An “Idea”

 

WHEN SUPPORT ISN’T MUTUAL—A LOCAL BOOKSTORE, A MISSING RESPONSE, AND A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Every indie bookstore says it.

“Support local.”

“Support small business.”

“Every book matters.”

You’ve seen the signs. The hashtags. The chalkboards begging you to buy just one more title so they can keep the lights on. And I don’t disagree—independent bookstores do matter. Words matter. Community matters.

But let me tell you a true story. Not for pity. Not for attention. Just because silence deserves a spotlight, too.

I wrote a book called To Die For.

It’s short, raw, and real. It’s about LGBTQ suicide—the pain, the truth, the survival. It’s priced at $0.99, and 100% of every single cent goes to suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ youth. I’m not making a dime. I didn’t write it for clout. I wrote it because I’ve been there. And because I know too many others who didn’t make it through.

So I reached out to a local bookstore. A store right here in Guthrie. A place that often posts about community, about how they need support to stay open. A store whose owners have a child who is LGBTQ.

I messaged them personally. Told them what To Die For is about. Told them the purpose. Told them they wouldn’t have to do anything but share a link—no inventory, no money changing hands, just a chance to help save lives. I expected… something.

You know what I got?

Nothing.

Not a “thank you.”

Not a “no thanks.”

Not a “we’re full right now.”

Just silence.

This week, I saw a post from that very bookstore. They need to sell 2,000 books a month to survive. June numbers are low. They’re asking for community support. And here I am wondering—how many LGBTQ kids had to suffer in silence because the people with the biggest megaphones chose not to speak?

It would have cost them nothing to help.

Not even shelf space.

Just a single post.

Just the decency of acknowledgment.

But you can’t scream #CommunityOverCriticism while quietly ghosting the people trying to do the work.

You can’t demand support while ignoring voices offering solidarity. Especially when the issue is one that hits your own home.

And no, I’m not bitter. I’m just tired of watching people preach community while practicing convenience.

We say To Die For was written to save lives.

But let’s be clear: sometimes silence is what kills.

So here’s the post. The truth. No drama. No pettiness. Just the facts—and the disappointment of yet another missed opportunity to choose people over performative hashtags.

And still… I’ll keep writing.

Still… I’ll keep fighting.

Even when the local shelves have no room for truth.

To read or share To Die For, click here I think you might like this book: 2 Die 4 by Jake Bannerman

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3YN1997?ref_=quick_view_ref_tag

All profits go to LGBTQ suicide prevention. Every single cent.

#ToDieFor

#SupportThatMeansSomething

#NotBeggingJustSurviving

#IndieAuthorTruth

#QueerLivesMatter

#CommunityIsAction

#SupportGuthrieVoicesToo

#AshAndInk