Keep the Lecturing Alive
Donation protected
For the past 5 years, I've been traveling across the Eastern United States lecturing and sharing my love of Japanese culture with fans of all types and events of all sizes, from local libraries to college clubs to large conventions. I've met many great people and made strong friendships along the way. Sometimes it gets hard, sometimes my mind/body can't handle the strain, but I keep going because I love teaching, and love seeing the looks on the faces of those who decide to spend a few hours of their life sharing in my passions.
Presenting at Anime Boston 2012
What I'm looking for is funds for the short term- keeping my head above water while I fulfill my obligations for the Spring and Summer. In addition to lecturing, my other main surce of income is editing manuscripts. I normally have a few contracts a month, from which I draw my living expenses while seeking something more stable. And while it normally works out, a few of my contracts defaulted late last year, leaving me with far less than I have had in the past. It takes a lot of time crafting the lectures I give, including research, compilation, and the eventual beta-runs and testing that are necessary to create quality content. (As an example, my latest lectures have taken 3 weeks apiece to put together, and both my Ghibli and Death God lectures took 6 each.) But the recent stresses from financing and worries about the future have left me with horrible burnout.
Mononoke Masters: Anime Boston 2013
Contributing to this fund will allow me to keep going through 2014, so I can keep speaking and keep opening minds and broadening horizons. I have about 10 events lined up through November. And I've also been working on new material for this year, as my fire has been kindled by some recent support from friends and family. All contributors will be publicly thanked either in person at an event, or via the internet. Or both. Or maybe even at the end of some of my lectures.
The con scene has helped me find a place in the world, and has given me some truly amazing friendships that persist outside the events. I don't want this chapter of my life to end just yet, not while there's still work to do.
Presenting at Anime Boston 2012
What I'm looking for is funds for the short term- keeping my head above water while I fulfill my obligations for the Spring and Summer. In addition to lecturing, my other main surce of income is editing manuscripts. I normally have a few contracts a month, from which I draw my living expenses while seeking something more stable. And while it normally works out, a few of my contracts defaulted late last year, leaving me with far less than I have had in the past. It takes a lot of time crafting the lectures I give, including research, compilation, and the eventual beta-runs and testing that are necessary to create quality content. (As an example, my latest lectures have taken 3 weeks apiece to put together, and both my Ghibli and Death God lectures took 6 each.) But the recent stresses from financing and worries about the future have left me with horrible burnout.
Mononoke Masters: Anime Boston 2013
Contributing to this fund will allow me to keep going through 2014, so I can keep speaking and keep opening minds and broadening horizons. I have about 10 events lined up through November. And I've also been working on new material for this year, as my fire has been kindled by some recent support from friends and family. All contributors will be publicly thanked either in person at an event, or via the internet. Or both. Or maybe even at the end of some of my lectures.
The con scene has helped me find a place in the world, and has given me some truly amazing friendships that persist outside the events. I don't want this chapter of my life to end just yet, not while there's still work to do.
Organizer
Charles Dunbar
Organizer
Flushing, NY