Patricia
Flaherty Pagan writes, edits and facilitates writing workshops in Texas. She is
the founder and editor-in-chief of Spider Road Press, an independent press
specializing in short fiction. Today she joins us to discuss a passion very
close to her heart. Learn more about Patricia at her website.
Heroines Reading
Heroines
Lots of us like to read books about strong women. I know
that I enjoy reading about clever sleuths like Cordelia Gray, gritty truth
seekers like Tess Monaghan, adventurers like Elizabeth Gilbert, and helpful
optimists like L. M. Montgomery’s Anne. While revising my mystery novel, I fell
into the intense and exciting practice of writing flash fiction. Precision
rules. Every word must prove its merit. When I recently began assembling a
collection of flash fiction by strong women, I had an idea. I could do more
than marry these very short tales of suspense to literary explorations and
entertaining Sci-Fi stories. There were real
heroines out there, making a difference in women’s lives every day. Why not
donate part of the proceeds from the collection to these women helping women? In
that way, those who purchased the book could become heroines as well.
But how to best help women? According to the National
Institute of Mental Health, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, affects 7.7
million American adults, and women are more likely to suffer from this serious
health issue. Brave servicewomen, reliable first responders, and strong
survivors of the private wars of rape and domestic violence can all face this
disorder. Yet hope exists. Across America, counselors at rape crisis centers,
domestic violence shelters and veterans’ organizations are making a difference.
Personally, I count as friends a couple of women who counsel those with PTSD,
and a couple of women who live with it every day.
So, I decided to donate five percent of the proceeds from the
anthology that I edited, Up, Do: Flash
Fiction by Women Writers, to rape crisis and veteran’s services. Giving
back felt great! I selected agencies and groups in the states where I have
lived and traveled, as I have seen the impact that these organizations have on
their communities. In my adopted city of Houston, the Houston Area Women’s
Center offers an array of vital services, including helping survivors of sexual
assault. Both the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and SARSSM of Maine have
supported rape survivors in cities that I know and love. In addition, Disabled
American Veterans helps returning female (and male) vets access many forms of concrete
and emotional support.
I am proud to announce that through initial sales of the Up, Do anthology, my small press,
Spider Road, has been able to make small donations to each of these important
charities. If sales continue at the same rate, I hope to donate to rape crisis
services in Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as to other veterans’ groups.
Furthermore, I am so excited by the process that I have decided to give five
percent of the proceeds from every title that Spider Road Press publishes to
charity from this point onward!
Up, Do: Flash Fiction
by Women Writers
A collection of thirty-three intriguing, very short stories
by talented women. It includes surprising tales by award-winning short fiction
writer Kathryn Kulpa, popular romance novelist Donna Hill, suspense writer Eden
Royce, award-winning science fiction writer Melissa J. Lytton and many others. A
part of the proceeds from each sale is donated to rape crisis and veteran’s
services.
1 comment:
Proud to be part of this effort and this beautiful book.
Janet Garber
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