For Immediate Release
May 11, 2015
Hex Publishers Partners with Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance
– Fundraising effort to serve as memorial tribute to author Melanie Tem –
(Denver, Colorado) – Hex Publishers a new Denver-based publishing house, has partnered with Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance (RMCA) to raise funds in memory of author Melanie Tem. Tem, an award-winning and prolific writer, was scheduled to contribute a short story to Hex's soon-to-be-released horror anthology, Nightmares Unhinged. Sadly, she passed away on February 9, 2015, following a long battle with cancer.
Tem’s writing career began strongly when, in 1991, her debut novel, Prodigal, won the prestigious Bram Stoker Award. In 1992, the British Fantasy Society singled her out with the Icarus Award as most promising newcomer. Her collaborations with husband, Steve Rasnic Tem, were also noteworthy, with the two racking up additional awards and critical attention. Their novella, “The Man on the Ceiling” (2000), won a World Fantasy Award, a Bram Stoker Award, and an International Horror Guild Award. Tem published more than 12 novels and numerous short stories over the course of her writing career.
To honor Tem's memory, Hex Publishers will donate a percentage of the Nightmare's Unhinged book sales to the RMCA. Additionally, the publishing house has dedicated the anthology to her memory.
Hex co-founder Josh Viola said while small, the gesture by his press is one way for the writers involved who knew Melanie to come to terms with her death. "Melanie was a highly-regarded and admired author and we were honored when she agreed to contribute to Nightmares Unhinged," said Viola. "Her death is a huge loss to the genre and the legions of fans who have followed her career." Viola continued by noting that the "RMCA felt like exactly the right fit for our organization and we truly hope our donation will have a positive impact on the lives of others battling cancer."
Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance for the basic living needs of cancer patients receiving treatment in Colorado. Since its inception in 2000, RMCA has provided over $3 million in financial assistance to more than 5,400 cancer survivors. Assistance from RMCA is for a patient's basic needs, and can include rent or mortgage, utilities, car payments and car insurance, health insurance and COBRA, and help with other day-to-day expenses.
RMCA Executive Director Grace Castellanos said that while wonderful, the donation from Hex is bittersweet. "We're obviously thrilled to be singled out by Hex Publishers in honor of author Melanie Tem," she said. "Gifts such as these make a huge difference in our ability to continue assisting those battling cancer. They are, however, bittersweet as we must also recognize and remember those who have left us."
Nightmares Unhinged will be available in bookstores September 8, 2015. Early pre-sale purchases may be made online at hexpublishers.com. A book launch / book signing event will be held at the Tattered Cover Colfax on September 9th. RMCA will be in attendance.
Hex Publishers
Hex Publishers is a small, independent publishing house specializing in works of dark, speculative fiction. Founded on Halloween 2014 by writers, for writers, Hex gives voice to both well-known and emerging talent. Still in its infancy, Hex is already bringing together some of the genre's best and brightest authors. Nightmare's Unhinged, the publishing house's first anthology, will be released in September 2105.
###