There is a genre of stories that I have found to be absent in literature and pop culture in general, to this day: Stories about connection between people and how it changes the landscape of things.
Connecting is the greatest challenge for us humans and naturally it’s the thing that brings the greatest pay off when we succeed. If a flock of starlings can amaze us like this, imagine what a group of humans in tune with each other can achieve!
I’ve done research on stories about teams and groups; most showcase the individual within the group. They just miss out on the fun and power of the balanced group.
Uplifting and fun tales of overcoming giant obstacles by tapping into the power of nature and reaching a new level as humans.
With this campaign, the first edition of a collection of 17 short stories in the form of a 124-page 5.5in x 8.5in illustrated book will be published in paperback format, titled “Together We Can Move Mountains.”
This is an exclusive opportunity to bring home a collector’s treasure: First Printing — The Kickstarter Edition, as well as a few exclusive extra gifts like the T-shirts (up to 6 styles and designs to choose from), the special T-shirts for higher-tiered pledges, the art prints (5 original drawings to choose from + high-tiered prints). More below.
The style of the book is contemporary adventure. A little bit of horror, a bit of history. Excitement, fun, and inspiration for everyone.
CHAPTER 1: A GENTLE BEGINNING
Four young students leverage the power of the team to execute an assignment capable of impressing a very strict and skeptical teacher.
Mountain climbers experience first hand the power of connection when faced with the harshest weather conditions on the planet.
Imagine a version of New York where people turn to one another as soon as the train starts pulling away from the station, “So Where are you from?”
A team of paramedic demonstrate the glory of proper teamwork in a hellish crisis situation.
Frustrated gamers use learn how to succeed in their favorite action-adventure game against stronger opponents by joining a group that follows different rules.
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CHAPTER 2: JEWS, LIGHT ONTO THE NATIONS
Jews in Poland must reach a new level of unity to escape a city under occupation in 1939. They find new life in fighting Nazis.
The point of view of a murderer trying to rob and harm a family seemingly alone in a park, only to bump into an invisible army surrounding them. Modern day.
Young kids get a taste of history and apply the lesson they learned to escape from a dangerous situation.
10 Jews struggle to safely lead 20,000 prisoners out of a Nazi concentration camp in WWII.
After decades of working tightly together, a group of elderly men demonstrate they still got it when confronted by a pack of hostile thugs on a basketball court.
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CHAPTER 3: MOUNTAINS OF ZOMBIES
Young Jack wakes up one morning to find a messy house, unrecognizable parents. When they try to eat him, he realizes the world had gone to hell. But help comes from the most unlikely source.
A group is forced to split up and increase their effort separately to get back together with a horde of hungry zombies between them.
A young one learns from the example of the adults’ ability to make working together a fun ride amidst the danger of being eaten alive by hundreds zombies surrounding the building they took refuge in.
An isolated group of five small kids fight to stay alive when hunted by a hungry pack of zombies all through a rainy and cold night.
After months of a constant fighting to survive, seven men and women become expert at running circles around aggressive zombies.
The kid is put in charge of leading the group through his old neighborhood. Numerous zombies are actively searching for them, including his parents.
Through constant effort, a group discovers the way to cause zombies to apparently start avoiding them entirely.
You can read a few short pieces here. The first 2 links are part of the book:
Here is a sample of formatted pages from an early version of When The Old Man Speaks:
Your generous funds will allow the following:
As a thank you, I’m offering, among other things, a mention on the website and the book. You can have your name in the last pages of the book, or in bigger font and with a picture of you (in some cases) in the beginning of the book. Possibly a first.
See the table of contents and the reward and pledge sections below.
You can also be a huge help by SPREADING THE WORD!
Please share with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, neighbor’s dog… Everyone will enjoy and be inspired by those stories. Ask them to share as well.
A person can do a lot by following a simple link. Click below and share with others in your environment:
I chose rewards so I can offer you something cool and original as a way to thank you for your generous support.
This edition of the book and the rewards are created for THIS KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN ONLY. They are prepared with love. Think of them as collectibles.
Check out the “NAME A CHARACTER” and “BE A CHARACTER” pledges below for 2 exclusive rewards. Star in THIS BOOK as one of the characters. Or name one as you, your spouse or your kid(s), etc.
More detailed mock-ups, sketches and photos will be displayed below as the project progresses.
