About this project
Hugo the Huguenot
$5,947
94
Hi! My name is Jen and I currently work at Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY. I am also a direct descendent of Louis DuBois, who was one of the first people to come and settle New Paltz in the 1600's. While working at Historic Huguenot Street as the School Program Coordinator, I often give a brief history of the Huguenots and how they ended up coming to New Paltz as part of my introduction to the site. I started to think about how I could make this story more relatable to kids. This book started out as a poem that I eventually expanded into the story it is today. After collaborating with Matt Kelly, the illustrator, the book really started to become a reality. Together, Matt and I hope to get this book into the hands of many children so that the story of the Huguenots lives on.
This is sort of a passion project for both of us. I feel excited to share this story because for one, I am a Huguenot descendant. Two, I feel like this children's book is a clear and enjoyable way to share the history. Third, I wrote the book in a simple, rhyming format so that it might be easy to read for beginning readers while also engaging and fun for adults too! Matt's illustrations really bring the story to life. Matt is currently in the process of finishing up the final sketches and painting (in watercolor) the pictures. We are doing this Kickstarter campaign in order to raise the money to publish a full color, hard cover book. Our hope is that this book ends up in libraries, schools, book stores, and most importantly your home so that you can read it to your kids and grand kids!
Risks and challenges
Some of the risks and challenges of making this book are the costs of printing and publishing. Although we could find a printing company for slightly cheaper if we went out of the country, Matt and I both wanted to publish with a local company that we know would do quality work. That's why we decided on ColorPage Printing in Kingston, NY. The idea behind the whole book is local. Local history, local author, local illustrator, local printer. The more books we are able the print, the lower the cost of the printing. That's why we are hoping that with your help we can print a lot of books!
Additional costs beyond the initial printing and publishing are:
Shipping to anyone not local.
Kickstarter fees
Taxes
LCCN number (Library of Congress number)
Printing of any additional art work that we offer as "Rewards."
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Funding period
- (30 days)