On Thursday, the amazing Amanda Rutter of Floor to Ceiling Books asked Twitter: ‘Can the spec fiction community not to do something like #AuthorsforJapan?’ I’d been wondering much the same thing, and so had several others. The upshot of the series of rapid-fire tweets and emails that resulted was Genre For Japan, an online auction to raise money in aid of the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. I’ve been completely awed by the response from writers, artists, and publishers in the genre community. Our press release went out this afternoon, and follows below:
Genre for Japan
Press Release: Time to Donate Prizes!
We’ve all heard the news and seen the horrific pictures coming from Japan in the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami – and no doubt we’ve all wondered how to help.
Following the example of Authors for Japan, where bids are now closed, we’d like to introduce Genre for Japan, a chance for the comics, science fiction, fantasy and horror communities to unite and show our generosity to those who need it right now.
We are planning to run auctions for genre-themed prizes and we need YOU to donate. We are looking for really fantastic prizes: examples might include signed first editions, coaching sessions with agents for that perfect submission letter or original artwork!
Some of the prizes already donated include a year’s supply of books from Tor, signed artwork from Solaris Books and editing/critiques from professional authors and editors.
The prizes will be auctioned on our website, through JustGiving, in aid of the British Red Cross Tsunami Appeal.
If you have something really special to donate, please drop us a line at genreforjapan@gmail.com including information such as a starting bid amount, a sentence or two about the item, and whether you wish to send the prize to a central collecting point or would be willing to post it to the winning bidder. Photos would also help us to list the item, if relevant.
The deadline to receive offers of prizes is 25th March, with the auction set to begin on 28th March.
Find out more information on our website: http://genreforjapan.wordpress.com/
Follow us on twitter: @GenreForJapan
E-mail us: genreforjapan@gmail.com
Genre for Japan is organised by:
Amanda Rutter: reviewer and webmistress at Floor to Ceiling Books
Jenni Hill: editor for science fiction, fantasy and horror publishers Solaris Books
Louise Morgan: author and interviewer for the British Fantasy Society
Ro Smith: writer and reviewer; blogger at In Search of the Happiness Max
Alasdair Stuart is the editor of Hub magazine.
In Search of the Happiness Max 