Our Amazing CrowdFunding Journey
When Sheena Vassiliades and I set out to make our first ever Rocky Book, we set out to make something that we would have wanted when we were children.
For me, personally, the last 2 years (almost!) have been a form of healing. Yes, it's weird that I write storybooks about trauma for children, but oh how I wished that there was someone somewhere who truly understood what I was feeling - the bad feelings in my tummy, the constant alertness, and the anxiety that I still live with today.
Rocky Books Co makes FREE trauma-informed (writing, illustration, and advice from a qualified therapist) storybooks for children who have or are experiencing any form of trauma.
In 2021 we interviewed and hired Arpita Sawant, when we had never worked with an illustrator before and had NO IDEA WHAT WE WERE DOING!! Luckily for us, Arps held our hands through our first 4 Rocky Books and we created something the 3 of us are truly proud of.
We got the funds to pay our illustrator through crowdfunding. Our friends and family stepped up and pushed us forward.
In 2022 we got Nirupama Vishwanath on board for our Gaslighting book (#5) - an incredible resource for young people dealing with a very complex and confusing situation. Sheena and I were more experienced for this one, and it was incredible fun working with Niru on this beautiful book!
We got the funds to pay our illustrator through crowdfunding. Again, through the generosity and support of our friends and family, and some strangers.
A few months ago, a devastating earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, displacing thousands of people. The most affected are children. We couldn't forget about the tragedy, so we called up Arpita and Nirupama and asked - on short notice - if they would help us make a Trauma Support Booklet.
They said yes, and again, we asked for the money through crowdfunding. Our reach was wider this time, and people gave their money and time.
We made enough money to make 2 booklets - one focused on displacement and one focused on grief. We got 4 volunteer translators on board from Turkey, the UK, Jordan, and Sudan. We got Robert Thompson on board as a colourist.
These booklets are nearly ready, and we cannot wait to share them with the children and families who need them the most.
And we need a website. We haven't built one yet due to lack of funds, but we're raising the money now with the support, as always, of our friends, family, and champions.