Yes, it's true!
You can now download the first volume of Fables for Japan absolutely FREE! Volumes 2 and 3 will be coming soon - also for FREE.
So...Why?
There are a number of reasons. The time I have to manage the project has be greatly reduced as my second child has been born - leaving me little time to do much else. The cost of maintaining the merchant account to sell the books (as well as the collection and distribution of the funds) had become a bit much. However, none of these are the real reasons.
Recently we made our last 2 donations to the International Medical Corps. (the charity we have chosen to work with). One in the amount of $597.75 and the other in the amount of $118.02.
This combined with our previous donations makes a total of $2,037.62 we have been able to raise to help the people in Japan. Considering that we are a solely independent collection of writers and artists, selling our product only in a e-book format through this site, that really isn't bad. In fact, I'm quite proud that we have been able to raise that much money. And, to those who have bought the books, Thank you so much. This is your money at work.
However, you will notice that the amount we have been able to donate has continued to go down at a pretty consistent rate. We have gotten some decent press (but we could always use more), we have over 13,800 people who have clicked "like" and follow our Facebook page. But the truth is this, while it is fantastic that so many follow and support us, "likes" do not raise money. People have to actually buy the books. So, it has become clear to me that we have exhausted most of our avenues to raise money and it's time to do something different.
This pains me to say because, despite the fact that the media rarely (if ever) covers Japan anymore, there is still so much that needs to be done. The repercussions of the 2011 earthquake are still being felt and will continue to be felt for a long time to come. In particular, the Fukushima nuclear power plant's problems and the resulting Exclusion Zone that have displaced thousands of residents. Thousands have lost their homes, their livelihoods (business that have been in their families for generations). More and more information continues to be released about the disastrous consiquences of the radiation leaks that have made massive areas uninhabitable. We should all have some idea of the long term affects that will come from these leaks. We only need to look at the decades of cancer, sickness, and suffering that followed the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, or the Chernobyl meltdown in Russia. The people of northern Japan face a long road to recovery.
With the amount of money coming in decreasing steadily, I was left with only one decision. This project was always meant to be in honor of those who lost their lives in the 2011 quake and to respect those who have been forced to carry on. We all donated our time to create this Monument to the spirit of the Japanese people - or at least we have done our best to do so. Rather than simply pulling the books off the web, we felt it was much more honorable to make these stories and art available to everyone, free of charge.
And that's what we have done.
All three e-books (almost 500 pages of content) will be free to download through this site as our gift. The first book is ready out and the other 2 will follow shortly.
We hope these books will keep the plight of those still in need fresh in the world's mind. And, if you enjoy the books and are so moved, we hope that you will donate whatever you can to the International Medical Corps. and continue to support them in their efforts.
The IMC had been kind enough to dedicate a page on their website specifically for Fables for Japan. There, you can donate any amount you wish. Your money will be used specifically in Japan. Please take a moment to check out the page and maybe give a little to help all those who need it.
As always, we hope that you will be entertained by our work and we hope you will continue to support Japan.
Thank You
Jason Minor
Project Manager for Fables for Japan.
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