After 27 years in Tennessee's most notorious prisons, Andy Dixon found hope and redemption. i am convicted is his story.
After 27 years in Tennessee's most notorious prisons, Andy Dixon found hope and redemption. i am convicted is his story.
It is a work-in-progress novel that uses a blog to transparently share the story of Andy, as it’s written. The entire first draft of the novel will be released online, for free.
Andy's story could be a beacon of hope for millions trapped in a razor wire spin cycle, but the rest of our story is unfinished. We need your help to find our way in the dark, to discover the puzzle pieces that have yet to be placed.
We're fighting the prison system from the outside - trying to influence a positive paradigm shift from punishment to rehabilitation.
what funding will support
Funding for our Kickstarter campaign will help us focus our energy on finishing the research and interview process, writing the first draft of the manuscript and publishing an e-book version of i am convicted.
Kickstarter is all or nothing, so if we don't reach the $15,000 goal, you don’t get charged, and we don’t receive any funding.
The funding breakdown for i am convicted:
- Finish research and interview process ~ 35% of funds
- Finish manuscript ~ 35% of funds
- Cost of publishing ~ 20% of funds (book design/formatting; editing; misc. costs - ISBN, etc.)
- Reward fulfillment ~ 10%
the journey of andy dixon
i am convicted is a story of reinvention and the American prison system.
Not the spit shined, sensationalized depictions that we're used to from the Hollywood shuffle and the media hustle.
Andy is the 3rd generation of four from a family decimated by crime and incarceration. Crime's influence found Andy in his youth, at an age where most of us are just learning to ride our first Huffy.
There was never a doubt, never a moment’s hesitation that Andy would follow his family to prison. It was simply a matter of when.
i am convicted will take you down Andy's long road, from the streets of Chicago and the farm country of Paris, TN to the yard of Tennessee's most notorious prisons.
This is a real human story - of the realities of prison, but also the power to transform and reinvent.
It is also a love story, where two people searching for their own truth found each other in the most unlikely of places.
read the story - right now
i am convicted of two things - one, of sharing Andy's story to foster an honest, positive dialogue on the the many faces of prison.
Two, of experimenting with what defines success for independent storytellers. There are lessons from my journey that I know can help anyone who is afraid to take the leap and write a story that the world may need, right now.
i am convicted was built for sharing Andy's story in a transparent, community-driven way - a platform that can keep the story alive after the book is published.
You can follow our storytelling process as it happens. We will be sharing more from the book, including full chapters, as they’re written.
Read the first four chapters of i am convicted
thank you
I can't say thank you enough for your time and energy. Seriously, you're helping us be the change instead of waiting for others to take up the torch and run.Whether you support with a pledge, share with a friend or family member, or simply walk away a little different than when you showed up, today is just the beginning.
video credits
Photography and audio clip of Andy Dixon by Jerry Hirsch and Geo Geller
Music - "dan8" by junior85
Editing by Matthew Rogers
FAQ
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Kickstarter is an “all or nothing” funding platform, so if we’re short of the funding goal, then we receive no funding at all.
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Our gratitude to everyone who supports this project is real - regardless of the outcome.
Any support we receive beyond our initial funding goal will allow us to dig deeper, to create a more sustainable project, and to take our story to more people.
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We're publishing an e-book first because quite frankly it's the most cost-efficient method AND increases distribution channels (which means we can reach more people).
We'll use the limited edition hardcovers that are exclusive to Kickstarter supporters (at $100 pledges and above) as a trial run for print. If demand is there, we'll strongly consider Print on Demand or other options. -
Most rewards will be delivered when the book is finished, which I've estimated as September 2012. There are a ton of factors/variables in a book writing process, so this a best guess based on how many weeks I believe we need to complete, edit and publish.
To keep shipping costs somewhat reasonable, we need to consolidate delivery as much as possible. I will update reward timelines once we meet our funding goal and the campaign is finished.
I will also look at ways to send Kickstarter backers some of the rewards for your support … more to come my friends. -
I have 5+ years professional experience as a writer, content strategist and copywriter for the Web. Consulting for the upper donation tiers may include constructive feedback and analysis/recommendation to improve the content on your site, blog OR creative discussion for direction on a current passion project.
Original art by Amber will include a chat or phone call to discuss creative direction and logistics.
Bios:
http://www.iamconvicted.com/brett-henley
http://ambermo.tumblr.com/
64
Backers
$3,521
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on April 7, 2012.
Funding period
Mar 8, 2012 -
Apr 7, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 4 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: iamconvicted.com
Pledge $1 or more
0 backers
You'll have our appreciation and gratitude forever.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $10 or more
17 backers
Special recognition in the acknowledgments PLUS a copy of the i am convicted e-book.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $27 or more
14 backers
$1 for every year Andy gave time to the razor wire. You'll receive all of the above rewards, PLUS special recognition on a permanent supporters page at iamconvicted.com with links to a site of your choosing AND a limited edition i am convicted t-shirt. (Please add $5 to your pledge for shipping to Canada; $10 for international shipping - thank you!)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $50 or more
11 backers
All of the above, PLUS a limited edition hot-iron branded Moleskine notebook from Tinkering Monkey, stamped with the i am convicted logo. (Please add $7 to your pledge for shipping to Canada; $15 for international shipping - thank you!)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $100 or more
8 backers Limited (117 of 125 left)
All of the above, PLUS a Kickstarter exclusive hardcover version of i am convicted - Signed by Andy, Linda and Brett with your name in the book as a special thanks. PLUS PLUS a limited edition, custom Hatch Show Print - one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America. (Please add $10 to your pledge for shipping to Canada; $20 for international shipping - thank you!)
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (15 of 15 left)
All of the above, PLUS two hours of content and/or creative consulting with Brett via video chat, Skype or phone - in person possible for Nashville area. (Please add $10 to your pledge for shipping to Canada; $20 for international shipping - thank you!)
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $500 or more
1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)
All of the above PLUS an original 8x10 sketch by Amber Morgan - a talented artist and graphic designer and wife. (Please add $10 to your pledge for shipping to Canada; $20 for international shipping - thank you!)
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
All of the above PLUS an original 18X24 painting by Amber.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
