The Pixel Project is a global, virtual volunteer-led nonprofit working to raise awareness, funds, and volunteer power for the cause to end violence against women worldwide through global online campaigns that combine the power of the internet, social media, new technologies, and pop culture/the arts.
The “Read For Pixels” 2021 (International Women’s Day Edition) campaign features livestream readings+Q&A YouTube sessions with 13 award-winning bestselling authors in support of the cause to end violence against women. Participating authors Adriana Herrera, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Bec McMaster, Brigid Kemmerer, Elizabeth Lim, Jeannie Lin, Jennifer Estep, Julia Quinn, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Leigh Perry (Toni L.P. Kelner), Rhys Bowen, SJ Rozan, and Tasha Suri.
These awesome authors have donated exclusive goodies to this special “Read For Pixels” RallyUp fundraiser to encourage fans and book lovers to give generously to keep our anti-Violence Against Women work alive. Additional goodies are courtesy Sourcebooks, Dzanc Books, Anna Stephens, Alyssa Sheinmel, Jodi Meadows, Julie E. Czerneda, Meg Gardiner, and Sara Raasch.
Our exclusive Flash Donation Drive Week is now on with everything listed at donation requests of $200 and below from 1 April 2021 (12.00am Pacific Time) to 7 April 2021 (11.59pm Pacific Time).
Funds raised will go towards developing and/or expanding our campaigns, programmes, and projects to end violence against women. These include: providing a daily Twitter session featuring rape and domestic violence hotlines in over 30 countries worldwide; producing educational resources including an anti-VAW virtual toolkit and interviews with anti-VAW activists; as well as online engagement programmes for various communities including survivors, fathers, fandoms, and more.
Donate just $5 to our campaign and as a "thank you", we'll send you a set of 2 exclusive Read For Pixels laptop wallpapers featuring gorgeous book covers of current releases by award-winning bestselling authors Alaya Dawn Johnson, Elizabeth Lim, Jeannie Lin, Jennifer Estep, Rhys Bowen, and Tasha Suri.
Book cover credits:
Donate just $10 to our campaign and as a "thank you", we'll send you a set of 4 exclusive Read For Pixels laptop wallpapers featuring gorgeous book covers of current releases by award-winning bestselling authors Alaya Dawn Johnson, Elizabeth Lim, Jeannie Lin, Jennifer Estep, Rhys Bowen, and Tasha Suri.
Book cover credits:
Ahoy fans of kickass Grimdark Epic Fantasy with plenty of fantastic female characters! Anna Stephens, the critically acclaimed Epic Fantasy author of the GODBLIND trilogy, has a very special treat for one (1) Read For Pixels donor based in the either the UK or European Union (EU):
She has put together a signed UK Edition hardcover set of her GODBLIND trilogy including:
This fabulous set comes from Anna’s personal stash and is perfect for book collectors or as a birthday gift for a Fantasy reader. She will also personalise the trilogy upon request.
Anna has reserved only one (1) set for UK/EU-based donors so make your $90 donation today and she will sort out sending it to you!
Available to donors in the UK and EU countries only.
If you’re an aspiring Crime author who is looking for a chance to discuss writing and the publishing industry with one of the best in the business, look no further:
Meg Gardiner, the award-winning bestselling author of UNSUB has graciously donated a 30-minute 1-to-1 video chat to be claimed by one (1) "Read For Pixels" donor who is an aspiring Crime author. Meg will be happy to chat about the art and craft of writing and the business of publishing with you.
*Note: The session will be conducted in English and you may choose between Skype or Facetime for the chat.
Available to individuals worldwide.
If you’re an aspiring YA author who is looking for a chance to discuss writing and the publishing industry with a successful YA author, look no further:
Alyssa Sheinmel, the New York Times bestselling author of WHAT KIND OF GIRL and A DANGER TO HERSELF AND OTHERS has graciously donated a 30-minute 1-to-1 video chat to be claimed by one (1) "Read For Pixels" donor who is an aspiring author. Alyssa will be happy to chat about the art and craft of writing and the business of publishing with you.
OR if you’re an Alyssa Sheinmel fan who lives outside the US and would love to meet her via video chat, she’s happy to chat about her books with you.
*Note: The session will be conducted in English and you may choose between Skype or Facetime for the chat.
Available to donors worldwide.
If you’re an aspiring Fantasy author who is looking for a chance to discuss writing and the publishing industry with an award-winning Fantasy author, look no further:
Tasha Suri, the fabulous author of THE BOOKS OF AMBHA duology and THE BURNING KINGDOMS trilogy has graciously donated a 30-minute 1-to-1 video chat to be claimed by one (1) "Read For Pixels" donor who is an aspiring author. Tasha will be happy to chat about the art and craft of writing and the business of publishing with you.
