WHAT IS 'Jesus Days'?

'Jesus Days' is a Kodachrome diary from the late 70s and early 80s. http://www.vice.com/read/jesus-days-1978-1983  During those years, I was a young born-again Christian working as a Youth Minister and Evangelist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an Evangelical youth movement that boasted some 500 affiliated groups on university campuses across the U.S.   As a staff member, I: led Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings; directed weekend conferences; participated in summer camps; evangelized on the beaches of Ft Lauderdale, Florida during Spring Break; and joined other young Christians for missionary activities in Central America. 

During those years (like similar gay youth from religious backgrounds) I struggled to reconcile my religious beliefs with my sexuality, but found myself engaged in--what I perceived at that time--a hopeless battle that I would never win.   Although trying to be the perfect Christian, I, nevertheless, fell in love with my best straight male friend and felt no sexual desire toward the young woman whom I thought I should marry. 

In 1978, a visiting missionary from Africa gave me her 35mm Pentax K1000 camera. The unexpected gift soon became the means for me to say in pictures what I could not say in words. Although knowing little of photography, I, nevertheless, aimed the lens at my friends and the world around me, making photographs from inside my gay Evangelical closet.  By 1983, through the help and support of others outside this religious organization, I chose to come out as a gay man: a choice that immediately demanded my resignation from the ministry, but a decision which immediately opened doors to a new life.

What do you want to do with 'Jesus Days'?

I intend to publish an amazing looking Zine and distribute it internationally with the long range goal of finding a Publisher for the whole book.

What is a 'Zine?'

A Zine is the modest but ambitious step-child of the publishing world.  Young; clever; thoughtful; provocative; and innovative: the Zine allows the artist to express thoughts, stories and images in a playful and and inexpensive format. Directed toward a smaller, selective audience than books or the magazines, the Zine can be anything that the artist imagines.  The format size, design and number of the edition are the choices of the creator, who finds inspiration in the limitations rather than defeat. 

What will 'Jesus Days', the Zine, look like?

'Jesus Days' will be published in a limited edition run of five hundred copies.  Fresh and exciting, this Zine is envisioned by designer, Riley Hooker, as an art object, printed on one large piece of paper, that folded and held within its own unique packaging will measure only 9"x12". But as you unfold it, a story will appear through text and photographs, until finally opened the Zine will appear as a large poster (30"x40" to 40"x60" that is suitable for hanging on a wall or displaying, folded, on a shelf.  

http://blondeartbooks.com/2012/06/18/towards-independent-publishing-a-collaboration-between-greg-reynolds-and-riley-hooker/

Why all the effort to publish 'Jesus Days?'

The photographs in 'Jesus Days' were never intended to be seen by anyone other than myself and my friends. After re-discovering the  Kodachromes collecting dust in a closet in my parent's house, I realized that the passage of time (more than 25 years) had now provided the distance necessary to view these images with a fresh eye, unencumbered by the feelings I would have had back then.  As I showed the photographs to others, their encouragement and enthusiasm motivated me to work toward publishing the series as a book.

Although, I realize that 'Jesus Days' can be seen merely as a visual document of American life in the 1970s and 1980s, it is also much more than that.  It is the world seen through the eyes of a young closeted Evangelical Christian, from a perspective not seen before and one that touches on a conflict that many gay youth from all religious backgrounds endure today. It is testament from the past and an exhortation today for young people to be true to themselves and to live with honesty and integrity.

How much Money is required to publish 'Jesus Days' as a Zine?

The budget for this project is set at $3500 of which  5% is kept by Kickstarter and another 3-5% retained by Amazon.com.  This budget will allow the printing of five hundred (500) limited edition copies, as well cover the distribution costs (packaging and mailing) and include a small fee to the designer for his exemplary work.  Extra funds raised beyond the budget will allow for printing on better paper stock and broaden our distribution to bookshops and other creative venues around the world.   Additional funds will also provide the means for me to approach book publishers in the U.S. and abroad and to bring further attention to my photography work.  According to the rules of Kickstarter, the entire budget must be raised in order for the funds to be dispersed.  In the event that the project does not succeed, all gifts will be returned to the Funders.

Post Cards (Top to Bottom, 1 to 3):

Archival Print:  8.5"x11"

Archival Print: 13"x19"

Archival Print:  17"x22"

Thank you so much!