J. E. Knowles

Dear Readers

Here it is--your chance to get a new e-book of stories for FREE! All you need to do is show us the vote, and WE'VE GOT THE POWER is yours!

To be clear, you do NOT have to show who you voted for, your city, or any personal identifying information. What I need is some evidence of your registration and/or vote itself. A picture of you with your early voting or absentee ballot paper would work. A picture at your polling place or with an “I Voted” sticker will work. Post on Facebook (JE Knowles) if you do that. Or comment on jeknowles.blogspot.com.

I just voted in my home state of Tennessee. Tennessee has the unfortunate distinction of being 50th in voter turnout. Dead last! In this state, in the crucial election of 2016, fewer than half of eligible voters even turned up. That means that the election results in Tennessee are the LEAST reflective of its citizens’ actual will, compared with any other state.

No matter where in the world you live, you can do something about this. Elections are decided by one thing only: who bothers to register, and then vote. If you are voting here in Canada or in another country, that’s good too! I’m not the only international author in this bunch.

In return for your evidence, you get a collection of stories by some great lesbian writers. I am thrilled that my story, “Saints,” has found a home in this e-book, although my main character is not a lesbian. In the wake of a destructive hurricane, Serenity LeFevre realizes what community really is. I think we can all use a story of people pulling together no matter their race, gender, or any of those other things that are supposed to divide us.


The Discreet Traveler

Lambda Literary

© J. E. Knowles

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort: at easy answers, at half-truths, and superficial relationships; so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger: at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed: for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.