Fourth Day Recap

Wow, guys, you’ve blown us away with your bids. A giant-sized thank you to everyone who donated items for the auction and to everyone whose bidding is helping us raise funds for those in need. Keep those bids coming!

Just a little note: All items from Day 2 of the auction are closing TONIGHT at 10:00PM EST.

That’s two hours from right now. So hurry up with those bids to win critiques from HarperCollins Children’s Book editor Sarah Dotts Barley, Operation Awesome writers, and agent Joanna Volpe. Don't forget the books still up for grabs: THE NEAR WITCH, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, four LGBT YA books, and more! They're all so excited to have your bids. Really.

Don’t forget to check in tomorrow when we will auction off items like a signed galley of LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, a 50-page critique from author Tali Rolland, a signed ARC of INCARNATE and (if bidding goes high enough) a partial manuscript critique from author Jodi Meadows, and a 10-page critique from HarperTeen editor Kari Sutherland!

But wait, there’s more!

That’s right, Read for Relief has been such a success—thanks to all of your generous donations and bids—that we’ve decided to extend the auction until Monday. Here’s the deal:

• Friday’s auction items will close on Sunday, as planned.
• We’re taking the weekend off, but we’ll be back Monday with what we consider is an auction day constructed out of pure awesomeness. (Don’t worry, we’ll drop some hints tomorrow. For now, just know that you want to stay tuned. Trust us.)

Today's items will remain open to bidding until Saturday at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4 Is Now Open!

First, thank you so much for your lovely bids to the Read for Relief auction! We've been amazed by the response so far, and we are so excited to generate more proceeds for the American Red Cross.

If this is your first time visiting the Read for Relief auction, welcome! To recap how the auction works:

1. To place a bid, simply leave a comment.
2. There is a minimum starting bid of $10.
3. Include your bid in US dollar ($) amounts along with your email address so we can contact you if you win.
4. Please use comments only for bidding.
5. Bidders will have three days to bid in the comments of an item. (Thursday's items will close on Saturday at 10:00PM EST.)

For more information on the auction, please visit our How It Works page.

Happy bidding!

Note: We are still taking donations for the auction if you'd like to give something! (A book, an ARC, a critique...basically anything publishing-related.) To donate, please fill out this form. Thank you!

Day 4, Item 14: Agent Query Critique

From agent Kristin Miller

Win a query critique.

Kristin Miller is a literary agent at D4EO Literary Agency representing Picture Books, Middle Grade & Young Adult novels. She is also a music fiend & haunter of Seattle cafes and happy hours.

Learn more about Kristin on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 13: Signed Copy of FREEFALL

From author Mindi Scott

Win a signed copy of FREEFALL.

Mindi Rochelle Scott lives near Seattle, Washington, USA with her drummer husband in a house with a non-sound-proof basement.  FREEFALL, her first novel, was published in 2010. Her second novel, LIVE THROUGH THIS, is scheduled for release by Simon Pulse in fall of 2012.

Learn more about Mindi on her website.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 12: Editor 10-Page Critique

From HarperCollins Children’s Book editor Sarah Sevier

Win a critique of the first 10 pages of your children’s manuscript (YA, MG, chapter or picture book)

Sarah Sevier is an Editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, where her primary focus is on middle grade and teen fiction. Sarah has worked with a talented group of authors such as Ben H. Winters, R.L. Stine, Thanhha Lai, Peter Hannan, Erin Hunter, author of the New York Times bestselling Seekers series, and Pittacus Lore, author of the New York Times bestselling I AM NUMBER FOUR and THE POWER OF SIX. Upcoming projects include the middle grade novel THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING EVERYTHING by Ben H. Winters, and OTHERWORLD CHRONICLES: THE INVISIBLE TOWER by Nils-Johnson Shelton, the first book in an action-packed new series.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 11: 50-Page Critique

From agent assistant Sarah Goldberg

Win a 50-page manuscript critique

Sarah Goldberg has interned for FinePrint Literary Management and Nancy Coffey Literary and worked as assistant to agent Suzie Townsend at FinePrint. When she is not gushing over client manuscripts or trawling the slush pile, she is working toward her PhD and teaching in the department of Latin American and Spanish Literature at Columbia University. She specializes in YA, MG, fantasy, and science fiction, but will be delighted to review a manuscript in any genre.

Learn more about Sarah on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 10: Query Critique, 50-Page Critique, and POSSESSION prize package

From author Elana Johnson

Win a query critique, 50-page critique of a YA manuscript, and a POSSESSION prize package including signed book and swag.

Note: This item is open to U.S. bidders only.

Elana Johnson’s debut novel, POSSESSION, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, FROM THE QUERY TO THE CALL, is available for download. School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.

Learn more about Elana on her website.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 9: Signed First Edition of THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED, Signed Copy of KILL ME, and Barnes & Noble Membership

From Jill Giordano

Win a signed first edition of THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb, a signed copy of KILL ME by Stephen White, and a Barnes & Noble membership.

Note: This item is open to U.S. bidders only.

Jill Giordano is a bookstore manager by trade and an unabashed bookworm at heart. She lives in Massachusetts, where she spends way too much time making sure books on the shelves stick out just the right amount.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 8: Signed ARC of BORN WICKED and ARC of CINDER

From author Jessica Spotswood

Win a A signed ARC of BORN WICKED and an ARC of CINDER by Marissa Meyer.

