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jskuiken:

I know what you’re thinking.

Gee whiz, why does my bookshelf not have a cool fantasy novel with a kickass transman of color as the protagonist?

A book which uses a pre-Iron Age fantasy world framework in the tradition of LeGuin and N. K. Jemisin, to look at all the complex ways sexuality, gender, and culture shape and bend and break us as human beings?

A book which also features a badass asexual warrior woman, and a quiet yet emotionally wise dude, and a family forged from love and loyalty rather than bloodlines?

Yeah, I know you want this book so badly you can practically feel the empty space it should fill on your bookshelf.

Well, the reason this book is not on your shelf right now is that I (J S Kuiken, or Jesse) have not finished writing it yet.

But there is one way you can help me finish this book, friends, and therefore help fill that gaping void on your bookshelf.

I was recently offered a Fellowship to the Lambda Literary Foundation’s Emerging Writer’s Retreat. The retreat specifically helps LGBTQ writers, and I would use the Fellowship to finish work on my novel in progress, Hearth-Song.

The Foundation has generously offered $ 850 of scholarship money, covering more than half of my expenses. 

In order for me to attend the retreat, I need $ 800 more dollars to cover the cost of tuition, and room and board.  

Now, for those of you who know a bit about my financial situation, $ 800 is a princely sum of money to come up with. This ain’t some pre-Iron age world, where I could trade a goat or sell my fifthborn into slavery. There are months where there is very little between me and not being able to pay rent, despite the fact that I work my ass off. (Not literally, of course, because I am sitting on said ass as I type this.)

So anything you can donate at this point would be much appreciated. :D

In the process, you get to the support the work of a starving artist (me!) and contribute to the arts in some small way. You also get to support me as I finish Hearth-Song. And then, eventually, you will even get to fill that dark, gaping hole on your bookshelf when Hearth-Song is finally published. :D

Making a donation is easy and safe- simply click this link, then the “Donate Now” button in the upper right of the page to donate. All donations are tax deductible as well. 

Incorrigibly,

Jesse