First published 2012
This anthology brings together voices from across genre fiction in service of a singular mission. Crime writers like George Pelecanos and Andrew Vachss join forces with horror authors, thriller specialists, and fantasy storytellers including Joe R. Lansdale, Charles de Lint, and Ken Bruen. Each contributor crafts original fiction while supporting PROTECT, an organization that fights for legislation shielding children from abuse. The collection spans multiple genres, from noir tales by Roxane Gay to transgressive fiction by Les Edgerton. Rock critic Dave Marsh provides the foreword to these forty-one stories. Every dollar earned flows directly to PROTECT's advocacy work. The organization has already secured major legislative wins, including the Protect Our Children Act of 2008, which forced the Justice Department to establish a national command center targeting child exploitation. Their Hero to Hero initiative puts disabled veterans on the front lines against abuse, while Alicia's Law continues expanding their reach.
Genres: fiction, crime, horror, thriller, activism
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, social-commentary
376 pages · Paperback · Goombah Gumbo Press
Content warnings: abuse, child-abuse