About this project

As the Spark Flies Upward is a novel centered around four generations of a family living on the banks of a river in the Depression-era south.  Specifically, the story follows the lives of Grace Canton Kelley, her sister Athena, and their two best friends as they respond to the turmoil caused by an alcoholic, abusive stepfather and the poverty and dangers that surround their town.  The story is told from the perspective of Grace, the meek, bookish second-born, who grows up in the shadow of her magical, beautiful, yet dangerous elder sister.  Grace's timidity and lack of self-confidence are only surpassed by her passion to protect those she loves and the burden of responsibility she feels to hold her family together. 

The book visits the unspoken, unyielding bond of loyalty between siblings, yet highlights the stark contrast between Grace and Athena, shown perhaps most vividly by the way they ultimately deal with the abuse of their mother.  Most of all, the book offers a poignant look at the problem of evil and its lasting reverberations within the intertwined fates of a family.  As the Spark Flies Upward is a compelling story filled with love, laughter, pain, grief, vengeance, forgiveness, and hope.  You should read it.

The funds raised on Kickstarter will be used for cover design, publication and preliminary promotion of this book, all of which are entering final stages.  The headshots and book cover photos are in the capable hands of Lauren Stonestreet and the book cover is currently in Heidi Rolf's design studio (keep a weather eye on my website for a sneak peek in the coming weeks).  The video you see above was filmed by Stephen Stonestreet, and he and Lauren are tag-teaming my online presence, which is off to a great start.  There are a few more details to handle with our publishing company (Round Door Publishing) and setting up the title with our distributor (Lightning Source/Ingram) that will also necessitate some bucks. The book will be offered in paperback and eBook formats, so there will be absolutely no excuse for any living humans not to read it.  

The key in this whole process is that I've been surrounded with young, hip professionals that know what they are doing. That has made all the difference. Now, please help me pay them what they deserve!

The book launch is planned for late June 2011, and we plan to do it right...and with your help, we can.  Thanks for your support, whether in word or green!!!  (Please check out the prizes to the right when deciding how many zeros to add to your donation.)