Finding a Way to Contribute
A couple of months ago, I witnessed something truly distressing. I’m not here to litigate American political policies, but when I saw how President Zelenskyy was treated in the Oval Office, my heart sank. And apparently, I wasn’t the only one. Another author posted in a Facebook group that we needed to do another charity anthology so we could donate money to a Ukrainian charity.
I leapt on that. I’d participated in an anthology at the beginning of the war – writing two short stories. The money raised by that anthology was a drop in a massive bucket – but I could feel like I’d done something. My heart was breaking. I could do what I do best – write a story.
Three years on, the war is still being fought overseas and I’m sitting here in my condo in Canada, living my best life. I watch the news and my heart continues to break.
When the author suggested a new anthology, I was all-in. I invited my friend to join with me. We each wrote novellas, got them edited, and had everything submitted by the deadline. I’m not going to go into details but, at the last minute, the organizer of the anthology pulled the plug.
I was gutted. I also didn’t have the ability to organize a wide distribution anthology with multiple authors. Yes, I am a hybrid author. Yes, I’ve indie launched my own projects. Doing something with at least seven other authors wasn’t something I was comfortable doing, and no one else stepped forward to take on that huge task.
So I did what I do best – I pivoted.
The novella I’d written, The Secret Boyfriend, was to fit with two other stories I’d written for previous charity anthologies. Jeopardy was a short story in a charity anthology for Breast Cancer Research, and The Boyfriend Arrangement had been in an anthology for trans charities. The stories were on the shelf, waiting for me to write the third story that would tie them all together.
I’d written that story for this new anthology. And I was prepared to give it to someone else for six months to help raise money.
So I was, frankly, screwed.
Then I realized I still wanted to contribute – even if only a small amount.
I’ve put the three stories together in a boxset and am going to donate royalties I earn. The release strategy is a bit complicated. I’m releasing Love in Mission City: The Boyfriend Gamble in Kindle Unlimited and on Amazon for May 22, 2025. Royalties for the first month go to the charity I’ve selected. After 90 days, I’m withdrawing the boxset from Kindle Unlimited and releasing it wide (all other retailers). The royalties for the first month with those wide retailers will also be donated. This way, my readers who only have KU subscriptions will be able to enjoy the stories and for readers who prefer to buy from other retailers, their money will go toward a good cause as well. Complicated, but a way to ensure everyone who wants their purchase to go to charity will.
I’m Canadian, so I’ve chosen the Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. https://www.cufoundation.ca/our-projects/
I know I’m just one author publishing just one boxset. But this is something I can do. I can use my voice to speak out against what I view as an injustice. I can show my support for people who are suffering through no fault of their own.
As I sit and gaze at my bookshelf, I can pick out at least eleven other charity anthologies I’ve participated in over the past three years. For me, doing my small part gives me peace. I can’t fix the world – but I can write a story and help raise money.
My friend who joined me and also wrote a novella, Kaje Harper, is publishing the story she wrote. Cowboy Dreams is comping out the same day as my boxset, May 22, 2025, and Kaje is donating royalties to a charity. https://books2read.com/CowboyDreamsKaje
So we pivoted together. We’re still doing some good.
And I won’t hesitate to sign up for the next charity anthology – because those eleven successes will resonate with me long after this one cancelled project leaves my mind.
In fact, the next charity anthology comes out in June – just in time for Pride Month.
Love in Mission City: The Boyfriend Gamble includes two novellas and a short story
Mission City is tucked in the charming Cedar Valley in southwestern British Columbia. If you love heartwarming, contemporary small-town gay romances, then come home to Mission City and fall in love with the men who live there. Romance shows up in the unlikeliest places. And trouble has a way of finding them…
Jeopardy
For ten long years, Tanner’s been crushing on his best friend Nita’s older brother, Kade, while Kade’s been cheerfully oblivious. Then one night, while celebrating Canada Day, Kade suddenly realizes Tanner grew up to be hot and appealing, and in that moment of connection, everything changes.
Jeopardy is a gay, best friend’s brother romance 7k short story with an interfering best friend, a bossy sister, and the possibility of love becoming realized. This short story previously appeared in Breaking the BFF Pact.
The Boyfriend Arrangement
Felix has expected to marry Josette since they were toddlers, playing together under their mothers’ matchmaking eyes. Now he’s bought a home, plans to renovate it, and then he’ll propose. But having Josette’s brother, Jacob, around, working on the remodeling, is eye-opening for them both. As he and Jacob grow closer, Felix realizes he has some big decisions to make about who he is, and what he really wants.
The Boyfriend Arrangement is a best friend’s brother gay romance 25k novella with a shy elementary school teacher, a brawny contractor, and a wrong dream turned right. The novella first appeared in Love is All, Volume 7.
The Secret Boyfriend
For Jasper, the best part of moving to Mission City has been meeting Cameron, his badminton partner. In fact, he’s crushing on the handsome and friendly dentist pretty hard. Cameron thought he was straight, but spending time with Jasper brings out feelings he never expected. Maybe he’s bi. For sure, he likes being around Jasper. But with Christmas and family plans coming up fast, is this really the time to step out of his comfort zone?
The Secret Boyfriend is a bi-awakening, age-gap, opposites attract, gay romance 25k novella with an uptight dentist who’s never let loose, a mischievous younger gardener who knows what he wants, and the night that shatters their expectations
**All royalties from the first month of release will be donated Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Humanitarian Appeal.**
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USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
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