Story of My Book
How to Be a Better Activist is exactly that: a resource for anyone who wants to create change. It’s a guide for anyone striving to make a social or political impact.
Politics is the art of telling stories; whether you know it or not, you have a story to tell. In a politically tumultuous time, voicing these stories and hearing others is exactly what can create meaningful progress. In the face of this adversity, many Americans choose one of two paths: they run from this chaos, or they embrace it. They flee, or they fight. For what? For lasting change that will ensure that future generations won’t have to feel this same fear of political disaster.
My name is Laasya Gadiyaram and I am the author of How to Be a Better Activist. I wrote this book because I want to help you take that second path: embracing change and partaking in political activism.
By reading this book, you can learn how to tell not just your own story, but the story of your community, too. I hope to impart upon you the same political passion and fervor that I’ve come to develop after interviewing such inspirational people and researching such important movements.
In this book, you'll learn about social change, both within the system and outside of the system. You'll hear...
- Interviews from Biden campaign staffers
- Stories from the congressional campaign trail
- Insight into the efficacy of different means of protest
If you want to make a difference but don’t know where to begin, this is the book for you! Everyone, no matter their age, has untapped potential and energy that can be put to use in political organizing. Every movement begins with individuals who band together to create change.
How to Be a Better Activist is a nonfiction book that speaks to young people growing up in political turmoil and future activists who want to look at their community and the world in a new way.
The Book - How to Be a Better Activist
The book is written in four parts.
Part 1: Introduction
Here you'll read about how the book is structured, what social movements will be discussed, and what strategies will be analyzed.
Part 2: Social Movements
A deep dive into three different social movements: the civil rights movement, feminist movement, and climate action movement. Within each movement, an activist is highlighted and analyzed in depth to show the power of an individual voice.
Part 3: Social Change
Interviews from author Jen Lambert, C.A.R.E leaders, and APAICS CEO Madalene Mielke detail how community mobilization can create a communal narrative.
Part 4: Systemic Change
Interviews from Amit Jani (National AAPI Director of Biden For America), Garima Verma (Director of Digital Outreach of Biden For America), and Phil Thompson (Coalitions Director for the Joint Campaign for Ossoff Warnock) describe how to create change within the government to reflect the population.
Part 5: Conclusion
A final discussion of what it truly means to make change, and how even just one action can result in resounding growth.
What I Need & What You'll Get
- This book will be published with New Degree Press. I set up the pre-order tiers to help cover the costs for publishing my book. Money raised will go towards the following:
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The Editor I will work with to revise and publish my manuscript in May, 2022.
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The Cover Design of my book. (The mockups you see currently are a placeholder!)
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The Layout Design for the interior of my book (physical copy, ebook formats).
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The Copyediting for my book to polish the grammar and spelling prior to publication.
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The Launch & Promotion Efforts for my book when I ultimately publish this Spring.
I am also offering some exclusive rewards for people who pre-order my book now:
- You will receive a personally signed copy of my book when I publish and a handwritten thank-you note.
- Your name will appear in the Acknowledgments section of my book (“with Special Thanks to”).
- You will receive early access to the Introduction and some excerpts from my book, with the opportunity to review it and give me early feedback.
- You will have the opportunity to be involved in selecting my cover and title.
- You will be invited to join my Author Community and get behind-the-scenes sneak peeks into the publishing process.
- And much more!
Campaign Goals
Tier 1: Hit $6,500 and the ebook/softcover editions get published (this is the minimum needed).
Tier 2: Hit $7,500 and the book will get a hardcover edition.
Tier 3: Hit $9,500 and we’ll get an audiobook edition.
About the Author
Laasya Gadiyaram is a high school senior passionate about political activism. She has worked as both a legislative and campaign intern, political science researcher, and director for civic education organizations. Through these experiences she has learned about politics as a whole, but also learned about how to make political education accessible. By gathering informative interviews and researching notable movements, she has consolidated necessary information into a resource to be used by young activists. Beginning her experience in activism and civic engagement, she oftentimes felt ill-equipt and unprepared. She hopes that this book can help many young people like her begin their journey into political work.
For more information, you can connect with Laasya at laasyapgadiyaram@gmail.com.
International Preorders
For international preorders, please do the following:
- Identify the perk that interests you, e.g. 1 or 2 paperbacks
- Select the pink "Back it" button to "Make a contribution" for the same amount (this choice bypasses the shipping address page)
- Use this form to share your mailing address, so I can calculate the international shipping costs and invoice you for that amount via PayPal/Venmo
Risks & Challenges
The biggest challenge with publishing a book is delivering the finished book to the backer, specifically my mailing of the book to you. I have eliminated this risk by building into the campaign the mailing and shipping costs of your signed copies to you within each pre-order tier.
The risk of delivering the pre-sale copies of my book is contingent on the publisher we use. I will be working closely with New Degree Press to make sure we get the earliest possible ship date of the signed book copy to you. We will keep all pre-sale backers up-to-date as my book hits each key milestone and publishes. You will know when the copies are expected to ship.
Other Ways You Can Help
Not everyone can support, but that doesn't mean you can't get something out of it!
I will reward the top 3 people who refer the most backers at the end of the campaign (30 days). Here's how:
- At the top of the campaign page, you will see the "share" buttons. Click on the "chain" icon to get a custom link just for you. (Note: don't use the URL in the browser window as it won't work to track referrals and you won't get credit)
- Copy that link and paste it on your social media, email it to a friend, or text a fellow book lover.
- When someone clicks on that link and backs the book, you get 1 entry!
Please use #HowToBeABetterActivist and tag me as well as my publisher, New Degree Press, so we can help amplify your efforts!
Tag:
Instagram - @laasya.gad / @newdegreepress
Thank you so much for of all of your love and support!
Thanks again,
Laasya Gadiyaram