Note: Open to both U.S. and international bidders

Jessica Spotswood is the author of BORN WICKED, Book 1 in The Cahill Witch Chronicles, coming Feb. 7, 2012 from Putnam. She hearts books, theatre, tea, twirly dresses, the color pink, and the sound of bells chiming the hour.

Learn more about Jessica at her website or on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 7: 10-Page Critique

From authors Miranda Kenneally and Robin Talley

Win a 10-page critique of a YA manuscript from both Miranda and Robin.

Robin Talley writes young adult fiction focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters. She is represented by literary agent Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich. You can reach her at her website, on her blog, or on Twitter.

Miranda Kenneally is the author of CATCHING JORDAN, a contemporary YA novel about football, femininity, and hot boys, coming in December 2011. Other books include PLAYING PARKER (fall 2012) and BAD, BAD THING (spring 2013). Miranda is the co-creator of Dear Teen Me. The Dear Teen Me Anthology will be published in late 2012. She enjoys reading and writing young adult literature, and loves Star Trek, music, sports, Mexican food, Twitter, coffee, and her husband. Learn more about her at her website, on Twitter or Facebook. Miranda is represented by Sara Megibow at Nelson Literary Agency. 

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 6: Signed Copy of THE JAGUAR STONES, Book 1 and 2

From authors J&P Voelkel

Win signed copies of THE JAGUAR STONES, BOOK ONE: MIDDLEWORLD (paperback) and THE JAGUAR STONES, BOOK TWO: THE END OF THE WORLD CLUB (hardcover).

The winner will also receive a gift card with the first name of their choice inscribed in Maya glyphs.

J&P Voelkel used to work in advertising, but now they co-write and illustrate The Jaguar Stones books, published by Egmont USA. These are the first two books in a fast-paced and funny Maya-themed adventure series, set in the jungles of Central America. The perfect gift for boys and girls, ages 9 to 14. When they’re not writing, they’re usually exploring the jungles of the Maya, or visiting schools all over America. Appearances have included The Today Show, the Boston Museum of Science, KIDSlive! at the New York Public Library, and Kidlit at the San Francisco Public Library. They live with their three children in Vermont.

Learn more about J&P Voelkel at their website or on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 5: Signed copy of VARIANT

From author Robison Wells

Win a signed hardcover of VARIANT and a hard-copy of the revision, with annotated notes from the author, if you're interested in peeking at those! You’ll also win a shout-out on the Appendix, a weekly podcast featuring writing advice, discussion of the industry and a look into the lives of authors, for your book, website, blog, or Twitter.

Note: This item is for U.S. bidders only.

Rob Wells is the author of the upcoming YA dystopian-ish novel, VARIANT, which will be released October 18, 2011 from HarperTeen. He also runs a weekly podcast with writers Sarah Eden and Marion Jensen.

Find out more about Robison on his website and on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 4: Typewriter Key Necklace

From YA writer Christina Lee

Note: This item is for U.S. and Canadian bidders only.

Win a Typewriter Key Necklace from Christina’s Tags-n-Stones hand-stamped jewelry site. The necklace is sterling silver and comes with your choice of letter. You may also choose a Swarovski crystal or freshwater pearl (any color). 

Christina Lee writes young adult fiction and creates hand-stamped jewelry. Learn more about Christina at her website and on Twitter. Find out more about her jewelry on the Tags-n-Stones website.


ETA: This item also comes with your choice of letter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 3: 30-Page Critique

From the Sisters in Scribe

The Sisters in Scribe are offering to each critique the first 30 pages of the manuscript of the winning bidder. That’s three thorough crits for one manuscript! Since we all write YA, this prize is for YA and upper MG manuscripts only, in any genre. (Contemporary, sci-fi, paranormal, dystopian, fantasy—you name it!)

Sisters in Scribe is made up of YA writers (and crit parnters) Kristi Helvig, Valerie Kemp, and Lacey (L.J.) Boldyrev. They blog about all things writing. Learn more about the Sisters in Scribe on their blog.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 2: Signed copy of THE PEA IN PEANUT BUTTER

From author Allyn Stotz

Win a signed copy of THE PEA IN PEANUT BUTTER and a doggy bag containing a bookmark, magnet, reading journal and a few items from Louisiana in it.

Allyn is a children’s book writer who has a deep love for a child’s imagination, honesty, and zest for life. Writing picture books allows her to become a child all over again. Although she has no “human” children of her own, she draws her inspiration from co-workers children, nieces and nephews, and of course her “cat and dog” children. Allyn has been published in various children’s magazines but THE PEA IN PEANUT BUTTER, published by FutureWord Publishing, is her first children’s picture book.

Learn more about Allyn at her website.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.

Day 4, Item 1: Signed Copy of ALEX

From author Dianne Hartsock

Win a signed copy of ALEX.

Note: This item is for U.S. bidders only.

Dianne Hartsock lives the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her husband. Currently, she’s working as a floral designer in a locally owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she expresses herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Learn more about Dianne at her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

This item will close on Saturday, September 17, at 10:00PM EST.