The idea to donate royalties isn’t a new one. It’s a marketing tool, but not a ploy. If you’re not entirely familiar with the backstory, here’s a shortened version:
It was an usual Sunday afternoon, typically reserved for spending time with Sue. But, November 1, 2015, I was working on Nathan’s Clan of Deadheads; writing or revising, I can’t quite remember. My niece, Stacie, called to tell me her youngest sibling, Heidi, had been killed. Stunned, I listened as Stacie related the incident. Few details were known, the death was still under investigation by the Ohio Park Rangers and county police.
News stations picked up the story, as did newspapers. Heidi died as she lived: protecting someone not able to protect themselves. She saw a man dragging his son by the hair and ran to aid the youngster. Having stopped the abuse and giving the father a good (vulgar-ridden, I’m sure) tongue lashing she headed back to her friends who were waiting in a restaurant across the parking lot. Train tracks divide the spot. Distracted by what had just happened, and hearing impaired, she died the instant the train hit her.
As I traveled to Ohio for her funeral, I knew two things for certain. I would dedicate the book to Heidi, and she had to become a character. My three World of Deadheads novels touch on domestic violence. Book 1, Marvin’s World, introduces it; Book 2, Jenna’s Gang, delves in a little bit further; Book 3, the just released Nathan’s Clan takes another step forward.
I’m donating 50% of royalties (retaining the rest for taxes) to domestic violence shelters and hotlines. The images on the home page of this website all have hyperlinks to the books. Click through, buy, and support victims of domestic violence.