Want to See the Book's Logo?

I love that you're on this journey with me and I couldn't be more excited to share some of this news. Thanks for being a part of this, we're getting close to launch!

You may have noticed that I recently changed the name and URL of the website from “BelievEG21” to “BelieveEG21.” This slight change serves two purposes: 1) The book title simply looks cleaner as two words. 2) It's easier to tell people the URL and correct name if it's split. I'm telling you this because my next email is going to come from “mike@BelieveEG21.com” so please be sure to add that email to your contacts list. (Here's how to do that in Gmail and Outlook if you don't already know.) Otherwise, these messages will start going to spam and you'll miss out on the updates.

Speaking of book cover, what do you think of the logo at the header of the email??? Over the next few weeks I'll be updating the social media banners soon so you'll get a taste of what the branding for the book looks like. Nobody will actually see the book until it's release in about one month.

I've received a number of questions in person and via social media so I've included a short Q & A session. If you have more questions, feel free to hit reply and I'll get back to you as fast as possible.

Q: When will the book be published?
A: My goal is October 31st, the day CSU plays Coastal and the same weekend the school is holding a reunion for the 2005 team (https://www.facebook.com/events/357740681083873/) . There is still a load of work to be done before then, but that's the goal.

Q: Will this be a physical book I can hold or an ebook?
A: The initial publishing will include a hardcover and an ebook. An audio version will be released soon after the initial publication.

Q: What's it going to cost?
A: Ebooks are always cheaper than hardcover books so if you're looking to save, that's the way to go. If you want the full experience and something to put on your shelf with other CSU memorabilia, the hardcover will be your best best. The hardcover will cost less than $30, a few details still need to be ironed out here, so I can't tell you exactly. Remember, 10% of the profits will go to the Eddie Gadson Memorial Scholarship Fund on all book sales.

Q: Is this a first person or third person narrative?
A: The book is told from my first person perspective. I've interviewed a number of people for this project (thank you everyone!) and at times the book puts the “camera” in their shoes so you can see what they see.

Q: Will there be pictures?
A: During this process I've collected dozens of pictures from the school, some parents, and other fans at the game. I am including as many photos as possible and I will provide links to view the rest on the website. The website will be used for a number of extras that don't quite fit into the story, but remain relevant to a select group of people (such as post-season awards and non-action photos).

If you have pictures that you'd like to share, please hit reply and send them my way! I can't guarantee that I can use them all (due to quality restraints), but I'll do my best to add them to the library.

Thank you if you've already shared the website, the Facebook page, or anything else to help spread the word about BelieveEG21 the book coming out this fall. Now's the perfect time!

The next update, which will be sent in approximately two weeks, will include some significant information for you. And maybe, just maybe, a part of the story for you enjoy.

Take care, and Go Bucs!

Mike McCann
mike@BelieveEG21.com (*note the new email address coming soon!)
 

I seriously couldn't get this far without you. Thank you!

Thank you for supporting me through this process. I've purposely avoided a “real job” to take on this (massive) project. I have asked you to send me information, I have asked for your time, and I have asked you to share my work with circle. Thank you so much for your willingness to help me craft this dream into a reality!

Last week I spoke with Phil Kornblut of Sports Talk Radio on air. Thanks for having me on Phil! The “CSU Episode” highlighted this year's Buccaneer team so our conversation about the book fit perfectly. If you'd like to listen, click here: https://youtu.be/nV0EHoEd-BY?t=1h40m43s

Big shout out to Paul Chelmis from SOUTH for taking the website to the next level with some amazing design tweaks. Check out all the changes he made here: http://BelievEG21.com. If you like what you see, please share it on social media or forward it to someone who would resonate with a story about hope, perseverance, and football.

Another talented member of the SOUTH team, Alan Spears, is currently working on the design of the book cover. I wish I could share it with you, but I'm keeping it under wraps. I have to leave something to the imagination :). The only thing I'll share is my initial reaction: “WOW!”

John Strubel, Kevin O'Rourke, and the CSU sports information department have been tremendously helpful in this endeavor. They have provided images (see Facebook for a fun album), behind the scenes information on the 2005 team, and a history of the program that has helped me add invaluable details to the story that even my teammates will be surprised to read.

In closing, draft one is officially done! I am busily working on draft number two, the main reason for the lag between updates. Draft two includes copy edits thanks to my amazing editor, Stephanie Araujo, as well as some plot and style edits that will make the story flow in an easy to read manner. I have interviewed my teammate Shawn Huntsinger and re-interviewed the head coach of the 2005 team, Jay Mills over the past few weeks. The contents of both interviews are also being added to the story during this round of edits.

There will be more to come in September as we draw closer to launch. You're still owed a free chapter, I haven't forgotten about that. In the mean time, please help me reach my goal of 1,000 email subscribers prior to launch by sending the website to someone you know who would enjoy reading this book.

