Blue Cactus Press needs your help: we just launched a Kickstarter for *Less Desolate: haiku comics* <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1701310602/less-desolate> written by *Seattle Civic Poet** Shin Yu Pai* and illustrated by Oregon-based artist *Justin Rueff.* [image: LessDesMockup.jpg] *About the Money: * *Half of the funds collected in our Kickstarter campaign will go directly to Justin Rueff to cover the costs of his time and energy in creating this work. *The other half will go toward printing costs. [image: 0001_joss.jpg] *About the Book: * *Less Desolate <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1701310602/less-desolate>* is one of our most genre-bending and innovative works yet, complete with an introduction from haiku comics artist David Lasky, an author-and-artist interview with Shin Yu and Justin, and over 108 full-page haiku comics in vibrant colors by Justin Rueff. You might know Shin Yu Pai from her work as a poet, public artist, curator, and public radio podcast host in Seattle. Justin Rueff, the illustrator, is a comics artist from rural Oregon. [image: 2_LessDesolate.jpg] *WE NEED YOUR HELP in bringing this book to life! Here are ways you can help: * 1. Contribute to the Kickstarter for *Less Desolate*! <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1701310602/less-desolate> 2. Share this info far and wide with your social networks! 3. Follow the campaign on Kickstarter and follow Blue Cactus Press on social media platforms @bluecactuspress <https://www.instagram.com/bluecactuspress/>! ***This project is also partially funded by the Tacoma Arts Commission, which has allowed us to train and skillshare with two collaborators from historically marginalized groups who seek work in the publishing industry, as well as pay the author and artist to lead a public workshop on the emerging literary art form of haiku comics. We are thankful for the Tacoma Arts Commission assistance.*** [image: TAC logo vector file.jpg] *Christina Vega (they/them)* Publisher, Blue Cactus Press <http://www.bluecactuspress.com/> *Ways to work with me: Write & Make Books With Me <https://bluecactuspress.com/editorial-services>| Become a Member <https://www.patreon.com/bluecactuspress> | Purchase My Book <https://bluecactuspress.com/product/still-clutching-maps/>*