Middletown resident J.A. Blake began writing a novel in 2010 with her best friend Nick Moccia, whose personal story serves as the backdrop for the work. The book is called They All Fall Down. While it is a work of fiction, many of the events in the book – including the most tragic and haunting – actually happened in Moccia's life. His family’s story of murder and suicide and the aftermath of that tragedy were the inspiration for the new novel. Character names and the storyline are made up; but the underlying themes of suicide and post traumatic stress disorder are not.  

"This book takes a real life tragedy and transforms it into a story of hope and determination," says Blake. "It took real courage for Nick to share his story. And we've told it so that others who have suffered similar things can relate...and hopefully find comfort and maybe even hope." 

While Blake and Moccia are working to eventually get a book contract, the authors have decided to self-publish a limited first edition of the novel. To fund that project, they've listed the book on Kickstarter.com, a web site for creative projects that need funding. Kickstarter browsers visit the pages of projects they find interesting and pledge a level of support. Only if the project's funding goal is reached are the pledge makers actually charged.  

"This is an opportunity for readers to get a copy of a limited first edition of the novel," says Blake. "Only 500 copies are available." 

According to Blake, They All Fall Down is, on the surface, a story of an aspiring musician.  "An extra special bonus is that every copy of the novel comes with a CD of original music by Nick Moccia," says Blake. "We think that is a unique opportunity for people to not only experience the story in writing, but also through music. The CD is a kind of soundtrack to the novel," she says.  

Those interested in learning more about They All Fall Down can visit the book's Kickstarter site which is open through March 14. 

"In the first 24 hours, we raised nearly 60% of our funding goal," says Blake. "I think people believe in the hope found in this story. We all need more hope in our lives."