Tales of the Taylor book

By Christopher Cookson

PledgeMe.Project

Writing,



NZ $25 pledged


1 people pledged


Closed


NZ $5,000 minimum target


0 0% Complete

This campaign failed to reach its target by 15/08/2018 at 12:00 AM (NZST) and is now closed.

Make a Pledge

About

Tales Of The Taylor Book

Project 2018-06-12 21:59:28 +1200

Tales of the Taylor is a sequel to my first self-published book, Wind on the Withers, and features the iconic Taylor River from source to its confluence with the Ōpaoa River in Blenheim.

The book is a small coffee-table paperback of photography and poetry featuring 36 poems with accompanying images that celebrate the heritage of the river. There is also an introduction providing some historical and geographical background, and a Forword by Marlborough's mayor.   I've deliberately limited the size so that the book will be economical to post internationally for people who want to send it as a gift.

The book is ready to print, but as I'm self publishing, there's a significant up-front cost, so I need to find out the level of interest before deciding on the print run and format.

The official launch will be at the beginning of October, as this fits in with the Blenheim Library's Friends of the Library calendar, however I expect to have books on hand by early to mid September.

Book Formats

With Wind on the Withers, I only released a paperback version as it was my first book, however it has sold several hundred copies and continues to sell nearly two years after its initial release, so this time around I'm offering two options; a paperback or a premium hardcover edition, but the hardcover edition depends on the level of support.

The paperback edition will be light enough that it can be posted overseas at international letter rates, however the hardback will be a bit heavier, so will be more appropriate for people within New Zealand.

Depending on support, there are two possible size options. SRA5 is slightly larger than A5 which is a bit nicer as a coffee table book. A5 is a little bit smaller but it's possible to use a heavier weight of paper for paperback while still maintaining the book weight within the international letter rate limits. I need committment for at least 50 hardback and 200 paperback to go ahead with A5 size, or 250 of each to proceed with the larger SRA5 size.

Social Enterprise

In my preparation for the book, I was saddened to see how much of the riverbed and riparian zone is covered in weeds. The Marlborough District Council has ongoing plans to enhance and restore the river environment, however they always welcome community support. A number of community groups have helped over the years, but there's always lots more to be done, and never enough resources to get it done.

I'd like to give a something back to the river the book is about, by contributing something towards native plants to help with restoration of at least part of the river to something like what it must have once been like. I've had discussions with the council, and they'd gladly welcome contributions to help. A portion of every pledge will go to a fund to help buy native plants for the river. If your reward is a book and you live locally in Marlborough and want to pick the book up instead of having it posted, I don't have a separate pledge amount without postage, but I can increase the contribution for native plants.

I'm choosing to print in New Zealand and support local business and workers, even though I could save money by arranging printing through China. I've known what it's like to be unemployed or underemployed, so believe it is important to support other New Zealanders. This does mean you may find other similar sized books a little cheaper, but I don't believe the price difference is big enough to break anyone's wallet.

Books will be posted using recycled paper envelopes to minimise the amount of plastic packaging waste, and I encourage you to compost them.

Comments

Updates 1

You need to pledge to see this update.

    Pledgers 1

    Anonymous pledger
    17/07/2018 at 9:59pm

    "This is a fantastic initiative. Keep up the great work!"

    Followers

    Followers of Tales of the Taylor book

    Tales Of The Taylor Book

    Project 2018-06-12 21:59:28 +1200

    Tales of the Taylor is a sequel to my first self-published book, Wind on the Withers, and features the iconic Taylor River from source to its confluence with the Ōpaoa River in Blenheim.

    The book is a small coffee-table paperback of photography and poetry featuring 36 poems with accompanying images that celebrate the heritage of the river. There is also an introduction providing some historical and geographical background, and a Forword by Marlborough's mayor.   I've deliberately limited the size so that the book will be economical to post internationally for people who want to send it as a gift.

    The book is ready to print, but as I'm self publishing, there's a significant up-front cost, so I need to find out the level of interest before deciding on the print run and format.

    The official launch will be at the beginning of October, as this fits in with the Blenheim Library's Friends of the Library calendar, however I expect to have books on hand by early to mid September.

    Book Formats

    With Wind on the Withers, I only released a paperback version as it was my first book, however it has sold several hundred copies and continues to sell nearly two years after its initial release, so this time around I'm offering two options; a paperback or a premium hardcover edition, but the hardcover edition depends on the level of support.

    The paperback edition will be light enough that it can be posted overseas at international letter rates, however the hardback will be a bit heavier, so will be more appropriate for people within New Zealand.

    Depending on support, there are two possible size options. SRA5 is slightly larger than A5 which is a bit nicer as a coffee table book. A5 is a little bit smaller but it's possible to use a heavier weight of paper for paperback while still maintaining the book weight within the international letter rate limits. I need committment for at least 50 hardback and 200 paperback to go ahead with A5 size, or 250 of each to proceed with the larger SRA5 size.

    Social Enterprise

    In my preparation for the book, I was saddened to see how much of the riverbed and riparian zone is covered in weeds. The Marlborough District Council has ongoing plans to enhance and restore the river environment, however they always welcome community support. A number of community groups have helped over the years, but there's always lots more to be done, and never enough resources to get it done.

    I'd like to give a something back to the river the book is about, by contributing something towards native plants to help with restoration of at least part of the river to something like what it must have once been like. I've had discussions with the council, and they'd gladly welcome contributions to help. A portion of every pledge will go to a fund to help buy native plants for the river. If your reward is a book and you live locally in Marlborough and want to pick the book up instead of having it posted, I don't have a separate pledge amount without postage, but I can increase the contribution for native plants.

    I'm choosing to print in New Zealand and support local business and workers, even though I could save money by arranging printing through China. I've known what it's like to be unemployed or underemployed, so believe it is important to support other New Zealanders. This does mean you may find other similar sized books a little cheaper, but I don't believe the price difference is big enough to break anyone's wallet.

    Books will be posted using recycled paper envelopes to minimise the amount of plastic packaging waste, and I encourage you to compost them.

    Comments

    You need to pledge to see this update.

      Anonymous pledger
      17/07/2018 at 9:59pm

      "This is a fantastic initiative. Keep up the great work!"

      Followers of Tales of the Taylor book

      This campaign was unsuccessful and finished on 15/08/2018 at 12:00 AM.