My project is Delivering Love & Hope to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)!

I'm the creator and author of the book 'Love & Hope in the NICU' and I want to print and publish a minimum of 500 books for NICU parents.  My book is finished, published and by the end of this month, 200 copies will be on their way to my previous kickstarter backers who generously backed my project in March.  But now, I want to be able to publish 500 more books to give to NICU parents and this is where you can be a part of my project. 

Here are Just the Facts if you do not have time to read everything about my project.  Giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be unexpected and quite devastating for any parent.  I am one of the millions of parents that found themselves in the NICU after my baby was born and this is why I want to publish 500 books for NICU parents.

To join my project just decide how you want to be a part of it:

(1) Buy a book for yourself or a NICU parent that you know.  Select the $10 reward level.

(2) Buy several books for yourself or your local NICU parents.  Select the reward level that will give you enough books to do that.

(3) Back my project for any amount and tell me whether you want me to send you the books or give the books to NICU parents on your behalf.

Just click the green Back the Project button and it will take you about 5 min to sign up and enter your billing information.  If you want me to ship internationally just add $10 to your reward amount.  Your credit card will not be charged until the end of the project on July 2.

My book has received some wonderful book reviews and people have told me what a great resource it is for NICU parents, family and friends; so I want to continue publishing as many books that are needed for the NICU community.  But in order to do that, I must publish a large amount of books at one time to make it cost effectivet.

The book is completed but it takes money to publish a book properly when you do not go the traditional route of main stream publishing or use the traditional book size and cover options.  My book is a hardcover, 6"x6" book that has 50 pages of NICU photos (some of which were taken while my family was in the NICU) with inspiring words and thoughts from me to another NICU parent.  I have chosen to self-publish my book because this is a very personal project to me and I want to maintain ownership and creativity over every aspect of it.

To read book reviews visit: http://www.loveandhopeinthenicu.com

The rewards for this kickstarter campaign are simple...books and acknowledgement.   You can select a reward to receive multiple books, 1 book or no books.   You can decide if you want all books sent to you or given to NICU parents on your behalf.  I will be more than happy to ship books Internationally as well.  Just add $10 to your pledge amount to cover the extra shipping cost.

In addition, as a part of this project, I will be adding a new page to my website that will list my kickstarter backers by country and then by state to acknowledge you as a "friend" of Love & Hope in the NICU. 

Why?  Because there are a lot of parents and family members who should have the opportunity to read 'Love & Hope in the NICU' and to know that YOU made that possible.   Through my book creating, writing and publishing process I have talked to and worked with former NICU parents, nurses, doctors, therapist, etc. who are working hard everyday to provide the help, support and necessities that NICU parents need to survive their NICU journey.  I want to do my part in that process and this is my way of doing just that...by publishing lots of books at once to make it cost effective for everyone to buy 1 or 100.

This is a project from the heart because I am a NICU parent and I know how easy it is to feel alone when your baby is in the NICU and your family and friends are continuing on with their life while your life seems to stand still.  That's why I wanted to create a different type of inspirational and encouraging book for NICU parents.  I know first hand that most NICU parents get overlooked in the congratulations and gift giving process when their baby is born (I did).  It's usually former NICU parents that step in to ease some of that pain and to remind parents that they are not alone.  I want to make sure my book is a part of that process by making it accessible to those parents and family members.

To view a few more pages of my book visit: http://www.loveandhopeinthenicu.com/preview

Here's How We Can Make a Difference Together - Back my project for any amount of money.  All money received will be used to publish books.  When the project is funded on July 2, 2012, the money you pledge will be deducted from your credit card on that day.  I will then start the process for printing and publishing and I will contact you for the specifics of your reward like where to send your books, if you would like me to give them to NICU parents on your behalf and how you would like your name to appear on my website. 

My intention is to exceed the goal of 500 books and publish a lot more.  Five hundred is the minimum number I need to print in order for it to be cost effective.  But I can print 5,000 just as easy as I can print 500.  The amount of money raised by the end of this kickstarter campaign will determine the number of books I will print in July.  So please, please, please pass my kickstarter project link on to others that you think would like to be involved in this project.  Post it on your facebook page, blog, website, tweet it, etc.  Everything you can do is appreciated by me and my family.

To learn more about my book check out the website at: http://www.loveandhopeinthenicu.com/

Thank You for taking the time to learn about my publishing project and I hope you decide to be a part of Delivering Love & Hope to the NICU.

The music in the video was written and performed by Terry Prince.  Song Title: "The Last Day" from his Love Heals CD