- 01
You are the proof
Put your face in the first photo, explain your background in two sentences and show something you have already made. Backers back people first and plans second.
- 02
Keep the scope small
The first milestone should fit one person's time and skills. Outsource only what you cannot do, and give those costs their own milestone so Backers see them.
- 03
Protect your time
Post proof when a step is done, answer chat once or twice a day and keep your story current. A steady rhythm builds more trust than bursts of activity.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Page scope grows
Extra scenes can add weeks of illustration. Lock a target page count at the script milestone and set aside a limited revision allowance rather than expanding the story during finished artwork.
- R2
Artwork loses consistency
Long drawing schedules can produce shifts in characters or colour. Approve model sheets early and include batch reviews in the artwork milestone before committing every page to final rendering.
- R3
Text needs more space
Dialogue that fits a script may crowd a drawn panel. Test lettering on sample pages before full production and budget an editing pass so balloon placement does not force extensive redraws.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a graphic novel dream in Beijing, shown in CNY. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
CN¥47,000
- Illustration and colourCN¥21,150 · 45%
- Lettering and editingCN¥7,050 · 15%
- Printing and bindingCN¥14,100 · 30%
- Packaging and fulfilmentCN¥4,700 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- CN¥47,000
- 0% platform commission
- −CN¥7,050
- You receive
- CN¥39,950
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a graphic novel dream with a goal of CN¥47,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
CN¥9,400 · 20%
Resolve script and designs
Post a chapter outline, character sheets and sample page thumbnails showing the planned story length and visual style.
Milestone 2
CN¥16,450 · 35%
Complete sequential artwork
Share finished page batches, a page-count tracker and close-up panels demonstrating completed inks and colours.
Milestone 3
CN¥14,100 · 30%
Letter and produce pages
Post lettered spreads, a checked print file sample and production proofs showing readable text and finished layouts.
Milestone 4
CN¥7,050 · 15%
Deliver the finished volume
Share photographs of bound copies, a final page checklist and redacted fulfilment records for completed distribution.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Can one person really fund a graphic novel dream?
Yes. Backers do not require a company. They need to understand your goal and see proof as you go, and a small first milestone is the best way to show you deliver.
Do I need the full script before publishing my dream?
A complete script makes the page count and illustration workload easier to justify. If it is still developing, define a bounded script milestone and show sample sequential pages so Backers can assess the intended reading experience.
Can the goal cover paying a separate artist and letterer?
Yes. Describe the page count, artwork stages and lettering scope in the budget. Match proof to completed page batches, and explain who handles revisions so Backers can follow the work without relying on private contracts.
Ready when you are
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