Tuesday, October 9, 2012

INDIE PUBLISHING AND CHARITY ANTHOLOGIES

My good friend Nancy Haddock has been telling me marvelous tales of her charity anthology that she and 10 other incredible authors put together, but I didn't realize that all of the money from the sales, so far around $11,000, goes directly to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

Here is the story in Nancy's words:

In the spring of 2011, my friend Misty Evans approached me about writing a short story for a charity anthology. She had me at charity, and wow! The eleven awesome Authors4theCure who wrote for Entangled include award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, and two breast cancer survivors.

Misty Evans and Edie Ramer were our editors and publishers, the cover art was donated by Laura Morrigan, and the formatting donated by Lori Devoti. Stacia Kane contributed the forward. Our charity? The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)! http://www.bcrfcure.org/
 

Since being involved in Entangled, I’ve become more aware of other charity anthology efforts. Writers of every genre and subgenre have long contributed to anthologies benefiting causes from child protection to veteran housing to natural disaster relief.

However, indie publishing provides a less expensive venue for both the authors and the buyers to support causes. All the proceeds (less what the etailers might keep) go to the designated charity.

Amazon Kindle -  http://tinyurl.com/8f6qtop
B&N Nook  -  http://tinyurl.com/9bndnmx  


 Here’s an example of two charity anthologies from my friend Cynthia D’Alba in her own words:
 
"Last fall, my local Arkansas chapter (Diamond State Romance Authors) went as a group to a conference in northern Arkansas. We stayed at a B&B located at a wildlife rescue compound. We fell in love with the big cats, the grizzly bear (rescued from a home where the owner thought having a grizzly as a pet was a good idea!) and the coyote (who thinks he’s one of the big cats!). The staff is so caring and loving and so underfunded. How could we not get involved?"


"DSRA coordinated two anthologies (one adult, one YA) to raise money for the care of the animals saved by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge." http://www.turpentinecreek.org/

"The authors involved in this project get nothing personally except the satisfaction of helping. TCWR’s mission statement is “To provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected “Big Cats” with emphasis on Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and Cougars."

Available at http://tinyurl.com/9br82hb


 



"Take a look at these gorgeous covers designed by Elle James, Photos by Scott Smith from TCWR. While they look like true cover models, these big cats currently live at TCWR. Missy (Wild at Heart, Vol 1) is a Siberian Tiger rescued from a breeder. Loretta (Wild at Heart, Vol 2) is a White Bengal Tiger rescued from a breeder."

Available at http://tinyurl.com/9hdjnv5





The slogan for these anthologies is: Wild at Heart – Great Reads for a Great Cause. Cool, huh?
 
 It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and if you choose to buy Entangled, a paranormal anthology to support the cause, thank you!

If you choose to support another anthology for another cause, more power to you!

Want advice in creating your own charity anthology? See this article by Sarah Dray - http://www.ehow.com/how_2352330_put-together-charity-anthology-book.html

Last, know that when you support charity anthologies, you also support indie publishing – and get a lot of reading pleasure for your money! Can’t beat a win-win-win!

Thanks, Nancy, www.nancyhaddock.com Cynthia, and all the writers for your charity of spirit. 


Best always,
~LA

 

 

27 comments:

  1. LA, thank you for this marvelous opportunity to get the word out about ENTANGLED, and about the WILD AT HEART anthologies! I so appreciate the invitation, and all the work you put into making the post beautiful!

    I'll be back to respond to any questions I can answer, and to comments.

    Light,
    Nancy

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  2. LA, thanks to you and Nancy for showcasing Entangled. It really was a wonderful experience working with all the authors. And we had some amazing people helping us. I love the cover, and Stacia Kane wrote the best forward ever.

    I love the covers for Wild at Heart, too, and the cause!

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  3. It was great being able to participate with Nancy, Edie, and the other authors in the Entangled anthology. I think it's so wonderful that authors are donating their time and writing talents to create charity anthologies.

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  4. I totally agree with everything you said Nancy! Being able to write something I love for a cause I care about makes writing that much better.

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  5. When I heard about this concept from Nancy, I thought it was so incredible. Imagine Indie publishing your book or anthology and giving to something that means so much to you.

    I think it is the best of both worlds. And I'm going to find a way to make it happen for me.

    Thanks ladies for shining the light.


    ~Ciao
    LA

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  6. A couple of questions.
    Do all proceeds have to be donated or can one choose a percentage?

    And is there a time limit set by you to have the proceeds donated?

    ~ciao
    LA

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  7. LA, thanks for having Nancy here to talk about our anthology this month. We're all believers in the cause to wipe out breast cancer.

    I'm in another anthology where all proceeds go to the charity as well. Some groups cover the cost of cover art and editing first if those aren't donated and then give the proceeding profits to the charity.

