My name is Ruth. I hold a PhD in education and am teaching artist of improvisation. After years of working on my dissertation (which combines both areas of study), I have transformed my research on improvisation into a book for the academic world and the general public. I have a contract with a publisher that requires me to pay for printing the first run. Finding a job in higher education has been more challenging than I expected. My student loans are due, and I look for ways of meeting my finacial obligations while still trying to get my book published within the next couple of months. It is my hope that publishing my study will help legitimize my research and launch the next phase of my life. The working title of the book is "Serious Fun." Funding me will help bring this book to print. I cannot fully describe how grateful I am to anyone who contributes.Ruth Yamamoto, PhD Website