Announcing Genre for Japan - Press Release

I doubt anyone isn't aware of the terrible situation in Japan. I wanted to do something to help, and was disappointed when I discovered Authors for Japan too late to help through them. But now Genre for Japan is up and running, and I have donated two items for when their auction goes live on the 28th March:

~A character named after you in my next novel: The Shifting Price of Prey.ETA: Full details, and where to bid on/after 28th March here

~A 5,000  now it will be a 25,000 word critique of either a short story or the start of a manuscript. ETA: Full details, and where to bid on/after 28th March here

Here's the press release, which says it so much better than I can. Genre for Japan are still open for donations, so if you're able to donate something that would be very helpful, or if you're able to bid in the auction when it goes live, then thank you in advance. Full details are 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.

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Also, a quick reminder about this week's giveaway which is a guest post by Kevin Hearne where he talks about The Alpha Reader, and where you can win a copy of Kevin's first book in The Iron Druid Chronicles Hounded (US)(UK) and a copy of  Ghost Story (Dresden Files, No. 13)by Jim Butcher!

Please help spread the word about Genre for Japan, and also the giveaway. For every commentator in the giveaway I'll donate a £1, up to a limit of 100 commentators. (Currently: 30 commentators approx, so there's plenty room for more comments). So go enter, if you haven't already, and your comment will mean another £1 for Japan, and don't forget to help spread the word. Thank you!