This past weekend, I had the privilege of returning to Houston for an event that’s become one of the most rewarding traditions of my writing career: auctioning off the name of a character in an upcoming Porter Beck novel to benefit New Heart of Texas, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Mary Lee Mason, a friend of almost forty years.
If you’ve never heard of them, New Heart of Texas is dedicated to helping people heal from deep trauma. This year’s event focused on their powerful “Duty to Heal” program—an effort close to my heart and facilitated by Mary Lee’s husband, Wayne, a deep-thinker and bourbon connoisseur. It’s designed specifically for veterans and first responders, the men and women who run toward danger while the rest of us run away. Wayne is one of those people. Many of his retreat attendees carry burdens that don’t show up on the surface. Duty to Heal gives them the tools, space, and guidance to work through those invisible wounds.
So far, with the help of generous readers and supporters, we’ve auctioned off the names of four characters, two that are featured in The Blue Horse which publishes on July 8th and two for the fourth book in the Porter Beck series, which is, as yet, untitled. And we’ve raised $8,200. That’s not just a number—it represents lives changed. And this year’s donation feels especially meaningful, because The Blue Horse features an ex-Marine who has seen the worst of mankind. He carries the scars, and like many of the real-life heroes who have gone through Duty to Heal, he’s trying to find a path forward.
When I first created Porter Beck and the world he lives in, I had no idea how deeply his stories would connect with people who’ve been through real battles—both external and internal. But trips like this remind me of the power of storytelling, not just to entertain, but to open doors to understanding, empathy, and sometimes even healing.
To everyone who bid, donated, or just showed up with a kind word—thank you. You’re helping more than you know. And to the folks at New Heart of Texas: your work humbles me.
If you want to learn more about what they do, or how to support Duty to Heal, please visit their website.