Kickstarter

Winter Heart Honey Accent - A first of-its-kind Graphic Poetry Memoir

Where to start? With self-publication of my graphic poetry memoir "Winter Heart Honey Accent"!

 So what is that?

“Winter Heart Honey Accent” is a first of its kind, graphic poetry memoir. With uninhibited, raw verse the author, Sparrow, explores the duplicity of life, love and humanity, from an unlikely perspective. In the midst of her seemingly conventional upbringing and model marriage is an underlying battle of the selves, which takes the reader from the surface paradigm of normality into the shadowy pits of self-hatred, self-doubt and self-destruction. Sparrow's haunting depiction of the hardships she’s overcome are told through 53 poems that combine traditional forms with contemporary techniques, resulting in fresh script that resonates with readers hours after it's read. Accompanying readers on their literary descent into the darkness and back are the visceral, poignant imagery translated from Sparrow’s mind by the hand of S. T. Gately, a regionally renowned artist, whose talents graphically portray the depths of Sparrow’s tormented, often treacherous journey from despair to hope.

Who are you? Who 'in the' is SPARROW?

I am Sparrow. I am a writer. Writing is the way I connect with the world and how I hope to make an impact on others who face similar struggles as I. I know there are others who are fighting, like me, to pull themselves out of the darkness & into the light.

So what is your project and how does this relate to your "mission"?

I am Sparrow. Part of my project is a mission to spread these principles to my fellow fighters, who are in the darkness & can’t see a light:  LOVE FREE, LIVE IN TRUTH, ARISE AND BE, HOPE NOW.

I’m going to start this with the self-publication of my graphic poetry memoir, “Winter Heart Honey Accent”. This book chronicles my lesbian relationships & my journey of self-discovery & self-acceptance.

What is the big deal with these "messages"?

The messages behind the mission are: focus on being free to love who you love, to embrace, accept and be who you are, to live in truth & not hide who you are or who you love & to always have hope in the moment, even if it is your darkest, that things will get better. The project is a way to spread these messages to fellow LGBTQs who are searching for commonality.

So you're a lesbian, so what?

I feel there is a lack in the gay/lesbian/bi/transgender world of an identifying figure. Who does the 19yr old lesbian turn to for commonality and empathy as to what she is going through? From Lady GaGa to Ellen there is no one in between. This is where I hope to bridge that gap.

Is this a part of your project? What does this have to do with “Winter Heart Honey Accent”?

The two starting points for the mission are the launch party & the book tour. I have targeted colleges throughout the New England & New York area for the book tour. I plan to video document my process of self-publishing the book, so that other aspiring writers who are thinking about self-publishing can get a better understanding of the process as a whole firsthand. 

During the tour I will also be doing readings specifically for the LGBTQ groups associated with the colleges. This talk will be different from the public book readings, in that, it will focus more on the issues, struggles and triumphs the individuals in the groups are dealing with in being LGBTQ.

This is a lot. What else do you plan to do with the Kickstarter funding?

The book is just one aspect of the project. I started a website, www.iamsparrow.com which will be a way for supporters to connect to not only me, but each other.

I know there's more, so what is it? The Launch Party!

The website will help promote the launch party, which is going to be like a concert, but for a book launch. There will be an open invitation and attendees will experience something that’s never been done before. 

The way that I intend to do poetry readings is a combination of writing and music. I am going to work with a lesbian DJ who creates new dance songs by imbedding my poetry into her unique sound as the poetry is being read. 

The atmosphere really becomes a dance party during the reading. This is a way to meld contemporary art forms with traditional; bringing poetry readings into the 21st century! 

That sounds VERY cool! But what's wrong with poetry as a genre now? Nothing, but . . .

Part of the project is to bring poetry back to the forefront, especially to the younger generations. It is my hope that through my writing, poetry can be thought of as a way to seek understanding of the issues faced by today’s youth written in a contemporary language they can relate to.

I'm intrigued, but where do I come in?

The preliminary work has already begun, but now I need your help to achieve my project and start the movement. In order to accomplish all I’m setting out to do I need funding. 

Your generosity and belief in the project is my lifeline. The timing for each aspect of the project is dependent on all the other pieces. 

With your help all of this can be accomplished and you can feel good in that you contributed greatly to the fight and are an integral part of seeing my project to fruition.

How is this all going to play out?

I am hoping the timeline can play out like this; from April to June I will self-publish the book and launch the website. From June to October I will promote the book. From April through October I will design and create the merchandise line of accessories and apparel associated with the messages of the project, such as t-shirts, buttons, bracelets, beanies, bags, etc. All of these will be available and promoted on the website. I will also be planning and organizing for the launch party, which I want to schedule for late October. The reasons I chose late October are because it is toward the beginning of the semester for college students, the weather should still be cooperative, will correlate with the holiday season and give me two months to promote the launch party. From August through December I will be planning, coordinating and scheduling dates for the book tour to begin in January when colleges are back in session. From January through March I will be touring New England and New York.

How much do you need for your project?

All of this is only possible with your generosity and help! My goal is to raise $100,000 to fund the publication of the book, as well as the other aspects of the project. This sounds like a lot, and it is, but . . .

Where the funds are going:

- Time – your donation will allow me the time to create, organize and execute everything involved in the project

- $50,000 Self-publication of the book – 10,000 hardcover copy first-run, e-book format, includes editing, layout, publicity, order fulfillment

- $2,000 Development of www.iamsparrow.com and logo design, creation of a book trailer

-$10,000 The Merchandise – bracelets, buttons, beanies, bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank-tops

-$8,000 The Art – posters, prints of the art from the book, CDs of readings

-$20,000 The Launch Party – securing a venue, food, decorations, set-up (held at the Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts)

-$10,000 The Tour – travel expenses, tour kits (books, merchandise, prints, posters, CDs) Some of the tour spots: Smith College, Hampshire College, Mass Art, NYU, UCONN)

Anything else? Yes!

If you would like to contribute to the realization of this project and receive something very special in return, then I respectfully and gratefully request your support. THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!