Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis
A$50
of $1,500 targetyrs ago
This fundraising is to assist with publishing the novel
Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis
by Kevin Price.
Two strangers—a headstrong, determined girl and a buoyant, laconic Aboriginal youth—must become allies as they blunder into the arcane Kumakana Forest where one wrong move will mean certain death.Their sudden appearance is the spark that ignites tensions between two clans of cunning, voracious predators and the enigmatic guardians of the Natural Order, the Gronups. Embroiled in a life and death struggle, the duo discover ancient lore, inner strength and hidden talents, and their involvement becomes the key to the future of the mysterious world within the forest and, perhaps, their world outside.
Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis is a potent myth and legend thriller set in the southern forests of Western Australia in which a young girl finds herself in the clutches of a ruthless fox who believes her innocence will give him extra-ordinary powers. When the spiritual guardians of the forest set in play a plan to save the girl, they are also saving the indigenous animals and their world.
You can support this project by a donation as small as $2.00, or something more substantial. All donations are gratefully received and will go towards a well deserving project. Watch the video above to hear the beginning of the story, and be among the first to hear more. Special readings will be made available privately online to all donors.
Starting out as a columnist for Campaign Brief magazine in 1987, Kevin has written advertising copy and corporate literature for 25 years, producing work in all media including press, radio, television, outdoor and all forms of print and digital. He has been creative director of his own agency since 1991.
Since 2005, Kevin has been teaching students in Western Australian schools how to write their own stories and develop story writing craft with his unique program, Born Storytellers. Kevin's students are offered opportunity to be professionally published in an anthology of their work. In the past five years he has edited and published over 300 young writers from more than a dozen schools, in 27 books.
2009 saw Kevin return to study at Murdoch University in Perth. He expects to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative Arts and Creative Writing in June 2012 before embarking on post-graduate studies and research to further (not only his but also wider academic) knowledge in the field of story and the developing world of story writing craft.
Kevin started writing Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis ten years ago. It is a major work that explores much about Australian culture that has, hitherto, not been tackled by other writers. During that time, Kevin has worked closely with one of Australia's most respected fiction editors, Pamela Hewitt, to shape the work, which she describes as:"[A] rich adventure which tells an important story.
Part parable, part allegory, Gronups holds a strong environmental message that employs Aboriginal and European
understanding of the land and nature. Detailed research into Aboriginal
language and culture is playfully captured in a world of animals and spirits. A major achievement of the story is its blending of animal and
spirit, white and black, ancient and modern. The promise that the story holds
lies in the possibilities it opens up for understanding between humans and
nature, and between Aboriginal and white Australia."
30 only case-bound collectors' editions of the first edition of Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis will be allocated to main sponsors of this project. They will be signed by Kevin Price and numbered from the first donation out of 30. Although you can support this project by a donation as small as $2.00, you can have a collector's edition to sit proudly on your bookshelf. Once all 30 are allocated, there will be no more. Don't miss out, donate today.
Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis will feature illustrations by artist, Judith Price. These illustrations add a different dimension to the work, exploring the unique nature of the Australian bush and the adventure of the story's protagonist and her sidekick. You can get a sense of how the illustrations might develop from the images on this page, learn more about Judith here >> Judith Price, Artist.
This fundraising is required for final copy-editing and printing.
Draft copies of the manuscript have been read recently by interested 'first' readers and their feedback has been invaluable. According to them, Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis now requires only a few 'tweaks' to have it ready for its final edit before being published as a novel.
Prior to its publishing, however, final copy-editing is required and your financial assistance will enable that task to be carried out.
Kevin's family trust is the owner of Crotchet Quaver, a publishing imprint for notable work, which publishes the Born Storytellers anthologies. Gronups, the Kumakana Crisis will be initially published under the same imprint and made available as a case-bound collector's edition (hard cover), a soft cover paperback, a digital publication for kindle and other e-readers, and an audio book read by the author. The audio book and some of the digital productions will feature recordings of songs that have been written as part of the narrative. You can get a sense of the audio experience by watching the demo-video of Kevin reading the opening chapter of the story.
We have a funding target of $1500 to cover the final copy-editing and go part way toward the printing and marketing of the initial release. You can contribute at multiple levels from $2.00 to $50.00. All and every donation is gratefully received.
Even if you are unable to contribute financially, but you enjoy the reading or the songs, leave a comment. Everyone who leaves a comment will receive an invitation to the book launch.
We sincerely appreciate your contribution.
Kevin Price
Links >>
I know not everyone can afford a big donation at a time like this, so almost like a busker, here I am putting my hat out for the little bits of change. Although I can't sing or dance for you, apart from my undying love and gratitude, you'll go on my Facebook thank you page, and you will receive a personal invitation to the book launch, and be given access to a private online audio version to hear Kevin read more of the story. Look below for more substantial rewards.
0 chosen / 750 available
Est. delivery is Jun 26
I know not everyone can afford a big donation at a time like this, so almost like a busker, here I am putting my hat out for the little bits of change. But, how should I reward you? I can't sing or dance for you, so apart from my undying love and gratitude, you'll go on my Facebook thank you page, and you will receive a personal invitation to the book launch, and be given access to a private online audio version to hear Kevin read more of the story. Look below for more substantial rewards.
0 chosen / 300 available
Est. delivery is Jun 26
Your personal reward. An eBook of the published novel (in the format designated by the contributor) carrying a personal acknowledgement page of the contribution. All contributors receive a personal invitation to the book launch event, and given access to a private online audio version to hear Kevin read more of the story.
0 chosen / 75 available
Est. delivery is Jun 26
Your personal reward. A personally signed paperback copy of the novel accompanied by a letter and certificate from the author acknowledging the support, delivered to the address provided in the pledge. All contributors receive a personal invitation to the book launch event, and given access to a private online audio version to hear Kevin read more of the story.
1 chosen / 49 available
Est. delivery is Jun 26
Your personal reward. A numbered and personally signed case-bound copy of the novel with a personal letter and certificate from the author acknowledging the support, delivered to the address provided in the pledge. Numbered first editions only apply to hardback copies. Numbering will be allocated on a first come-first served basis. All contributors receive a personal invitation to the book launch event, and given access to a private online audio version to hear Kevin read more of the story.
0 chosen / 30 available
Est. delivery is Jun 26