Review Fix chats with author Todd Friedman, who discusses the newest volume in his Walter Day Trading Card Book series. Preparing for another Kickstarter campaign, Friedman lets us know what he learned from the last book and what will make this one a special entry.
Review Fix: What did you learn from the first book and how did it inspire your newest book?
Todd Friedman: Being that my first book was also my first Kickstarter, I learned a lot in so many ways. I am familiar with Kickstarter but did not realize what goes into making a successful campaign and to get backers to support the book. It was a lot of fun to see who and how many backed the book in the 30 day period it was on Kickstarter. After the first book was published and sent to the public, there was a huge curiosity about ordering the book as well as seeing a second book. Trading card holders 201-400 really wanted to see their card published as well as share stories for the second book. I knew I wanted to do a second book, but wasn’t sure it would be possible. With the help of Walter Day and Jeffrey Wittenhagen, who will publish the second book as well, I decided it was time to do the second book in 2020 with having more time on my hands and being limited to doing things during the Pandemic. If all goes well with this second book, I see more volumes ahead.
Review Fix: What do you think were some things from the first book that stood out as special?
Friedman: I know a popular feature of the first book were the stories from the card holders and backers themselves. Hearing gaming stories and Wlater Day stories from the old days as well as the days of the trading card ceremonies, really peaked interest in the community. Another fun feature of the book were the pictures. Seeing the pictures of the card holders and images from gaming past is fun to flip through in the book.
Review Fix: Why makes this new book unique?
Friedman: This is the next volume in the series of cards produced by Walter. Cards 201-400. This series features many pinball greats as well as record holders. Also there is a card number with many sub cards (a-g) in it. New stories from Walter and card holders as well as backers of the book. The biggest change this year are the Tiers in the Kickstarter, We have some amazing tiers and special gifts for the high end backers. The largest tier is sure to be gone fast, the special items for it are awesome.
Review Fix: What are your goals here?
Friedman: My ultimate goal is to have double the amount of backers from the first. That is a hefty goal, but is doable. I really just would love to have the book received well from the gaming community. That is all I really ask in this project. The first book got great reviews on Youtube from various bloggers and YouTubers.
Review Fix: Excited for the Kickstarter?
Friedman: I am very excited for Kickstarter this year because I am doing all the creation of the book. The last book I supplied all the content, but Jeffrey Wittenhagen designed the book and published it as well. Jeffrey will publish the second book but the design, which will have smilitaties of the first, will be all my work.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Friedman: The kickstarter is due to launch in the next few weeks, (August timeframe) and will hopefully ship out before the end of year 2021. I am working on the same creator of the cover, Dan Tearle, to do the second book. With his busy schedule I am hoping he will have time to do it. Also there is a cool surprise in the video of this Kickstarter, check it out when it launches.
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