D.J. WESSLER is 25 years old and has been blind since birth. CHASING ECHOES THROUGH THE DARK is his first book. He divides his time between family in Philadelphia and southern California. His unique sculptures have been featured in galleries across the country. Wessler was recently featured in an article for The Advocate examining the hardships faced by those who are both disabled and gay.
ADAM McDANIEL attended Vassar College in New York. He has won numerous honors for his illustration, screenwriting, and short film work. His first novel, How to Succeed in Heaven Without Really Dying, is currently being developed as a stage musical. McDaniel lives in southern California. This is his second book.
CHASING ECHOES THROUGH THE DARK began in early 2003 when McDaniel, "freshly unemployed" at that time, decided to do volunteer work for the blind, including a special mentoring workshop at The Foundation for the Junior Blind in Los Angeles. There he befriended a group of visually impaired teens, who shared with him their personal stories and taught him the day-to-day challenges of being blind in a sighted world.
It was through a mutual friend that he learned of D.J. Wessler, a young man who, though completely blind since birth, created elaborate sculptures. The two men quickly became good friends, and it was Wessler's suggestion that they collaborate on a book.
CONTACT BY EMAIL:
D.J. WESSLER / http://www.myspace.com/blindgayguy
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