Monkeying Around's authors on why they're part of the anthology

[Gail]

Why have more than 60 authors (core authors plus stretch goal authors, with more being added) come together to help CJ Henderson pay the medical bills from his struggle with cancer? We'll let the authors tell you how they know CJ and what brought them into the project.

[Danielle]

I wouldn't be where I am without CJ's support and mentorship. I met him at NonCon (Vassar College) over a decade ago and he's been supportive ever since. Not only that, but he's been a real friend. He's slept on my couch and eaten at my table...heck...he has trekked into Manhattan to collect my mammogram films because the bloody place refused to mail them to me after I moved. CJ deserves anything I can do to help him out and darned if I'm not going to do everything I can to get him out of these weeds!

Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Senior Instigator and Author of In the Runes

[Gail]

CJ has been a good friend to me since I started going to cons as a pro. He's always been there with a bear hug and a cheerily cynical take on life. He's one of the hardest working guys I know, and I know some very hard working writers! Cancer can hit anyone, and those of us who are self-employed and in the creative fields have a thin safety net. I'm proud to call CJ a friend, and I'm happy to help him out!

[Janine]

I've never met CJ, but I want to help any way I can. This is a good cause, and CJ is a good person. I'm honored to be a part of this.

[Gail]

CJ mostly does cons along the east cost, since he's based in Brooklyn. I remember him telling me he did about 40+ cons a year! I felt tired with 14, and here he is doing 40, and in the vendor room, which is a lot more energy and effort than doing panels! So you can see why not being able to get out and do cons because of his chemo is really a hardship--that's CJ's whole income.