Example milestone plan
An example plan for a graphic novel dream with a goal of $7,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
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.
- 01
Make every step provable
A milestone only works if a Backer can look at your proof and agree it is done. 'Buy equipment' is weak; 'equipment bought, receipt and photo posted' is strong.
- 02
Order by risk
Put the cheapest, fastest step first. Each proven milestone proves you deliver and encourages Backers to fund the next. Leave the biggest amount for the step where most of the work is already done.
- 03
Keep the amounts honest
Milestones must add up exactly to your goal. Price each step from real quotes, include tools and services, and split any step that is too big to prove in one go.
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 wherever you live, shown in USD. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
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
- 0% platform commission
- −$1,050
- You receive
- $5,950
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 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 many milestones should a graphic novel dream have?
Three to six works for most dreams. Fewer gives Backers little to review; more than seven makes each step feel small. The example plan on this page uses four.
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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