'The Tramp' novel + music CD

AU$6,223
of $6,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 4th Jun 2016 at 12:05AM.


I’d like to talk to you about dreams, and about one in particular. I woke with this story fresh in my mind; a song the down-and-out musician played still rattled around in my head. I couldn’t remember words, but the chords and vocal melody was fresh. Best get it down before I forget throughout the bustle of a working day, I said to myself, and so I did.

I jotted a rough storyline based on the morsel this pivotal moment, my dream, had offered, and over the next fifteen months expanded and massaged that fragment into a manuscript. I wrote a song from the tatters of that dream, and then wrote another song, and another and another - inspired by the emerging life of my central character. From the storyline, songs evolved, and musical ideas inspired unexpected twists and turns in my story.



THIS IS NO PICNIC
This is the tale of one man’s battle; a tale of turning away, alienation and finally, through the help of some caring strangers, a hope of redemption. The songs are stories in themselves, where the man has decided not to talk about his past, that past emerges in the songs he composes. While he sings his stories, he still manages to find insight – even humour.

Here is a snippet of the novel's back cover blurb: “London, 1989: On the verge of musical recognition, tragedy tears Robert Aitken’s world apart. He turns his back on the city, the industry and the people he loves; walking away with little more than two guitars, a hat in a box and ‘the beast’ shadowing his every move …”



INTRIGUING?
It damned near took over my life. With steely determination I looked for ways to turn the manuscript into a living, breathing novel and not to sit gathering dust in the drawer with the others, as my wife had demanded. I spoke with publishers, gathered cost expectations for editing and marketing the novel, and recording the CD - and soon I had a better understanding of just what was at stake. I contacted Arts Tasmania about the possibility of a grant, they suggested their crowd-funding partner - and whammo, here I am, up live on Pozible, cap in hand and an expectant smile on my face.

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING
I have decided to partner with Create Space, a division of Amazon, to publish this first edition of the novel and general-release CD. I will, however, create a SPECIAL EDITION of the CD, in card packaging and booklet, for my crowd-funding supporters and other special occasions where a personal touch is warranted.

A LIVE TRACK
Following is a version of one of Robert's songs: one of Robert's dreams, so me dreaming of a dream of a dream ...




Some more of my other work

WRITING:
My first extensive creative writing project, ‘Watcher of the Moon’, was given a positive assessment by Driftwood Manuscripts in South Australia. But then the ‘grander’ story evolved into a much wider landscape, with the ‘WOTM’ becoming the second of 3 books in a newly planned trilogy. Book 1 is in hiatus while ‘The Tramp’ has received preferential treatment.

Another novel and a children’s book are also underway, but again on-hold while I concentrate on ’The Tramp’.

Feedback I received from a Tasmanian publishing house some months ago suggested ‘The Tramp’ novel and CD offers the opportunity and a point of difference from other works of new fiction, and, considering there is a third aspect to the project: the musical stage drama, (stage adaptation in production), I was assured ‘The Tramp’, promises to be in a genre with few peers.




A Teaser

A pre-edited excerpt from The Tramp, by Michael Cannon:

"This is a pub?" Dennis asked as he unbuckled his seat belt. "You must've 'ad some balls to walk in 'ere in the first place."
"No," Samantha reminded him. "A failing bladder, if you recall."
"Well, it could have been a biker den for all you knew."
"What's more and I hate to say it, my second coffee's come through." Samantha opened the door, stepped onto the overgrown gravel car park and headed for the entrance.
"What a positively horrible dump," Sally said, "are we really going in there? Surely there are nicer pubs if we go into Wynyard?"
"We're here for this one, don't forget," Stuart said over his shoulder as he followed his wife towards the pub.
Sally shrugged, grabbed her camera bag and purse. Dennis ensured the windows were all up, pressed the remote lock, and then jogged to catch up with his wife.
Dennis walked to the bar while Stuart stared into the dark corner, hardly believing what he saw: on the dais sat two chairs, one microphone, two guitars, and hanging over the headstock of one, a mauve fedora.
"What's Sam's poison?" Dennis asked as Stuart reached the bar.
"Pint of Eddings Dark." Stuart spoke as if in a trance. "Same here."
Dennis opened his wallet and waited until a tall, heavy-set man approached. "What'll it be?" the man asked flatly.
Dennis assumed this was the man with the poor telephone manner. Appearing to be in his late sixties, a second look suggested life, genetics or both might not have been kind to him, and indeed he may have been younger. Six-one, largely built and despite the evident stoop, Dennis guessed that at one time he might have been a handful. His rolled sleeves revealed faded tattoos over wrinkled forearms. There was no evidence etched on the man's face that smiling had been a common pastime, and at that particular moment the man found no reason to break with his tradition.
"Four pints of, er..." Dennis glanced at Stuart.
"Eddings Dark Ale."
"Keg's down." The man spoke with little interest. "Got bottles of Eddings Dark, and draught or light on tap."
"Four of the dark ale bottles then, ta. Dennis is my name."
"That's nice." The barman looked over to Stuart and, as if it was an unusual occurrence said, "You been ‘ere before."
"September last year," Stuart answered as Samantha walked from the toilets and found a table by a window. The barman gazed at her. "Oh yeah, I remember. Menu?"
"Yes please. My name is Dennis." The introduction was a little less friendly than before.
The barman turned to Dennis and looked down at his extended hand. Perhaps he was having second thoughts about being a tough guy. "Rusty, because of this." He pointed to receding red hair, tied back from his face. He took Dennis' hand firmly. "Rusty Faulkner.”


