A non-profit providing artistic residencies for post-9/11 veterans.

71,220
Words Written
3
Veterans Served

Why Art?

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I could have been a statistic.

  • Everyday 20 veterans commit suicide.
  • I came home from Iraq in 2008 confused and angry.
  • Without friends and family, I could have easily become a statistic.
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I found purpose in my art.

  • I started writing, eventually aspiring to write a book.
  • I had a mission again.
  • In 2020, I released my travel and war memoir, Waking Up On the Appalachian Trail, and it quickly became an Amazon best seller.
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The artistic process saves lives.

  • Writing about the pain and confusion helped me process my wartime trauma.
  • The clarity made the wounds lose their charge and power over me.
  • This process will help veterans thrive.

Our mission is simple: Discover talented post-9/11 veteran-writers and provide them the freedom to create.

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Listen:
Literature has a way of changing a nation's understanding of itself.

From Walt Whitman to Kurt Vonnegut, the hell of war imparts uncommon insights about life and America.

We all benefit when veteran voices are heard.
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Writing is Hard
Up-and-coming writers give up a normal life. They may isolate and turn down traditional life opportunities—anything to complete their work.

This path can be unhealthy for veterans. But it doesn't have to be.
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Return the Freedom
In an era where our country no longer knows what it stands for, we should all agree that freedom is a good thing.

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A Limited Mission
I founded this non-profit with a limited lifespan and scope. We're going to help four veterans complete a manuscript.

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Breath in, breathe out.
Our veteran-artists won't be writing 24/7. That's impossible for everyone but Jack Kerouac.

So while they're staying, I'll introduce them to yoga and meditation, two practices that turned my PTSD-addled mind into a calm, clear pool.
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Join Our Tribe, Friend
Sign up for our mailing list, and you'll be able to follow the journey.

You'll receive messages from the founder and veteran-artists residents, pictures and musings, progress reports, and you'll be able to share in all the triumphs and tribulations.

Join the mailing list.

Our Ideal Applicant
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut, if we're being honest.

America needs a voice of reason now more than ever.

Readers want storytellers with a unique voice and something meaningful to say.

And that's the type of artist we will support.
Tell us which promising veteran-artists America needs to hear more of?