Malinda Lo
Blog
Nov 1, 2010
Help me give away copies of ASH! – Updated
Since Ash was published just over a year ago, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to LGBTQ teens several times, at their high schools and LGBT community centers. I’ve really loved these visits, and I wish I could do a lot more of them! Unfortunately I’m limited by geography and my travel budget, so I personally can’t go across the country popping in at LGBTQ youth groups.
But … my books can! And I have at least 30 copies of Ash that I want to put in the hands of LGBTQ teens. But I need your help in figuring out who to send these books to.
Are you a teacher who mentors a gay-straight alliance at your high school?
Are you a school/public librarian who looks out for LGBTQ teens?
Are you a staff member or volunteer at an LGBT community center that maintains a library of LGBT-themed books?
Are you an LGBT youth group mentor at your local community center?
Do you know someone who does one of the above?
Then I want to hear from you! Please email me (mlo [at] malindalo.com), preferably from your professional email address, and tell me (1) what sort of work you do with LGBTQ youth; and (2) what you would do with a copy or copies of Ash.
It could be as simple as, “Several of my students are LGBTQ, and I’ll put it the book in my classroom library.” Or it could be something like: “I lead a queer youth group with six teens, and we’d love to read Ash together.”
Please note: If you are an individual who simply wants a copy for yourself, I regret that this giveaway is not intended for you. My goal here is to reach out to GSAs, LGBT community centers, schools, and libraries, to make my book available to a community of readers.
I’d love to be able to send these books out before the holidays, so please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments or email me directly. Thanks for your help!
UPDATED 11/2/10: The responses I’ve gotten so far have been fantastic! I’m going to set a deadline, though, for this giveaway: If you’d like a copy of Ash for your school/library/youth group, please email me (mlo [at] malindalo.com) by Nov. 7, 2010. After that I will go through the emails and make decisions. Thank you!
Malinda, I think you are wonderful and love that you are such an advocate to help spread the word. I do not fall in to the above guidelines but wanted to say thank you! I cannot wait to buy this book and share it will my children and then have them share it. This message is so huge and everyone needs to learn to love each other for who they are!
Take care!
Hi Malinda, my middle school just started a Gay-Straight Alliance club at the request of a group of students. I would love to give a copy of ASH to the club!
Thanks, Shari
Shari Conradson (English and drama teacher)
Brook Haven School
7905 Valentine Way
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Hooray for getting good stuff to go where it’s needed.
Yay Melinda!
This is so terrific! What a great thing to do. I think I know someone who fits this description and I’ll email you.
I did an ASH giveaway last year, only to find out how few people were reading me. I’ve forwarded this to a county YA librarian, a high school librarian, and the Childrens’ Lead at the local B&N though.
I work at a youth librarian in a small community I would love to have a copy to share with the LGBTQ youth in the community. It is not an open subject within the community so I like to be able to help LGBTQ youth as best I can.
Retweeted your tweet about it. I know I’ve got at least one actual YA librarian (and several aspiring ones) on my timeline.
You donated a number of copies to our school district, Berkeley Unified. Thanks so much!