WELCOME TO Shawn C. Berry AS WRITER
I'M PUBLISHING
A BOOK
AND YOU CAN HELP
CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL THE SWEET DEALS TO DONATE?
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I'm thrilled to share that the final manuscript for the book "The Thread That Pulls on All Things" was delivered to Paper Raven Books on May 9th, officially kicking off the editing process! The PRB team will edit the manuscript with me over the next months, ensuring every sentence captures this story's heart and adventure! Then, PRB will professionally layout the book in preparation for publication on Amazon, Kindle, Apple Books, and indie bookstores!
You can play a crucial community role in this publishing adventure as financial contributor supporting this project. There's a greater tale to be told; not only of how this book gets out into the world, but how launches an author: Me! Yes indeed, I have other tales to tell.
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So, What's The Book About Anyways?
"The Thread that Pulls on All Things" tells the story of a group of teen boys guided out into the southern Sierra Nevada wilderness of California on a three-day backpacking trip. They will undertake their first rite of passage, an initiation humans have performed for thousands of years, but...why? Why do humans do such things, and how was it that we came to determine their importance for our species? It's an adventure beset with philosophical musings, stories, poetic daydreams, and challenging realizations about who we are as individuals in modern culture and a species past, present, and future.
Through the lens of "experiential anthropology" "The Thread that Pulls on All Things" explores how our most ancient ancestors might first have created rites of passages as a way to contend with our increasingly developing consciousness in the earliest of times and across the millenia. It's an inspirational story about the value of ritual, ceremony, our oldest lineages, and why the need for Homo sapiens to develop relationship with
planet Earth is more crucial than ever.
IF YOU'RE WALKING THE EARTH TODAY, YOUR FAMILY
LINEAGE GOES
BACK MORE THAN
300,000 YEARS.
GET TO KNOW THEM!
THE STRAIGHT
STORY
To date, this is a five-year, self-publishing project. As you might imagine at this point, I'm all in; with my time, finances, and in lifestyle. In the last 18 months I've committed myself full-time to the completion of this project with an intent to offer a professionally published book that is inspiring, entertaining, and informative. To fulfill that vision, I'm fundraising to cover the cost of the editing and publishing package I signed on for with by Paper Raven Books.
Yes, the manuscript is in the editing stage, but there's
still plenty to do. Tasks such as remaining research for the book, creating book promotion materials -- including gifts for financial contributions! -- planning an independent book store tour, and working through revisions as the back-and-forth editing process commences with the editing team, continue to absorb the majority of my available time.
This project has become a
full-time endeavor, and I love it
With the bit of time I have more available during the edit process, I also intend to pick up some part-time work here too, of course, to help cover my own living expenses and contribute to the cost of the editing package. I've already sent the first $1000 installment
out of my remaining savings to get things rolling!
THE PROJECTED
PUBLISHING DATE IS
November 1, 2024
MY GOAL IS TO FUNDRAISE:
$9,000
for the cost of the
editing & publishing package
$7,500
to help cover personal
living expenses, June to November.
$16,500
Total Fundraising Goal
your contribution makes a difference
Read on to understand more why your contribution makes a difference in achieving this publishing goal and maximize the impact of the message this book carries. I've contributed in many independent endeavors over the years and truly believe leaning into one's community for mental, physical, emotional, and yes, even financial support is a viable way to deepen the communities we belong to.
I really didn't know
what it was going to take
for me to write a book. Five years ago, I sat down to write an email -- that's no joke. 60 months later as a book project, its come to require more and more of my time. Years in, how could I not oblige it? I dropped to part-time work to make more time. Then, November 2022, I quit work altogether, to maximize my time, let go of my living quarters, and cashed out what life savings I had and went nomadic. Something in me knew this is what it would take for me to finish this project.
While, living out of an older, subcompact SUV has been challenging and often without convenience. I've been so full of gratitude for the outpouring of support I have been receiving from my communities, family, and friends with house sitting opportunities, an occasional spare room or parked RV, and donations of food and gas money. In between those offers, I'm out on the western landscape, camping in wilderness open space -- with my laptop and a solar charger, of course.
I can't imagine having written this book without the inspiration and insight
that has come while out in the silence of a desert scrabble, or forested ridge listening to the opinion of songbirds, and taking them in with serious consideration. Whether a desert sunrise, wildflowered meadow, the hush of low tide, or the babble of a forest creek, all had their interjections duly noted as I've pecked away at the keyboard. Each stunning landscape across the breadth of the southwest wilds has literally spired into me with each breath I've taken immersed in their beauty and wisdom.
I hadn't occurred to me that this would be a good way to write a book that intends to speak so deeply and intently about our human relationship with nature. But, I am grateful for having been divinely led to this sensibility.
I hope you will consider getting involved as the home stretch draws near! And I hope you feel the gratitude I can offer through the gifts in reciprocation for your support.
HOW TO GET
INVOLVED
STAY IN THE LOOP
If you haven't signed up for the newsletter, please do! It's the best way to keep abreast of development details for the fundraiser and the book as it moves through the editing process and up to the publishing release. Also, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for additional inspirational and informational content around rites of passage and nature connection
FINANCIALLY CONTRIBUTE
There will be two options to participate in the crowdfunding; one-time donation or a limited monthly subscription. There's reciprocation gifts offered to - truly from the heart as a sincere "thank you" for your help. See more below!
Please tell others in your circles about this book project. Send them to this website, and the links to the social media accounts. Ask them to sign up for the newsletter and to consider supporting the crowdfunding! The more people who get involved, makes the financial goal easier to achieve and creates a connection to everyone involved.
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ABOUT THE
CROWFUNDING
The two ways to participate in the crowdfunding will be through a single-donation crowdfunding site such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, and as a limited-time subscription through Patreon. Currently I'm researching best practices in setting these up.
Look for a start date to be posted soon for early June!
Total Fundraising Goal $16,500
I'm truly thrilled about offering gifts in return for participating in the fundraiser and have enjoyed cooking up some fun giveaways! Things like:
BOOK
PRESALE
PRIVATE
PODCAST
OF WEEKLY
READINGS!
BOOK
PRESALE
AND SIGNED!
Thank you so much
for taking the time to read about this project and for considering participating! See you soon...on the newsletter!
Shawn C. Berry
AND HEY! GET THE NEWSLETTER!
ourfirstnature.com/thread
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