STU graduate and illustrator Emily Brown and authour Paul McAllister have started a crowdfunding campaign to publish their new book There and Back Again, A Herman Tale.
“There and Back Again, A Herman Tale,” is a children’s book. The book stars a monster named Herman, which McAllister hopes will represent some of the feelings we have all felt in our lives.
“Herman is a small monster, who might not feel like he fits in very well. He’s supposed to represent how a lot of us feel growing up, where we are supposed to do one thing but we want to do another,” said McAllister.
Brown and McAllister have chosen to fund their book with Indiegogo, a popular crowdfunding site. They offer a number of perks to people who donate different amounts of money, ranging from a special first edition of the book at $15 all the way to an original Herman watercolour painting at 500$.
“We decided to go with Indiegogo for a number of reasons. Going to a publisher was always an option but sometimes with that you lose a little control of the final product,” said Brown.
The campaign, which launched on Sept. 26, has already received a lot of support.
“To reach 19 per cent of our goal in just 4 days has been such an overwhelmingly positive experience. It’s a little bit of affirmation that you’re on the right track with not only the book but your career itself,” said Brown. ” It’s an incredible feeling to know that people I’ve never met want to see your work succeed.”
Brown and McAllister have also decided to give back to the community with the money they raise. For every donation made, one dollar will be donated to the Elementary Literacy Friends program in New Brunswick.
