Hello SVS!

I had a short story in mind and decided to try self publishing it/using Kickstarter. It started out as a personal book dummy project, but got a couple of requests to take it further, and now felt like a better time than ever to try out self publishing before officially looking for/signing up with an agency.

Backstory aside, would it be okay to ask for feedback on this KS campaign so far? It launches next week. I'm going in kind of blind and if there's anything that needs improvement (whether its the campaign or art itself) I'm all ears! My one ask is perhaps no critique on the characters' looks? I know twin puff hairstyles are played out and the gator doesn't have "true" alligator anatomy, but I kind of selfishly like how they are now, ha.

Alternatively, if anyone else is thinking about self pub through Kickstarter route, I'll be happy to experiment and answer questions anyone might have (whether setting up the campaign, during or after, etc)!
Thank you guys!

I use Smartpress, which is a printer that almost specifically works with creatives, and their colors are always spot on. Two caveats are they're best for bulk (10+ books minimum) and don't do hardcover. That might not be what you're looking for, but definitely recommended if you need more than one!

Whoa, the composition is beautiful! Without reading the story below the sketch, the art works quite well! One nit pick would be the diagonal line at the bottom left behind the girl. Is this line representing extra furniture in the foreground? If so it might be a little too close to the other furniture.
After reading the text (also very beautiful!) it feels like the window is more important, and thus it might be beneficial to have a larger window to show more activity going on outside? Or shift the camera over to the left to show more of the room she is in and a little less of the wall on the right?
Either way, gorgeous work!

This looks pretty cool! I like how blank the snow is against the textures. One small thing would be the word "Happens" seems to get lost. I agree with the others that it might be because of the textures around it or the color itself? Otherwise, it's lit!

I second this idea and excited that one is being made!

This looks incredible so far! Really loving the houses in the back too. I would agree with @rcartwright about brightening the background colors as well

Welcome and nice to have you! I like the light and airy color schemes going on in your portfolio!

How about your local library or local cafes? There always seems to be a call for new art at these places. The library especially might appreciate a donation c:

@rhirsch Thank you kindly!

@smceccarelli Without giving out any specific details, I'll try to describe. Thanks for asking!
I was contacted to illustrate a childrens book by a large publisher. It was super exciting and great timing as I just went freelance in 2016. The career I had before freelance was design-based and I was used to "design by committee" approaches and multiple passes needed, so thought it would be no problem. The art director was incredibly nice and accommodating, but eventually the design by committee was kind of wearing me down, especially with waiting on a reply for weeks and changes to the look of the main character and such almost a year into the project (did not know that it's kind of normal in book publishing). They just weren't liking anything I was putting out and eventually I wasn't liking it either, and that showed. They suggested I just scrap and redo the entire book art from scratch which sounded like a good idea, but there was a major eye surgery coming up and it wouldn't be wise to do it with that going on at the same time, so I asked to be taken off the project. Looking back, it was very embarrassing and I genuinely hope I wasn't a major headache to work with!
Another publisher contacted me a little before and after the surgery was complete, so I used all the knowledge and pitfalls from before to work better with them. Communication and getting feedback was much easier and quicker this time as well. I would say communication from both sides can really make or break a project!