Big Wish Press – world books to change the story for Syrian kids
Brighton, England, United Kingdom
Every child has a right to education. The civil war in Syria has caused millions of children to be displaced. Thousands have fled Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas of conflict. Many of them have not have any form of schooling for up to four years. The world cannot afford a lost generation of children. Let’s give them the foundation to build a better future. Let’s get these children back in the classroom and bring smiles to their faces.
Governments are failing to address this problem; it is up to us to help these kids now. The task is immense – but it is not hopeless. I believe that by relying on our own individual skills and interests we can effect change. In my case, that means children’s books, international publishing and my love for other languages and cultures.
Part one: we can approach this as a conventional sponsorship opportunity! I am undertaking a series of swim events starting on 1st July with a two-mile splash in the Royal Docks, moving to the sea later in the summer and ending in a chilly lido in the autumn. Brrr.
Part two: I am collaborating with Julie Kacmaz, founder of Heart ELT (see website here), to launch Big Wish Press. Initially, we will publish Arabic children’s books translated into English. It seems fitting that the Big Wish Press should bring books from the Arab world in the first instance. I am hoping to work with a couple of publishers whose families are themselves refugees. Later, I will also be on the lookout for books originally published in other languages. I have spent over twenty years finding homes overseas for UK-originated books. Now, I want to start making more of the world’s books available here in the UK.
Proceeds will go to Heart ELT – a not-for-profit publisher – and the projects it supports, such as the We Are Here! project in Greece.
Heart ELT creates essential resources, support and teacher training to volunteers working in zero resouce classrooms and challenging circumstances. These volunteers are often working in isolation and have no resources except the materials and ideas they take with them.
By collaborating on crowdsourced projects to create practical materials for safe learning spaces and makeshift classrooms, Heart ELT is starting to make a difference. But there is much more to be achieved.
How much money do I need and what will this be spent on?
The first thing to say is that we want donations for Heart ELT who are providing support for the We Are Here! project now that the camp at Idomeni has been closed. The centre is doing a great job in giving children – and their parents – access to education and a sense of fulfilment.
BIG WISH PRESS: I will be working for free (of course!) and I am asking partner publishers to donate the texts and art for their books, but the reality is that authors and illustrators deserve to be paid for their work. I want and need to pay royalties to them. The royalties will come from book sales, of course. Some authors and publishers want payment in advance, which is a norm in the book world.
Before I can sell a single copy, I need to get the books translated, designed, printed and marketed. While I am hoping that people will donate their time free of charge, the reality of book publishing is that it takes more time and effort than can reasonably be expected for free.
A big cost will be printing the promotional flyers and the books themselves. Big Wish Press will operate on a print-on-demand basis but printing one book at a time makes the books expensive and it makes sense to crowdfund the initial printings. I will send a book to everyone who donates £25 or more, two books for £50 and so on…
I am not yet at liberty to reveal what the books will be. They are originally published in Arabic, covering themes relevant to the Middle East and refugees. The aim of a Big Wish Press book will always be to engage, to heighten compassion and to develop understanding and empathy – much like all the best books in fact! Details to follow.
The first swim is less than a week away, I have a contract template ready to go. I just need to get fundraising. Please help!
Thanks.
Andrew
Lauren Mitchell
-
$1,500.00
Funding Goal -
$0.00
Funds Raised -
0
Days to go -
Campaign Never Ends
Campaign End Method
Product Description
Brighton, England, United Kingdom
Every child has a right to education. The civil war in Syria has caused millions of children to be displaced. Thousands have fled Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas of conflict. Many of them have not have any form of schooling for up to four years. The world cannot afford a lost generation of children. Let’s give them the foundation to build a better future. Let’s get these children back in the classroom and bring smiles to their faces.
Governments are failing to address this problem; it is up to us to help these kids now. The task is immense – but it is not hopeless. I believe that by relying on our own individual skills and interests we can effect change. In my case, that means children’s books, international publishing and my love for other languages and cultures.
Part one: we can approach this as a conventional sponsorship opportunity! I am undertaking a series of swim events starting on 1st July with a two-mile splash in the Royal Docks, moving to the sea later in the summer and ending in a chilly lido in the autumn. Brrr.
Part two: I am collaborating with Julie Kacmaz, founder of Heart ELT (see website here), to launch Big Wish Press. Initially, we will publish Arabic children’s books translated into English. It seems fitting that the Big Wish Press should bring books from the Arab world in the first instance. I am hoping to work with a couple of publishers whose families are themselves refugees. Later, I will also be on the lookout for books originally published in other languages. I have spent over twenty years finding homes overseas for UK-originated books. Now, I want to start making more of the world’s books available here in the UK.
Proceeds will go to Heart ELT – a not-for-profit publisher – and the projects it supports, such as the We Are Here! project in Greece.
Heart ELT creates essential resources, support and teacher training to volunteers working in zero resouce classrooms and challenging circumstances. These volunteers are often working in isolation and have no resources except the materials and ideas they take with them.
By collaborating on crowdsourced projects to create practical materials for safe learning spaces and makeshift classrooms, Heart ELT is starting to make a difference. But there is much more to be achieved.
How much money do I need and what will this be spent on?
The first thing to say is that we want donations for Heart ELT who are providing support for the We Are Here! project now that the camp at Idomeni has been closed. The centre is doing a great job in giving children – and their parents – access to education and a sense of fulfilment.
BIG WISH PRESS: I will be working for free (of course!) and I am asking partner publishers to donate the texts and art for their books, but the reality is that authors and illustrators deserve to be paid for their work. I want and need to pay royalties to them. The royalties will come from book sales, of course. Some authors and publishers want payment in advance, which is a norm in the book world.
Before I can sell a single copy, I need to get the books translated, designed, printed and marketed. While I am hoping that people will donate their time free of charge, the reality of book publishing is that it takes more time and effort than can reasonably be expected for free.
A big cost will be printing the promotional flyers and the books themselves. Big Wish Press will operate on a print-on-demand basis but printing one book at a time makes the books expensive and it makes sense to crowdfund the initial printings. I will send a book to everyone who donates £25 or more, two books for £50 and so on…
I am not yet at liberty to reveal what the books will be. They are originally published in Arabic, covering themes relevant to the Middle East and refugees. The aim of a Big Wish Press book will always be to engage, to heighten compassion and to develop understanding and empathy – much like all the best books in fact! Details to follow.
The first swim is less than a week away, I have a contract template ready to go. I just need to get fundraising. Please help!
Thanks.
Andrew
Lauren Mitchell
| ID | Name | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1244 | Listing Agent | [email protected] | |
| 1215 | Listing Agent | [email protected] |
