I’m participating in a Write-a-Thon on Nov. 15 to raise funds for Dzanc Books. That’s right, this Saturday. (No, this has nothing to do with the NaNoWriMo Write-a-Thon that takes place the same day. Confused? Don't be.
Dzanc Books is a non-profit enterprise dedicated the promulgation and publication of literary fiction. They also develop educational programs, you know, for kids, including one in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where my mother was born and raised. Dzanc Books is precisely the kind of organization that struggles in times like these.
Also, Dzanc has brought some truly great works of fiction into the world, namely the short story collection All Over and the novella Nothing in the World by Roy Kesey. I’m singling Kesey’s books out because he’s an amazing writer, a member of the Legion of Vermin (i.e. someone who’s read at my reading series Vermin on the Mount), and a friend. It’s also worth noting that Steve Seighman, another Legionnaire, designed these books for Dzanc.
Here’s how it works: On the eve of Nov. 15 Dzanc Books will send out a prompt and I’ll have exactly one day to respond. I’ll most likely write a short story or personal essay, depending on the prompt. Given the lofty goals of the program, I’ll try not to be mean-spirited or vulgar, but this will be difficult.
You can donate a flat rate ($5, $10, $40, $100, etc.) or you can contribute by the word (1 cent, 2 cents, 50 cents, etc.). I’m guessing I’ll probably write something in the 1,000-1,500 word range, but there are no guarantees. If the muse demands 7,000 words, you could be in for an expensive surprise. (My muse drinks bourbon and is prone to reciting Jack Kerouac’s Old Angel Midnight down by the river.) If I were you, I’d pick the flat rate. Even a contribution of $5 will help! That's the price of a smoothie or the really big cup of coffee I'll be drinking on Saturday.
When all is said and done, Dzanc will distribute a PDF of all the work generated during the Write-a-Thon, which I will distribute to you, my generous donors. So it’s not really a donation but an advance purchase of a tax deductible electronic anthology filled with amazing writing produced on November 15. If you’re interested in supporting this noble endeavor, please click on this link. Then, scroll down until you see my name “Jim Ruland” and click on the link that will take you directly to my donor page where you can make your contribution via PayPal or credit card without any further hassling from me. You can also send me a check -- just reply to this email to work out the details.
Because I am an advertising professional, I feel compelled to throw in a special offer. Make that three special offers:
1. Everyone who supports me during the Write-a-Thon (monetarily, that is, although I will gladly accept brownies and back rubs) will receive a copy of my self published zine “The Stripper in Her Natural Habitat.” Three short stories, one of which is kinda sorta autobiographical (unless you’re my mother or mother-in-law in which case it’s 100% fiction) absolutely free.
2. Anyone who donates $20 or more can contribute a single word to the story or essay. For example, let’s say you feel the word “serendipity” is grossly underappreciated in our culture, here’s your chance to rectify that. For $50 or more I’ll accept proper nouns like Eli Manning or Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The sky’s the limit!
3. For the donor who contributes the most amount of money I will send you a copy of my short story collection, Big Lonesome. Already have a copy? It makes a great gift. I’ll even wrap it for you.
Thank you for reading this far and for considering to contribute to this worthy cause!
Your obedient servant,
Jim Ruland
