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I’m trialling a monthly news update. Hopefully this will give you more of an idea of what I’m working on, the chance to solve some bonus puzzles, and perhaps see where my culture fit is going. By my reckoning, this will be 50% puzzles, 50% inspiration, ideas and thoughts.

A clever blend of word game and dungeon crawler, Word Dungeons transforms a simple PDF and pen into a surprisingly addictive adventure. In this review, I explore how the game became a perfect fit for my Kindle Scribe, why the endlessly replayable dungeons are so satisfying, and how the new 100 Mini Dungeons collection delivers bite-sized brain-teasing fun at incredible value.

I’ve been exploring crowdfunding platforms beyond Kickstarter to see how they compare in terms of usability, pre-launch tools, and innovation. After testing Backerkit and Gamefound with identical campaign setups, some clear strengths, and missed opportunities for Kickstarter, have emerged, particularly around pre-launch engagement and campaign design.

Ever wondered what it takes to design your own collectible coins? From laser-cut prototypes and Illustrator tracing to Blender modelling and 3D printing, this post dives into the process behind InCointation - a puzzle project that’s equal parts artistry and obsession. Join the creator’s journey through trial, error, and the joy of turning digital designs into tangible treasure.

Back the pre-launch on Kickstarter and get a sneak peek at the coins that started it all.

10 Proven Kickstarter Campaign Tips from a Puzzle Creator Who’s Raised Over £100,000

Running your 10th Kickstarter campaign teaches you a thing or two about what really works—and what doesn’t. If you’re looking for practical crowdfunding strategies that actually convert backers into long-term supporters, here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned while raising over £100,000 for my puzzle projects.

1. Skip the video stress – Campaign videos are overrated. Focus on your real passion (in my case, puzzle design) instead of spending hours on stressful editing.

2. Forget generic ads – Facebook, Google, Reddit, Kicktraq ads? Time-consuming and low return. Test them outside campaign season, not mid-launch.

3. Go ultra-niche – Partner with websites your audience already loves. For puzzles, sites like Decodex and Puzzmallow delivered real results with affiliate-style ads.

4. Build a strong track record – Deliver on time, communicate often, and backers will come back. Reliability is your biggest asset.

5. Set the lowest possible goal – Fund the crowdfunding phase only, not your entire production run. Smaller goals fund faster and boost visibility.

6. Cut pre-launch costs – My first campaign cost just £25 in setup. Don’t sink thousands into email ads before you even launch.

7. Every link leads to Kickstarter – Skip complex funnels. A direct Kickstarter link converts far better.

8. Leverage add-ons – Previous projects are gold. Nearly half my current backers grabbed add-ons from older campaigns.

9. Encourage backer sharing – Turn word-of-mouth into a game. Tribe challenges and share-to-solve puzzles spark organic buzz.

10. Ditch review copies – Share work-in-progress instead. It generates feedback, excitement, and trust—without wasted copies.

👉 Want to see how these strategies are working in real time? Check out my latest puzzle Kickstarter here:
Sjandiva on Kickstarter