Call out to all Readers: Outhouse Book Drive

Call out to all Readers: Outhouse Book Drive

Just over a month ago I invited authors to join me in a book drive for Outhouse in Dublin; you can read all about my idea and the centre here: Outhouse Book Drive.

From the moment I launched the idea the amazing people at Dreamspinner Press have been supporting the initiative; sharing posts and making it possible for authors to donate copies of their books through the publisher, who offered to take care of the shipping costs.

Now the wonderful Dreamspinner Crew has gone one step further and is offering readers the opportunity to join in. From January 14^th until January 17^th readers who want to make a donation can purchase copies of their favourite titles at a 50% discount. Dreamspinner will, once again, look after shipping the books to Dublin.

If you are interested in participating you can go to the Dreamspinner website and, using the promo code ‘Library50’, buy one or more copies of your favourite titles and thus help expand the beautiful Outhouse library.

I’m slightly overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for the support I have received from readers, authors and Dreamspinner Press so far, and very excited about making the donation in the not too distant future.

I will of course keep everybody up to date about developments in future blog posts. Thank you so much for your help.

Call Out to All Authors: Outhouse Book Drive

Outhouse Book Drive

While visiting Dublin yesterday I decided to at last do something I’d wanted to do for months; visit The Outhouse, a Community and Resource centre for LGBT people, their families and friends in Dublin’s city centre. The Outhouse offers a wide range of services—have a look at their website here—but I was particularly interested in their library. (Well, I would be, wouldn’t I? Occupational hazard and such.)

The images of the library show a comfortable room, filled with books. I could imagine myself happily spending hours there, reading in one of the comfy chairs. However, what I didn’t find on those shelves, were any LGBTQ titles like those we write. And the thing is, as far as I know there is no bookshop or library in Dublin (or Ireland) where those books can be found.

I stood in the middle of that room, looking around and imagined how wonderful it would be if there was a shelf or bookcase filled with books by the authors I’ve come to love.

So I came up with this rather ambitious idea for a book drive. But I need help to make it happen. I would like to ask all authors writing LGBTQ books to send (a) paperback(s) to me. I’ll collect all the books and then bring them to The Outhouse at a future date. Right now I’m looking at January 26^th, which would give me the time to get this organised and would allow for books to reach me without getting caught up in the postal madness over the Christmas season. That date also happens to be my birthday, and it is a good Dutch tradition to give to others on that occasion.

This is a general call out. The Outhouse operates as a lending library, therefore books for all ages and all tastes would be welcome. In fact, I would do a happy dance if one or more Young Adult authors were willing to participate. The one shelf of titles aimed at that age group did disappoint me, especially since I firmly believe teenagers benefit most from being able to read about people and situations they recognise.

Please contact me if you would be interested in participating. My email address is helenastone63@gmail.com or you can send me a PM on Facebook. If we all work together we’ll be able to transform this library and turn a wonderful space into a small piece of heaven.

LGBTQ Push Back Charity Giveaway

Today I come to you with a request and bearing gifts. I'm very proud to be one of 224 participants in the LGBTQ Push Back Charity Giveaway, an event organised in order to give back to those charities and organisations that give so much.

I'm sure you've heard about the American Pizza Parlour owners who announced they would refuse to cater to LGBT weddings and subsequently received a million dollars in donations through GoFundMe. 

A million dollars (or Euros or Pounds) would make such a huge difference to the charities and organisations who work tirelessly on behalf of the LGBTQ community, and we - authors, bloggers and publishers - have decided it's time to make a stand.

Have a look at Diverse Readers' blog for a short story by A.J. Rose which illustrates what it is all about, as well as the rules and your opportunity to enter and win a book. The words former Irish President Mary McAleese used when talking about the marriage equality referendum, apply to the topic as a whole: