This is the biggest thing I've ever done.
I can't even really find the words to send this email, because... well... it just means that much to me.
The second I watched this video? I teared up.
My daughter is reading lines from journals I wrote when I was her age...
For years, I've been wanting to publish my book.
I hired a book coach to help me with the book proposal. That didn't really go anywhere, because after reaching out to a few agents, I heard the same response:
"You're trying to publish a memoir? You need a really big platform."
I don't have one.
Then, I explored self-publishing.
I hired another coach. While the outline we worked on would be a good book, it wasn't the book I wanted to write. She also told me that even if I were to get a book deal with the "Big 5" publishers (now the "Big 4"), I would still need $150K to market myself, because they wouldn't be doing much for me.
Then, I explored hybrid publishing.
This meant I would pay a lot of money to someone to help take me through the publishing process, and ultimately, it'd still be... not what I wanted.
Finally, I reached out to a publicist in my coaching group who shared her expansive expertise in traditional publishing, read my book proposal, and said:
"You definitely have something here. But, traditional publishers are VERY conservative — your sample chapter? Well, it's not for them."
Nothing felt right. So, I went back to the beginning.
I asked myself, "What do I want?"
✔ I want to make an impact.
✔ I want to help people who are going through hard times.
✔ I want to take all the challenges I went through growing up to create a resource for anyone currently struggling with the same challenges. Of being an outcast, the black sheep. Of being a child of immigrants with so many expectations to live up to. Of being someone who simply couldn't fall in line.
A couple of weekends ago, I was in L.A. and heard Mark Groves, founder of Create the Love, reminded us there are two key things that we all need to thrive:
The freedom for self-expression
The feeling of belonging
Yet, we will sacrifice #1 if we feel like #2 is at risk.
For me to find #2? I had to pursue #1.
And that's how this idea for my Kickstarter came about.
The thing that was missing? I wasn't doing this just for me.
I was doing it for all of us who haven't had a voice.
I was doing it for the person who's tried to "do everything right," and still found themselves miserable.
I was doing it for the younger me, the one who wished I had the guidance to know there was another path I could pursue that would support my mental + emotional health. That one day, I could live in a world where I was supremely happy being fully aligned with my core values — and that it would heal my relationship with my parents, too.
I was never doing this for me. I was doing this for "us."
If you've been following me for a while, I'd be honored if you would click on the "Notify me on launch" button for my Kickstarter.
And, please share it with anyone you think would benefit from knowing that they're not alone in what they're going through.
It would mean the world to me. Truly.
Love,
Judy
P.S. My campaign officially goes live on September 23, 2024. You can click on the "Notify me on launch" button to be the first to know.