17 amazing, unusual and warm stories, plus special Thank You pages for the list of backers in the back and in the front with a photo of you (for some backers, details in the pledge list below and the table of contents above).
Quality production. Handled and shipped with great care.
With the option to have it with signature or with a personal dedication. This is a collectible: First Printing — The Kickstarter Edition.
I want to craft for you a unique quality gift, with good memories attached, that you will be proud to wear.
Details, sketches, photos, soon.
5 different original drawings to choose from, taken from the stories.
8in x 12in, printed on 100# textured matte cover stock, mounted on 11in x 14in mat and backboard that you can hang as is or frame.
Larger art prints for higher-tired pledges.
Details and actual images soon.
Here are the details of the pledges with rewards. As we go along, more options will be added.
Kickstarter allows you to give any amount you can. No pledge is too small when your intention is to help.
Check the FAQ section if you have questions. You can always reach out to me for more details, if you still need to, or for special cases. I will respond right away.
This project is a partnership between you and me. Pledge with confidence.
Thank you again for your support.
A mention in the website Thank You page and my undying gratitude for your selfless support.
First edition digital DRM-free Kickstarter exclusive eBook (format of your choice), plus my eternal gratitude, expressed in a website Thank You page mention.
The book in trade paperback format. First Edition. Kickstarter exclusive. Plus my eternal gratitude, expressed in a website Thank You page mention.
The book in trade paperback and your choice of eBook format. First Edition. Kickstarter exclusive. Plus my eternal gratitude, expressed in the Thank You pages online and in the back of the book.
2 copies of the paperback. For you and a friend or loved one. 1 copy of the eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the back of the book.
The paperback. An exclusive T-shirt of your choice (3 designs to choose from). The eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the back of the book.
The paperback. Signed. A choice of signed, numbered high quality art print of your choice (5 images to choose from). The eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the front of the book.
FOR LIBRARIES, BOOK CLUBS, ETC.
5 copies of the paperback. The eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the back of the book.
The paperback. Signed. A signed, numbered high quality print of your choice (5 images to choose from). An exclusive T-shirt of your choice (3 designs to choose from). The eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the front of the book.
The paperback, with special handwritten and signed dedication. A signed, numbered high quality print of your choice (5 images to choose from). An exclusive T-shirt of your choice (3 designs to choose from). The eBook. And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the front of the book. Both with a photo of you.
FIRST COME FIRST SERVED: LIMITED TO 70 (43 male + 27 female)
Pick the name of one character: Your name. Or a friend. Or a loved one.
We will discuss available options (see table of contents above), but I can’t guarantee you will get to name a prominent protagonist. It will be on a first come, first served basis. The name may be for an old person, a child, an antagonist or a zombie. :-)
REQUIRED: Signing a release form to authorize me to use of the name in a story. Whoever’s name you are proposing must sign the release (if a living person). In case of minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign.
PLUS: The paperback, with special handwritten and signed dedication. A signed, numbered high quality print of your choice (5 images to choose from). An exclusive T-shirt of your choice (3 designs to choose from). The eBook.
And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the front of the book. In current and all future editions, with a photo of you.
FIRST COME FIRST SERVED: LIMITED TO 30 (18 male + 12 female)
Star as a character: Your name. Your full likeness (as much as possible). Or a friend. Or a loved one.
We will discuss available options (see table of contents above), but I can’t guarantee you will get to be a prominent protagonist. It will be on a first come, first served basis or course. You may be cast as an old person, a child, an antagonist or a zombie. :-)
REQUIRED: Signing a release form to authorizing the use of your name and likeness in a story. If you’re offering this to someone else, they must sign the release (if a living person). In case of minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign.
PLUS: The paperback, with special handwritten and signed dedication. A signed, numbered high quality print of your choice (5 images to choose from). An exclusive T-shirt of your choice (3 designs to choose from). The eBook.
And an expression of undying gratitude in the Thank You pages online and in the front of the book. In current and all future editions, with a photo of you.
When we can break through the initial funding goal, here is a general map of the rewards that lie beyond the initial target. The ordering might change.
The challenge is spreading the word. As of launch, most of the stories are completed, ready for the editing. The others are in draft or notes form. I’m continuously working during the 30 days of the Kickstarter campaign itself and constant updates will show progress. There is more than enough time planned for printing and shipping. You can be confident that this project will be completed by or before its scheduled date. Just your considering this project means a lot and that I am committed to delivering a book and rewards that you will love.