#87 – R. Gregory Christie Kicks it with Kickstarter

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In this episode you’ll hear

• about the Hans Christian Anderson short list
• a public apology about messing up the name of the Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA
• a Julie Falatko (World of Julie ) review: Neville by Norton Juster, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

In the inteview you’ll hear Gregory and me talk about

• Gregory ‘s Kickstarter project
• why Gregory should be named Rockstar
• who my dad jammed with
• Yesterday I Had the Blues, one of my favorite books, written by Jeron Ashford Frame, ill. by Gregory
• when to send Gregory a birthday card
• author birthday blog
• my idea that didn’t get into Kickstarter
• gratitude to Jules Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
• between the lions hotandspicy episode
• tips for Gregory to further publicize

About this project

I come to kickstarter because my children’s and young teens’ book store,  needs a new look. I want to make children’s literacy as valued as the newest pair of sneakers. We desire a trendy looking store that puts literature along with tangible- handmade art on sleek pedestals and modern shelves.
I am an award winning children’s book artist, who is also a NY city to Decatur, GA. transplant. I’d like to bring my Brooklyn sensibility as well as my passion for history and culture to teens and parents who may have never thought about these things.
The store will feature my published children’s books and sell handmade products at a reasonable price. Additionally the mall’s management is fine with me bringing in creative friends to do weekend long intensive workshops. It would be a fulfillment of a dream to teach the community to stop buying back their own culture from corporations. Most of the expensive items they wait in a line for, can easily be made or personalized with their own creativity. I miss the days when kids would buy a brand, then paint it, tear it, sew it and redesign it in to their own expression.
Workshops teaching book-binding,painting,t-shirt production,silk screening,  even computer and cell phone cover design painting will be offered. I will have something to teach any aspiring art student or curious craft enthusiast.
This will be the first store of many, I hope to make a franchise out of this but for now it’s a Decatur, Georgia aspiration in a site that needs a serious makeover.