When Atlas Shirked is a genre-blurring book about Things People Believe and Do. Help get it to hardcopy & join the fun!
CONTEST GOING ON: See The Contest entry below!
A Plea for Your Support
"Hi, I'm Liz Franklin, and my America doesn't have clear blue skies. Nor do we have enough clean water and land to grow the food we need to feed ourselves. We've also lost so much of our majestic mountains, that we barely even remember what they used to look like. Our lush, beautiful woodland that used to cover this great country? Well... gone!
Author Nynia Chance has helped me get my message out, in hopes that it might help you prevent your America from becoming my America. I'd like to get my message out further, but in order to do so, I need your help.
So please, if you can, share what you got - if not with me, then with those around you who need it. Thank you so, so much for all the good that you do."
America the... what was that again?
When Atlas Shirked is set in the Incorporated States of America, a country ruled by the corporations to whom it is indebted. It is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, elected every four years via a system more aptly called a Kleptocracy, rather than the equal-opportunity Democracy it tries to convince its citizen-Members they are well served by. This precarious house of cards is on the verge of a catastrophic crashing down, and it's up to their regular citizens to step up to the plate and catch their country before it falls.
The pledge rewards are designed as Exclusive Limited Time Only souvenir offerings to bring you into the world of the I.S.A. Not to say that similar things may not be offered in the future if they prove popular, but these rewards will be specially marked as part of this pledge drive. However, if you haven't read the book, it may be difficult to see what makes them so fun (to us, anyway)...
So, as a reference point for the Book-Related Pledge Incentives, here's the rundown:
- Golden Heart Pin: This pin is something gifted to the narrator, and is a symbol of love and community.
- CMDB ID: Every "citizen" of the Incorporated States of America is registered in the Central Member Database, and really should carry their ID with them at all times to avoid trouble.
- DSS/Domestic Security Service: Rather than the alphabet soup of intelligence agencies we know and love, the Incorporated States of America has centralized all its SuperPolicing needs into one group, the DSS. Being caught with an unauthorized DSS ID is... less than a stellar idea.
- Happy Animal Farm: The largest food and energy conglomerates in the I.S.A. that few people know much of anything about. Be in on the secret with your very own H.A.F. ID, and other paraphernalia. (The Green Plate authorization is like an all-access pass to the network of the use-restricted "toll roads".)
- Team Saul/Team Adam: Political opponents within the novel, they represent two very different ways of using political positions to achieve one's values.
So this is already a book?
You bet your sweet bippy, it is! This is the debut novel of Author Nynia Chance, and the flagship title of experimental publishing house Nexus of Now Media. We're embracing the digital age and getting the book out first as a Digital First Edition, saving valuable resources (ours and the Earth's) until there's a proven demand for a hardcopy. No sense sending trees straight to the landfill, right?
The novel follows the story of one of these average citizens, as she learns more about her relationship with her community, her country, and Christ, and what she needs to do to honor those relationships. Told in first person retrospective, it's pretty conversational, and a quick read for the 478 pages in the PDF edition.
Oh, it's a book for Christians.
Yes. And it's also a book for Muslims, and Agnostics, and Hindus, and Taoists, and Buddhists, and Atheists, and Technologists and everyone else in between. The storyteller is Christian, so her narrative is imbued with her Christian perspective. Other folks get their message through to her too, and she does her best to respectfully relate their beliefs, as well. In fact, the Technologists and Singularitarians might find the book to be a fairly good nod to some of their ideals, as well.
Ah, I get it, it's SciFi.
Kinda. It actually takes place mostly in situations that are fairly un-wired, but the SciFi angle really gets its impact in when... You know, we don't want to give any spoilers. Folks are really better off reading it and seeing in which genre it fits best for them.
I bought a Digital First Edition and I have a question about the title page. Why does it say, "A Love Story"?
So glad you asked! It's actually an allusion to another book, which launched with a subtitle that didn't survive to later printings. And that leads to...
THE CONTEST!
Think you know which book? When you make a pledge, enter your guess into the comments. If the project is funded, the first person to guess correctly will also get get a paperback copy of the mystery book (signed with a thanks by Nynia Chance unless you request otherwise).
The rewards talk about a Golden Heart pin. What will that look like?
We need to raise the funds to make the minimum order for producing the pin. In the meantime, we can tell you that it'll look a lot like this...
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 17, 2012.
Funding period
Apr 17, 2012 -
May 17, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: nexusofnow.com
Pledge $5 or more
0 backers
PITCHING IN - Chip in a few bucks, and get a Digital First Edition of book in PDF format, with a Thank You email from the Author!
