<div>Hey friends, it's my BIRTHDAY, September 2nd! So I'm raising money this month to get my new book across the finish line!
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<div>At an age when some women feel like they need to start covering up, I decided do the opposite: to get on stage and do stand up comedy . . . and now I wrote a book about it: <strong><em>Queen Lessons: How Stand Up Comedy Taught Me to Step Into My Queen Years</em></strong>. This book is every woman, perhaps especially for those who would never dare to get on stage themselves but still feel heckled by the world and want to feel seen, emboldened and supported as they step into their Queen Years.
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<div><strong>The Inspiration</strong>
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<div>When I talk to women in the audience after a show the number one thing I hear most of them say is,
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<div><em>I could never do that</em>
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<div>meaning stand up. But in a way you already do. The world heckles us all the time. Hecklers in real life who interrupt you, talk over you or simply pretend you no longer exist. And it’s not easy being a human on this planet let alone a human woman. 
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<div>I came to my Queen Years right as I was entering the world of stand-up comedy. And while I've been lucky enough to be able to perform all over California in showcases and clubs, I've discovered that (gasp! big surprise!) the comedy industry doesn't necessarily want to hear from mature women. The sexism, ageism, heckling, flat out abuse and shadiness of the scene is pretty astounding.
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<div>But I’m a survivor. I’m resourceful.
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<div>Through dealing with hecklers and the world of stand up comedy I have learned ways to duck, dodge and forge my way through something difficult during what is arguably one of the most difficult transitions of my life: from the motherhood years to an empty nester.
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<div>What I share in this book are hard won lessons from the stage that I’ve come to use personally as I step into my own Queen Years. All of these experiences of being a comic that I share in throughout this book correlate to you there reading if for no other reason than to say: <em>I see you. I know this hurts and you’re sick and tired of it. Here’s how I’ve learned to survive. </em>
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<div>Unfortunately in our world we see aging as something to fear, but in writing this book I hope to make meaning out of the experience that women go through as they get older in a way that is truthful and honest, but also hopeful.
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<div><strong>Why I Need Your Help</strong>
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<div>This will be my third self-published book. The first two being, <em>The Creative Formula </em>(a 2016 Amazon Bestseller) and <em>Making Art In The Middle of Madness</em> (2020 Amazon #1 New Release). Since I recently ditched paper pushing for full-time stand up comedy, I'm going to need to a community and fan effort to get this book published.
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<div>I'm aiming to publish by Christmas or the latest by January 2025. I really want this book out in the world to support and ring in the new year, the (hopefully) new presidency in order to support women all over the nation and the world as they find their footing, desires and joy. The words are coming through me fast and furious now and it feels like this message is needed NOW.
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<div><strong>How Donations Will Be Used</strong>
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<div>Your contributions will go towards developmental, content and proofreading editors (roughly $4,000-$6,000) book designers ($800) a story-writing workshop ($1,095), and printing and shipping of initial hard copies ($700). If I can raise $8,000 or more I'll be in a really good position to get this book across the finish line and published quickly!
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>It's my birthday, September 2nd! So please consider donating in lieu of a birthday present. Pretend like you took me out to dinner for $50-$100. Buy me a lil something nostalgic but small for $20; or maybe you're broke but you wanna let me know you're thinking of me - no contribution is too small!
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<div><strong>Donations of $100 or more will receive a signed copy of my book after it's published.</strong>
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<div><strong>BONUS!</strong> The first 10 people to contribute $50 or more will get a thank you dance: I will create a video dancing to a mash up of 10 people's favorite songs and post it to social media naming you as an early contributor! Y'all know I love to dance;)
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<div><strong>Share With Friends / Share on Social Media</strong>
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<div>Also, it is a HUGE whopping help if you simply share this fundraiser with or without donations so thank you in advance for sharing with anyone who you think might enjoy the book or just want to support getting it out into the world!
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<div>BIG LOVE and BIG THANKS to you for supporting me and in turn, supporting women becoming Queens everywhere!
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<div>Yours,
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<div>Holly
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<div><strong>What Do I Mean by Queen Years?</strong>
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<div>Those years between being fertile and being senior. You’re not super young, but you also are definitely not old. Maybe you’re done having children, or you never had kids and are wondering if it’s finally too late, or you can’t get pregnant anymore and you’re thrilled. Your queen years begin right on that cusp where the fertility is waning and you are wondering what is next. You aren’t ready for your AARP card, but you also have no patience with uncomfortable footwear. Your hormones begin to drop. If you color your hair then you begin searching the hair dye boxes for phrases like, “extra strong gray coverage.” Your body is changing to put it politely and your skin all of a sudden looks uhhh different. You see pictures of yourself and you still look like you but just kind of . . . tired. And inside you might feel some combination of feelings of grief for what's no longer available for you (babies and all the fantasies that go with it) and relief that those years are over. You feel sadness, regret and anger, wow a lot of anger . . . leaving you wondering why am I suddenly so hella pissed off!? As your body's chemistry changes, and you are less required for nurturing others it is a time of great opportunity to start doing your real work in this world. . .
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Maxwell Houghton

Brian Dunn

Dana Olney

Rhoda Gravador

Jim Morein

Katherine Carter

Patricia Juri

Gregory Reinhardt

Anonymous

Hannah Romanowsky

Monique Rebelle

Sandra Lo

Jonathan Furst

Jason Toupes

Richard Jones

Yael Schy

Daniel Dechi

Richard Ross

Schmidt, Alysia

Shannon Cochran

Support Holly's Book: Publish Queen Lessons

Support Holly's Book: Publish Queen Lessons

Still $6,377 to go. Help us build momentum.