Don't Call Me Gypsy is a book. A real, bona fide, paperback book, following the musings of a young man on a ramen and testosterone fueled adventure across the American west.
In April 2011, I packed up everything I owned in a Subaru Forester and hit the road. Leaving was more of a surrender than a glorious sendoff, as my families home had burned down just six months prior and I had broken my femur in January snowboarding.
I set off on the road heading west to explore the canyons, cities, and parks I'd heard described so eloquently by the likes of Ed Abbey and Jon Krakauer.
So what's the book about? Well, mainly camping, sleeping in truck stops, national parks, hooking up, cooking gourmet food on a Jetboil, beer, soul searching, the environment, and more camping. I'm a simple man, therefore, it's a simple book. My goal is to humanize the modern road trip. Not everyone can make their way across America as an Instagramer using hashtags to put gas in their tank while maintaining a vegan lifestyle. For the rest of us, there's sub par meals, cold nights, and the threat of meth heads in Walmart parking lots. Wait, that's just me? Alright, fine.
You can read some excerpts from the book on my blog.
I've been writing on and off for the last five years without any intention of publishing a book, but once I hit the 50,000 word mark I figured I ought to do something with it. That's why I've turned to Kickstarter.
Writing this book is one of the ways I’ve coped with the losses in my life. I chose not to be a victim of my circumstance, but to do that I needed to come to terms with my fathers alcoholism and my home burning down. We’ve all experienced loss, it’s a part of being human, but it’s how we react that sets us apart. Sharing my story through this film and writing Don’t Call Me Gypsy has helped me surmount the barriers that have long held me back.
With your help I'll be able to get copies edited and printed in time for Christmas.
Thank you for your support,
Zeppelin
1. Don't Call Me Gypsy. A soft cover book 5.25 inches by 8 inches, 190 pages.
2. Pocket T-Shirt. Limited edition Don't Call Me Gypsy T-Shirt. A pocket T with a logo inspired by Edward Abbey in tan. Available in Extra Small to Extra Large.
3. Edited Manuscript. I've been editing this book for months. This manuscript is the marked up, scribbled on, beaten up version, a testament to the time and energy that has gone into the final book.
When Phil Hessler and Galen Knowles had the idea to make a film on my life story I was hesitant. It would be the first time that I’d really put my story out there for the world to see. Our social structures often encourage us to keep our personal matters to ourselves, but through film, we’re given an opportunity to share our stories, and along the way hopefully inspire others to do the same. Fly High, Go Far is my story, I hope you enjoy it.
Risks and challenges
The book is already written, it just needs to undergo a final edit and be sent to print. Could I die? Sure, but you'd get your money back. The printers could break down, but in that event I'll work find another one. At the end of the day, you're going to get a book.
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Funding period
- (30 days)