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My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

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Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#31

Post by sireat »

I think pretty much only No. 2 is sufficient and almost necessary these days. That is if you have a community already, you can sell your project/book even if it lacks much substance(this project certainly has some substance and is a good cause).

If you do not have the early adopters who will also help you spread the word to secondary adopters, you are SOL.

There have been countless posts on HN where the author has made some amazing sales on e-book, SaaS MVP, apps, other software, and so on.

In pretty much all those cases, they already had some sort of community/e-mail list to kickstart(ahem) the sales.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#32

Post by MartinCron »

nonrecursive wrote: post #5
nonrecursive wrote: post #4

This is really inspiring! I had no idea that Linda co-founded Rails Girls, and for some reason I had formed the impression that she was an illustrator before becoming a programmer. I didn't know that she had learned to draw so that she could create the book. This advice is golden, and it's pretty cool to see such joy, enthusiasm, and generosity rewarded.

Makes me think that maybe I could write the code equivalent of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" using Java

The method call was coming from... inside the method!

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#34

Post by kaivi »

Would really like to see a couple of starting pages from this book. I hope she has an idea about how to deliver this stuff to children: coding by itself is pointless for somebody who does not even comprehend the manifold of applications it can solve. Video games are fun, because they exploit the basic survival instinct within us. With programming, there is no low hanging fruit to reach for a child, as the mental link between writing code and receiving a reward is build by experience, which minors lack.

I find it hard to explain the fundraising which went way over the goal, without including gender into equation. Anyway – a pink-colored children's book about tech stuff, written by girls, sounds comforting in every way.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#35

Post by pwthornton »

tomp wrote: post #24
pwthornton wrote: post #14

I backed the project, and think it will make a great gift for my nephew. It's something he can grow into, where he can read the book part with his parents right now, and then start doing the problems as he gets older. I think this project did well for a few key reasons: 1) STEM, STEM, STEM and code, code, code. The timing is right. Look at all the coverage this got in big mainstream media publications. Here is a proj…

How about 4) Linda is a co-founder of Rails Girls. ? Free publicity always helps. I'm not sure how Rails Girls is popular in the US, but considering we have it in Slovenia, I'd say it's pretty successful.

Yes, I would agree that should be a fourth point. Another point along those lines is her work with Code Academy and all of her connections there.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#36

Post by adamman »

goldenkey wrote: post #18

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

You're also a dick.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#37

Post by eliteraspberrie »

j2kun wrote: post #19
goldenkey wrote: post #18

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

I think you're downplaying the fact that many people still view computer science with mystery, fear, and antagonism. Improving pointlessly negative cultural attitudes from a young age is a worthwhile venture, and I wish someone would do it with mathematics as well.

An educational app for children's mathematics has been on my mind for years. But I always thought the market was too small. The success of this story is making me think about finally writing one, maybe less technical and more adventurous.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#38

Post by kyberias »

adamman wrote: post #36
goldenkey wrote: post #18

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

You're also a dick.

He might be a dick but it's still a valid argument.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#39

Post by GFK_of_xmaspast »

goldenkey wrote: post #18

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

Don't be a creep.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#40

Post by runamok »

andreasklinger wrote: post #23
goldenkey wrote: post #18

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

you are kidding right? why is this even top comment.

I really need to earn the right to down vote. That this nonsense appears so high up bothers me. I supported her campaign because I thought coding needs to be made more approachable and interesting to kids. Let's be honest, most kids have no idea what most professions do. I think just making people more familiar with programming is a great social goal.
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