How The Funds Will Be Used

I ask for help, for you to be a part of this journey, to choose one of the rewards; dangled carrots to tantalise the taste-buds of your spirit of enthusiasm and generosity.

SELF PUBLISHING
I have decided to partner with Create Space, a division of Amazon, to publish this first edition of the novel and general-release CD. I will, however, create a special edition of the CD, in card packaging, for my crowd-funding supporters — and other special occasions where a personal touch is warranted.

ALL OR NOTHING
As you may understand with crowd-funding, it is all or nothing, so forget I asked for $10k in the video. If I were to ask for $10k in support and receive pledges of an amazing $9,999, the drive will be considered unsuccessful, you get to keep your dollars and I am forced to sell the dog (Poppy would, really, rather not go anywhere else). With that in mind, I’m hoping that $6,000 is not too much to ask to help turn this dream into a reality. Is it, really too much to ask?

THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING COSTS
'The Tramp', novel:
1] Second edit (first already covered): $3,500 est.
2] Production: $2,000 est.

'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken', CD:
1] Production: $15,000 est.
2] Mastering: $1,500.00 est.
3] Short run CD replication, & packaging: $1,300.00 est.


The Challenges

FROM HERE:
Being an independent author and musician, trying to be seen and heard, comes with its own challenges. However, with the Amazon / Create Space platform for both paperback and CD, plus music marketing through Kindle, Bandcamp and iTunes, as well as Spotify, Google Play and other digital store partners of Tunecore, there is the opportunity to market my product worldwide. On a more intimate level, I intend to promote the works through radio interviews, appearances, venue performances, ‘house concerts’ and social media - as well as Independent book and CD retailers.

STAGE:
The success of the novel and CD will determine the potential for the stage drama, which is already in development. I have received encouragement from two established playwrights.

While The Tramp is purely a work of fiction, its subject matter touches on relevant social and emotional situations resulting from loss, trauma, and other life changing events. 

I see this project as a platform to devote more time away from my professional life as a graphic designer, to my passion for creative writing and music.

$10 donation

Every bit helps! You will receive a very special thank you on my Facebook page and Blog site - and attract good karma!

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Oct 16

Music CD or Novel

'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CD in a special edition card wallet with booklet and lyrics OR 'The Tramp' paperback

4 chosen

Est. delivery is Oct 16

Signed CD + Novel + Extra

'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CD in a special edition card wallet with booklet and lyrics + digital CD download + 'The Tramp' paperback + Kindle download + 'The Tramp' bookmark

11 chosen

Est. delivery is Oct 16

Signed CD+ Novel + Extras

A signed copy of 'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CD in a special edition card wallet with booklet and lyrics + digital CD download + 'The Tramp' paperback + Kindle download + 'The Tramp' bookmark + White T-shirt, printed on the front with a reference from the novel

4 chosen

Est. delivery is Oct 16

Double Whammy

2 signed copies of 'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CDs in a special edition card wallet with booklet and lyrics + digital CD download + 2 copies of 'The Tramp' paperback + Kindle download + 2 'The Tramp' bookmarks + 2 White T-shirts, printed on the front with a reference from the novel

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Oct 16

Double Whammy + Extras

2 signed copies of 'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CDs in a special edition card wallet with booklet and lyrics + digital CD download + A special thank you on the CD artwork + 2 copies of 'The Tramp' paperback + Kindle download + 2 'The Tramp' bookmarks + 2 White T-shirts, printed on the front with a reference from the novel + 2 extra recorded tracks from the CD on separate handwritten CD + A5 limited edition print

6 chosen / 6 available

Est. delivery is Oct 16

The Ultimate

The 4-string cigar box guitar, as used on the CD 2 signed copies of 'The Tramp: The Music of Robert Aitken' CDs in a special edition card wallet + booklet + lyrics + digital CD download + Your name as Executive Producer on CD pack + 2 copies of 'The Tramp' paperback + Kindle e-book + 2 'The Tramp' bookmarks + 2 White T-shirts, printed on the front with a reference from the novel + 2 extra recorded tracks from the CD on separate handwritten CD + A5 limited edition print + FREE freight

1 chosen / 0 available

Est. delivery is Oct 16