In a world where creativity often takes a back seat to busyness, artist and writer Daniel Moler stands as a reminder of why creating isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifeline. “If I’m not creating, I get depressed,” he says. “For me, it’s soul fuel.”
In this interview, Daniel opens up about his artistic journey, the launch of his dual comic book crowdfunding campaign, and his insights for creators looking to bring their own projects into the world.
A Life Fueled by Storytelling
Daniel’s creative roots run deep. According to his parents, he was drawing long before he was writing. Those early inklings eventually grew into a creative identity centered around art, storytelling, and spiritual exploration.
“Art and storytelling have always been a very important part of my life,” he explains. “I feel like we’re here to create as human beings.”
Today, Daniel channels that belief into his work as both an artist and a writer, work that blends the mystical, the personal, and the imaginative.
Launching Two Comic Books at Once
Daniel recently reached a major milestone: issue #5 of two separate comic book series. Rather than stagger the releases, he made the bold choice to launch them together through a crowdfunding campaign hosted on Crowdfundr.
1. Psychonaut Presents
A memoir-style anthology, this series explores Daniel’s real-life experiences with the paranormal and spirituality, particularly his ceremonial psychedelic work with indigenous masters in Peru and around the world.
These stories are intimate, otherworldly, and deeply reflective, capturing the profound moments that shaped Daniel’s inner world.
2. The Simon Myth Chronicles: The Broken Chalice
On the opposite end of the spectrum sits Daniel’s fiction series, a whimsical, magical adventure set in a world where magic is normalized and regulated by the government.
The story follows Simon Smith, a modern-day wizard tasked with handling astral anomalies seeping into everyday life. Fans of The X-Files will find plenty to love here.
Though different in structure, both titles explore themes of magic, mystery, and human potential, hallmarks of Daniel’s storytelling voice.
Why Crowdfundr? Ease, Flexibility, and Creative Freedom
After researching multiple platforms, Daniel chose Crowdfundr for several reasons:
- It’s extremely easy to set up. “I could have launched in a day,” he says.
- Flexible reward tiers. Backers can request swaps or modifications, something not possible on most other platforms.
- A ‘keep it all’ funding model. Instead of the all-or-nothing pressure common elsewhere, Crowdfundr allows creators to keep whatever they raise and deliver their work regardless of hitting a specific goal.
For Daniel, this flexibility aligns with his mission: to get books into readers’ hands and build community, not chase arbitrary numbers.
Building Community Before Launch
While the campaign setup took almost no time, the preparation did. Daniel spent weeks reestablishing his social media presence, connecting with readers, and engaging communities both within and beyond the comics sphere.
His work often blends esoteric subjects – paranormal themes, magical theory, shamanic experiences – which gives him the opportunity to expand outreach beyond traditional comic audiences into new age, spiritual, and metaphysical communities.
He also stresses the importance of maintaining a newsletter. “Good old-fashioned email is actually a great way to communicate with people,” he says. Social algorithms shift, accounts get hacked, but a mailing list is yours to keep.
What the Funds Will Support
While Daniel welcomes general support for his creative career, the campaign’s primary purpose is practical: to fund print runs so he can attend conventions, festivals, and in-person events.
“Online is great, but meeting people face-to-face is so important,” he explains. “If people can be in the room with me and I can talk about my work, they’re going to feel a much more visceral impact.”
Backers aren’t just purchasing a book, they’re helping Daniel expand his reach and continue building a shared creative community.
Daniel’s Vision for the Future
As a creator, Daniel’s goals are simple yet powerful: keep growing, keep challenging himself, and keep sharing art that sparks connection.
“If I’m doing the same thing now that I was doing five years ago, I need to check my pulse,” he laughs. Growth, exploration, and evolution are constants in his journey, mirroring the themes of magic and transformation found in his work.
Advice for Indie Creators
For those launching their own creative projects, Daniel has a few hard-earned insights:
1. Finish the project (or come close) before crowdfunding.
People trust what they can see. Daniel’s complete content and physical proofs eased potential backers’ worries.
2. Engage your community.
Reward people for sharing your campaign. Offer perks. Make them feel part of the journey.
3. Consider Crowdfundr as a platform.
Its flexibility and ease of use made Daniel’s launch smooth and stress-free.
4. Stay persistent.
“Just keep at it,” he says. “Keep things alive and keep the excitement going.”
Connect With Daniel
Website: danielmolerweb.com
Instagram: @therealdanielmoler
Crowdfunding: crowdfundr.com/psychonaut5
He invites anyone curious about comics, magic, the paranormal, or the creative process to reach out, join the conversation, and be part of the growing community around his work.
