Veronica Kirin's Blog

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!  Stories of Elders has won a second recognition, this time on the International front!

We have been recognized as a FINALIST in the 2020 International Book Awards in the General History category.  What an absolute honor to be named in a category with fellow authors like Dr. Nina Ansary, who has done historic work advocating for female emancipation in Iran.

Receiving international recognition for this work, OUR work, is so validating and important.  And our work is not yet done!

My research to document the paradigm shift of COVID-19 continues with my next “Stories of” book, and you can interview for it.  I’d love for you to contribute to our future generations so they know what this was truly like.  Thank you.

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I am so pleased, honored, and excited to announce Stories of Elders won the 2020 National Indie Excellence Award for US History.  This is an incredible acheivement, and I am eternally thankful to those of you that have supported this work along the way, whether by sponsoring, donating, or contributing to different stages of the work.

This award is not just an accolade.  It helps ensure the ultimate mission of this book:  to preserve the experience of the high tech revolution and its effects on society for future generations that won’t have the context for understanding our analogue past.  These paradigm shifts have befores and afters, and while they are often difficult to grasp in the moment, someone, somewhere will look back and wonder what it was like.  Stories of Elders will tell that story.

Today I am working to document the paradigm shift of COVID-19.  Another “Stories of” book is in the works, and you can interview for it.  Contribute to our future generations so they know what this was truly like.  Thank you.

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We are so pleased to announce that Stories of Elders | The Documentary has been accepted selected a finalist at the First Time Filmmaker Showcase hosted by Lift-Off Film Festival for 2020!  This is a huge success after a wonderful 2019 focused on book tours and book award nominations.  We’re excited for the documentary to shine!  The first screenings will take place in the UK, expanding our story even further in the world.  Special thanks to David Astudillo, who put together the footage I took during the interview sessions in 2015.  He did truly masterful work, and its recognition is much deserved.

Haven’t seen the documentary, yet?  Head back to our homepage to view!

The post Stories of Elders Documentary a Finalist at Lift-Off Film Festival appeared first on Stories of Elders.

We are so pleased to announce that Stories of Elders | The Documentary has been accepted into the First Time Filmmaker Showcase hosted by Lift-Off Film Festival for 2020!  This is a huge success after a wonderful 2019 focused on book tours and book award nominations.  We’re excited for the documentary to shine!  The first screenings will take place in the UK, expanding our story even further in the world.  Special thanks to David Astudillo, who put together the footage I took during the interview sessions in 2015.  He did truly masterful work, and its recognition is much deserved.

Haven’t seen the documentary, yet?  Head back to our homepage to view!

The post Stories of Elders Documentary to be Featured at Film Festival appeared first on Stories of Elders.

Networking has been the cornerstone of this work.  It’s how I found the elders to interview, the funding for the research, and build a book tour in 2019.  In April 2019, my network expanded internationally at the Women Economic Forum in Dehli, India.  This was critical to another trip in November, 2019, where I was networked by those same amazing women to Jane Turner.

Jane is the founder of Write With Jane.  She works with authors to develop their work and promote it once published.  I was delighted to have the chance to meet her, and she graciously invited me to an interview.  As you will see, we really hit it off!  If you’re curious about the upcoming Stories of Tech project, take a look.

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What an amazing day.  I am still reeling from the love, excitement, and gratitude received by all of you.

On September 30, 2018, I hosted a Release Party for my book, Stories of Elders, in Downtown Grand Rapids.  I was honored to host eight of the elders whom I interviewed in the book at the event, and they signed the books alongside me.  100 friends, family, and community members attended, as did FOX17 news.

We also premiered the Documentary, which was absolutely smashing.  I was delighted to hear the audience laugh, moan, and comment on the film.  Several asked for a feature length documentary, which is now being considered.  Thank you all!

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I can honestly say that recording an audiobook does not come naturally to me.  However, I am honored and extremely blessed to have the support of Dan Salas of Vida Recording Studio and Video Productions.  He is so good natured that it almost doesn’t feel like work!

We are approximately halfway through the recording process.  The book is 90,000 words long, which means two weeks in the studio only puts us halfway.

I’ll be spending all week with Dan and our mutual friend, Tim Sokoloski, who is sponsoring a portion of the studio time.  I’m so thankful for their good attitudes and willingness to laugh when I just can’t make it through a sentence without messing up the words.  You can catch some of our sessions on Facebook Live.

We are announcing the Launch Party for the book very soon.  Stay tuned!

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I’m proud to report that in September 2017 I signed a contract with Identity Publications.  They are a publisher out of San Diego and specialize in unique non-fiction, just like this book.  We are on track to publish the hard cover, soft cover, audio book, and eBook in mid-to-late 2018.  Stay tuned!!!

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I am STOKED to make this announcement.  A couple months back I attended a writers meet and greet.  I met several local writers and handed the project’s card out, thinking nothing of it.

A day later, a young man by the name of David contacted me.  He introduced himself as a videographer, said he loves the project, and wants to make a documentary.  For free.  *thud*

I’m sure you can imagine my excitement.

Well, the documentary is under way.  He has access to 100% of the footage I took while on the national tour, and will be shooting b-roll of a few interviews I have scheduled this month.  Stay tuned for more!

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Hey!  Look at this!  The project was featured in the June 2016 issue of Grand Rapids Magazine!  How exciting.  Here’s the link to read the full bit:  http://veronicakirin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GRMagUntoldStories2016.pdf

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