Always on
This project successfully funded on 7th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Creating a Trilogy of fantasy Books
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Aim
As an indie Author & Illustrator I'm raising funds to print a Hardback Trilogy, also create them as 3 Audio Books & as aTrilogy Art Book
PLEASE play: LAST DAY film for YOU.
Crowdfunding and Building a Community
Welcome to Paul Jackson's Fantastical Realms of Elsewhere, a world he has been creating for the last 50 years. Paul is looking to fund the completion of his first Trilogy of books, an allegory for our times, here on Crowdfunder.
Paul's masterful storytelling, born out of his lived experience telling in the oral tradition, his unique characters and the complexity of the layers of existence in Elsewhere are creating an epic 9 book series that offers wonder, magic and hope.
The Trilogy opens with Book One, "The Hidden Destiny". The Stone of Destiny has shattered and the Immortal Lord of the Shadows has gained unimaginable powers because of it. Hope seems lost, however with the world falling into chaos, an Elvish Queen gives birth to a son who is blessed with a wondrous hidden destiny. Before that can be realised, an alliance must be formed between the people of Elsewhere and those of the natural world, an alliance that could hold the key to the world's salvation....
Paul has self-published books One and Two of the Trilogy and has a large, active and growing community on TikTok, Patreon, Instagram and Youtube. The Testimonials below give an insight into Paul's world and how it's being so positively received amongst different groups on those platforms. This is a clear reflection of his creative work throughout and why this is the perfect time to share his vision and his First Trilogy. For welcome respite from our increasingly chaotic and demanding world, join the many hundreds of followers ( often around 1200 ) who regularly stay for up to 40 minutes (!) on one of Paul's LIVE streams on TikTok at 7.30 am UK time every day of the Crowdfunder, and you will soon see why the audiences are so engaged. Here is the link www.tiktok.com/@pauljacksoniselsewhere
32 years of storytelling experience have helped Paul combine and share his books, stories and illustrations. There are over 500 films across social media so you can immerse yourself in his world. This is not a land created by AI, but by a man who has been devoted to his creative journey for over 50 years.
To discover more about Paul's vision, at the bottom of this page you will find:
- FAQs
- Testimonials
- Biography
- TikTok Link for Films and LIVE's: ( www.tiktok.com/@pauljacksoniselsewhere)
Above is the Map of the Realms of Elsewhere Paul created in 1976.
Paul has achieved all this on a shoestring budget. Now he realises this is the time to expand and share his work on major platforms, in online shops and through Performances.
The first step of this Vision is to publish the First Trilogy in hardback. To record an Audio Version of the three books in a professional studio, and create a Trilogy ArtBook capturing the 60 illustrations from this First Trilogy.
"Elsewhere" is a complete world. There are over 60 pages of Histories, a Map, a myriad of Illustrations, Drawings, Mythologies, Back Stories and Character outlines to complement the main narrative thread in each book. Therein lies the reason Paul chose the Indie Author and Illustrator route rather than the traditional publishing road: so that he could honour the depth of his Vision throughout.
- Over the past three years Paul's son Fabian has been working in the background to establish Paul's presence on social media. The first film Fabian created about his father's work went viral and has now been watched by over 400,000 people.
- https://youtube.com/shorts/pOt--vTS1xU?si=RmWJGK-fN-qFnNcL
- This film and the one before this led to a readership for the first two books, from 18 countries and countless states in America. Using an organic approach to filming, Fabian undertook to capture the fifty year journey in an unobtrusive way, managing to fire up his father's imagination still further as to what might be possible in the years ahead with the remaining six Books. But for now the focus is on the opener to the Realms of Elsewhere, ~The First Trilogy which is the focus of this Crowdfunding Campaign.
- Paul says "I hope you enjoy hearing about my endeavours and that you feel inspired to seek a reward or make a donation and help Elsewhere reach a wider audience. There's plenty on offer and hopefully something that is perfect for You. Thank you."
- FAQs:
- Paul, what are you aiming to do? Pay for the publication of my 1st Trilogy of 3 hardback books, create an Audio version of each one, read by me, and an Art book of the 60 Illustrations from this first Trilogy.
- What's involved in doing this? To complete the Hardback Series, the next task is for me to copy edit Book Three, The Merchant of Storms. I will then make any changes before giving the final copy is given to the proofer. While proofing is taking place, I will design the layout with Adobe Indesign (as I did for Books 1 and 2.) Once I have the final proofed text, I can position the illustrations alongside the text they were created for. Building the Book can take two to three months.
