Why This Book Is Needed
This campaign’s goal is to raise $6,500
for a book covering the media war against Mayor Rob Ford under the working
title “Lynched: The Media War against Rob Ford.” I am a Toronto-based
writer and blogger, who has followed these events for years (often with total
disbelief). Why is it important to publish a book about a person, who has been
loathed by so many people?
Very
few politicians in the history of Canada have been the target of such vicious
and continuous campaign for destruction, organized by the media and special
interest groups, as Rob Ford has been. The attacks started long before any of
his personal problems were revealed. The lack of any sympathetic coverage about
a man, who has dedicated his life to serving the taxpayers, is disturbing.
Canada is described routinely as being one of the most polite and tolerant
countries in the world, yet the “progressive” media here can easily destroy a
person with the “wrong” political views.
This
is not just about Rob Ford – this is about exposing the ability of the media to
belittle and ruin a person, any person. And I am not talking about criticism of
his political views. That’s nothing – it is normal to criticize politician. The
issue is about the horrific way in which a human being is treated – hounded
methodically until his personality and his family are in shambles. It takes
extreme strength to withstand such pressure and on the surface it looks that
Ford has managed to handle the situation. However, his political career has
brought him no visible benefits after the long battles with those who hate his
politics, if we don’t count the satisfaction of his constituents.
(Theoretically, he would’ve been better off working in his business, but when people
with his convictions can’t hold an office, we will be served only by the
professional political freeloaders.)
It is important to tell that story,
because it is a precedent and a blueprint for dealing with any person who is
not liked by the media and the elites, often just because she or he has views
that don’t conform to what they think is better for us.
Telling
the truth in a sea of hostility is not an easy task. You can’t rely on the
mainstream media, because they routinely belittle Ford’s achievements and mock
his supporters as mindless idiots. Using mainstream publishers is not easier
either – it is possible to get a fat deal with them only if you follow the
official line and keep close to the “sacred” principles of political
correctness (as the authors who published books about his life have done).
What We Will Need to Succeed
That leaves the self-publishing venue.
Unfortunately, in that case there is no
publisher to bear most of the costs – the author has to take care of all steps
in the publishing process. As I mentioned in the beginning, the estimated
expenses are $6,500, which is a small fraction of what another fundraiser
collected with the intention to ruin Ford. (That is how life works – often you
can do good deeds with much less money.)
I also
said that I have followed Rob Ford’s career for many years, collecting
information and writing articles about him. At my website you can read that
coverage. I have systematized tons of materials, mostly articles, which will be
the basis for the book, including pieces that their authors may want to forget
(I am probably being optimistic here). There might be a need for some extra
research, but only a fraction of the money would be spent on that.
The bulk of the raised money will be
spent on preparing the book for publication. That will include editing and
proofreading of the manuscript (it is always important that a professional eye
checks the work for errors and repetitions). The book will be published in two
editions – electronic (iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and
downloadable PDF) and paperback. That would incur expenses for formatting both
editions – design and layout; there are different requirements for that.
Both versions will also need cover art,
which has to be formatted as an actual cover for each of them. A large amount
will be spent on advertising and promotion, which are important if we want the
book to reach as many people as possible. Also, money will be needed to fulfil
and deliver the items provided in the perks.
If the
campaign doesn’t reach its goal, I will cover the outstanding expenses myself,
but that would slow down the whole process. There could be a delay in releasing
the book. If we reach the goal, all the extra money will be applied to promotion
and development of a similar future project.
What You Get in Return for Your Support
Talking
of perks, here is what you will get for supporting that important book project.
The name of every person, who donated, will be listed with gratitude on the
webpage of the book project. Please let me know, if you don’t want your name
made public.
For
$10, you will get a personal thank-you e-mail; your name will be added to the
book webpage as a donor.
For
$25, you will get a personal thank-you e-mail; your name will be added to the
book webpage as a donor; you will also receive a postcard in the mail and a
digital copy of the book in one of the e-book formats listed above (before the
official launch).
For $50,
you will get a personal thank-you e-mail, handwritten thank-you post card in
the mail; your name will be added to the book webpage as a donor; you will also
receive a collection of photos related to the subject of the book (in digital
format) and a digital copy of the book personalized with your name.
For $100,
you will get a personal thank-you e-mail; handwritten thank-you post card in
the mail; your name will be added to the book webpage as a donor; you will
receive a collection of photos related to the subject of the book (in digital
format), three digital copies of the book personalized with your and your friends’
names and a copy of the printed edition signed for you or your friend.
For $300,
you will get a personal thank-you e-mail; handwritten thank-you post card in
the mail; your name will be added to the book webpage as a donor; you will
receive a collection of photos related to the subject of the book (in digital
format), five personalized digital copies of the book and three copies of the signed
printed edition.
For $500,
you will get a personal thank-you e-mail; handwritten thank-you post card in
the mail; your name will be added to the book webpage as a donor; you will
receive a collection of photos related to the subject of the book (in digital
format), five personalized digital copies of the book and two signed copies of
the printed edition, as well as an MP3 video player with unique videos related
to the subject of the book (all shot by me).
For
$1,000 you get all of the above – e-mail, postcard, name on the page, collection
of photos, five digital copies, three signed paper copies, MP3 video player
with videos – plus a dinner and a talk at a Toronto pub (travelling expenses to
Toronto not included).
PLEASE
NOTE: All
perks will be delivered in October 2014, with the exception of the printed
copies of the book. Due to the complexity of the publishing process, the
printed books will be delivered in November (you will be notified when and I will
do my best to release that edition as early as possible).
Risks
& Challenges
I am a reliable person and I complete every task I
start, especially when other people’s money and trust are at stake. A possible
risk is that some will probably try to sabotage and derail the project through
personal attacks – and that is almost sure, considering the subject I am
writing about. However, over the long years of writing on controversial
subjects (even when they are controversial only in the minds of the saboteurs)
I have received every possible threat, every insult and tons of hate mail. I
know very well how to handle the hate; it is even getting boring to do so.
Still, I will notify the donors on the webpage if anything like this happens.
Other
Ways You Can Help
Of course, not everybody can contribute
financially, even though they may support the project. In this case you can help
in different ways – if you have a website, Facebook, Twitter or other social
network account, or even only an e-mail, or if you speak to your friends only
face to face, you can still let them know about this endeavor. You never know
who and how is going to help to spread the word.
You
can make the task easier, if you use the share tools provided by Indiegogo
above.