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Authors, together with agents and editors, are coming together for an online auction to help those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. All 120 flats of the West London block were destroyed in the blaze last Wednesday (14th June), with the death toll currently standing at 58 and expected to rise.
The original manuscript of The Girl of Ink and Stars (Chicken House) by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and a Californian writer’s retreat worth more than $700 are some of the prizes on offer to raise money for the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund, supporting victims. There is also the chance to name a character in a future Katherine Rundell novel, and Angie Thomas, author of The Hate You Give (Walker Books) is offering a Skype visit. Bidders can also opt for editorial feedback from Penguin Random House Children’s fiction publisher Ben Horslen. Other opportunities include author school visits and editorial critiques from literary agents, including Molly Ker Hawn and Gemma Cooper, both of The Bent Agency.
The initiative follows a raffle which Newham Bookshop ran on Thursday for the victims of the fire which raised £1,100 in one day and is continuing this week. Other author-led fundraising drives include Patrick Ness’ pledge to match donations to Save the Children’s refugee fund in 2015 with support from John Green and Jojo Moyes who helped raise £190,000 in 24 hours.
It was recently reported by the Guardian that responsibility for emergency care of those affected by the Grenfell tragedy had been removed from Kensington and Chelsea Council and placed with representatives from central government, the British Red Cross, the Metropolitan police, London-wide local and regional government and the London fire brigade.
Bidding opens at 1pm today (19th June) and closes at 8pm on 27th June. Visit authorsforgrenfelltower.wordpress.com to participate or follow #authorsforgrenfell on Twitter for more updates.