- With the Audio books, it takes roughly a day to record per average Chapter. There are 34 chapters in each Book (approx 120,000 words). A studio technician is required to iron out any sound issues, add background recordings or help with multi tracking etc, before creating a final Master Track for each Book. A gift box will need to be created alongside the recordings to contain Maps and a selection of illustrations.
- The Art book will involve creating a layout for the Illustrations along with short, helpful copy for each scene.
- Why does your project matter? I want to continue to inspire others. To highlight creativity and champion the value of the imagination. Also, I hope that my 50 year Legacy project inspires others not to give up, no matter the obstacles. For me it was to overcome dyslexia, and earn an income without selling my soul. In many ways now, all these years later, I see my Dyslexia as an advantage and I'm grateful for the way my brain works as it's enabled me to build the whole new world of Elsewhere. Lastly, I would love to think that readers, viewers and listeners continue to get their own sense of well being and calm when they enter the Realms of Elsewhere.
- What makes your project unique? I've spent my whole adult life working on this Project. Through learning the creative disciplines: Sculpting, Illustrating, Storytelling and lastly Writing, the Trilogy has I hope, retained its unique "Voice".
- What have you learned on the way? That as humans we need creativity and connection to nature and each other. These journeys when blended together, inspire, feed, and ground us. Ultimately they help us be the best version of ourselves.
- Testimonials
- "The Hidden Destiny is a look into your brilliant and creative mind. An amazing journey so excellently told by you, that we all get to come along and experience. A story full of intrigue and wonder, excitement and curiosity. A true masterpiece."
- "Is this guy the new Tolkien?! He’s awesome! So much detail I love it."
- "A place of refuge for ourselves in this convoluted world."
- "I am writing to you today on behalf of our staff and students. We are huge admirers of your work and have been captivated by your dynamic live illustration, engaging storytelling, and inspirational energy you share in your TikTok/YouTube performances from your books." Plymouth University, World-Building Course Lecturer.
- "It's like the forgotten imagination, excitement and dreams of being a child reawakening again. A lovely surprise to find that feeling again."
- "I want an audiobook! All great stories and plots take decades to create, these are absolutely amazing."
- "You bring back the child in us all and the magic, always the magic."
- "It's very profound, very moving and spiritual. The weaving of characters in and out of other worlds is very beautiful and clever."
- "Blown away by all your images for the book; they are entrancing, drawing the eye in and around every nook and cranny."
- "You have such a distinctive style. So much detail but none of it feels restricted; it's so free-flowing there is an ethereal feel. I love it."
Biography
In August 1977, Paul established a ceramics workshop in Sheringham, Norfolk with his then wife Penny. Paul combined his hand-built ceramics with fantasy illustrations inspired by a map he had recently drawn, calling the world ‘Elsewhere’.
Dyslexia
Due to this condition, instead of writing the stories of his World, Paul depicted them through fine Porcelain Sculptures and Watercolour Illustrations.
London Exhibitions
By 1980, Paul's intricate and time-consuming work had gained significant attention, leading him to focus solely on commissions and exhibitions. His art was showcased at prestigious venues like Liberties, Harrods, and in Lady Powell's Chelsea Crafts Fair, This resulted in exhibiting twice at the renowned Piccadilly gallery, Charles de Temple. This brought about a growing number of influential collectors, including Sir Elton John, Nik Kershaw, and Jim Henson.
Storytelling
Throughout this period, Paul continued to draw inspiration from his fantasy world map. In 1993, encouraged by his collectors to tell the stories from his world it became a pivotal moment in working with his dyslexia. This marked the beginning of his career as a professional storyteller in the oral tradition. Paul embraced the journey of storytelling, because of dyslexia, not despite it. Over the next thirty years, Paul performed more than 50,000 times.
Writing
Something magical happened at this time. Paul found himself stepping inside the stories, and becoming the story. This turned into a deep emotional connection that bypassed the Dyslexia and allowed the stories to embed themselves deep inside him. He returned to the Map a full 36 years after drawing it, and began to write what will be a Nine Book Series~in other words~ Three Trilogies.
Four books are written, Book Five is several chapters in. Book One and Book Two are fully illustrated and self-published and are being enjoyed by readers in 18 different countries. Like the pivotal storytelling moment, now is a crucial time.
With your help, Paul is looking to build on this foundation and share his work and Vision with a much larger audience.
'Thank you to so many: to my family, to new friends and old, for being there when I've not known the way forward...always there to help me on this long road.'
Many Blessings
Paul
I believe this film below says much about my work and what I've learned over the years. I never thought I could write what I felt. Nor have an opportunity to perform those emotions.
A short Audio reading from Book One: The Hidden Destiny.
https://youtube.com/shorts/wVPB59uvPxI?si=gcZEogyNySPPcOAr
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made