The Dreams We Live (Book)

Hi,

Thanks for caring to read! You've kindness in your heart. We know that. It's that we value more than anything else. Your goodwill matters a lot to us.

We ask your kind support for our book project.

The Dreams We Live

Cute and sweet, little Sam is a seven-years old kid, diagnosed with autism. He lives a lonely life in the neighborhood of Overview Lane. From xylophone to X-box he has got all the cool toys, but he has always felt friendless and unloved – and has been doing bad at his school. His deeply affectionate parents, teachers and therapists have tried everything but have been disappointed.

But when eight-years old Agnes, a sprightly dyslexic girl, moves into the lane with her single-mom, she takes it upon herself to greedily get Sam to play with her so she would get to have fun with his toys. But how will she do so with a boy who remains lost in himself and prefers to stare unceasingly at walls rather than at T.V. screen?

There’s something about the hyper-active, dyslexic, and slightly plump girl that does make Sam get out of his introversion and see life with all its liveliness. But how does that happen? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

The Dreams We Live, co-written by Paul Smith, narrates the almost fairytale-like story of Sam and Agnes who form a strange but unbreakable bond of friendship and influence each other in more ways than they can imagine.

Why it Matters So Much to Me?

And this is not just any book. I’ve my sweet, little personal reason to see it published: My own little niece, Stephanie Walker, seven years old, whom I loved more than anything or anyone in the world.

She suffered from primary dyslexia but still she was such a joyful, lively girl that everyone loved to hang out with her. Every time my sister and her husband had to go somewhere alone, I made sure that they left Stephie in my care. Unfortunately, she made her journey to God two-years ago and left her entire family and me in a devastated state. But she was the one who has inspired me to write this 27000 words children book. This book is dedicated to the lovely memory of my dear Stephie, as I used to call her affectionately.

My bestfriend, Paul Smith, has co-written this book and has helped me in many ways.  He knew Stephanie  and  she inspired him as much as she inspired me. 

Why We Need to Self-publish?

This is my first book, but Paul's second. So far We've received fifty-six rejections for it. But I really want to have this book published which means I need your kind support to make my dream come true. I so wanted to have it published by some big publisher like HarperCollins or Penguin as I think my Stephanie Walker deserved the best of the best.

A few of the agents even said that they don’t represent books that focus on irrational ideas involving issues such as dyslexia and autism and that these ideas do not sell. What Paul and I don’t understand is how come a lovely story – that’s inspired even me to hold onto hope and overcome Stephanie’s loss – like this is irrational and unsellable? It pains heart to know that my idea – that means so much to me – has been declared irrational. Yet I’ve vowed that no matter what, I’ll get this book published and thereby honor the spirit of Stephie, my wonderful angel. My friend, Paul, supports me completely for he believe that hope means a lot!

Please make my wish come true.

What We'll Do…

We'll use the money for:

-having the book edited, proofread and formatted.

-having its cover designed

-having a couple of illustrations done to go with every second or third chapter.

-signing offer with the publisher

-getting a few dozens of copies printed

What You Can Do…

We'd equally appreciate if you’d

-promote this book on social networks (as we're going to self-promote it to keep costs lower)

-provide us suggestions about self-publishing (this is our first time)

-give us your feedback about the pitch of the book.

-encourage me to go on!

-pray to God that Stephanie’s soul rests in eternal piece.

-pray to God that The Dreams We Live gets published

-pledge your material support

In order to self-publish, I need at least $4700. Fortunately, my friends and family and Paul's have been helpful enough to donate about $3400 (It must be mentioned that seven-hundred dollars were donated by my sister, Eliza Walker, the mother of Stephanie Walker. Also, four-hundred dollars were donated by Jane, Paul's partner.). Now I need you to help us fill the gap of $1300. It’s a print on demand thing.

Every dollar you donate brings us one step closer to realizing our dream – to propagate the spirit of Stephanie Walker. Just so you know, it was indeed her spirit that helped me overcome the grief and find love even after she is gone.  

As a matter of fact, if this book sells well, we're going to donate all the profit to The International Dyslexia Association and Autism Speaks. It’s not even about profit. We just want people out there to know that there’s hope even if grief and trouble have hit them. Dyslexia, Autism and ADHD are all treatable and the thing the children need most is YOUR love. The love of their loved ones. We loved our Stephanie with our heart and soul.

Please help us realize our dream.

Thanks,

Caroline Reed and Paul Smith

P.S. Drop your e-mail if you choose to have a reward that needs to be e-mailed to you! And send us your mailing address through a personal messge on twitter or Facebook if you opt to get a signed copy!!!!!