Kickstarter

Art becomes a catalyst for healing and inspiration in this proposed book “Body Memories.”  Dean Johnson's evocative photographs of marble breast sculptures are accompanied by the words of women who relate to the art from their experiences with breast cancer. The journey of two friends is woven through the threads of text. The design by Sher Schachameyer weaves a subtle tapestry a reader will want to revisit again and again.

"Body Memories” began as an exhibition of 28 carved marble sculptures that I created, accompanied by the written words of women. Because of grass-roots support generated during its first and subsequent showings, the exhibition traveled to eight cities, and was seen by thousands of visitors. Because of this emotional response to the exhibition and my desire to reach a wider audience, I decided to create a book. I received a grant to develop the book with the graphic designer, Sher Schachameyer.

My intentions in creating this book were to offer an inspiring, transforming and healing experience to those who have had cancer; to provide deeper insight into the realities of the whole person to the medical community; to create an aesthetically beautiful, evocative and tender book; and to tell the story of the ripple effect from one woman's cancer experience.

The 120 page body of the book, composed of photos of the 28 marble breast sculptures and the accompanying text of the women’s responses to their cancer and to the art, is now completed and in PDF format. My goal is to make this book available to those who have been touched by cancer.

Not being able to find a publisher, I have decided to self publish.The funds raised from you, through kickstarter will publish 250 copies of the book.

It is designed and ready to go; well almost. The first 120 pages are currently in PDF form which needs to be reformulated for publishing. Additional pages will be added for an update of the women's responses to their cancer experience today,  some years later. Once that is completed and the money  raised, it will be ready to print. The book will be 7 x 7 inches, printed in full color on high quality paper stock in a hard cover binding with dust jacket.

Here is a sampling of the beautifully designed, two page spreads for the book.

The Budget:  Video for kickstarter...(videographer) $500; Publishing 250 books...(Printer) $7,500; Formulating the PDF, designing and adding the new pages...(editorial technicians) $1,500;  Editorial work and publishing management, submitting for ISBN, registering with Library of  Congress, bar code, etc.(A Publishing Co.) $1500;     Total $11,500.  

If the total amount of $11,500  is not reached  within the 45 day window,  the project ends and your credit or debit card will not be charged. 

(Any additional funding raised will be used for printing additional copies, distribution the books to Breast Cancer Support groups, local libraries, schools  and  more. I will not profit from any of the book sales. Please help to spread the word to raise these needed funds.)

There are at this moment over 60,000 women in the states who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The need for this book is as great as the size of its intended audience. It is a tender and unflinching look at 8 women's responses to their experience with breast cancer. For the medical community it provides a deeper insight into the whole person experiencing breast cancer. And for the art lover the photographs of the marble sculptures are beautiful.