Restless Books

I recently focused on the trail blazing independent press Seven Stories. Today I turn my attention to Restless Books, another independent press doing all it can to ensure that international progressive writers are published and meaningful literature remains available for all readers.

Independent publishers are struggling to survive. They are under attack like so many other institutions that have become the target of the enemies of truth, human rights, and compassionate justice. Ilan Stavans, the Publisher for Restless Books, recently distributed a letter as part of Restless Books' fund-raising campaign. I've reprinted his letter below. For more information about the mission and history of Restless Books, visit the website at Restless Books.

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Queridos Amigos,

A few short weeks ago, I wrote with an urgent appeal in response to the Trump administration’s defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, and more. The majority of independent literary presses and journals, community-focused arts organizations, individual artists and translators, and many others rely on funding from the NEA to do the work that they do, and Restless Books is one of those organizations. We depend on an annual grant of $30,000 from the NEA to publish our books each year; without that grant, those books are in jeopardy. Fewer books would be a victory for Trump, who thrives on chaos and retribution, and hopes to silence diverse writers. Now more than ever, I’m convinced these stories must be told—without federal dollars if necessary.

In sum, we need to raise $30,000 to guarantee that we can continue to operate as we would have before Trump took aim at the NEA. We are hoping to raise these funds by July 4. As of today, we have received an astounding $25,625. Thanks so much to those of you who donated — we could not do what we do without your support! If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so. Below are some of the projects you will be helping bring out into the world: Can you help?

Depending on the size of your generous support, Restless Books will shower you with all kinds of goodies:

Donate $75+ and receive a newly designed hot-off-the-presses “Reading is Resistance” tote bag PLUS a surprise galley of an upcoming book;
Donate $250+ and receive the above PLUS one year of membership to the Restless Readers Club;
Donate $1,000+ and receive all of the above PLUS acknowledgment on the copyright page of a forthcoming book of your choice;
Donate $2,500+ and receive all of the above PLUS acknowledgment on the dedication page of a forthcoming book of your choice;
And, if you donate $5,000 or more, you receive all of the above PLUS I will also take you out for dinner at a restaurant of your choice!

Later.
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Manuel Ramos writes crime fiction.