💗 Introducing: The Ted Must Die Project
Cancer has a way of making itself the villain in too many lives.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew I wanted to face it the only way I know how, with stories.
So I announced a new mini-series on my blog: The Murder of Ted: A Series of Unfortunate Events and Uncozy Adventures. It became my way of processing this journey while inviting readers to walk beside me through the highs, the lows, and, hopefully, a few laughs along the way.
To do that, I gave cancer a name.
His name is Ted.
When I shared the idea with my friends at the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers, I was overwhelmed by the prayers, encouragement, and love they poured out. Then they did what writers do best, they joined the story.
The comments started rolling in.
“Death to Ted!”
“Ted needs to die!”
That’s when I laughed and said, “It’s the Ted Must Die Project.”
What began as a personal way to cope quickly became something much bigger. Author after author volunteered to write an original short story where Ted meets a delightfully fictional end. Every writer brings their own imagination, voice, and genre, but they’re all united by one mission: Ted Must Die!
I’ve started calling them the Ted Hunters.
Each Ted Hunter has accepted the challenge to create a fictional tale in which Ted—our stand-in for cancer—meets a fittingly creative, humorous, mysterious, or unexpected end.
No two stories are alike.
Some are cozy mysteries.
Some are thrillers.
Some are fantasy.
Some are romance.
Some are laugh-out-loud funny.
The only rule?
Ted doesn’t survive.
Created in solidarity during my own breast cancer journey, The Ted Must Die Project is a reminder that even in difficult seasons, stories can bring hope, laughter, connection, and moments of escape.
Every participating author is donating their imagination to send one shared message: Cancer may change our lives, but it doesn’t get to write the ending.
Welcome to The Ted Must Die Project. Ted won’t be missed. 💗🎗️
The Ted Hunters are hard at work crafting their stories, and I can’t wait to share each one with you.
The first Ted Hunter story will debut later this month, with more fictional “Ted eliminations” to follow.
Be sure to check back often, subscribe to my newsletter, or follow me on social media so you don’t miss a single story as The Ted Must Die Project unfolds. -Michelle ❤️
