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Starve the Manipulators: New Book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires'

Our No Manipulation project began in 2018. In 2020 we launched an online video course. Now, we aim to publish a book with your help. Through Hithit, we're raising funds for publication. Let's spread awareness about this societal evil and help many people.

Author: Liběna & Pavel

EUR 251
pledged of EUR 7,124

3%

3% completed

19 contributors pledged

Literature, Education

Česko

All or nothing. Project finished on Sep 25, 2024 at 21:00.

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Book Review

Markéta, Prague:
The insights I gained from listening to the online school and reading the new book were groundbreaking for me. Although I've read many other books on defending against manipulation and assertiveness, your approach is more practically applicable for me. The dialogue format draws the reader into the described situation, making it easier to empathize with the story of the given empathic person and remember the appropriate way to react. I will need to practice using counter-manipulation techniques a lot more, but thanks to your book, I've already gained new motivation and hope for positive change. Thank you. 🙏

Diana D., Slovakia:
First of all, I appreciate that you decided to address this topic - Manipulation, which is little known about, yet occurs almost everywhere. In some places less, in others more.
The book is well-structured and engagingly explains not only manipulation itself, but provides an overview that helps the reader understand their own feelings and behavior, as well as understand the behavior of the manipulator. Of course, it won't solve our problems, but it guides us onto a path that we just need to hold onto firmly.
If we read carefully and understand what this book is about, we can no longer look at things through the old lens. Although it's quite a complex topic, it's explained in this book in a way that everyone can understand, and at the same time, it won't be boring for those who already know something about manipulation. I'm glad that this book found its way to me quite by chance. 📚

My Story - How It All Began​

It's April 2017. I'm lying in bed in the morning and I can't get up. Something powerful is holding me down, not allowing me to move. My brain is contemplating the quickest way to leave this world. Suddenly, our young children start running around me, and those terrifying thoughts slowly dissolve. I force myself to get up. 🚶‍♀️

Walking Puppet​

I've been feeling terrible for several years now, and these states are worsening. I remember a time when I was happy and full of energy. 🌟 Today, I'm a walking puppet. 🤖

I have wonderful children, a husband who loves me, and as a family, we experience the usual worries and joys, helping each other. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 So the problem must be with me. Lately, this thought often crosses my mind. Maybe it's true, but it doesn't help me at all. I still don't know the cause. I just know that relationships with some people are now exhausting me. Contact with them makes my condition even worse. I don't understand it. I find no joy in life. Everything drains me. 😪

Terrifying Yet Liberating

I'm walking around the apartment when suddenly an unfamiliar book catches my eye from the bookshelf. I remember buying it long ago on a friend's recommendation, but out of fear, I had hidden it among other books. 📚

I flip through it. It offers an explanation that I'm simultaneously resisting and attracted to. Could I be a victim of someone's manipulation? It's a terrifying yet liberating thought. I feel like a patient finally receiving the correct diagnosis.

Wounded Soul

The information I'm learning opens up childhood wounds. 💔 It shows me my childhood from a different perspective - a soul tossed about by injustices, unrealistic demands, and unfairness, scarred by the indifference of those closest to me. 😢

It's clear now. Even back then, I was a victim. I had to solve adults' problems. I was instilled with the belief that I must always be available, regardless of my own feelings. I'm slowly realizing what needs to change in my life, but... 🤔

Sadness. Anger. Relief

My first thought was that knowing the truth would make me handle it. But it's not that simple. I'm tossed about by emotions. 🌪️ Sadness from succumbing to manipulators since childhood, anger at myself for allowing it. At the same time, I know that as a child, I couldn't have influenced the situation.

My husband supports me. He shows me what's at the end of the road. 🌅 A freedom that's incomparable. No longer under the influence of those who drain my life.

First Victorious Battles

I'm escaping from my "vampires," but it's not a literal escape. My liberation materializes as I learn to use counter-manipulation methods. It throws them off balance - they're not used to it. I remind myself that I have the right to say NO and remain true to myself. 💪

I'm standing close to "my" vampire, yet I'm already far from him. His actions don't affect me; I don't let him disturb my peace. I don't perceive biting remarks, humiliation, or the feeling that I must comply. 🛡️ I know that any mask he wears isn't real, even if it's full of "sincere" interest.

Leaving the Prison

Others notice my detachment from manipulators. Because the manipulators acted under the guise of help, some people see me in a bad light. But I'm prepared for this too. It doesn't faze me. This is my life.

