Help Stuart Become a Gentle General
Donation protected
ABOUT THE BOOK
In 2005, my spiritual community had a gathering in Del Mar, California. During one of our contemplations, the facilitator, Dr. Barry Heermann, asked us a question. The question was: “If you did not feel you had to save the world, what would you be doing right now?”
The answer which immediately popped into my head was, “I would read stories to children.”
The next morning as I was writing in my journal, a book started taking form over the next several hours. The characters revealed themselves to me one by one over the next days, months, and now years. At first, I did not understand why I wanted to read to children, or why I feel it is important to publish a children's book. Now I know.
LOVING BOOKS
As a child in the 1960’s who did not fit into a prescribed gender role, I felt very separate and alone from other children. Reading books allowed me to retreat into worlds which inspired me to continue to have hope when things got challenging. I would draw upon some of the characters in books that I read to help guide me on my path.
My Uncle Barry, who was also my god-father, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was in his early 20’s. He was not always easy to engage in conversation. He also used to read to me, and when he did, we were able to enter the same world together and connect on a level that we could not when he tried to have a conversation with me.
My earliest memory of my father is being piled on the couch with my sister and brother while he read us stories. He would make his voice different for all the characters and he made it fun. When I re-member it, a feeling of tenderness opens my heart and there is such love and sweetness there.
I love the way a children’s book can not only tell a story but can bring families closer together. To me, these are the kinds of memories that create the bonds that live far beyond childhood. So, I guess in some way, books, reading, and being read to have always been a way of connecting me with myself and others, and I wanted to offer something to help families connect.
THE BOOK
The story is about Stuart’s journey into listening to the whispers of heart. As we follow him through his journey, we get to meet other animals who teach us the difference between fate and destiny. We realize that sometimes in order to find oneself, one must also lose oneself. We learn ways to cultivate faith in the heart path, to continue to hold on to the thread that we follow even when others don’t see it. We get to experience what it is like to be committed to a path forward together as we reveal the value of the gifts we give and receive from the depths of our hearts. To have the time and resources to get this book published, I would like your support.
YOUR IMPACT
Any contribution you make will go straight into the project. I need $9,900 to complete the writing and production of Stuart, The Gentle General
The $9,900 I hope to receive will pay for:
• $1,500 – Editing
o I will have the book professionally edited for a final edit.
• $2,000 - Illustration and Design
o The book will contain beautiful illustrations. I want to engage artists who would like to contribute by hosting illustration workshops with artists who may not have an outlet for their art
• $1,000 – Research into Publishing
• $3,000 - Printing & Production
o This will cover the cost of our initial print run with enough copies to sell at bookstores in Alameda County
• $2,400 - Marketing
o This includes the crowdfunding fee, fiscal sponsorship, isbn #, copyright fee, flyers etc.
Total: $9,900
GIVE BACK CAMPAIGN: 100% of the Book Sales will go to fund another Philanthropic Project (TBD) that will support the healing process for those who would like to be in community so we all can grow.
Other ways you can help:
Share this link on social media and email : https://www.gofundme.com/help-stuart-become-a-gentle-general
Leave a comment of encouragement below!
Say a blessings for our planet and all its inhabitants!
In 2005, my spiritual community had a gathering in Del Mar, California. During one of our contemplations, the facilitator, Dr. Barry Heermann, asked us a question. The question was: “If you did not feel you had to save the world, what would you be doing right now?”
The answer which immediately popped into my head was, “I would read stories to children.”
The next morning as I was writing in my journal, a book started taking form over the next several hours. The characters revealed themselves to me one by one over the next days, months, and now years. At first, I did not understand why I wanted to read to children, or why I feel it is important to publish a children's book. Now I know.
LOVING BOOKS
As a child in the 1960’s who did not fit into a prescribed gender role, I felt very separate and alone from other children. Reading books allowed me to retreat into worlds which inspired me to continue to have hope when things got challenging. I would draw upon some of the characters in books that I read to help guide me on my path.
My Uncle Barry, who was also my god-father, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was in his early 20’s. He was not always easy to engage in conversation. He also used to read to me, and when he did, we were able to enter the same world together and connect on a level that we could not when he tried to have a conversation with me.
My earliest memory of my father is being piled on the couch with my sister and brother while he read us stories. He would make his voice different for all the characters and he made it fun. When I re-member it, a feeling of tenderness opens my heart and there is such love and sweetness there.
I love the way a children’s book can not only tell a story but can bring families closer together. To me, these are the kinds of memories that create the bonds that live far beyond childhood. So, I guess in some way, books, reading, and being read to have always been a way of connecting me with myself and others, and I wanted to offer something to help families connect.
THE BOOK
The story is about Stuart’s journey into listening to the whispers of heart. As we follow him through his journey, we get to meet other animals who teach us the difference between fate and destiny. We realize that sometimes in order to find oneself, one must also lose oneself. We learn ways to cultivate faith in the heart path, to continue to hold on to the thread that we follow even when others don’t see it. We get to experience what it is like to be committed to a path forward together as we reveal the value of the gifts we give and receive from the depths of our hearts. To have the time and resources to get this book published, I would like your support.
YOUR IMPACT
Any contribution you make will go straight into the project. I need $9,900 to complete the writing and production of Stuart, The Gentle General
The $9,900 I hope to receive will pay for:
• $1,500 – Editing
o I will have the book professionally edited for a final edit.
• $2,000 - Illustration and Design
o The book will contain beautiful illustrations. I want to engage artists who would like to contribute by hosting illustration workshops with artists who may not have an outlet for their art
• $1,000 – Research into Publishing
• $3,000 - Printing & Production
o This will cover the cost of our initial print run with enough copies to sell at bookstores in Alameda County
• $2,400 - Marketing
o This includes the crowdfunding fee, fiscal sponsorship, isbn #, copyright fee, flyers etc.
Total: $9,900
GIVE BACK CAMPAIGN: 100% of the Book Sales will go to fund another Philanthropic Project (TBD) that will support the healing process for those who would like to be in community so we all can grow.
Other ways you can help:
Share this link on social media and email : https://www.gofundme.com/help-stuart-become-a-gentle-general
Leave a comment of encouragement below!
Say a blessings for our planet and all its inhabitants!
Organizer
Lynne Palazzolo
Organizer
Oakland, CA