About this project
Project Funded!!!
Thank you all!!!
I will be posting regular updates once a week on my progress...
The Story
When I was 5 years old, I wrote and illustrated a story. About two years ago, I was looking through an old box of stuff from my mom's house, and I found that story. The Adventures of the Salamander was a childhood dream, which was never truly realized. Read it, and perhaps you'll understand why I feel this way (you may have to zoom in your browser a bit to read it).
The Project
In order to fulfill this childhood dream, and to encourage my kids to love reading, I've been rewriting and illustrating this story as a series of children's books. I want it to be a epic saga, spanning at least 10 volumes.
What it's about
"The Adventures of the Salamander" is a story, for kids and adults, about a salamander who's village has been invaded by mean spirited lizards. The 10 volumes chronicle "Slippy's" ongoing adventures as he attempts to free his family from lizard oppression. Michael believes that this is a story which needs to be told. The book will address themes which focus on values, such as being honest, trusting your friends, being patient and more. These are ideas which most people can agree on, and will help the book to reach as wide an audience as possible. It will also address racism (lizards vs. salamanders). Not all the lizards are bad, and not all the salamanders are good in this book. It makes the point that it is one's actions, not outward appearance, which are important. While all these are very serious issues, the book will be a light-hearted, fun, fantasy adventure, suitable for children.
Progress
So far, I've already written ten stories. The first 8 of them are good, I'm pleased with them. The last two need some work. I've illustrated the first volume. So far so good. Near the bottom of this statement are some illustrations already completed...
With your help, I will be able to focus on completing the illustration work, editing the stories, and printing a limited number of sets for my backers, and to test market. If I am unable to find a publisher, I imagine the self-published books will be soft-cover.
The Artist
Michael is an award winning artist, whose work has appeared in shows around the country and internationally, including Chicago, San Francisco, London, Toronto and New Orleans. He is a member of the Elmhurst Artists' Guild, and has taught art to children grades K-8. Currently, Michael is working as a freelance artist and illustrator.
*Book cover will depend on the publisher. In the case of self publishing, the book would most likely be paperback.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
83
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$8,578
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 18.
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My eternal gratitude, the knowledge that you helped the Salamanders, and a PDF (digital) copy of Volume 1...
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
... all of the above, and a PDF Copy of Volume 1...
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
NEW REWARD... ... all of the above, and a PDF Copy of Volumes 2-10 (all ten volumes) ...
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
... all of the above, and a PDF Copy of Volumes 2-10 (all ten volumes) ...
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
NEW REWARD... ... all of the above, and a printed copy of Volume 1, signed by the author ... (Please add $5 for international orders)
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... all of the above, as well as a signed printout of the original "Adventures of the Salamander" ...
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NEW REWARD... ... all of the above, a printed copy of Volumes 2-3, signed by the author, and a signed printout of the original "Adventures of the Salamander" ... (Please add $7.50 for international orders)
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
... all of the above, and a printed copy of Volume 1, signed by the author ...
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
NEW REWARD... ... all of the above, and printed copies of Volumes 4-5, signed by the author ... (Please add $10 for international orders)
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
NEW REWARD... ... all of the above, printed copies of Volumes 6-10, (i.e. all 10 volumes) signed by the author, and your name mentioned on the 'thank you' page ...(Please add $20 for international orders)
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
... all of the above, and printed copies of Volumes 2-3, signed by the author ...
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
NEW REWARD... ...all of the above, plus two additional 10 volume sets (3 sets in all) signed by the author...(Please add $30 for international orders)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
... all of the above, plus three additional 10 volume sets (6 sets in all) signed by the author...and your name will be used as one of the characters in the story...(Please add $30 for international orders)
Project By
Connected as Michael Klaus Schmidt (443 friends)
Michael is an award winning artist, whose work has appeared in shows around the country and internationally, including Chicago, San Francisco, London, Toronto and New Orleans. He is a member of the Elmhurst Artists' Guild, and has taught art to children grades K-8. Currently, Michael is working as a freelance artist and illustrator.
