For those of you who have checked out the About section of this blog, you'll know that my day job is a psychological assessment administrator (psychometrist for short). Every work day is a visit with individuals who live with mental illness, and after eight years, I have massive respect for what these clients endure. I celebrate their successes on their roads to recovery. Not every road is smooth, however. Help is needed every now and then.
Robison Wells, author of these awesome books below, is very open about his struggles with mental illness. He has four diagnoses, which unfortunately has contributed to his recent unemployment. His debt isn't helping, a trigger that nearly 30 authors want to alleviate.
That's why Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells (Robison's brother) started the Altered Perceptions Anthology Campaign, a collection of never before seen shorts, deleted chapters, and other awesome surprises from some of today's hottest authors (and my personal favorites). And with the help of a rare and recent bonus from my employment at a mental health facility, I'm going to pledge. But I want to make this interesting--how about a little experiment?
Yep. I will donate $1 for every comment on this post today (up to $100, because any post can go viral and I'm not exactly rich). If you so wish to make your own contribution, you can learn more at the Altered Perceptions page. Or you can run a post like this. Either way, the campaign is halfway there with two weeks to go. Let's make this anthology happen, and let's help free Robison from his debt!
What are you waiting for? Comment! You're donating my money!
Have you ever backed a project before? What impact has mental health made in your life? How come Fry's meme never gets old?
I'm David, and spreading the word earns you a virtual cruller!
Yep. I will donate $1 for every comment on this post today (up to $100, because any post can go viral and I'm not exactly rich). If you so wish to make your own contribution, you can learn more at the Altered Perceptions page. Or you can run a post like this. Either way, the campaign is halfway there with two weeks to go. Let's make this anthology happen, and let's help free Robison from his debt!
What are you waiting for? Comment! You're donating my money!
Have you ever backed a project before? What impact has mental health made in your life? How come Fry's meme never gets old?
I'm David, and spreading the word earns you a virtual cruller!
Here's your first dollar donation!!
ReplyDeletePosted about it for you today. Probably a good idea to put a cap on it because we could really spend your money.
Prayers for Wells and that's an awesome project to put together for him.
How terrible. I will go donate, too.
ReplyDeleteDavid: Here's dollar #2....and I'll stop by the altered perceptions page and check out Robison's books. Awesome to have others pitch in and help out a friend in need. I work for a veteran's support group and sometimes things get tough for people struggling with personal issues. I tip my hat to you for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt's very kind of you to think of others.
Spreading the word.
Heather
Aw, you are so sweet. I read about this on Sanderson's blog a while back I think? I think. It is nice to see someone (you) who is trying to make the world better for others, not just when "on the clock" but always. Nice work :)
ReplyDeleteBeing one who struggles with mental problems as well, I surely know how difficult this can be. You are amazing and very kind in doing this for a fellow writer, Sir David. That is what knights do. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's another dollar, cha-ching. Too bad you're only going up to 100 because otherwise I might have just kept commenting all day. It's fun to spend someone else's money.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. This is surely a worthy cause. I know Sanderson does some great things, much like Patrick Rothfuss, so glad to see authors helping out.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Ax: Writer's Storm
Commenting here. I hope you don't have to break the piggy bank, but in a way I do. How thoughtful and generous to help another author. My dearest friend struggles with mental illness, so I know what hell he is going through. I'll share this link. So glad to meet someone who cares so much. Wishing you great success!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best thing I've heard friends doing for one another in a long time, and I lament that the timing didn't come at a point more financially lucrative for me. But we're struggling right now w/hubby starting a new job and my stepdaughter graduating and getting married next week. All our money is going to the trip. I feel for Rob so deeply. In my own small way I struggle with mental illness. It's kept me from publishing anything since July 2012 and the guilt of not finishing projects that should be complete just piles on to the issue. The mind can know something intellectually but that doesn't mean action will happen. I'm going to raid my PayPal account and get one of those anthologies. Not because it will be fascinating reading (because I know it will) but because I want to help in any way I can. Later this year, when we're more solvent, I'm going to buy a bunch of Rob's books and donate them to our local libraries--plus keep copies for my personal library. Bless you and the group for doing this for his family, and I wish you all the luck in the world reaching that goal!
