The special edition was once the preserve of major publishers but is now becoming the next big thing in indie publishing. Indies are able to make collectible versions of books with features like foil accents and sprayed edges, so that they can offer readers something truly special. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter are driving this trend, letting authors test demand, get funding up front and build excitement for premium versions of their work.
Essentially, a special edition is any version that goes beyond the standard print format. Perhaps a hardcover with embossing, or a paperback with exclusive colour illustrations.
And it’s now possible to make them with print-on-demand (POD) company Bookvault. Unlike traditional printers, Bookvault lets authors produce premium copies without a minimum order.
“Any of our special editions can be done as a single copy,” explains Alex Smith, technical lead at Bookvault. “There’s no minimum order … we have a unit price, and that is the per-unit price.”
This flexibility allows authors to offer special editions in their own website shops without holding stock. Like regular POD, a copy is printed whenever an order is placed.
And Alex says that demand for special editions has been climbing. “It’s been a crazy year of growth,” he says.
Bookvault also makes the admin and ordering easy. It has direct sales integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix and Payhip. Orders go straight to Bookvault, which handles printing and shipping, ensuring fans receive their special editions smoothly.
Crowdfunding’s Role in the Special Edition Boom
Crowdfunding has really fuelled the demand for special editions.
A notable example is fantasy author Brandon Sanderson. HIs Kickstarter campaign in 2022 broke records, raising over $41 million from readers excited to support his release of four secret novels, each available in unique formats with premium finishes.
But crowdfunding can work at any scale, big or small.
Special Editions as Community-Building Tools
Crowdfunding special editions helps to build a community of readers who get to bring a limited-edition item to life.
Oriana Leckert, head of publishing and journalism at Kickstarter, explains that special edition campaigns offer “a unique blend of exclusivity and enhanced value that can be really exciting to readers.” Crowdfunding lets authors “assess the desires of their audience and set appropriate print runs,” so they can be confident they’re creating something readers genuinely want.
ALLi content and communications manager Sacha Black has embraced special editions to connect more closely with her readers. Through Kickstarter and Bookvault, she’s created special editions with foiling, colored end pages and bookmark ribbons—details her fans love. She happens to live close to Bookvault’s warehouse, so it’s easy for her to drop in to sign the books, adding a personal touch that makes each copy feel unique.
Sacha’s journey into special editions has been a remarkable success. Her first Kickstarter campaign exceeded her expectations, with fans eager to support a premium edition of her work. Normally, Sacha would sell her hardback books for around £20, but by adding extra details and exclusivity, she was able to price her special editions at £60 each. That campaign brought in about £30,000.
She says profit is usually 45-55 percent before tax. “I try to run a minimum mark-up of 100 percent on everything. So if the books cost £20 to print, I charge a minimum of £40 but it’s more likely to be £60 or more because I have to factor in shipping to me, packaging, paying staff to pack the order and the time to create the product in the first place. There are also Kickstarter fees and Stripe payment processing fees.”
Sacha says special editions can be a viable revenue stream. Other campaigns have brought in £50,000 and £113,000.
Choosing the Special Options
Alex Smith says Bookvault has been surprised by the creative ways authors have embraced special editions. “We were maybe expecting a few people to do just title foil,” he explains, “but there’s been some really creative artwork.”
And special editions don’t have to be expensive. For authors looking to make a special edition on a budget, book designer and children’s author Rachel Lawston suggests focusing on textures and finishes that add visual interest without requiring premium paper that will increase costs. These techniques include mock die-cuts, embossing and selective lamination which create a tactile experience. While you might commission bespoke artwork, Rachel says it’s equally possible to work with a designer to create something distinctive using stock images, textures and layering effects, as with the more usual kinds of book cover.
Shanaya Wagh, who writes romantic mysteries under the pen name Shana Frost, produced a special edition with character artwork, working with an illustrator.
Best Practices for Running a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
Running a successful crowdfunding campaign for a special edition requires careful planning. Oriana recommends starting with a solid budget and a well-honed campaign page.
“Also, plan all your production processes for your books and rewards well before you launch,” she says. “And order samples of the special features you’re planning to offer, like foiling or custom artwork, so potential backers can see what makes the edition unique.”
Alex emphasizes the importance of having the book manuscript ready before you launch the campaign. “We’ve seen a lot of people upset a lot of backers,” he says. Delays can harm an author’s relationship with their audience. You want to begin production quickly once the campaign is funded, keeping backers satisfied and engaged.
Another key element of crowdfunding is planning your reward tiers and stretch goals. A stretch goal is an additional funding target beyond the initial goal. When backers push the total funds past this new target, the author can unlock extra features or upgrades. But these must be carefully costed, and Bookvault advises authors to price their books as if all planned embellishments will be included from the start. This way, if you reach a stretch goal that allows you to add extras—like a ribbon bookmark or sprayed edges—the cost will already be covered. Stretch goals can be a powerful tool for encouraging higher pledges, allowing authors to add even more special touches as funding grows.
Sending Crowdfunded Orders to Backers
Sending Crowdfunded Orders to BackersBookvault has another feature that makes crowdfunding simple. Once a campaign is funded, authors can upload their backer information and orders on a spreadsheet directly to Bookvault’s system. Then Bookvault prints and ships.
What's Next?
We asked Bookvault what they might bring us next. The answer? Box sets, where authors can bundle multiple books into a custom-designed box, the kind of offering that was previously only within the reach of big publishers. Again, this innovation was driven by authors and Alex expects it will be popular.“We’ve had a lot of questions about box sets,” he says.
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