Clearly this is not a one-person show. Thank you for being there with me, I could not do this without you!

Take care, and Go Bucs!

I met with CSU about the book, you'll never guess what happened next...

Thank you so much for being on the list, I hope you're enjoying this journey as much as me! Some exciting events have happened since I updated you last month so I'll dig right in.

The web design company I work with, SOUTH (http://south.io) has agreed to design the book. This includes the spine, covers, inside flaps, website updates, and the interior chapters. I'm excited for the first designs in few short weeks!

On July 7th I sat down for a meeting with Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, president of Charleston Southern University. I met with Dr. Hunter to ask for his approval to use the school's name and logo, but also to help promote the book once published. The meeting... could not have gone better! Dr. Hunter has given his approval for Charleston Southern to help with promotion of the book, provided a quote, and has allowed me to use the school's logo and other proprietary information.

I'll be spending more time (quality and quantity) over the coming months as we inch closer to launch. Over this time, you will be privy to exclusive updates via email. BUT, if you're a social person, be sure to checkout the Facebook page for some other fun pictures and trivia: http://facebook.com/BelievEG21

Finally, I wanted to share some of the photos Miss Tam Odom graciously allowed me to use from her time as the CSU photographer. This is only a handful, the best will be making their way into the pages of the book. Photos can be viewed here: http://BelievEG21.com/photos

That's all for now, thank you for sharing the website and Facebook page with friends and family. I welcome you to continue sharing, with your help the story is gaining some amazing momentum!

Take care, and Go Bucs!
 

We Have A Title & A Website!

Thank you so much for being a part of this! I am humbled by the amount of support I have received and I'm grateful for every one of you.

The book is slated to be published this fall, but there are a number of boxes to check before then. I'm excited to share these updates with you as the pieces of this puzzle begin to find their place.

Half of the book has been officially put through the ringer thanks to my fantastic editor, Stephanie Araujo. The second half is being smoothed out and the content from various interviews is being injected into the story. I have collected a number of pictures from Facebook and Miss Tam Odom was generous enough to let me use photos (thanks Tam!) from her time at CSU. If you have pictures that may not have made it to Facebook, feel free to reply to this email and share them with me.

In my most recent email, I asked you to help me vote on a title. Thank you to all who voted! I had a wide variety of answers, including some creative write ins. The title of the book will be "BelievEG21" with a sub-title yet to be released. This was a tough decision and it’s been weighing on my mind since this began. I wanted to give the book a title that expresses the journey of the 2005 Bucs, but make it unique enough to be memorable. The subtitle is yet to be determined, but as soon as I nail it down you’ll be the first to know. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this decision!

Ladies and gentlemen… http://BelievEG21.com is live!

Finally, I want to ask for your thoughts and prayers. Later this month I will be be contacting Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, the president of Charleston Southern University, to ask for the school’s support in promoting the book. The school's official blessing will be extremely helpful in reaching a wider audience, getting the book into the campus bookstore, and more.

My next update will contain details from the process, how my request to Dr. Hunter goes, and possibly a snippet for you to read. In the mean time, check out the website for more details.

Feel free to share the site or this link (http://eepurl.com/ba9vrr) with someone who would like to read this story.
 

Book Titles Are Difficult, Would You Help Me Come Up With One?

Thank you so much for signing up for preliminary updates about the upcoming book! I want to share a few updates and ask for your help titling the work. I will be sending a few more of these emails leading up to the book launch (coming this fall!) and my intent is to keep you all informed of what's happening.

First off, I've put well over 50,000 words "on paper" at the time of this email. I've outlined most sections of the book, I've conducted a number of interviews, and I've studied every game from the 2005 season (and a few from 2004) to be sure my story is accurate. We're not there yet, but the first draft is being polished!

Second, I'll be helping organize a 10-year reunion at CSU this fall during one of the games to commemorate the 2005 Championship. Everyone is invited and it would be great to have everyone there. More details to come on this soon!

Finally, I want to ask for your help. This book a HUGE deal to me, and more than anything I want to do my team and this story justice. I have no trouble writing the story, but I'm having trouble nailing down a title. Please follow on the below link to make your vote for the book title. You'll see there's a space for write-in answers, suggestions are always welcome. At the end of the day, I have to go with my gut so please don't be offended if I don't choose your answer. I will, however, take everyone's answers into account, I can promise you that!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1S4i8M9hpHX8xulfIo6PkZF5qob-vvAElLbmY52zY3-M/viewform?usp=send_form

Thank you again for signing up for updates. Your support means the world to me! For being on this list you'll receive a free chapter, a discount on the book, and other various updates as we get closer and closer to the launch.

Take care, and Go Bucs!