    Initially, we set our time frame for one year. Everyone was so happy with the results of Entangled, we've decided to extend our time frame for another year. Then we can reevaluate and maybe even do a second anthology.

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  8. LA, Hi and thanks for spotlighting Entangled and the Wild at Heart anthologies. It's been a great experience for me to work with all these talented authors. That we've raised so much money for breast cancer is awesome!

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  9. Hi Ladies! Before I forget, have you had your mammos lately? Big Hint!

    I'm right there with everything y'all said. This has been an amazing and rewarding experience beyond measure, and I'm so fortunate to be a part of it!

    LA, to answer your questions, I know that hard copy authors have donated portions of their proceeds to charities, and it stands to reason you can do the same with indie pubbing. You can also limit the time frame, I'm sure.

    ENTANGLED will stay on sale for the foreseeable future, but eventually the authors will want to use their stories on their websites and/or elsewhere. At that point, ENTANGLED will no longer be for sale.

    Another hint, hint, gentle readers. If you don't have your copy of ENTANGLED, get it while you still can! :)

    Hugs to you all!

    Nancy

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  10. What a wonderful project, Nancy! This is a great way to support causes close to our hearts.

    Marty

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  11. Darlin' Marty/ Molly! Thanks so much for visiting LA's blog and commenting! You're so right, and I hope I'm invited to the next anthology party these authors throw!

    Hugs and Light,
    Nancy

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  12. Hi Leslie! Thank you for featuring the Wild at Heart anthologies. Originally there was supposed to be only one, but the outpouring of love for the work these dedicated people at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge do for these incredible animals brought in many many great stories. Thus we ended up with two volumes...one adult romance (pg rates) and one YA collection. Every cent of profit goes to TCWR. Neither the sponsoring chapter (Diamond State Romance Authors) nor the contributing authors receive any financial compensation. As someone with a story in Vol.1, I'm thrilled for TCWR. It's a place close to my heart.

    Thank you again!

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  13. Hi Leslie :) Thank you for helping to promote the Wild at Heart anthologies. I'm an author from Vol. II, and I very much appreciate it. Health, Wealth, and a Spooky Halloween to you and yours!

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  14. Great post, Nancy! You know I loves ya and I'm so happy to be in the anthology with you :)

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  15. It is my pleasure to talk about what you all have done. Actually, let me rephrase that.

    It's been an honor.

    ~LA

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  16. Cynthia, Tara, and Michelle, thanks for coming by to check out the post and thank LA. She's as awesome as all of you!

    Light,
    Nancy

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  17. Thank you, LA, for talking about Wild at Heart. I'm one of the authors and am so proud to be a part of this effort.

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  18. Thanks so much for posting Wild at Heart. The proceeds will benefit such a great cause.

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  19. One name in the charity anthology world that has to be mentioned is Alessia Brio and the "Coming Together" series.

    www.eroticanthology.com

    I've edited two anthologies through this imprint and I have to say that it's a marvelous way to put my talents toward causes I believe in.

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  20. Thank you so much for taking the time to help promote these anthologies! I'm one of the Wild at Heart authors, and I can tell you it has been a fantastic experience to be a part of such a meaningful project. Thanks again!

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  21. How does any one lose in this... the author, the reader or the cancer survivor?

    So proud of all of you.

    Thrilled to add this link to Scriptscene RWA.

    Thanks!

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  22. I am so proud of my friends who make a difference in other people's lives. Nancy, well done, and to these fabulous authors. Breast cancer plays no favorites. Eventually this horrible disease affects everyone. Thanks for hosting this information, L.A.!

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  23. Leslie, what a great topic! Thank you for including Wild at Heart in your post. As a WAH author and animal rights advocate, the project has been and continues to be educational, helpful and heart warming. All the best, Megan Mitcham

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  24. Many thanks to all the WILD AT HEART authors and those affiliated with the anthologies for coming by to comment.

    When Leslie asked me to do the post, and I decided on my topic, I'd just had a notice about WAH from Cynthia D'Alba. I was excited to ask her to do a write up for the article, excited to share the spotlight.

    Hubby and I just visited Eureka Springs where refuge pix were prominently displayed, but didn't get to see the refuge. Next time, it'll be a top stop!

    Hope we generate lots of interest in our charity anthologies, and in others as well!

    Light,
    Nancy

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  25. Hi Nancy,
    Great post! And what a great idea! Very heartwarming.

    All the best to you!

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  26. Karilyn, thank you for stopping by and commenting! Have a fab weekend, and I'll hope to see you soon!

    Light,
    Nancy

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  27. Good post, Nancy and Leslie. Michele Diener, another anthology author, was on my blog. It's such an important cause, and I'm so glad to see authors supporting it. Entangled has an interesting cover too.

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