Justine Bateman is probably best known for playing Mallory Keaton on Family Ties back in the day, but she’s no stranger to denizens of the web, and still acts occasionally (She co-starred in one of my favorite films of all-time, The TV Set). She was, after all, an early adapter to Tumblr and Twitter, and has a production/consulting company whose focus is developing original content specifically for the web. Additionally, there’s also a popular Tumblr singularly devoted to highlighting each and every outfit she wore on Family Ties. Because of course there is.
So it should probably come as know surprise that she’s turned to Kickstarter to try to fund a passion project of hers: self-publishing a book of original art she created when she was in her 20s — shortly after Family Ties ended its run on network TV.
She writes:
Hi all. I am self-publishing a book of poetry and artwork I created in my 20’s called “Violence + Feathers”.
I worked as an actress on a very popular TV show in the 80’s called FAMILY TIES. This book was created a short time after that series ended as I was acting in films and plays. I had interest from a few publishers at the time, but because of the raw and revealing nature of the material, someone talked me out of printing the book at the time. I regret not publishing then. I would have gotten to where I am now faster if I had done it.
The book is 100 pages; half poems, half artwork. Paperback, cover laminate. Limited edition of 1000, individually signed and numbered. Each book will be in a foil-printed box along with a limited edition print (4 artworks, series of 250 each) and a certificate of authenticity.
Here’s an example of the poetry. Here’s an example of the artwork.
The money will be used to pay for the printing and binding of the book by the excellent Edition One Books, the printing of the limited edition art, the glassine envelopes and certificates of authenticity, and finally the printing and purchase of the boxes in which everything will sit.
I work as a producer, writer, and director now (and occasionally act), primarily in the digital space. If the Internet had been around back in my 20’s like it is now, I would have had a much different experience then.
I love the Internet.
I love Kickstarter.
Thanks for helping me get this book printed.
Justine also made a video elaborating on the project…
(Full disclosure: Justine and I are “internet friends” and I had a massive crush on her when I was a teenager. I hope this doesn’t make things too awkward between us. Hopefully I can make up for it with the donation I just made!)
With that said, OH MALLORY…