Wilbraham & Monson Academy Director of Student Promotion Bill Wells published his second novel in five months, releasing "Uno" on Amazon in early March.
It wasn't planned.
Two weeks after publishing his first book, Mr. Wells received a phone call that his daughter was in an ambulance and on her way to a hospital after driving her car headfirst into a tree. The long day concluded when a counselor in the psychiatric unit of the hospital informed Mr. Wells his daughter was involved in an abusive relationship.
Determined to bring awareness to abuse, Mr. Wells wrote "Uno" from Thanksgiving to Christmas of 2018. The 52,000-word fictional story is about a retired man who learns of the many evils of abusive relationships after he befriends a college-aged woman involved in a domestic violence situation.
Mr. Wells is donating all proceeds to Safe Passage, a non-profit organization in Northampton that offers programs to victims of domestic violence.
Quotes
Mr. Wells on why he chose to write about the topic of abuse: "The day after I was informed about my daughter's situation, I became obsessed with one question: Why do people stay in abusive relationships? I could not believe what I read and learned. That night I put together a storyline for a book."
Mr. Wells on why he chose to donate all proceeds to Safe Passage: "Safe Passage helps victims of abuse who are in need of services, such as housing, food and counseling. They're a non profit so they're in constant need of financial assistance."
Mr, Wells on the difference between his first book and second: "Writing my first book was fun, and I'm glad I did it. But with 'Uno' I wasn't writing for fun – I was writing with a purpose. I found it much more meaningful."