity and support out there, and offers a great deal of encouragement to those of us starting new things.
• Creativity takes many forms – some of which may not be terribly practical and a bit off beat. But you know what they said about the horseless carriage and look at it now!
• Creating something new or outrageous involves some courage and putting yourself out there.
• And without a doubt, bigger is not always better. In books and in many things!

So, all in all, this was a fun project. But If you want to borrow this book, be prepared for some heavy return postage!
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