Camouflage: A Novel by Shelley Anderson

Women soldiers during the Vietnam war

Scene from the 1963 civil rights movement


Project overview 
I began this novel more than 10 years ago and am now ready to finish. The time is right for a novel about the experiences of women in the American military, and I believe I’m the writer to bring that subject to life. A New York literary agent has expressed interest—and requested to see the full manuscript of the book.

What the Book is About
1960s America. Two girls, one white, the other black, grow up fighting daily humiliation, refusing to give up their dreams. Searching for a better life, they join the Army—and learn they will have to fight together if they are to survive.

This is the starting point for the book. A timely novel of two women who overcome violence in different forms—sexual violence, racial prejudice and homophobia. 

Your support is needed in order to make this novel happen.

Why This Book Matters
The lives of working class lesbians are under-narrated. The lives of women in the Army are also under-narrated. Representation matters. Telling stories of women who fight back against injustice and win has never been more needed. And, in the words of Primo Levi, if not now, when?

How the Funding Will Be Used
We are asking for USD 15,000 (13,135 EUR) for the editing necessary to ready this novel to submit to the New York literary agent who has already green-lighted the concept.

I will collaborate further with the editor to complete the book. When the manuscript is ready, administrative help will be needed for the submission process.

Perks for Contributors
In gratitude for contributions, I am offering the following:

For donations of up to USD 100 (€90): 
A digital copy of the short story “The Cup” 

For donations between USD 100 and 500 (€90 and €435): 
A digital copy of the short story “The Cup” and an unpublished interview on the “Women and Peace” program, which I created.

For donations of USD 500 and above:
All of the above, plus an hour-long Skype consultation with a professional writing coach. 

About the Author
I’m a Vietnam-era military veteran who, post-Army, worked with the international peace movement for more than two decades. I founded an international program—"Women and Peace”—to train women in peacebuilding. In 2005 I was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the “1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize” initiative. My articles and short stories have appeared in numerous publications and have been translated into a dozen languages. I have been studying fiction-writing in a professional context for the last 14 years.

Risks and Challenges
My health is more than precarious; I have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. That said, I am working steadily with a professional writing coach, as well as with an editor, and I intend to finish by April 30, 2019. My hope is that this novel will be part of my peace-building legacy.

“Why aren’t you self-publishing this novel?”
I want the readership to be as broad as possible. I want the novel to be optioned for film. And I want everyone to know what it was like for women in the US military during the Vietnam era.

“When will the novel be finished?”
Once this second round of funding is secured, the novel can be fast-tracked—and should be ready to submit to the agent by the end of April (estimated).