Frank Beddor & Nathan Fillion Team For 'Kids Need to Read' Charity

It was announced today that Frank Beddor is partnering with actor Nathan Fillion's charity Kids Need to Read for a new initiative. For every book sold by author Beddor at the upcoming Emerald City Comicon (May 1-3), and Phoenix Comicon (May 23-26), or ordered through his new Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/149372651/hatter-m-zen-of-wonder), he will be donating one to the charity's book drive.

"We're happy to participate in this great charity," said Jim Demonakos, Convention Director of Emerald City Comicon. "We do numerous charitable events aimed at children at ECCC and this fits squarely in to our goals in their further education."

"Frank has been a fixture at Phoenix Comicon since its early years and has been at the intersection of realizing success and using that success to the benefit of others for even longer," says Matt Solberg, Convention Director of Phoenix Comicon. "Getting kids to read will be successful through these efforts."

"We are so pleased to have Frank contribute in this way," said Denise Gary, Executive Director for Kids Need to Read. "His books are extremely imaginative and so well-received by the children we serve. This book drive is a terrific gift to Kids Need to Read!"

"This was a no-brainer," said Beddor, author of the New York Times Best Selling young adult series the Looking Glass Wars. "Getting books into the hands of kids is something every author needs to take part in. And Kids Need to Read is one of the best ways to do that." Nathan Fillion, the charity's founder, and star of ABC hit series "Castle", expressed excitement about Beddor's involvement, but no surprise.

"Yes, I am excited. But, you're right, I wasn't surprised," said the actor. "I've known Frank for several years now. And he's a great guy. And a great supporter of our organization."

Beddor first learned of the charity through its co-founder the young adult novelist P.J. Haarsma. The two were partnering on the web game The Rings of Orbis(www.ringsoforbis.com), based on Haarsma's young adult series The Softwire, when Haarsma explained the organization to Beddor.

"It seemed so simple, so logical. I was surprised no one had done it before," said Beddor. "And I immediately told P.J. I'd do anything I could to help."

"Frank has been a vocal advocate of Kids Need to Read since he first learned of it," said Haarsma, echoing Beddor's claims. "But I'm hugely excited that he's made us a part of his upcoming Con appearance, book release, and Kickstarter campaign. We considered this both a big help and a great honor."

Kids Need to Read has a simple mission. They provide books to underfunded schools, libraries and literacy programs with a special emphasis on those organizations serving disadvantaged children. They achieve these aims through auctions, events, and donations from publishers, authors, private individuals and other organizations.

According to the organization's website, to date they "have provided over 42,000 books to 153 schools, libraries, and literacy programs in 41 states, as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico". And they've "also facilitated the donation of three thousand books to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library".

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