Novelist to Share Book Royalties With Charities Linked to Characters

From suicide prevention, to cancer, to a love for animals, author David Shepherd enables the deeply-etched characters from his novel, Resurrecting Randi, to step outside the pages and contribute to their causes in a tangible way. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Searchdog Foundation, and Lance Armstrong Foundation to benefit.

Austin, TX (PRWeb) April 11, 2008 - Author David Shepherd announced that he will donate a portion of his book royalties to causes that have ties to the characters in his much talked about debut novel, Resurrecting Randi.

Resurrecting Randi continues to generate enormous pre-publication buzz in the book and film industries. Hollywood film producer Beth Grossbard said, "This book must be made into a film. The ending simply blew me away." And Kirkus declared it, "A sterling debut by a talented writer."

Now, before it's even hit the shelves, we're hearing from film producers, major New York publishers, and readers from all over the world who have found our Web site. (http://www.resrandi.com.) I wanted to share the evident success with others, and I couldn't think of a better way than to support causes that could have made a difference to the characters in the book.

"I had modest expectations for this novel when I agreed to let a small, local publisher handle it," said author Shepherd. "Now, before it's even hit the shelves, we're hearing from film producers, major New York publishers, and readers from all over the world who have found our Web site. (http://www.resrandi.com.) I wanted to share the evident success with others, and I couldn't think of a better way than to support causes that could have made a difference to the characters in the book."

In the novel, professor Travis Harrison loses his young daughter, Randi, in a car accident. When a young student enters his life (Layla Sommers, who reminds him of his deceased daughter) his emotions are stirred, and most would say his life is destroyed. At various times, both Travis and Layla have attempted suicide, and both think deeply about whether or not life is worth living. With suicide deaths in the U.S. topping 30,000 a year, the author selected the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (http://www.afsp.org) as one of the three charities to benefit.

Travis Harrison also lost his wife--to cancer. Given that the author and members of his family have also experienced this broad-based disease, he chose the Austin-based Lance Armstrong Foundation (http://www.laf.org) for its comprehensive and aggressive approach to all forms of cancer.

Lastly, despite the trials that Travis Harrison faces--trials that leave him wondering about the meaning of life until the very last, shocking pages--there is a hopefulness and dignity about him that is evidenced, among other things, by his love for dogs and his willingness to collect a motley crew of strays. For years, the author has supported the Searchdog Foundation, not only for their work in training search dogs, but because they select their candidates from among strays, and guarantee lifetime care--even to the vast majority who do not make it through their rigorous training program. Travis Harrison would appreciate that. (http://www.searchdogfoundation.org.)

For additional information on these charities, Resurrecting Randi, the author, or the national book-signing tour scheduled from May 5 through June 1, please visit http://www.resrandi.com. The publication date is May 15, at which time Resurrecting Randi will be available at local bookstores and through major online booksellers.

About Balios Pulishing Co.
Balios Publishing is an Austin, Texas independent publisher dedicated to bringing high quality literary fiction to the market.

Contact:
Jennifer Watters
Promotional Director
Balios Pubishing Co.
512-377-6111
Jennifer(at)baliospublishing.com

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