Anton Strout, affectionately known as America's favorite lower midlist urban fantasy author, has more than his own writing on his mind these days. Strout is taking part in the Penguin Random House Walk 2014 to benefit Girls Write Now, Inc., on a mission to help inner city girls find and express their voices.

On this upcoming Friday June 13, 2014, Strout will be walking 10 miles to help support Girls Write Now, a program which serves at-risk girls from NYC's public high schools in an effort to help them develop new skills, confidence, and ways of expressing themselves that are productive and can lead to positive life choices. This program has won numerous awards and has been recognized twice by the White House. An astounding 100% of GWN's seniors graduate high school, complete with scholarships, awards, and skills to help them build careers. Strout's fundraising goal is $1000, but in true geek form, if he reaches a stretch goal of $3,000, he has committed to wearing his Jedi bathrobe for the entire ten mile walk. He says, "As an employee of Penguin Random House, I'm proud of both the books we produce and the many things we do to help promote literacy. This is one of them, and with YOUR support, we can make this awesome!"

These will not be Anton's first steps in helping the world be a better place. For the past couple years, $1 of every preorder his books received went to the Worldbuilders Charity, all proceeds of which benefit Heifer International. His publisher, Penguin Random House, matched this donation to help end world hunger and poverty.

To support Anton Strout's efforts to support Girls Write Now, and to perhaps see him walk 10 miles in grueling heat wearing a Jedi Bathrobe, please visit his fundraising page at First Giving. Donating through the website is fast, simple, and secure. Ten lucky supporters will be chosen at random to receive a signed copy of ALCHEMYSTIC, book one in the Spellmason Chronicles.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born in the Berkshire Hills, Strout currently lives in the haunted corn maze that is New Jersey (where nothing paranormal ever really happens, he assures you). He's the author of the Simon Canderous urban fantasy series and the Spellmason Chronicles, both for Ace Books, as well as many short tales published in anthologies by DAW Books. The third of the Spellmason Chronicles, INCARNATE, will hit bookstores on September 30. Visit his website for more news about him and his books.