*Note: The session will be conducted in English and you may choose between Skype or Zoom for the chat.
Available to donors worldwide.
If you’re an aspiring YA Fantasy author who is looking for a chance to chat with a New York Times bestselling Fantasy author about anything book-related including books, writing and the publishing industry, look no further:
Jodi Meadows, the acclaimed author of THE ORPHAN QUEEN duology, THE FALLEN ISLES trilogy, and a co-author of the bestselling LADY JANIES series has graciously donated a 30-minute 1-to-1 video chat to be claimed by one (1) "Read For Pixels" donor who is an aspiring author, Jodi will be happy to chat about the art and craft of writing and the business of publishing with you.
OR if you’re a Jodi Meadows fan who would love to meet her via video chat, she’s happy to chat about her books with you.
*Note: The session will be conducted in English via Skype
Available to donors worldwide.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave, the fabulous author of bestselling feminist fantasy novels including THE MERCIES and THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS has graciously donated a 30-minute 1-to-1 video chat to be claimed by one (1) "Read For Pixels" donor who is an aspiring author or book fan. Kiran will be happy to chat about the art and craft of writing novels and poetry with you.
OR if you’re a Kiran Millwood Hargrave fan who would love to meet her via video chat to talk about books, she’s happy to chat with you about that too.
*Note: The session will be conducted in English.
Available to donors worldwide.
If you’re a novice Fantasy author looking for professional critique of your work, Anna Stephens – acclaimed author of the GODBLIND trilogy – is offering a chance for two (2) Read For Pixels donors to have 1,000 words of their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* critiqued by her in writing via email. This opportunity includes:
There is only two (2) of this opportunity available and this is a rare chance for anyone working on getting their first book published to get expert guidance on their query letter and first 3 chapters of their WIP – something which many authors find difficult to get right.
So donate $150 now to book a written critique slot with Anna before all two slots are gone!
*Note: English language works only.
Available to donors worldwide.
Attention aspiring Romance authors everywhere – if you are looking for some expert feedback from one of the genre’s acclaimed authors, here’s something you might want to donate to get:
Bec McMaster, USA Today bestselling Romance author of the LONDON STEAMPUNK series, is offering a chance for one (1) generous donor have their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* Romance novel critiqued by her. This opportunity includes:
There is just one (1) of this critique bundle available so donate $180 now to book the slot with Bec before it’s gone
*Note: English language works in the Romance genre only.
Available to donors worldwide.
Ahoy, budding Fantasy writers everywhere – Alaya Dawn Johnson, the award-winning Fantasy author of TROUBLE THE SAINTS and LOVE IS THE DRUG, is offering a chance for one (1) generous to have their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* critiqued by her in writing via email. This opportunity includes:
The submitted excerpt can be from either a short story or a novel that you are currently in a process of writing.
There is just one (1) of this golden opportunity available which would be perfect for any writer focused on writing fantasy.
So donate $180 now to book a written critique slot with Alaya before someone else beats you to it.
*Note: English language works only.
Available to donors worldwide.
Anna Stephens, acclaimed author of the Grimdark Fantasy GODBLIND trilogy, is offering Fantasy authors anywhere in the world a chance to have a 1-to-1 Skype session with her to workshop their writing.
This Skype call will be one (1) hour long and you can ask Anna about everything from general writing advice to solutions for writing challenges you are facing to insight about the publishing industry.
There is just one (1) of this workshop session available so donate $180 now to book the slot Anna before it’s gone
*Note: This workshop will be conducted in English.
Available to donors worldwide.
Attention aspiring Historical Romance authors everywhere – if you are looking for some expert feedback from one of the genre’s bestselling authors, here’s something you might want to donate to get:
Jeannie Lin, USA Today bestselling author of Asian-inspired Historical Romance including TALES FROM THE GUNPOWDER CHRONICLES, is offering a chance for one (1) generous donor who is also a budding Romance author have a portion of their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* Romance novel critiqued by her. This opportunity includes:
There is just one (1) of this critique bundle available so donate $200 now to book the slot with Jeannie before it’s gone
*Note: English language works only.
Available to U.S. donors only.
Calling all Science Fiction & Fantasy fans worldwide – are you looking for something fabulous to pass the time as the Coronavirus pandemic keeps you at home? Award-winning SFF author, Julie E. Czerneda, has a gorgeous treat for you – the 1st ever Read For Pixels Book+Video Call Bundle featuring:
This is a great opportunity for a Read For Pixels donor to get some writing advice from Julie or geek out with Julie about science or just ask Julie about her books while donating to support The Pixel Project’s work to end violence against women.
