otherwise

I have decided to reissue the e-book of Otherwise. 

(This edition contains notes on what inspired me in the writing of each poem, as well as a small number of photographs.)

However, I am doing something a little unusual with it. Instead of paying me for the book, I will send you a copy in return for you donating to a charity. 

If you would like a PDF copy of Otherwise, either for yourself or to give to someone else, then please donate a small amount, such as you consider appropriate, to one of the following organisations. To be fair, I will want proof of some kind - although if you're putting a dollar or two into the McDonald's donation jar, you won't have a receipt. Something like a cellphone photo would do, or you could write about it on your weblog. That way, I can share what people are doing.

Money isn't the issue here. Not only are e-books currently undervalued, but I don't rate my own little volume as being worth much. I just thought this might be a small way to do something nice for the world.

Furthermore, it's important for me to say that often I don't have a couple of dollars to put towards an entertainment item like a book. Or at least I have the money but can't justify spending it when there are other, more important purchases to be made. I know in this economy other people share that situation. I would not want anyone to feel bad if they can't afford to donate to a charity right now!

Therefore, you might choose instead to ...

* write a letter to a political prisoner
* volunteer for a couple of hours
* advertise the charity on your website
* write to a politican about Guantamano Bay
* donate clothes to a welfare bin
* donate quality second-hand toys to your local childrens' hospital
* teach a group of kids about animal rights
* buy a cruelty-free bottle of shampoo or soap instead of your normal brand

or in some other non-fiscal manner support the charity of your choice from the following list.


I am providing this selection because I would not support all charities, and these ones best represent what is most important to me: helping those who can not help themselves, especially children, animals, and victims of politics.

Ronald McDonald House (or your local children's hospital) 

Amnesty International (or any charity which helps survivors of torture) 

Animal Welfare Institute (or any animal welfare charity) 

A Child's Hope Foundation or Catholic Charities (or any charity supporting adoption) 

Barnardos New Zealand

Unicef 

I intend to follow this scheme with any e-books I publish in the future.

Please consider sharing this post. Thank you :-)