Campaign Update
WOW - We have surpassed $8,000! Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey.
All future pre-orders will receive a free bookmark set as well as 3 art prints inspired by space (images attached above).
To pay it forward, 50% of all contributions above the $8,000 goal will be donated to a COVID-19 mental health crisis relief, specifically the International OCD Foundation. Many studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic is relentlessly exacerbating our mental health, particularly for patients with illnesses such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that are vulnerable to high stress, anxiety, and lack of control.
Even though we only have around 40 hours left in the campaign, I will continue to work hard to raise funds for my first book and also support those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Story of My Book
Into the Unknown: Human Curiosity, Politics, and Prejudice in the True Space Age is about how we can stay curious, connected, and educated as humanity enters the new “True Space Age” in the upcoming years.
My name is Ellena Hyeji Joo and I am the author of Into the Unknown. I wrote this book for my brother, who is a high school student interested in space, aliens, and pretty much all the popular franchises set in space. As our daily conversations on space, aliens, and the upcoming milestones in humanity grew, I realized that this is a critical topic! What will we do in the face of so much unknown as we enter space? Do we understand space? Do we understand who we are in the universe?
My hope is that, in reading this book, you will discover what it means for you to be part of one species dedicated to exploring its meaning beyond our planet, solar system, or even our galaxy. In this book, I hope to instill in you the same sort of passion and excitement that I have for space. Ultimately, I want you to see this book as a tool to help you feel excited for the True Space Age and feel equipped with the challenges and information that come hand-in-hand with our entering space.
In this book, you’ll learn about space, aliens, and humanity. You’ll hear stories such as...
- Why we are attracted to the idea of aliens as creatures that will come invade our planet
- What it means for us that federal agencies like NASA (with political motives) are leading space exploration projects and the politics behind space exploration
- What it means that space exploration is becoming increasingly privatized and how companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are benefiting and undermining technological advancements in space
- How we can protect our sense of wonder when it comes to space
You will love this book if you enjoy the Marvel Universe, Star Wars, Star Trek, and any movies set in space with aliens, but you have also always been attracted to understanding why we gravitate towards these movies and are inclined to explore the questions such movies raise.
Into the Unknown: Human Curiosity, Politics, and Prejudice in the True Space Age is a nonfiction book that speaks to the ordinary person curious about space, young space entrepreneurs, and space enthusiasts who want to look at the meaning of “aliens” and “space” in a new way.
The Book - Into the Unknown: Human Curiosity, Politics, and Prejudice in the True Space Age
The book is written in 3 parts.
Part 1 contains the introduction and chapters 1 - 4. It explores “how we got here,” including our brief history of aliens, alienation, why we are afraid of all things aliens or ‘unknown’ or ‘spacey’ and why these questions are critical to answer and discuss right now.
Part 2 contains chapters 5-7. This section explores principles of positive alien engagement and for “aliens” on Earth as well.
Part 3 contains chapters 8-11. This section explores how to live a curious, and open-minded life to prepare for the True Space Age. It goes over controversial topics, such as "Why is America turning space American?"; and how can we stay realistic but hopeful and optimistic for upcoming discoveries?
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:
- The editor I will work with to revise and publish my manuscript in April, 2021.
- The cover design of my book. (The mockups you see currently are a placeholder!)
- The layout design for the interior of my book (physical copy, ebook formats).
- The copy editing for my book to polish the grammar and spelling prior to publication.
- The translation for my book to publish a version that my parents and friends in South Korea can read.
- The launch & promotion efforts for my book when I ultimately publish this Spring of 2021.
When I pre-sell 120 copies of my book, I will publish a paperback and ebook. When I pre-sell 150 copies of my book, I will also publish a hardcover edition. When I pre-sell 200 copies of my book, I will publish a hardcover edition and an audiobook.
I am also offering some exclusive rewards for people who pre-order my book now:
- You will be invited to "moonshot" workshops I host on how to use space as a "space" for curiosity, imagination and connection!
- You will receive a personally signed copy of my book when I publish.
- Your name will appear in the Acknowledgments section of my book.
- You will receive early access to the Introduction and other excerpts from my book, with the opportunity to review them 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!
About the Author
Ellena Hyeji Joo is a senior at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service. She is majoring in International Politics and minoring in Journalism.
Ellena wrote this book because she is passionate about answering bigger, deeper questions whose answers may be key to protecting our future, values, and evolving our humanity to stay focused on what really matters. Ellena hopes to leave an impact in young adults who seek a career that requires curiosity, creativity, and thinking outside the box (or even outside of the planet). She is curious about how difficult conversations can change the world, such as why it is difficult to stay actively curious and optimistic in the space age.
Ellena loves spending time with her family, especially her younger brother, who loves to introduce her to new series on space (there are so many!) and guide her through the messy, but wonderful thoughts a person can have surrounding the topics of space and aliens. She loves reading, writing, and chasing dogs and cats in her neighborhood even though she knows she is deathly allergic to them (the animals also seem allergic to her over enthusiasm).
For more information, you can connect with Ellena Hyeji Joo at hj231@georgetown.edu or at @ellenajoo_writes on instagram.
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 including the cost of mailing and shipping the signed copies into 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 ship the pre-order rewards to you as early as possible. We will keep all pre-sale backers up-to-date as to when my book will publish. You will know when the copies of my book you pre-ordered are expected to ship.
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
- Please share my pre-sale campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with your friends, family and network. Please use #IntotheUnknown and tag me as well as my publisher, New Degree Press, so that we can help amplify your efforts.
- You can easily share my pre-sale campaign via Indiegogo at the top of the page.
- Please share my book with 5 friends, family members, or co-workers who you think would enjoy it via text or direct message on social media.
Thank you so much for all of your love and support!
Thanks again,
Ellena Hyeji Joo