Kickstarter

 

Introduction
Hello. My name is Reza Mashayekhi. I am an engineer by profession, but I have also taught English, directed and produced a short movie, and produced a local TV talk show here in San Diego.

The project backstory
Recently I published a book of idioms titled: English Idioms And Expressions For Everyone, Yes, Even You!

It’s a collection of English idioms, expressions, and phrases, and even some common sentences, along with the origins of some of these expressions. A number of interesting expressions and proverbs from other languages and cultures have also been included. All in all, it’s a useful AND fun collection for anyone who speaks English, and can be a great gift for yourself or for a friend.

However, it’s one of the features in the book, and not the book itself, that is the subject of this Kickstarter project. And that is what I’d like to talk about here.

Illustrations
Throughout the book of idioms, I have included about thirty humorous illustrations that show how some people could misinterpret common expressions by taking them literally. Some examples are: “Hitting the nail on the head,” “Burning a copy,” “Sitting on the fence,” and “Burning the midnight oil.”

What did you think when you heard these or other expressions for the first time? Even now that you know the meanings, some of them just don’t make sense! And with some, you keep wondering about their origins.

As it turns out, a lot of people are finding these illustrations interesting, and many have asked me why I don’t have more of them in the book!

And now the project: Illustrated Expressions
I have therefore decided to publish a book of illustrations only. Yes, only illustrations! And that is what this Kickstarter project is all about!

I used my own funds for the book of idioms, but this is a much larger project. As I don’t know how to draw, I have had to hire artists who can do the artwork based on what I tell them. For this new book, I’ll have to pay the illustrators to do more than 360 illustrations, which is a tall order. Also, a number of these illustrations will be in color,  which adds to the cost of printing. And so I’ll have a hard time doing it by myself!

This is where you come in!
You can become a part of this project through one of the pledges on this page. Please take a look at the pledge descriptions and see what you’re comfortable with. Before you do so, however, please note:
- English Idioms And Expressions refers to my already published book.
- Illustrated Expressions refers to the subject of this Kickstarter project.

Some of the rewards (that only have to do with the book of idioms) can be mailed soon after the project has been funded. But others (that include the book of illustrations) will have to wait until the new book is actually printed, hopefully before Christmas.

The book as a gift
As you can see, for some of the pledges I have included additional copies of the books. This is to make it easier for you to give away each book as a gift. It’s true that these expressions are easily accessible online. But sitting comfortably in one’s living room, maybe even next to the fireplace, and thumbing through a fun book that’s beautifully put together, makes for a whole different kind of experience!

Here are a couple of the illustrations from the book of idioms and expressions.

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- Excuse me sir, my exams are coming up.
  Do you have some midnight oil?

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- Have you seen Joey? I'm late for my meeting, and I
  need my report.
- He must be around. I told him to burn a copy of the
  report for you.

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And here's a link to one of the reviews for the book of idioms and expressions.

http://reviewsbycole.com/2011/12/english-idioms-and-expressions-for-everyone/