Recent updates

The latest news from our projects

  • So now I have the money, what happens next?

    An update for Independently publishing Solomon's Secrets

    Aug 25 2014

    Hello all of you fabulous people who backed my project!

    You'll be pleased to know that I've not left the country on the proceeds from the fund!

    Here's a progress update:

    I've been looking at how I can use the resources wisely to add value to the publication process and have been in talks with several different copy editors to get a professional edit, or at least partial edit, of the book. I've now sent off the first 10,000 words to a Bristol copy editing service that has been recommneded to me: http://www.alireynolds.co.uk

    I've spent a few quid on getting lots of promotional postcards printed and I've just ordered a new batch of the second edition of The Bronze Box for all of you who asked for the first book as a reward. They're being delivered in mid September so I will be getting in touch with you individually then about where to send them and what you'd like me to write inside with the signature.

    I still estimate that Solomon's Secrets will be launching in early October.

    For those of you who wanted both books - I can either send the Bronze Box first so you can start reading it or can send you both at the same time once Solomon's is ready. I'll contact you individually.

    In the meantime, if you'd like to see all the other little actions I've been working through towards my goal to be a successful writer here are a couple of links:

    1) I'm doing a 365 day project this year - Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author. I do one thing every day and update it weekly on my blog:

    http://ideaism.blogspot.co.uk/

    2) Like my Facebook author page for updates:

    https://www.facebook.com/AmyCFitzjohn

    3) Follow me on Twitter

    @TomCatDesigns

    Watch this space…

  • Lower start-up costs.

    An update for Bristol Volunteers Card

    Aug 19 2014

    We've luckily benefitted from some volunteer activity ourselves. A lovely person has agreed to do our website design for free so we have covered a large part of our start-up costs. Our goal now is £1800.

    We'd also like to welcome some new business supporters, who will be providing discounts for our cardholders:

     The Treehouse Cafe - Stokes Croft

    Quarter Furniture & Accessories - Gloucester Road

    and Italian Gents Hairdressers - Stokes Croft 

  • A new supporter.

    An update for Bristol Volunteers Card

    Aug 15 2014

    Due to the increasing publicity around our card, we are now welcoming the Arnolfini as our latest partner. THey will be offering concessionary rates to their events for all Bristol Volunteer Card holders. Thanks Arnolfini

  • First Day

    An update for Bristol Volunteers Card

    Aug 11 2014

    Donations coming through and a large number of views. It's great to see so much interest. We are also being retweeted by Bristol major George Ferguson and Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy as well as lots of other lovely Bristolians.

    We have added another reward level, open to Charities and Non-profit agencies only, to get involved from the start. £100 will get 10 cards and give your organisation first preference for our full rollout, which will be in stages. Please get in contact if you want any further information about this.

    Thanks for the support and we hope it continues!

  • Crowdfunding? Was it good for you...

    An update for Independently publishing Solomon's Secrets

    Jul 26 2014

    I had a really enjoyable interview recently and it's come out just in time before the pledges close.

    In the interview I talk about my experience of crowdfunding, my books and how I've tackled the marketing of my work.

    It's a great listen, with some tips for anyone considering crowdfunding or looking for some promotional ideas - enjoy:

    http://elitrier.com/interview-with-author-amy-morse/

    Ps..Keep telling everyone! I only have 2 days left...

  • 5 days, £274 - so close...

    An update for Independently publishing Solomon's Secrets

    Jul 23 2014

    I have just 5 days to go and only £274 to raise - I'm so close!

    Thank you to everyone who's pledged so far!

    After months of writing blog posts and articles for free, speaking at events for free, hours of hard work put in by the Fundsurfer team (unpaid), hundreds of miles travelled campaigning to get some support, so much encouragement from friends and family - it would be really sad to stumble at this last hurdle.

    Solomon’s Secrets is the best thing I’ve ever written, it deserves to be published (OK, I know I’m biased) – see for yourself by reading extracts on my Idea’ism blog: http://ideaism.blogspot.co.uk/

    Yes, I can publish it with Amazon like I did with my first book, but what I'd really like to do is to support a local independent publisher in Bristol and have the opportunity to get my book stocked in bricks and mortar bookshops and not just Amazon.

    If you have been thinking about buying my book(s) but are waiting until it’s already published, I urge you to act now. With the help of the experts I can publish a better, more professional book and redistribute some of the money that would otherwise only go to Amazon. I can increase my reach as a writer and take my writing dreams to the next level.

    Here’s a picture of me looking suitably pathetic, just to tug your heart strings!

     

    Spread the word.

    Support a writer.

    Support local independent business.

    Be part of something awesome !

     

    Thank you x

     

  • We have reached our first £1,000!

    An update for Re:work Bristol

    Jul 21 2014

    We are running round Filwood Broadway doing our specially choreographed victory dance.

    Thank you for your generosity and support.

    Re:work

     

  • Week One.

    An update for Re:work Bristol

    Jul 18 2014

    Wow! It has been an exciting first week of our fund surfer campaign. We are really touched by people’s generosity.  Not only have we been surprized by the amount of pledges but also the general willingness to champion our appeal through social media and word of mouth.

    I foresee an emotional roller-coaster across the coming 59 days.

    Watch this space!

    Re:work.

  • Thank you for your support so far!

    An update for The Man's Hands - Darren Hodge's Music Video

    Jul 14 2014

    Hello everyone, and thanks for all the support and pledges you've given so far!

    There's still quite a way to go though - I need your help in spreading the word about my campaign and persuading people to donate.

    Fundsurfer has offered to extend my deadline by 14 days to achieve this, hopefully we can hit the target because we have gained some momentum in the last few weeks.

    So if you've already donated, please tell your friends to do the same, and if you haven't donated yet, then now's the time.

    I can't make this video without you!

    Thanks,
    Darren.

  • The Filming Continues

    An update for Protect our NHS: One Thousand Thank Yous

    Jul 8 2014

    This is just a quick update to reassure backers that we are still hard at it.  We have started on the edit of the material we had already shot and have filmed the rehearsal for The Big Sing - the Flash Choir which will be performing outside one of Bristol's hospitals later this month.  50 people came to the rehearsal and we're expecting a lot more singers on the day.  The song is an adaption of Ray Davies' Thank you for the Days' which we'll be singing to the NHS staff at the hospital.  The rehearsal sounded great with the voice parts arranged by one of the regions leading choir teachers.

    Thank you for the care,
    That endless care, that selfless care you gave me.
    I’m thinking of the care,
    I won’t forget a single day, believe me.

    I bless the Nurse,
    I bless the doctors and the staff believe me.
    And though I’m home,
    You’re with me every single day, believe me...

    More to come soon.

    Thanks once again,

    Steve