NON-FICTION BY EVAN KARL CUTLER Runaway Me: A Survivor's Story Winner: First Place, non-fiction, 1995 (Colorado Independant Publishers Association Book Awards) First autobiographical book about the teen runaway experience & First guide for teens, parents, and others on how to prevent and cope with runaway crises Background: Each year in America, up to two million teens run away from home. Most are fleeing physical, sexual, psychological, and/or verbal abuse so severe that the risk of running blindly into the unknown seems less threatening than facing another day at home. All too often, these kids are wrong. On our streets, the luckier runaways face hunger, homelessness, and extreme poverty. Far too many are less fortunate, scarred by drug addictions, crime, violence, rape, and prostitution. How do runaways survive in America? Over 5,000 a year don't--they die--murdered, diseased, brokenhearted, and alone. Up to one million engage in prostitution. Others deal drugs. Most find themselves caught in a daily struggle to beg, borrow, hustle, and steal what they need. Today, another 15 of these kids will die. We ask ourselves: Why do up to one in seven American kids run away from home (before reaching age 18)? What can be done to prevent their tragedies before they happen? What should runaways, parents, and others do when it has already happened? Where can they find help? About My Book: Runaway Me: A Survivor's Story (A Blooming Press Co., July, 1994) answers these questions and more. Author Evan Karl Cutler lived through nearly two years on the streets himself. "I was one of the lucky ones," Cutler says, "I ran away at fifteen - and survived." This book tells his story and provides concrete advice for teens and their parents. The autobiographical half of Cutler's book recounts his initial three months as a runaway. If they can handle it, readers will learn in gripping detail what it is like to be hounded by child molesters and the police, to be arrested and escape from jail, and to deal with the harsh realities of drug abuse and prostitution. "This is not just my story," says Cutler, now twenty-six. "It's the story of literally millions of runaways whose nightmarish experiences equal or exceed mine. The horrible truth may make you uncomfortable," Cutler continues, "however, it is time to break the silence and face what runaways do to survive." The second half of Runaway Me is a guide to turning our runaway crisis around. Sections are specifically targeted for teens, parents, teachers, crisis workers, and current and former runaways. Cutler offers hundreds of concrete steps to reduce this unnecessary suffering. He also examines the roots of the runaway problem and includes a comprehensive "Resources" section for those seeking to give or receive help. Cutler's desire to help other runaways extends beyond sharing his experiences and advice. Half of all profits from Runaway Me will be used to create "The Fifteen Fund," the first-ever college and job-training scholarship fund for runaways. [Frankly, my book is also far in addition to that described above--but you will have to read it to see.] About the Author (me): Evan Karl Cutler was the 1991 winner of the Meyer J. Nathan Memorial Award, "for outstanding contributions made on behalf of other human beings." He is an expert on the teen runaway phenomenon. With nearly two years as a teen runaway himself, he knows first-hand the challenges and fates of runaways in America. This book reflects a synthesis of his experiences as a runaway and volunteer at a runaway shelter, an exhaustive study of the research and writings on runaways, and his on-going interviews with scores of parents, youth crisis professionals, and several dozen past and current runaways. Cutler founded two college student organizations, and led one other, before graduating in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Environmental Health. He is now keeping busy with public speaking, consulting and organizing on teen runaway issues, and working on several other books. Runaway Me: A Survivor's Story, by Evan Karl Cutler, July-1994, 384 pages, 27 illustrations, ISBN 1-884607-15-2 $14.95 cover price + $3.00 S&H (book rate) = $17.95 post-paid To order, make check for $17.95 payable to: "A Blooming Press Co." 749 South Lemay, Suite A3-223, Fort Collins, CO 80524-3900, Questions and/or credit card orders: Call Evan at (970)482-0705 My book comes with a "satisfaction or your money-back" guarrantee. One person out of 2,000+ customers has requested their money back. Thank-you for showing interest in my book. Evan Karl Cutler, author aka "ranaway@linden.fortnet.org"