I can say no, and I no longer see the manipulator as superior. 🚫 His behavior is his problem, not mine. I don't blame myself. It's as if I've walked out of prison. I perceive the world and relationships differently, in colors. 🌈 The anger towards manipulators fades. I feel more sorry for them now. 😔

Set Out on Your Own Journey to Freedom

Or at least learn what systematic manipulation is and how to defend against it. No matter what mask a manipulator wears in your life, don't give them a chance to drain you of energy that you can invest in healthy relationships and use for other meaningful activities. Embark on a journey that ends with a free life. This is what my husband's and my project "No to Manipulation" and the resulting book "Don't Feed Your Vampires" is all about. 🦋

We wrote it as more than just a transcript of our online video course "School of the Art of Counter-manipulation". That was published in 2020, and since then, thanks to our students, we've gathered many more experiences, which we've incorporated especially into the fourth and final part of the book.

What is our book about?

They are modern-day vampires. But what will surprise you - they're not actually modern at all. They have been, are, and always will be here with us. And they're so powerful that they've even given rise to literary and later cinematic vampires. Those are merely their image, sucking literal blood. A perfect symbol. The eternal, real vampires also suck tirelessly. But their "blood" is something else, something much more precious. Something they can live on with impunity for their entire lives, often without their victim even noticing. 🧛‍♂️

What do you need to know to stop feeding them while withering away yourself? How to avoid becoming their victim? If you already are one, what must you do to free yourself from the labyrinth in which the vampire has imprisoned you? And how to prevent yourself from ever becoming one of them? Our book is about all of this. It has 4 parts and a little over 400 pages.

Who are we?

We have been married for 30 years and have four children together. We dedicate this book primarily to them, so that their path through life might be less thorny than ours. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Why do we need you?

Self-publishing a book with a print run of 2,000 copies will cost us 120,000 CZK (Czech Crowns). We'll also need some funds for subsequent distribution. Let's work together to send this carefully crafted guide to toxic and uncertain relationships out into the world. Take a look at our rewards and decide which form of support resonates with you. 🤝

Comments

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  • sold 3
    "I will support the publication of the book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires'

    "I don't want the book, thank you. But I'd be happy to support its publication."

    The amount can be increased as desired.

    As a thank you, we will email you our video greeting with ten principles of effective counter-manipulation.

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 3.96
    (CZK 100)

  • remaining 889 from 900
    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with a 100 CZK discount (approximately $4.50 USD / €4 EUR)

    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' for the price of 350 CZK (approximately $16 USD / €14 EUR), which is a 100 CZK discount from the recommended price of 450 CZK.
    We will send it to you via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer. The expected publication date is November/December."

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 13.85
    (CZK 350)

  • remaining 496 from 500
    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with a personal dedication

    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with a personal dedication from us, the authors.
    We will send it to you via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer. The expected publication date is November/December 2024.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.83
    (CZK 400)

  • remaining 199 from 200
    Two copies of the book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' at a discount

    You will receive two copies of the book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' at 300 CZK each (approximately $14 USD / €12 EUR), which is a 300 CZK total discount off the recommended price.
    We will send them to you via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer. The expected publication date is November/December.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.75
    (CZK 600)

  • remaining 200 from 200
    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with a one-hour consultation in Czech

    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with a 1-hour personal consultation in Czech about your situation with us, the authors of the book.
    We will send you the book via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer. Subsequently, we will arrange a personal meeting or other form of consultation with you in Czech (online options available for international supporters).
    The expected publication date of the book is November/December 2024.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 37.60
    (CZK 950)

  • remaining 50 from 50
    5 discounted copies of our book for your library

    This reward is intended for educational centers, themed tea houses / cafes, galleries, or other similar venues.
    You will receive 5 copies of the book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' with an 800 CZK discount (approximately $36 USD / €32 EUR) off the recommended price. We will send them to you via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer.
    The expected publication date of the book is November/December 2024.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 57.39
    (CZK 1,450)

  • remaining 150 from 150
    "'Don't Feed Your Vampires' book + 12-hour Czech course 'Art of Counter-manipulation

    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' and lifetime access to our online video course 'School of the Art of Counter-manipulation' (in Czech).
    We will send you the book via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer, and we will email you the access details for the video course.
    The expected publication date of the book is November/December 2024.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 75.20
    (CZK 1,900)

  • remaining 50 from 50
    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' + 12-hour video course + personal consultation (all in Czech)

    The book 'Don't Feed Your Vampires' and lifetime access to our online video course 'School of the Art of Counter-manipulation' (in Czech).
    Additionally, a 1-hour personal consultation in Czech about your situation with us, the authors of the book.
    We will send you the book via Zásilkovna (a Czech delivery service) within 30 days of receiving copies from the printer, and subsequently email you the access details for the video course. We will also arrange a date for a personal or other form of meeting with you (online options available for international supporters).
    The expected publication date of the book is November/December 2024.

    Reward delivery: Zásilkovna, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 98.95
    (CZK 2,500)

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