Author's Need for Purchasing Helene Books to Sell Locally

I am an indie Asheville author who has self-published 3 books on my own (Hating Self and Loving Self by Boo Black and Butterfly Blossoms by Rachel Bleu). I'm also an Inspector Packer at a manufacturing company and work 12-hour shifts to supplement my love of writing. When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, I put my fourth book, Dragonfly Passion by Rachel Bleu, on hold to write Hurricane Helene Resiliency After the Storm Part One. I soon realized that I'd bitten off more than I could chew. To be able to donate a portion of the proceeds to victims and to BeLoved Asheville, I decided to market and promote the book. I've spent more than $5,000 of my own money to get this far. Still, now I will need to purchase copies of the hardcover ($35 each) and paperback ($30 each) versions for the 50 local people who wish to purchase it, the 10 businesses willing to sell copies, and the 50 copies I would like to take to the Happily Ever After Book Festival in Sevierville, TN, on September 5-7, 2025.

Those who follow me on social media know that I've purchased two book trailers $650, a Paramount TV ad $500, ad creation $300, photos for advertising $500, Happily Ever After Book Festival registration $250, 500 business cards $170, supplies for book festival and signings $425, revised book cover $250, 250 personalized pens $185, t-shirts $150, Alignable.com sponsorship with Helene ad $650, Adobe subscription $100 per month (10 months for $1,000), and one podcast charge $50 for a total of $5,080.

The other option for me would be to collect funds from readers BEFORE the book is ready, and that scares the bejesus out of me. What if the printer doesn't deliver? Either way, I don't WANT to ask for help, but I need help. I would appreciate anything that you can do, but I realize that EVERYONE is having financial difficulties. Like I say in my daily LIVE events, "credit cards are like magic," so that's my last resort. Hurricane Helene Resiliency After the Storm Part One WILL be released/published/sold. It's my baby and the victim stories WILL AND MUST BE told!