Progress & Growth: Writing for a Changing World

ABOUT THE OWNER

Hello world! ​I’m Melody Norton, owner and writer at Unfeathered Ink.

​In 2015, I quietly decided to start Unfeathered Ink to make ends meet while struggling with my health. For two years I was in a sinkhole of collective side effects due to conditions I never properly treated and events I never took the time to process. Physical injuries, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, and depression took hold, and I didn’t know how to break free. I suffered silently, like many others, hoping it would pass without any effort on my part outside of some dietary changes and a lot of coffee. During this time, I mostly provided ghostwriting services here and there, utilizing my career skills in administration and customer service to help others with their own businesses and personal needs when I mentally and physically could.

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While I met my goals for the time, once my body started regaining its strength and my mind had some time to wade past the fog, I sort of abandoned ship to continue the education and career goals I was previously in pursuit of. In 2017 I decided I was no longer going to suffer silently and worked towards finding effective medical care and self-care tools. This would not and could not continue to be my story.

I did just that, I moved into a home that was less stress on my body, I spent time on my emotional conflictions, I separated myself from unhealthy habits, I opened myself to new experiences and people, and I worked towards completing the goals of pre-darkness Melody. And guess what? During that time, I realized that something inside me had shifted, I learned new things about my wants, my needs, and my character, and that those old goals no longer aligned with who I was becoming in this next phase of my life. My continuing struggles were being challenged by reaching new milestones and this motivated me to do something more meaningful and giving to myself and to others.

With a gut-feeling that revitalizing and growing my abandoned business would be the answer to new questions I had about where to go from here, I spent ALL of 2019 brainstorming and planning a new life for Unfeathered Ink. I built new client relationships, changed my focus from administration to writing services, built up to full time hours, and homed in on branding and creating long terms goals. Unfortunately, also in 2019, my planned financing for relaunch and expansion became unavailable for reasons solely tied to their corporate restructuring.

This leads me into now and the motivation to put my faith in fundraising and community. Beneath the chaos, a part of me always knew that Unfeathered Ink was meant for more. In 2020, I have an all-action plan for what it will become and the belief that together, we are capable of making it a force energized by a shared desire for a more cohesive community.

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UNFEATHERED INK:
​WRITING FOR A CHANGING WORLD

Unfeathered Ink believes fiercely in the collective power of the people to connect, unite, and achieve new heights on the fronts of equality, understanding, and acceptance. Our mission and vision statements are a catalyst in driving its owner towards using her writing as a method to unite those she works with, building relationships and encouraging cultural equity.

Your support and donations go directly towards aiding Unfeathered Ink in achieving said mission by creating financial stability and allowing us to maximize our efforts in creating a community that stands together while allowing us to give back in ways that truly matter.

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GIVING BACK

20% of all sale proceeds from merchandise and book sales will be donated monthly to causes focused on:

• Domestic Violence & Family Healing
• Suicide Prevention
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Adaptive Sports & the Expressive Arts

See who we're donating to this month.

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SERVICES CURRENTLY OFFERED BY UNFEATHERED INK

• Article & Content Writing
• Event Coverage
• Interviews & Press Releases
• Art, Music, & Book Reviews
• Commentary/Blurbs
• Creative Collaboration​
• Public Relations Strategy (culture & mediation focused)
• Manuscript Evaluations

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CHARGING ON A SLIDING SCALE

The Community Culture Project, writing services, interviews, and event coverage are charged on a 3-tier sliding scale, allowing Unfeathered Ink to best assist everyone from sole proprietors and non-profits to larger corporations without being a financial burden and decreasing the gap in financial equity. Special rates for long term/contract clients are also available.

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THE FUTURE OF UNFEATHERED INK

• New merchandise
• Publishing Services - changing the publishing game for writers and community; more money going to the writers while contributing to charitable causes. More information coming soon.

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WHERE ARE YOUR DONATIONS GOING?
​HERE’S OUR PLAN FOR 2020!

Below is an outline of how funds will be allocated. These amounts have been carefully calculated to ensure every dollar has a purpose. Thank you for your support and belief in Unfeathered Ink!

​Short Term
​Phase I

​Phase I of Unfeathered Ink’s fundraising will finance start-up and expansion costs as well as the pilot book for Unfeathered Ink Publishing.
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Any amount surpassing Phase I goals will go towards Phase II!

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Mid Term
​Phase II

Phase II is all about momentum and professional development, working the kinks out of the publishing process for future writers we will support, and creating financial stability for Unfeathered Ink’s future!

Any amount surpassing Phase II goals will go towards Phase III, the final phase for Unfeathered Ink’s fundraising for progress & growth!

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Long Term
​Phase III

Phase III is Unfeathered Ink’s long-term goals and the one we’re most excited about! Take a look at what’s on deck for the future… 

And finally! Any donations surpassing these goals will go towards outreach efforts & scholarship contests to help support writers with a shared vision & will assist/pay for the costs of author photos, book design, cover art, & initial printing/shipping costs.
​(More details TBA.)

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UPCOMING FUNDRAISING PLANS

• ​​​​Poetry Readings ​​
• Journaling Workshops
• Typed & Signed Poetry for Sale
• Exclusive Campaign Merchandise

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OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT UNFEATHERED INK​

• Share our story
• Follow us on Instagram @UnfeatheredInk
• Join our Mailing List
• Shop Unfeathered Ink Merchandise
• Hire Unfeathered Ink

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ONE MORE
​‘THANK YOU!’

Please accept my deepest thanks! It is my dream to be able to support my health, my family, and the greater community I share this great rock we call Earth through the power of language and written word. My mother who passed away in 2006 told me often, that when all else fails to count on my writing because it is where she felt I found strength and clarity. I am weak with relief that like usual, she was right! On behalf of myself and Unfeathered Ink, I wish all of you a magical 2020!

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Slideshow: Unfeathered Ink originally started our fundraising journey on GoFundMe. Here are some snapshots that outline our first chapter of 2020!

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LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE AS A BUSINESS AND OUR STRIDES TOWARDS BECOMING A BEACON OF SOCIAL REVOLUTION.