Dedicated to the People of Darfur

Price: $23.95  

Subtitle: Writings on Fear, Risk, and Hope
Editors: Edited and with an Introduction by Luke Reynolds and Jennifer Reynolds
Foreword by George Saunders
Subject: Literature, Human Rights, Current Affairs
Paper ISBN: 978-0-8135-4618-6
Cloth ISBN: 978-0-8135-4617-9
Pages: 224 pages
Publication Date: October 2009

Praise for Dedicated to the People of Darfur

"Formidable, inspiring, beautiful." —Junot Diaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

"Dedicated to the People of Darfur gathers an array of voices on the subject of risk: whether it's the smaller daily risks of creativity and love or the terrors of facing wartime violence. The books moves nimbly from hilarious to somber and back again, in a richly varied and thoughtful exploration of the human condition."—Michelle Wildgen, Author of But Not For Long and You're Not You

"An eclectic and often riveting collection of essays. Some of the most celebrated contemporary writers eloquently explore the idea of risk taking, risk that shakes us out of apathy and ignites both deeply personal change and broader social transformation."—Khaled Hosseini

"There is no life, really, without risk. I am reminded of that every time I open the new anthology Dedicated to the People of Darfur: Writings on Fear, Risk, and Hope. It’s an inspiring read, devoted entirely to the notion of risk. Luke and Jennifer Reynolds took the risk of compiling this eclectic volume, which considers risk in personal contexts, writings contexts, global contexts. The book’s charm is in its breadth, in its ability to blend literary flair with social conscience." —Brad Buchholz, Austin American Statesman

Life’s changes. They happen every day. Some large, some small. A few are very personal. Others impact the world. Dedicated to the People of Darfur: Writings on Fear, Risk, and Hope includes original and inspiring essays that celebrate the glories gained from taking risks, breaking down barriers, and overcoming any obstacles.

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, a gallery of O.Henry award recipients, and many
best-selling authors come together to share personal and compelling challenges and
experiences. From contemplations on past drug use to reflections on gun control, social justice, passion and its sacrifices, and adventures such as skydiving, mountain climbing, and golfing, the topics vary greatly. This kaleidoscopic anthology is a commentary on the lives of prominent literary artists and ordinary citizens who have made simple, yet powerful choices that provoked change in one’s self and for humanity—much the same way that Luke and Jennifer Reynolds do by building this invaluable collection for readers and the world of human rights.

Not too long ago, as struggling graduate students, Luke and Jennifer Reynolds conceived this uniquely themed volume as a way to raise funds to support ending the genocide in Darfur. Some people carry signs, others make speeches, many take action. What is most special about this book is that it extends beyond words and ideas, into a tangible effort to effect change. To this end, all royalties from the sales of Dedicated to the People of Darfur: Writings on Fear, Risk, and Hope will benefit The Save Darfur Coalition, an organization that seeks to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Steve Almond (www.stevenalmond.com)
Beth Alvarado (www.bethalvarado.com)
Jane Armstrong (www.cal.nau.edu/english/faculty/woodman_j.asp)
Jimmy Santiago Baca (www.jimmysantiagobaca.com)
Ishmael Beah (www.alongwaygone.com)
John Bensko (www.pw.org/content/john_bensko_1)
Sherwin Bitsui (www.bitsui.com)
Robert Boswell (www.robertboswell.com)
Paula Closson Buck (www.bucknell.edu/x37407.xml)
Lindsey Collen (www.bloomsbury.com/authors/details.aspx?tpid=512)
Ann Cummins (http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/amc/)
Gail Dines (http://users.rcn.com/gaildines/)
Judy Doenges (www.colostate.edu/dept/English/faculty/doenges.htm)
Christopher L. Doyle
John Dufresne (www.johndufresne.com)
Mike Dunn
Kim Edwards (www.memorykeepersdaughter.com/)
Nadine Gordimer (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1991/gordimer-bio.html)
Andrew Greig (www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth02D9L380712627427)
Tom Grimes (www.ludlowpress.com/grimes_interview.htm)
J.C. Hallman (www.jchallman.com)
Ron Hansen (http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/Ncw/hansen.htm)
Linda Hogan (www.blueflowerarts.com/linda-hogan)
Ann Hood (www.annhood.us)
Uzodinma Iweala (www.bestyoungnovelists.com/Uzodinma-Iweala)
Robert Jensen (http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/index.html)
Nancy Johnson
Kristen Keckler
Lynne Kelly (http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/CMM/facultyLynneKelly.html)
Betsy Lerner (http://betsylerner.com/)
E.J. Levy (http://creativewriting.missouri.edu/people/levy.html)
Phillip Lopate (www.philliplopate.com)
Frank McCourt
James McPherson (www.uiowa.edu/~iww/faculty/fiction.htm)
Lynn Phillips (www.umass.edu/communication/faculty_staff/philips.html)
Robert Pinsky  (www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/200)
John Prendergast (www.huffingtonpost.com/john-prendergast)
John Robinson (www.pw.org/content/john_robinson_1)
Bill Roorbach (http://billroorbach.com/)
George Saunders (www.georgesaundersland.com/)
Jim Shepard (www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=28052)
Jane Smiley (www.randomhouse.com/features/smiley/author.html)
Debra Spark (http://debraspark.com/)
Sarah Stone (www.redroom.com/author/sarah-stone)
Peter Turchi (www.peterturchi.com)
Howard Zinn (http://howardzinn.org)

LUKE AND JENNIFER REYNOLDS, are both passionate about human rights causes and literature. Currently they live in Marlborough, Massachusetts, with their son, Tyler. Luke is a teacher and writer and Jennifer is a freelance writer and full-time mother.

Luke's website is www.lukewreynolds.com
Jennifer's website is www.momswithpassion.com