Amelia the Flying Cat is a children's picture book about a cat adopted by birds who wants to fly. However, after falling again, again, and again... will Amelia ever fly?
We've all failed at something before. And failure hurts even more when everyone else around you seems to be able to do everything just fine.
That's how Amelia feels. And our kids need to learn how to overcome that feeling too!
Since Amelia and her bird parents have such a strong bond throughout the story-line, this book is PERFECT for families who've just adopted.
As you could imagine, kids who are waiting for their new forever families are dealing with a VERY emotionally rough situation. When children are adopted, these negative feelings don't magically disappear!
The family needs to adjust TOGETHER. And what better way to bond than over a children's book story?
That's why I was determined to list a pledge that would donate books to families who recently adopted! And luckily for me, Bethany adoption services has agreed to team up with me.
I suppose I should tell you a bit about myself too. I'm Nikki Floreno, and I draw stories. I'm the author/illustrator of this kid's book. I have a BFA in Sequential Art (Making art in sequence to tell stories) from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).
I've studied cartooning off campus in Tokyo from the amazing Stan Sakai of Usagi Yojimbo, who sparked my inspiration (and now obsession) with drawing animal characters in my stories. I've led a team to the semi-finalists through the Disney Imaginations imagineering competition.
Then I took all of my education and experiences, and founded Fables & Fauna to become a small press for more animal-based children's books like this one.
And THAT'S what my dream is: to keep making more books like Amelia the Flying Cat. BUT it starts with you.
I DID look into the usual print on demand route that self-publishers use now a days, but the cost calculator revealed that with a color, hardback children's book, I'd end up LOSING money if I ever tried to get my book into a bookstore. Bummer, huh?
So when I found that out, I founded Fables & Fauna and swore revenge!! Or, you know, at least I swore to find some other way to print, sell, and share my children's book creations.
I mean, look at the cost of 1,000 books!!
How will they be printed?
Just to clarify, Purring Paw Print Productions Printing Press isn't real, but we ARE using the off-set printing method like how we explained in the video. Print Ninja is our off-set printer of choice!
A quick thank you-
Just like Amelia needs teamwork to help her fly, I couldn’t have completed this book without a team of my own!! I want to thank my amazing editors, Douglas Humphries and Emmy Scott, as well as the Bethany adoption services, and my loving & supportive newsletter friends who stuck with me through this whole journey! Thank you!
Will you join our team and help Amelia fly?
Risks and challenges
Amelia the Flying Cat is complete and only has to be printed. This is my first crowdfunding and self-publishing, so there are a lot of challenges ahead, but I’m on track to have the book published and shipped out by August 2017.
Manufacturing always has risks with timing, but I’ve accounted for this with conservative estimates and a promise of full transparency on any unforeseen issues. As long as funding goal is met, Amelia’s story will be printed by August, 2017.
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Funding period
- (30 days)