Running Down A Dream

2023 Readers' Favorite Awards Winner - Finalist in Sports Nonfiction

Must Read -- Jennie Louwes - Reedsy Discovery

"Nostalgic and reverential, beautifully written and rich in emotion." -- The Prairies Book Review

"...a great story that deserves to be read." -- Astrid Lustulin - Readers Favorite

Haunted for thirty years by a dream of a female friend's death eight years before she died in a skydiving accident, filmmaker Paul Gorman hopes to unlock the mystery of his dream by making a film about her. Gorman's memoir tells the remarkable story about the making of his 2014 award winning documentary film, "Ride the Sky".

Gorman retraces pioneering skydiver Joan Carson's nomadic life from the time of her death in 1981 back to her childhood. His journey uncovers a cult-like band of skydivers addicted to the "adrenaline rush" of living on the edge and jumping out of airplanes at their homemade airport in the wilderness. And the queen of this colony is former cheerleader Joan Carson.

Continuing his quest, Gorman discovers what he believes is the meaning of his dream locked away in a painful secret from Carson's past. In the end, this past reconnects with the present in a most surprising and emotional way.

If you enjoyed Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, you'll love this powerful true story of a dream, adventure, death and secrets.

"Paul Gorman provides a most fascinating insider look into making his film about a trailblazing female skydiver...A beautiful and moving true story." -- SL - Amazon Reviewer