This is a collection of short stories that take place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Beautiful artwork is included throughout.
Bending Water and Stories Nearby is a collection of short stories from various places throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It’s not a book about fishing, hunting or summers at the family cabin--- yes, those things are in it, but what I've tried to do is bring the reader stories with interesting characters who, while living in the beautiful surroundings of the UP, encounter life's joys and challenges at every turn.
This is an exciting time for independent artists, writers and musicians. The writing of my book is complete. There will be 12 stories in the printed version and 14 in the E-Version. The book also features beautiful artwork by Michigan artist Richard Onica.
Instead of relying on a traditional publisher, I am using Kickstarter to finance the layout, design and printing of the book and then release it. I have a retail distributor who has placed a previous book of mine in over 100 stores throughout Michigan.It will also be available on my web page in a softbound edition and a very limited edition in hard cover.
With your pledge I am offering you something at every giving level from $5-$500. If I do not raise the minimum amount, the project will not be completed and the amount you pledged will not be charged to your secure credit card. (Kickstarter doesn’t process your money unless the goal is attained.) If I exceed my target amount, the money will be used for advertising, marketing and promotion of the book in addition to my own funding.
Supporting this project with a pledge is also about becoming a part of my transition into a new career of something I love doing and that many people have told me I’ve done well.
When released, this will become my fourth book. It is my best work to date. Everything I write comes from my heart and I hope I will connect with yours in the pages that make up Bending Water and Stories Nearby.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
There is little risk to you by funding this project. The book is already written and your advance order (pre-sale/contribution) will cover the cost of graphic design and printing. Any amount raised above the $3500 will be combined with my investment for marketing and promotion.
FAQ
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Bending Water and Stories Nearby, Kickstarter update #1
I wrote the first story for this book in 2007 not knowing at the time this book would even come into fruition. I had just published “Between The Cottages” not knowing if anyone would buy it and I was overjoyed when orders started coming in almost every day for two months straight. The best part was they were from people I didn’t know. And so it went.
The story from 2007 was called “Father’s Chair” and eventually morphed into “His Father’s Chair” and is about a husband and wife, torn by alcohol and the loss of the patriarch of the family as they visit the north woods to spread his ashes. A couple people I sent it to liked it and a couple others really liked it. And so it went.
I’ve enjoyed building a connection with my audience. Some great writer once said about his work: “I don’t care about what people think: I care about what they feel.” This has helped as I continue to becoming the best writer and person I can be and believe in that statement whole heartedly.
In 2008 I published my second book, “Places I Hide” photographs, poetry and prose about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and was amazed again at the immediate interest people had in what I was doing and how much it resonated with them.
In 2010 I wrote my first book of non-fiction called "Ashes, Art, Heroes and Heart" about a senior citizens apartment building that caught fire. In a photo journalistic style, my book chronicled everything from the day of devastation, through the anguish, rebuilding and rebirth the agency experienced as the building reopened again 2 years later. I spent hundreds of hours on it and as a gift to the agency I worked for accepted no photo or writing royalties from the book. Again I was touched by how many community leaders took notice and applauded my efforts. The agency thanked me by not promoting it, never sending out a press release about it and firing me 6 weeks later.
In late 2010 I began writing short stories not knowing they’d ever be released as a collection. I had about 22 stories I was working on and paired them down to the 12 that will be in the book (the kindle version will have 14). As I contacted agents and larger publishers they all told me they were reluctant to touch short story collections because they don’t sell. I am now on a mission to prove them wrong.
I’m over half way to my funding goal and thank those of you who have pledged. I’m finding more names of people I don’t know showing up every day with a pledge and it reaffirms my belief that what I do goes beyond the reach of people I know. As a write, artist or musician, there is nothing more gratifying.
I’ve had several comments and messages about the artwork being used in the book. It is by Michigan artist Richard Onica, who I met through a friend. "wow" is how I describe his work. Attached is another one of Richard’s paintings I’ll be using in the book. He has many beautiful pieces for sale at his website:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php…More updates to come. Thanks for the love.
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You will receive an E-copy (low rez pdf) of my first book titled; Between The Cottages. This book was first published in 2006 and sold out the same year.
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You will receive an E copy of Between the Cottages, Assembly Park on Lake Delavan.
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You will receive one soft cover copy of the new book mailed to you anywhere in the United States.
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Pledge $35 or more
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You will receive one limited edition hard cover copy of the book mailed anywhere in the US, an E copy of Between the Cottages and an 8 x 10 color photograph from my Upper Peninsula photo book Places I Hide.
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Pledge $50 or more
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You will receive one limited edition hard cover copy and one soft cover copy of the book; the E Version of Between the Cottages as well as an acknowledgment of your generosity in the book introduction.
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You will receive one hard cover copy of the book, two soft cover copes of the book, the E book of Between the Cottages, an 8 x 10 color photograph from my Upper Peninsula photo book, Places I Hide and an acknowledgement of your generosity in the book introduction.
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You will receive one limited edition hard cover copy of the new book, 3 soft cover copies an E book copy of Between the Cottages. You will also receive an acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction and an 8x10 copy of my award winning photograph, Sunset on Muskallonge Lake.
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Pledge $150 or more
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You will receive two hard cover limited edition copies of the book, three soft bound copies plus an E book of Between the Cottages, 8 x 10 copy of my award winning photograph, Sunset on Muskallonge Lake, as well as acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction.
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Pledge $200 or more
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You will receive three limited edition hard copies of the new book, three soft cover copies, the E book version which will contain two extra stories not found in the printed version, the E copy of Between the Cottages, an 8x10 photograph of Sunset on Muskallonge Lake, and a SPECIAL acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction.
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Pledge $250 or more
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You will receive three limited edition hard copies of the new book, four soft cover copies, the E book version which will contain two extra stories not found in the printed version, the E copy of Between the Cottages, an 8x10 photograph of Sunset on Muskallonge Lake and a SPECIAL acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction.
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Pledge $300 or more
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You will receive four limited edition hard copies of the new book, four soft cover copies, the E book version which will contain two extra stories not found in the printed version, the E copy of Between the Cottages, an 8x10 photograph of Sunset on Muskallonge Lake and a SPECIAL acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction. You will also receive a copy of my book Places I Hide, photographs and poetry of Michigan's Upper Peninsula..
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Pledge $400 or more
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You will receive five limited edition hard copies of the new book, five soft cover copies, the E book version with 2 extra stories, the E copy of Between the Cottages, an 8x10 photograph of Sunset on Muskallonge Lake, a SPECIAL acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction and a copy of my book Places I Hide, photographs and poetry of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, one copy of my book Ashes, Art Heroes and Heart.
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Pledge $500 or more
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You will receive ten limited edition hard copies of the new book, five soft cover copies, the E book version, the E copy of Between the Cottages, an 8x10 photograph of Sunset on Muskallonge Lake, a VERY SPECIAL acknowledgement of your generous support in the book introduction and a copy of my book Places I Hide, photographs and poetry of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, one copy of my book Ashes, Art Heroes and Heart.. . .And my undying gratitude!
Estimated delivery:Ships within the US only
Funding period
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