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Literary Activism

#PubforPR Online Auction Opens: Support Puerto Rico and Win Literary Items!

Jen Sherman

Staff Writer

Jen is an urban and cultural geographer who did a PhD on public libraries and reading. As a researcher, her interests are focused on libraries, reading, book retailing and the book industry more broadly. As a reader, she reads a lot of crime fiction, non-fiction, and chicklit. And board books. All the board books. You can also find her writing about books for children and babies at babylibrarians.com. Instagram: shittyhousewife / babylibrarians Twitter: @jennnigan

After being hit by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in recent weeks, Puerto Rico is struggling. Supplies are scarce, and recovery is going to be a long and slow process. A group of authors, editors, and publishers have banded together to create an online auction to benefit Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. #PubforPR is supporting Unidos por Puerto Rico (United for Puerto Rico) and ConPRmetidos with an online auction.

The auction opens at 9am Eastern on Monday October 2, 2017 (that’s right now, guys!), and closes at 10pm Eastern on Thursday, October 5, 2017. There are all kinds of amazing items up for auction! The people involved in #PubforPR include Dahlia Adler, Patrice Caldwell, Mara Delgado, Carrie DiRisio, Sierra Elmore, Dana Alison Levy, Lily Meade, Jim McCarthy, Joy McCullough, Yamile Saied Méndez, Claribel Ortega, Emily X.R. Pan, Elana Roth Parker, Kara Thomas, Nova Ren Suma, Mekisha Telfer, and Marietta B. Zacker.

The prizes include signed ARCs (advanced reading copies of books not yet released); signed books; author visits; consultations and critiques from authors, agents, and editors; or having a character named after you; illustrations and artworks; and other great items. A lot of these are really fantastic items that money really usually can’t buy. These unique items are great for readers and aspiring writers.

You can bid on things like five signed books by Roxane Gay, a character named after you in Rainbow Rowell’s next novel, mentorship and a 50 page critique of an MG or YA manuscript, and a query letter critique by Kensington Publishing Editor Norma Perez-Hernandez.

#PubforPR gives you the opportunity to support a great cause and win some amazing goodies at the same time. (A list of the auction items can be seen here.) The bidding guidelines and details about how to participate are here. Just a reminder, the online auction is on NOW and will continue until Thursday night, Eastern time.

If you wish to help Puerto Rico and donate to Unidos por Puerto Rico and ConPRmetidos without bidding for any of the auction items, that is also most appreciated! These two organisations have started relief funds to support the people affected by the recent hurricanes, and any support received will be gratefully accepted.