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome, David. I love how awesome the writing community is, and I hope this helps Robison a ton...poor guy. :(
ReplyDeleteA great thing you're doing, David. I hope Robison gets through this dark period in his life. A lot of people are struggling with debt these days and it's a major stressor in our society.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful writing community we have! Such an important subject that too many are ashamed of talking about. Thanks for doing your part! You're awesome!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm totally cheating and commenting twice. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy mom has mental illness (dementia) and talks to herself all the time. Recently a co-worker remarked to me that she saw my lips moving and asked if I were talking to myself. I totally was. I realize now more than ever that the apple does not fall far from the tree. In my old age, I have no doubt that I'll be having lengthy conversations with people who aren't there.
ReplyDeleteBless you, David! I didn't know you're in the field. I'll look into these books. Like many (most) others, mental illness has touched and plagued my life in many ways. Thank you for these efforts.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
You're doing a very good thing here! Hope it's a huge success.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see altruism at work. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! It's incredible that you're doing this.
ReplyDeleteDonated $10 and glad. Sorry Robert has all these issues but it is nice of you David to write about it and help.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great and inspiring post, and a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteI will gladly spend your money for such a worthy cause. It's a great thing you guys are doing.
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ReplyDelete(Apparently I can't spell anything.) Thank you so much for your kindness. All through this campaign I've been blown away by the willingness of complete strangers to lay down money to help someone they don't even know.
DeleteThank you, thank you, thank you.
Rob
Hi, David....
ReplyDeleteAdd another buck!
Wonderful idea and all the best to Robinson....
You, Sir, are a kind gentleman....
... and yet another dollar...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gesture David!
Hey David, Alex said I could help by letting you help.
ReplyDeleteI hope this comment helps!
I LOVED Variant and Feedback, and I guess I should promptly buy Blackout. I might not have time to read it until summer, but every book sale helps!
ReplyDeleteNice idea. Stick another buck in the pot.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Hope your writer friend is encouraged by your gesture of kindness!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a wonderful thing you are doing. I hope the whole campaign is a sucess!
ReplyDeleteDealing with mental illness is no picnic. It helps when family and friends rally around, instead of pushing the person away. Kudos to all of you!
ReplyDeleteDoes it go up if I comment more than once? :P
ReplyDeleteI always knew you were special; now you just confirmed just how much. I think what you're doing shows that you are a true friend, and I'm going to make it a point to stop by when I get a chance. You give so many people hope. Hugs, David.
ReplyDeleteI
ReplyDeletecouldn't
ReplyDeleteThink
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ReplyDeleteDPK!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome what you're doing. And what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a worthy cause! Kudos for spreading the word.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that's what you did.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the writing community comes together to help each other. This is a worthy cause.
This is very generous of you! What a great way to spend your IWSG post!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome deed for a great cause! I really love our writing community. :)
ReplyDeleteS.K.Anthony: IWSG
I've never worked with a project like that on my blog. It sounds like a wonderful cause.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to help a fellow writer, David! I hope you're well. :)
ReplyDeleteDavid, that's such an awesome thing! I hope it goes really well! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, David! Good luck to him on his journey. My mom is bipolar and suffers severe PTSD, so I'd say that has had a big impact on me through my life, but I have many friends and family members with various mental illnesses (and I suffer my own). It's a battle to be fought every day, every moment. I hope this goal becomes a reality. And I'll share, though you're already at quite a few comments!
ReplyDeleteYou do great work David. I'm sure your clients value your time and passion.
ReplyDeleteSir Dave,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very "wordy" cause and I thank you for walking the walk and putting your money where your mouth is (That's a LOT of money :)
PS: It's only 10:23 p.m. HST, so this should count as $59 :)
Good on you, mate :)
i hope i'm not too late... it's still hump day to me. i love Robison's work! (and Dan's and Brandon's) you have to make it an even $60!
ReplyDeletewhat a great guy you are - but i already knew that =)
Bless your heart, David. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! Debt is never easy and usually only makes hard situations seem worse at the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind and generous thing to do.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a really awesome campaign for Robison! Thank you for giving us all a chance to chime in and help.
ReplyDelete