The highest-funded debut novel on Kickstarter
Kickstarter named MAYA: Seed Takes Root the highest-funded debut novel in its history — a first novel by Anand Gandhi & Zain Memon that drew a worldwide readership before a single copy shipped.
- $426,356raised on Kickstarter
- 4,185backers
- 170+collaborators
The record, and where it comes from
When the campaign closed, Kickstarter itself named MAYA: Seed Takes Root the highest-funded debut novel in its history — announced on Kickstarter’s own official account. It is Kickstarter’s statement about its own platform, not a third-party estimate: the most-funded first novel the platform has hosted.
What was funded
MAYA: Seed Takes Root is Book One of the MAYA narrative universe — an expansive science-fiction fantasy of seven species on one planet, with an audiobook read by Hugo Weaving and a foreword by neuroscientist Anil Seth. It publishes worldwide on August 25, 2026, distributed by Simon & Schuster, after 4,185 backers and 170+ collaborators brought it to life on Kickstarter.
Figures are the Kickstarter campaign close ($426,356 · 4,185 backers). For reviews and ratings, see the live figures on the book’s pages.