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In an unprecedented show of unity, 40 Montana writers created original essays and testimonies advocating for support of public lands, and for Rob Quist in the May 25 special election.

In rapid-response fashion, the writers contributed to the anthology, "We Take Our Stand: Montana Writers Protecting Public Lands to Support Democratic Congressional Candidate Rob Quist," who is running for the open seat vacated when former congressman Ryan Zinke became Interior secretary.

Produced by author Rick Bass and edited by Seabring Davis and Brian Schott, the anthology will be inserted into three state newspapers as a 24-page tabloid that will be distributed to nearly 35,000 subscribers in the southwest and northwest portions of Montana this Sunday.

Copies will also be distributed at Quist events with Sen. Bernie Sanders in Missoula and Bozeman. The project was privately funded by the writers and other concerned citizens who oppose Republican Greg Gianforte and the Republican agenda for public lands. In two frenzied weeks the team raised nearly $10,000 to design, print and insert the anthology.

A press release states that "recent attempts at public lands transfer into private ownership under the Republican administration prompted Bass to rally fellow writers in this unprecedented outcry of endorsement."