The Gift of Holiday Joy

by Kris

We all have our holiday traditions. We cook special meals, bake cookies, wrap gifts, send cards and enjoy warm times with family and friends. Since my husband and I opened our Sedona bookstore, The Well Red Coyote, I’ve tried to hold onto as many of our holiday traditions as possible. But December in retailing is over-the-top crazy — good crazy, but insanely busy nonetheless. Some traditions I’ve had to discard — if you’re one of the people who was on my card list, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t take another year of filling out cards in the middle of the night, after a day that began before sunup. 

One tradition I’d never consider discarding is my annual toy-buying excursion for the Toys for Tots bins. I divide my searches into different age and gender groups and try to find wonderful gifts for the unknown boys and girls who’ll receive the holiday toys, thanks to the efforts of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, and the generosity of countless strangers. Frankly, it’s my gift to myself, since it makes me feel good to know I’ve helped to bring a little holiday joy to a child who might not otherwise experience any.  

This year I have another way to contribute to Toys for Tots, and so do you. Tony Burton, publisher of Wolfmont Press, has published three annual anthologies of short crime fiction with holiday themes, and he donates his net proceeds to Toys for Tots. Through the sales of the first three anthologies, Wolfmont Press has been able to donate over $6,600 to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

Buying these anthologies isn’t just a charitable gesture — they’re great reads.  Last year’s anthology was Dying in a Winter Wonderland, which made the 2008 Top Ten Bestsellers' (Softcover) list of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. The 2009 anthology is The Gift of Murder, edited by John M. Floyd. Its contributors include J.F. Benedetto, Stefanie Lazer, Stephen D. Rogers, Anita Page, Randy Rawls, Earl Staffs, Peg Herring, Deborah Elliot-Upton, Bill Crider, Carolyn J. Rose, Liz Zelvin, Barb Goffman, Austin Camacho, Sandra Seamans, Steve Shrott, Gail Farrelly, Hershel Cozine, Marian Allen and me, Kris Neri.

These authors didn't receive any money for their stories, so more could be contributed to the kids. In our store, we're donating our net proceeds from the sales of The Gift of Murder, too.  Click to pre-order it on our Virtual Store.

You'll find a great selection of stories in this collection. The geography they cover is all over the map, from New York City's Chinatown, where you'll meet a female assassin; to Texas, where you'll encounter a duded up elf, describing himself as an S.I. -- Santa Investigator; to the vast, small town vistas of Cottonwood, Arizona. There's even a story set in Heaven. 

You'll also find a diverse collection of characters, from a pint-sized con artist trying to scam both Santa and the US Postal Service; to a mom who goes to unique lengths to get the most wanted toy of the season; to an ex-con who pays too high a price for a doll for his daughter.

The mysteries are crafty and inventive. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza are all represented. And don't think the supernatural has been forgotten -- you'll also meet a werewolf with a penchant for redheads and schnauzers.  

This holiday season, when choosing gifts for your family and friends, considering giving The Gift of Murder. You'll not only provide your recipient with hours of engaging reads, you'll brighten the holiday of some child. Give a toy for a tot.  

Do any of you love this charity as much as I do? Tell us about it.

Comments

[Gail Farrelly]

I can't wait to see this year's book and read your story, Kris, as well as the stories of all the other authors. I'm very lucky to have one of my stories, "The Kindle Did It," in it too. I know you've heard about Road Rage. Well, my story is all about Kindle Rage!

Over the past few years I've found that the Toys for Tots anthologies make perfect holiday gifts. I give them to mystery lovers who have a special soft spot in their hearts for kids. Although it's only autumn, I love the idea of starting to think about the winter holidays early.

Anita Page, one of the other contributors to this year's anthology, points out: "Toys for Tots has an excellent rating at Charity Navigator. 96.9% of expenses go to supporting the program itself (rather than being frittered away on administration, etc.) which earned it four stars (out of a possible four stars) for efficiency." I think that's pretty impressive!

Hope everyone has a terrific holiday season.

Cheers,
Gail

[Gourmet Scented Candles]

How inspirational for the upcoming season. I am certainly going to apply these tips before I start.

[wolfmont.myopenid.com]

Kris,

I'm really pleased by the cadre of talented and generous authors John M. Floyd managed to corral for this anthology. This is the first year I have had neither a story in the anthology nor any hand in the editing--only the cover design and the publishing part are mine this time--and John did a great job with the project. I'm looking forward to everyone's reactions to the wonderful stories in this year's book, and looking forward to handing a big check to Toys for Tots, too!

[krisneri]

Gail, that's important information. Some charities use up contributions on staffing and internal expenses, so there's hardly anything left for the beneficiaries. That does make Toys for Tots and excellent charity to contribute to.

Tony, I think John did a great job with it, too. He was an excellent editor, sensitive and respectful about the author's work, but he knew what he wanted, too. I enjoyed working with him. It's great that you're publishing this book and supporting Toys for Tots in this way!

[send gift Philippines]

I agree with you,our holiday traditions. We cook special meals, bake cookies, wrap gifts, send cards and enjoy warm times with family and friends too.

~Ashley~

[gifts for boys]

My family's tradition is hot cocoa with homemade marshmallows and Christmas music. Simple but great. And if you haven't tried homemade marshmallows you are REALLY missing out.

[krisneri]

Cheryl, that sounds fantastic. I don't think I knew marshmallows could be homemade! ;)