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You Are Not Alone

Published Tue, 25 Dec 2012 10:00:02 -0600

Andrew Gloletz writes;

As a response not only to the tragic events in Newtown, CT but for the dangers that many children unfortunately face every day of their lives from racism to homophobia to body issues, The GrayHaven Comics team has decided to produce a Free Comic Book that can be used as a guide to possibly help those in need.

The events of December 14, when 26 innocent people (including 20 children) lost their lives, have affected many people. I know it's touched me in a profound way. My fellow editors have felt the same and after much discussion we agreed that something had to be done.

What good is having the ability to reach people with our stories if we can't put that to use in a beneficial way?

It goes beyond the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School. It goes beyond the victims of Aurora. This is not about gun violence or gun control. This is not a political statement. This is a statement of being good to your fellow man.

This is about Brandon Elizares, a 14 year old boy who took his own life after being bullied for coming out to his friends and classmates.

This is about Victoria Gray's African American son who was tied to a locker at his High School as classmates taunted him with cheers of 'slave for sale'

This is about the 11 year old developmentally challenged child who was held down on a kitchen table by four adults who took turns beating him.

This is about the victims of Jerry Sandusky's abuse and others like him.

This is about the children who are ridiculed or worse because of the color of their skin. Their sexual orientation. Their mental capacity. Their weight. Their interests.

This is about the children who no longer feel safe going to the movies or to school.

This is about the millions of kids who suffer abuse and suffer in silence thinking that no one cares.

This project is designed to show that we hear you. People care. WE CARE. And what they can do to get help.

GrayHaven Comics will be publishing YOU ARE NOT ALONE, a very special anthology one shot featuring stories inspired but not based on real life events like the ones mentioned above. With this book we hope to give people the means to get help and know what to do should they ever witness or face such situations themselves. The book will be produced by our editors and distributed by us for FREE in order to get the message out to as many people who could benefit from it as possible. Along with print volumes we will also offer a free digital version of the book for those that prefer their reading on handhelds. A donation button will be placed on the site for anyone who wants to contribute any amount (be it a dollar or ten) and those funds will go to the charities established for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

We will be taking open submissions for these topics but room will be limited and stories will be capped at 4 pages in length and editorial will guide writers and artists to make sure the material fits the criteria and is suitable for younger readers who we hope to reach with these stories. Interested writers and artists can contact me directly at gatheringanthology@hotmail.com

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