Month of the Book
Doação protegida
If I could think of any way to avoid this, I certainly would.
It’s not uncommon for bona fide authors or wannabe ones to turn to public fund-raising campaigns to get their books published, sold, and distributed. But most of them need money to pay third parties, like artists and illustrators, graphic designers, layout experts, and editors.
Not me. Not only did I write every word, I’ve designed my own cover, chosen the fonts, laid out the text, acquired illustrations, and turned the entire manuscript into a pdf book ready to publish. All on my own. Plus, since every word has already appeared in print, all of it was already edited.
What I can’t do by myself is buy my own copies. Or pay for the associated costs, like shipping and handling and padded envelopes. I also need to buy professional reviews and get the book listed on sites that cater to readers.
Briefly, I am a lifelong, award-winning journalist, my career cut short in 2009 when the Miami Herald laid me off, along with hundreds of others. That forced me to punish myself by taking an early retirement and resorting to a low-level job as a security guard. I’ve been struggling ever since.
To move books, I'd like to start with about 100 copies. I need them for local book signings, to give some away to people or sites that can help spread the word, to fill the orders that I hope to generate, and to get the book listed on Amazon.
I believe in this book. So do others, including three published authors, among them a Pulitzer Prize winner and an acclaimed dean of political commentary.
Four people, all of them accomplished and respected professionals in various fields, have written endorsements of the book. Their words come from the heart, not from being paid to write them.
I’d hate for poverty to squelch my voice or kill my dreams. Age and disease are obstacles enough.
The book is called "Nickell’s Two Cents’ Worth: 7 Years of Satire & Sass." It’s a collection of 50 columns previously published in the early to late ’90s. Despite the passage of time, they remain fresh and relevant. And very funny. (Putting modesty aside, I have to confess that they make me laugh out loud. Or say, “Wow!”)
Among the many subjects I tackle, in a form not much seen since Mark Twain and a handful of others, are political correctness, the cops, tourism, the elderly, parapsychology, racism, sports, celebrities, the homeless, lawyers, banks, the media, education, personal ads, and many more.
If any book can help get me on my feet so I never again have to ask for a handout, this one can.
As John Merrick, the title character in the classic 1980 film "The Elephant Man," shouts plaintively in a climactic scene, “I am a human being! I am a man!” My climactic refrain is, “I am a writer! I am an author!”
If you donate to my campaign, the most generous and kind-hearted contributors will get something tangible in return. The highest donors will receive a complimentary copy of the book with the option of having it autographed and dedicated as they wish. Winners will be notified by private e-mail with the request to send their mailing address.
My goal is a minimum of $2,000, which covers $750 for printing alone, another $650 for two separate, independent, and professional reviews, and roughly $600 for incidental costs like envelopes, shipping, order fulfillment, and unforeseen expenses.
The more money the campaign generates, the more books I can have printed – and, hopefully, sell.
Look it. I’m almost 70 years old. It’s either now or never. I’ve never been married, and I have no children. I want at least one book to be my legacy, my justification for having been on this Earth.
I hope you’re able and willing to help. Thank you.
P.S.: It’s not only the Month of the Book, it’s the month of my birthday. Whether it will be a happy one remains to be seen.
It’s not uncommon for bona fide authors or wannabe ones to turn to public fund-raising campaigns to get their books published, sold, and distributed. But most of them need money to pay third parties, like artists and illustrators, graphic designers, layout experts, and editors.
Not me. Not only did I write every word, I’ve designed my own cover, chosen the fonts, laid out the text, acquired illustrations, and turned the entire manuscript into a pdf book ready to publish. All on my own. Plus, since every word has already appeared in print, all of it was already edited.
What I can’t do by myself is buy my own copies. Or pay for the associated costs, like shipping and handling and padded envelopes. I also need to buy professional reviews and get the book listed on sites that cater to readers.
Briefly, I am a lifelong, award-winning journalist, my career cut short in 2009 when the Miami Herald laid me off, along with hundreds of others. That forced me to punish myself by taking an early retirement and resorting to a low-level job as a security guard. I’ve been struggling ever since.
To move books, I'd like to start with about 100 copies. I need them for local book signings, to give some away to people or sites that can help spread the word, to fill the orders that I hope to generate, and to get the book listed on Amazon.
I believe in this book. So do others, including three published authors, among them a Pulitzer Prize winner and an acclaimed dean of political commentary.
Four people, all of them accomplished and respected professionals in various fields, have written endorsements of the book. Their words come from the heart, not from being paid to write them.
I’d hate for poverty to squelch my voice or kill my dreams. Age and disease are obstacles enough.
The book is called "Nickell’s Two Cents’ Worth: 7 Years of Satire & Sass." It’s a collection of 50 columns previously published in the early to late ’90s. Despite the passage of time, they remain fresh and relevant. And very funny. (Putting modesty aside, I have to confess that they make me laugh out loud. Or say, “Wow!”)
Among the many subjects I tackle, in a form not much seen since Mark Twain and a handful of others, are political correctness, the cops, tourism, the elderly, parapsychology, racism, sports, celebrities, the homeless, lawyers, banks, the media, education, personal ads, and many more.
If any book can help get me on my feet so I never again have to ask for a handout, this one can.
As John Merrick, the title character in the classic 1980 film "The Elephant Man," shouts plaintively in a climactic scene, “I am a human being! I am a man!” My climactic refrain is, “I am a writer! I am an author!”
If you donate to my campaign, the most generous and kind-hearted contributors will get something tangible in return. The highest donors will receive a complimentary copy of the book with the option of having it autographed and dedicated as they wish. Winners will be notified by private e-mail with the request to send their mailing address.
My goal is a minimum of $2,000, which covers $750 for printing alone, another $650 for two separate, independent, and professional reviews, and roughly $600 for incidental costs like envelopes, shipping, order fulfillment, and unforeseen expenses.
The more money the campaign generates, the more books I can have printed – and, hopefully, sell.
Look it. I’m almost 70 years old. It’s either now or never. I’ve never been married, and I have no children. I want at least one book to be my legacy, my justification for having been on this Earth.
I hope you’re able and willing to help. Thank you.
P.S.: It’s not only the Month of the Book, it’s the month of my birthday. Whether it will be a happy one remains to be seen.
Organizador
David Nickell
Organizador
Miami, FL