Yeah, I have used Kickstarter a couple of times. I have no idea how it works on the other side, but I've ponied money down to get things I like made. For instance, they had a Kickstarter for this book: http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Toledo-Lessons-From-Renaissance/dp/0985419040 I'm a huge A's fan and love Bill King, so I put down money to help the cost of getting it printed. It was well worth it.
Ken Korach's book about Bill King is a must, IMO.