OR you could even donate to snag this treat as a birthday gift for a friend who is an SFF fan and/or loves Julie's books and stories.
There is only one (1) of this unique treat available for one (1) Read For Pixels donor, so donate generously today to get it before someone else does!
*Note: The video call session will be conducted in English.
Available to donors worldwide.
Attention aspiring Contemporary Romance authors everywhere – if you are looking for some expert feedback from one of the genre’s acclaimed authors, here’s something you might want to donate to get:
Adriana Herrera, the acclaimed Romance author of the DREAMERS quadrilogy, is offering a chance for one (1) generous donor have their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* Romance novel critiqued by her. This opportunity includes:
There is just one (1) of this critique bundle available so donate $250 now to book the slot with Adriana before it’s gone
*Note: English language works only.
Available to donors worldwide.
Attention aspiring Grimdark Fantasy writers everywhere – if you are looking for some expert feedback from one of the genre’s acclaimed authors, here’s something you might want to donate to get:
Anna Stephens, Grimdark Fantasy author of the acclaimed GODBLIND trilogy, is offering a chance for one (1) generous donor to have their 1,000 words of their Work-in-Progress (WIP)* critiqued by her. This opportunity includes:
There is just one (1) of this critique bundle available so donate $250 now to book the slot Anna before it’s gone
*Note: English language works only.
Available to donors worldwide.
Your support will help make an impact on 3 levels:
Level 1 - Keeping anti-Violence Against Women work alive and kicking, grassroots style!
Violence Against Women is a cause that is chronically underfunded despite the global severity of the issue. The funds raised via this campaign will go towards keeping our anti-Violence Against Women campaigns, programs, and projects alive and thriving.
Level 2 - Helping Reach Your Communities To Get The Conversation Started
We've listened to many folks over the years who wish to help stop the violence but don't know where to begin.
Therefore, as part of our outreach efforts via the Read For Pixels campaign, we'll be providing all "Read For Pixels" donors with a special virtual toolkit - a set of links to resources for you to learn more about violence against women, how to start the conversation in your communities (and with the men and boys in your communities), and how to help victims and survivors of domestic violence, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence.
Level 3 - Helping efforts to shift the Global Perspective on Violence Against Women:
Through Read For Pixels and and other Pixel Project campaigns, we are working to accelerate the end of Violence Against Women (VAW) by re-characterizing it from a “women’s issue” to the human rights issue that it really is. VAW impacts families and communities regardless of gender. Men may comprise the majority of perpetrators of VAW, but decent, non-violent men far outnumber them and have largely remained silent on the issue. For VAW to end, these men need to be involved in efforts to end the violence. Over the years, prominent male authors who have participated in Read For Pixels have inspired their male readers to take action to stop VAW, including taking part in our Father’s Day campaign, talking to their male peers about VAW, and donating to support anti-VAW work.
For those of you who have never taken part in a RallyUp fundraiser, you can have as many perks as you’re willing to donate for! You don’t have to limit yourself to just one perk but you have to remember:
When perks are limited to donors in specific countries (usually for U.S. donors only), it is because the author or publisher specified that they wish to only send their goodies to those countries.
After the campaign closes, we’ll make arrangements with the authors to send the books/swag/stories directly to you or to set up a time for your Skype chat, make further arrangements for your critique etc. If we need to collect information from you, we’ll contact you for it once the campaign has ended. We'll keep you updated with the progress of things as the fundraiser goes on, and afterwards.
We and the authors/publishers will collectively do our very best to make sure that:
Yes, you can.
When we get in touch with you (usually within 1 week of your donation) to get confirmation of your mailing address and personalisation request, you can let us know in your response.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you would like the author to send a tangible goodie (e.g. a book) to your friend for their birthday, please ensure that the address you provide is within the stipulated country. For example: if the goodie is allocated for U.S. donors only and your friend lives outside the U.S., the author will not be able to send the goodie to them.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, it caused severe delays in postal services worldwide because:
Additionally, authors may live in areas that are under lockdown and may not be able to get to the post office in good time or the books that they have offered may be stuck in transit between their publisher's warehouses and them.
As the pandemic continues on through 2021, please be assured that authors and publishers will and are doing all they can to ensure your goodies are sent off as promptly as possible. You will always be kept in the loop about how things are progressing as well.
We know not everyone presently has the means to donate to this campaign. We completely understand that. There are a few other ways you can help us out:
Read up on the work that we do at The Pixel Project. If it helps inspire you to save up for our next fundraiser, we'll accept that too.
The Pixel Project is a completely virtual, volunteer-led global 501(c)3 nonprofit organisation whose mission is to raise awareness, funds and volunteer power for the cause to end violence against women through campaigns and programmes at the intersection of social media, new technologies, and popular culture/the Arts.