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $10 or more
0 backers
THOU ART LOVED - Receive the PDF, plus a gold-plated 1" Golden Heart lapel pin, Made in America! (See graphic in the project description for an idea of what it'll look like.) Includes a small card commemorating your pin as part of the first run, thanking you for your sponsorship. Each card will be numbered and signed by the Author, so bid early to get a lower number!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $15 or more
0 backers
PAPERS, PLEASE - Receive your very own CMDB ID, plus the PDF, plus the Pin. Prove you are a Member in good standing of the Incorporated States of America! ID will be on cardstock, with your name (or a name you choose that is not deemed inappropriate, libelous, or otherwise likely to get the unwanted attention of the DSS). Pledge an extra $3 per additional ID, up to 10.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $18 or more
0 backers
JUST THE BOOK - Receive just the PDF and a paperback copy of the book. Does not include a Pin, if for some reason you just want the book and no other goodies. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $7 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $10.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
0 backers
STINKIN' BADGES - Ever wanted carte blanche to turn the streets and homes of the I.S.A. into your own personal gameboard? All it takes is an official ID with the Domestic Security Service! Comes with the PDF, Pin and CMDB ID. (Same name caveats as above apply, though you may have a different name on each ID.) Pledge an extra $3 per additional CMDB or DSS ID, up to 10.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
0 backers
PAPERBACKS, PLEASE - Get one of the First Edition paperbacks for your collection! Includes the PDF, Pin, CMDB ID and also a DSS ID thrown in for kicks. Pledge an extra $3 per additional CMDB or DSS ID, up to 10. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $7 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $10.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $28 or more
0 backers
JUST THE BOOK II - Receive just the PDF and a hardcover copy of the book. Does not include a Pin or IDs, if for some reason you just want the book and no other goodies. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $7 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $10.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $45 or more
0 backers
IT'S A HARD LIFE - Life in the I.S.A. is hard, so get a book that will weather the frequent, severe storms. Receive one of the First Edition hardcovers, along with the PDF, Pin, CMDB ID and DSS ID. Pledge an extra $3 per additional CMDB or DSS ID, up to 10. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $7 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $10.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $65 or more
0 backers
I WANT IT ALL - Why choose between First Editions when you can have it all? Receive the Hardcover, Paperback, PDF, Pin, CMDB ID and DSS ID. Also, a quote for your wall suitable for framing, "The world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open." Pledge an extra $3 per additional CMDB or DSS ID, up to 10. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $75 or more
0 backers
POWER HATH ITS PRIVILEGES - This is the I Want It All package, plus a Happy Animal Farm Employee ID, a company-issued Green Plate Authorization License. A must-have if you want to travel and park on all the best pavement! (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH - This is the Power Hath its Privileges package, plus a plaque proclaiming you Happy Animal Farm Employee of the Month, suitable for your office! (Presuming, of course, you work at Happy Animal Farm, where you wouldn't actually have your own office.) Also, a Letter of Recognition from CEO Meg Cole, a Happy Animal Farm Cafeteria Meal Ticket, and a surprise little token of their appreciation. (same name guidelines apply; you choose the month to display, defaults to April) (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
TEAM SAUL - This is the Employee of the Month package, with a special Saul Harolds Super PAC thank you letter for your support. Plus, a surprise goodie or two from his campaign! (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
TEAM ADAM - This is the Employee of the Month package, with a special Adam Diego Super PAC thank you letter for your support. Plus, materials from his campaign! (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
BENEFACTOR - Receive the Team Adam Package (may substitute with Team Saul). Additionally, receive a special thanks letter and a surprise Knickknack of Thanks from the Author. Also, you will receive special thanks mention under a Benefactor's page at www.WhenAtlasShirked.com with a link to your all-ages, not-deemed-inappropriate website for a period of at least one year (barring truly unfortunate events). (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
PHILANTHROPIST - Receive the Benefactor package, with your name in a special "Philanthropist" section at the top. Also, your name will be listed on a special thanks page in the Digital Second Edition, paperback and hardcover copies of the book. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
PROTAGONIST - Receive the Philanthropist package, with your name, link and bio/description at the top. Additionally, your name (or one not deemed inappropriate) will be featured in the Digital Second Edition, paperback, and hardcover editions of the book as a key backer of the first Constitution City! (or other cause in the novel, the author would like to know your personal favorite) Also, dedicated/signed copies and special thank you letter for funding the project. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $22 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; other International orders, add $37.)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
