Authors Unite to Offer Literary Escape to Covid-19 Housebound Readers

CLINTON, Mass. - March 31, 2020 - PRLog -- Twenty-three authors from around the country, many of them award winners, have banded together to offer "30 Days of Free Books" – a month of giveaways to provide free books to people sheltering in place due to the coronavirus.

A book has been assigned to each day between April 15 and May 14. On each day of the program, a copy of that day's book will be given away. People can learn more and enter as many of the giveaways as they like starting April 1 at www.authorsmstevens.com/30days.

Books range from new releases and best-sellers from major publishing houses to debut books from small-press and indie authors. Authors and books include:

• The Escape Artist by Helen Fremont, recently selected as an Editor's Choice by the New York Times and a Best New Book by People Magazine
• The Good Braider by Terry Farish, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• Bad Harvest by Dzvinia Orlowsky, winner of the 2019 Massachusetts Book Award for "Must Read" Poetry
• The Pelton Papers, the eagerly awaited novel from writer Mari Coates, being released April 7
• Two collections from Susan Roney-O'Brien, whose Farmwife won the William and Kingman Page Poetry Book Award
• A Girl Goes Into the Forest, a collection of short stories by Peg Alford Pursell, currently short-listed for the 2020 Northern California Booksellers Award
• Cry Havoc: Charlottesville and American Democracy Under Siege by Michael Signer, in which the former mayor of Charlottesville, VA chronicles the August 2017 Unite the Right march that resulted in the death of a woman.

"During these days of social isolation, it's heartening to feel connected to each other through the written word. We are not alone, and it's a privilege to be part of such an inspiring and generous community of souls," said author and "30 Days of Free Books" participant Helen Fremont.

"People are looking for things to do while secluded in their homes due to the coronavirus, and many are worried about finances, so this is the perfect time for authors to unite and offer a few free copies of our books," said "30 Days of Free Books" organizer and author S.M. Stevens.

Genres represented in the program include memoir, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, thriller, cozy mystery, science fiction/fantasy, historical fiction, children's picture books, young adult and poetry as well as non-fiction.

"We recognize that some people have concerns about receiving packages. Some writers are offering the winners of their books the choice between a print book or an ebook, When a winner receives a book in the mail, we encourage them to check the latest expert guidance on how long the virus lives on cardboard and paper before opening their package," Stevens said.

The contest is open to U.S. residents. In many cases, winners can choose between ebook and print format. One copy of one book will be awarded on each of the program's 30 days. No purchase is required. Authors are donating their books and any postage necessary.