Writers in Need

Here are some plugs because we writers need to stick together:

From P.N. Elrod:

If you've seen the news lately you'll have heard about the wildfires that tore through my area on one of the windiest days we've seen in years.

Some moron threw a cigarette out the car window, and they're still totaling the damages.

One of the victims of this moron is writer James Reasoner, who tribbed to the Kolchak Casebook which I helped (unofficially) on the editing. http://home.flash.net/~livia/index.htm

James and his family lost EVERYTHING. The fires overtook his house so fast all he could do was grab the dogs and floor the gas pedal to outrace it. I can't imagine what they're going through.

They lost everything; they need everything. As you all know if you've read my carping in this blog, writers are notoriously underpaid for the work.

They NEED HELP. Seriously. if you've got a few bucks to send their way (skip colas or Starbucks for a week, it adds up) send them to some people who really need a little kindness from strangers.

From the Western Writers of America:

Longtime Western writer and WWA member James Reasoner and wife Livia lost their house and studio, and all their belongings, in a fire earlier this week. They're OK, as are their dogs and children, but got out with only their clothes they were wearing. Books, pulps, comics, everything else, gone. "This is totally overwhelming," James says.

To help the family, Western Writers of America and Kensington Books have agreed to make sizable contributions and ask anyone who would also like to contribute to send cash donations to the WWA Executive Director's office in Albuquerque, N.M.

Make the check out to Western Writers of America and put in the memo that the money is for the James Reasoner Emergency Fund.

Checks should be mailed to:

WWA
MSC06 3770
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

Since James and Livia also lost their sizable library, donations are also being sought to help restock their bookcases whenever they have a new home. Kim Lionetti, Livia's agent at BookEnds, has generously agreed to accept any BOOK donations and keep them until the Reasoners have a place to put them. Books should be sent to:

Kim Lionetti
BookEnds Inc.
136 Long Hill Road
Gillette, NJ 07933

Our thoughts and prayers are with James, Livia and family during this trying time.
Thanks for your help.
Johnny D. Boggs
WWA Vice President

-----------------

If everyone who has me listed as a friend would send in just 20.00, that's nearly five thousand bucks.

Please, be a friend to James and his family, too.

Thank you,

Pat

From Jeff Vandermeer:

Caitlin R. Kiernan has been fighting a medical condition for a few years now. It’s intensified and she’s incurred a lot of medical expenses. She blogs about it here. That entry also includes the link to donate money, as well as a link to an ebay auction. Please consider a donation. The first five people to pledge to donate money in the comments field below will received a hardcover signed first edition of Shriek: An Afterword from me, once that payment is confirmed.

Kiernan is one of our most accomplished stylists and has given me many hours of reading pleasure.

She is also a full-time writer. That’s not only a rare thing–it’s a dangerous thing, because it sometimes leaves you exposed.