- 01
Start with one clear goal
Name the single outcome your dream should reach and the date. Backers swipe through many dreams, so your first line must say what will exist when you are done.
- 02
Turn the goal into proof points
Every milestone needs something you can show: a receipt, a photo, a certificate or a link. Put the cheapest, fastest one first, because early proof brings the next Backer.
- 03
Publish and keep people updated
Publish your dream with a monthly membership. Share it with your own circle first, answer questions in chat and post proof as soon as each step is done.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a graphic novel dream with a goal of $7,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
$1,400 · 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
$2,450 · 35%
Complete sequential artwork
Share finished page batches, a page-count tracker and close-up panels demonstrating completed inks and colours.
Milestone 3
$2,100 · 30%
Letter and produce pages
Post lettered spreads, a checked print file sample and production proofs showing readable text and finished layouts.
Milestone 4
$1,050 · 15%
Deliver the finished volume
Share photographs of bound copies, a final page checklist and redacted fulfilment records for completed distribution.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a graphic novel dream wherever you live, shown in USD. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
$7,000
- Illustration and colour$3,150 · 45%
- Lettering and editing$1,050 · 15%
- Printing and binding$2,100 · 30%
- Packaging and fulfilment$700 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $7,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −$1,050
- You receive
- $5,950
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.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: $100 gives the Dreamer $85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
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 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.
How long does it take to fund a graphic novel dream?
It depends on the goal and how active you are. Dreams with a small first milestone, real photos and fast replies usually get their first Backers within days. Plan for weeks and keep posting progress.
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.
Ready when you are
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