Finding Hope in the Storm

My sister, Beth Hill, painted this stunning piece that will be a part of the cover of Moving Salmon Bay -- the new ebook I'll be releasing soon. ALL proceeds from the ebook going to directly help those impacted by Typhoon Halong.

A typhoon devastated my home region. Villages are destroyed. Lives lost. Homes and communities left in utter ruins. Alaskans and others from near and far have come to the aid of those displaced and left with nothing, but this is a long game and the people will need support for weeks, months, and years to come.

The situation has left me feeling somewhat helpless.

Those who know me, or who have read my work, likely know that I'm not one who relishes in that feeling, or one to sit and feel helpless for long. I've been volunteering and helping organize in various ways --- and of course dreaming big, in bigger ways.

In a sense, I also tried to help us avoid this situation, many years ago -- but have been left feeling like I failed on that front.

How?

I wrote a novel about a village forced to move due to climate change a decade and a half ago. That novel didn't find a home with the big US publishers. A major French house published the book, but the big US publishers couldn't quite pull the trigger on a book that instantly killed the interest of half the readership due to thematic issues related to the hoax that is climate change (if you can't hear the seething tone of sarcasm there -- you might be reading up the wrong tree that needs hugging!).

I write all this, to share with you here first, dear reader, fan, friend, and family (there might just be one of you left!) that I'm about to give that book away to help with the relief efforts. You read that correctly. I am going to be dropping that novel as a "free" ebook* into the public realm in an attempt to raise both awareness and funds directed to the relief effort.

An exciting cover reveal will be coming soon --- artwork donated by my sister Beth Hill. A painting that we plan to auction or raffle with the ebook. (Details forthcoming!)

Stay tuned. I hope you'll donate, or share the links to the book, and once it is out read and let me know what you think when the book hits the web.

In the meantime you can also donate directly here at the Alaska Community Foundation website. As of right now, I think this is the best place to donate so that those most impacted get the financial support they need.

Quyana! And Thank you!

*by "free" I'm hoping people will donate -- and/or I'm still working on figuring out how to deliver the ebook in the most effective manner. If you have ideas, let me know!