Friday, November 27, 2015

Thanksgiving? Writers Giving! You Giving? by Kathy Halsey

Often we writers are on the chase, like Mr. Gobble here. We chase ideas, stories, our next dream. But, sometimes we come together for a cause, like this writer, Lynn Kelley, who represents many giving writers who've created an anthology, KISSED BY AN ANGEL, the brainchild of writer/mother Robyn Campbell. 
Lynn Kelley
Christopher, Robyn's son, has Sturge-Weber Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting the brain which causes calcification of the brain, and blood vessels, but he has powered through with family and friends to live as normally as possible. He even has his black belt! Robyn says others with Sturge-Weber have seizures, blindness, strokes, blood clots and more. Robyn will tell you that her son, Christopher, is the hero, but they are both worthy of that title in MY book.


ALL the proceeds from KISSED BY AN ANGEL will be donated to the Sturge-Weber Foundation to benefit others. Check out that foundation link and their motto, "The stronger the wind, the tougher the trees." We writers all know about tough times in trenches, but what if people whispered about you, made fun of you to the point you had to ask Mom,"Why am I so different?" That's when Robyn told Christopher, who has a port wine stain over much of his body, that he was "touched by an angel." Thus begins the anthology's first story of Christopher as told by Robyn. I have read it with the accompanying photos and it is a hero's journey indeed! 

Most of these tales feature middle grade main characters who are gifted or have exceptional powers. In this 159 page-turner, you'll find code breakers, time machines, undercover agents, and even a fishy mystery. A kid lit writer who is a "kid" himself, Erik Weibel, is part of this awesome group of writers, many whom you know from Facebook:Yvette Carol, Catherine Johnson, Lynn Kelley, Teresa Robeson, Theresa Milstein, Suzy Levinson, Vivian Kirkfield, Ellen Warach Leventhal, Hope Lim, and Cheryl Secomb. 
Randomly generated by Worlde

So while you're munching on cold turkey sandwiches, watching football, or Black Friday shopping, put this anthology on your list as a holiday book that will benefit so many. The book's publication date is tentatively set for December 13, so stay tuned to the GROG for more info. I am grateful to be writing a post on all these heroes, writers, and of course, Christopher.


19 comments:

  1. Well done Kathy. Well done. I'll be supporting this book on 12/13 by purchasing a copy. Thank you for this post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post, Kathy! Thanks. It does take a village, and I love my kid lit cyber village!

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely cause, indeed. Thank you, Kathy, for sharing the beautiful work of Robyn Campbell. KISSED BY AN ANGEL looks like a must read.

    Wishing everyone blessings this Thanksgiving season.
    ~Suzy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Suzy. This anthology is truly a gift. :-)

      Delete
  4. Lovely post, Kathy, to support a wonderful cause. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's awesome this book could come about and support Christopher and others.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, awesome post, Kathy. I love how you tied the anthology in with Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. I didn't know this was the foundation's motto: "The stronger the wind, the tougher the trees."

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful shout out! Your support is very much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I figured I told you guys that. I'm just thankful Kathy did. And yes. Kathy's support is appreciated more than she will ever know.

      Delete
  7. Such an important cause. I'm really proud to be a part of this anthology.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're glad your fabulous story is in the anthology, Theresa.

      Delete
  8. Kathy, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your support means EVERYTHING to me and Christopher. The time you put into this beautiful post, not to mention the work. There are no words to explain what this means to me. You are a shining light, my friend. Christopher could not believe you tied this into Thanksgiving because he did that too. Great minds. Sending love your way.

    ReplyDelete
  9. And thanks to the other GROG members for allowing this post to go up. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    ReplyDelete
  10. WOW! Awesome post, dear Kathy! Participating in the Kissed by an Angel Anthology was so much fun...and a great honor! I'll be sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very important to know about this Kathy.
    And so like you to be the one to share it.
    Bravo! to Christopher.
    So glad to recognize names such as Vivian & Teresa.
    Thanks again, Kathy.

    ReplyDelete