Al, the Gator: A Life in Captivity Al Gator SALES HOOK What would you do if you were part animal and part human? Read the courageous story of a young man who must confront the reality that he may belong to both worlds—or neither. DESCRIPTION Al, the Gator is the life story of Al Gator, catapulted as a baby into the swamps of Louisiana by a freak airboat accident. Completely lost and left alone to navigate the murky waters, he surely would have died without the care and support of the native alligators that took him in as one of their own. This affecting memoir, told in a series of short vignettes, chronicles his unusual childhood, his difficult reintegration into human society, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. KEY SELLING POINTS ● Has an entirely original story: nothing like it has ever been written about before. ● Offers an incredibly unusual view of people and animal relations ● Format is relatively uncommon; memoirs are often told in a novelistic style, so this shortform memoir will stand out ● Author’s humor and heart in the face of adversity will appeal to audiences ● Brings attention to wetland conservation efforts AUDIENCE ● Young adults/new adults relating to the comingofage aspect ● Memoir fans of all ages ● Animal enthusiasts/animal rights activists ● Fans of subcultural stories in the vein of Dunn and Palahniuk ● People from Louisiana and the South ● Those interested in sociology and child development
Ship Date: July 2013 Pub. Date: August 2013 Price: $17.99 ISBN13: 9787310722850 Trim: 5” x 8” (portrait) Format: Trade Paperback, eBook Pages: 232 Carton Qty.: 32 # and Type of Illustrations: N/A BISAC Category: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs NATURE / Animals / Reptiles & Amphibians NATURE / Ecosystems & Habitats / Lakes, Ponds, & Swamps FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Alternative Family FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Child Development BISAC Code: BIO026000 NAT028000 NAT018000 FAM006000 FAM011000 Series: N/A Previous Edition ISBN: N/A
AUTHOR BIO Al Gator had an extraordinary childhood: after what was by all accounts a perfectly normal infancy, he was forced to grow up in the heart of the Louisiana bayou after an airboat accident separated him from his family. Luckily, the local alligators accepted him, raising him untiI he was found by a tour group, turned over to the authorities, and brought back into human society. As an adult, he attended school at Kaplan University and graduated with a BS in Business. He works from home as an operational risk manager during the day and writes at night. During his free time he enjoys reading short fiction, swimming, and working to restore and preserve our nation’s endangered wetlands. This is Gator’s first book; he hopes it will help him spread his messages of selfacceptance, perseverance, and environmental advocacy. COMPARATIVE TITLES ● Geek Love, Katherine Dunn. Hardcover: 347 pages. Alfred A. Knopf; March 1989; 9780394569024; $25.00 ● The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, Jackson Tippett McCrae. Hardcover: 576 pages. Enolam Group, Inc.; May 2002; 9780971553606; $20.00 ● Swamplandia!, Karen Russell. Hardcover: 336 pages. Alfred A. Knopf; February 2011; 9780307263995; $26.00 MARKETING AND PUBLICITY HIGHLIGHTS
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Potential for collaboration with Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy, PETA, and other similar organizations
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Tiein with History Channel’s popular television show Swamp People
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Promotional opportunities offered to book clubs that choose to feature Al, the Gator
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Author will be a featured guest at the annual birthday festival for Jake, the Alligator Man (held by Marsh’s Free Museum) in Long Beach, WA