***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Good morning, everyone! I have a really exciting announcement for you!

Starting this month, I will be offering signed prints of me in my costumes!

But wait, Ana, don't you disagree with cosplayers selling photos of themselves?

I do! Normally. But a lot of you have asked me for this, and I have finally found a way to be comfortable "selling" prints and posters, but it's under my terms.

I've recently paired up with an organization known as Nowzad. They help abused and abandoned dogs and cats in Afghanistan. This group works because of the tireless efforts of civilians and military personnel, Afghan, British and the US.

Nowzad is in need of immediate help. "The Nowzad shelter, the only authorized animal shelter in Afghanistan, is facing a critical situation. As of March 2012, the land rental agreement for the shelter has been revoked and the shelter must move. Within three months Nowzad must find land and build a new shelter while continuing to provide a refuge for all the animals presently residing there."

While Nowzad is a British charity, they work alongside several here in the US to re-home animals rescued from Afghanistan.

Soldiers' Animal Companions Fund is one of the US based charities that works with Nowzad. They currently have several animals in need of homes: [link]

I've been working with one of Nowzad's senior volunteers and we're both excited for this opportunity.

I will be offering 4x6, 8x10 and poster size signed prints, with the proceeds going to Nowzad. All the proceeds will go directly to Nowzad, I will personally cover the costs of the prints. (I will also be keeping pretty obsessive records so anyone, at any time can solicit them to make sure all the money is going to where it is promised. I may know a thing or two about setting up and working with charities

I've also spoken to a few other cosplay friends who are excited to jump in on this wonderful charity, and any of you girls who want to do some *tasteful* cosplay shots with me at upcoming conventions, please get in touch! I would love to help raise awareness for this very unique and wonderful organization.

The idea of working with a charity and offering signed prints has been on my mind for a long time (back in 2007 / 2008 I did a similar thing but with a local pet rescue group, no one knew who I was so I raised like $15) I discovered Nowzad when my colleague did a piece on adopting animals from war zones. After that, I just knew I had to contact them. And now, we have this!

As for the photos, I will be shooting new and one-of-a-kind pictures JUST for this. They wont be released online (except for tiny thumbnails and if someone scans it in, which I hope they don't so we can keep people excited about this.) I'll be asking photographers to donate their time for this project as well, with a big credit going to them of course. I have a few in mind, but when I travel to shows, I'd like to set up shoots with some of my friends who may not be able to shoot with me here in Atlanta.

Thank you everyone for reading this wall of text and stay tuned for a poll as to what costumes you'd like to see offered up!

[link]