Aid Michael LaBorn in Overcoming Family Hardship

Hey y'all.

My name is Dominique Burleson — many of you know me as the face behind Paperbacks & Frybread Co. But today, I’m not here as a business owner or advocate. I’m asking for support on behalf of someone who means a great deal to me — and to so many others in the book world: my friend Michael LaBorn.

Michael and I have been friends for about seven years. He’s one of the most passionate, thoughtful people I know — a tireless voice in the fight to make publishing more inclusive and representative. Through his Bindery imprint, Left Unread, he’s been working to publish powerful stories while supporting marginalized creators. Many of you know him through his content on decolonizing publishing and building something better from the ground up.

Right now, Michael is going through a very difficult family emergency. He’s navigating an unexpected hardship and facing the immediate need to find a place to live and secure a reliable vehicle. He has a family to take care of which is why getting his basic needs met is such a priority.

Because he’s still in the early stages of growing his publishing company, his income isn’t enough to meet all these sudden needs.

We’re trying to raise $50,000 to help cover:

Michael has poured so much into this work — into building something beautiful for marginalized writers. Now it’s our turn to show up for him.

If you’ve ever been impacted by Michael’s advocacy, his videos, his work behind the scenes — please consider donating or sharing. Every little bit counts, and together, we can make sure he has the solid ground he needs to move forward.

Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for believing in people and in stories that matter.

I'm so glad you're here,

Dominique