KidLit for the Philippines: An On-Line Auction to Benefit Typhoon Survivors

KidLit for the Philippines is an on-line auction to benefit survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The KidLit community (folks involved in the creation of books for children- authors, illustrators, agents, editors, etc.) has a history of generously supporting others in times of need.

(Two recent examples are KidLit4Japan and Kid-Lit Cares. Greg Fishbone and Kate Messner shared their expertise gleaned from organizing each of those fundraisers and granted me permission to use their guidelines here. Thank you Kate and Greg!)

What exactly is KidLit for the Philippines?

It’s an online talent auction to benefit Mercy Corps and UNICEF relief efforts for Typhoon Haiyan (aka Yolanda). Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services and items to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to Mercy Corps and UNICEF.

The full list of current auction items is below (new items will appear each day). You can click on any item to see all the details, and bidding happens in the comments.  To bid on an item, check the current high bid in the comments, and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in a new comment, along with some way to contact you.

What happens if I win?

 Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation directly to Mercy Corps or UNICEF in the amount of the high bid at that time. After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when. All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties. Exceptions are noted on some auction pages.

Who is Michelle Cusolito and why is the auction on her blog?

Well, I'm the organizer of this auction. I'm a "pre-published" children's author. (That's a nice way of saying I'm not published, YET). I have benefited from the support and guidance of many, many people in the KidLit community and have been continually impressed by their generosity. 

I was also a Rotary exchange student in the Philippines when I was in high school. From the time I arrived, I was welcomed, loved and supported by my host families, school mates, the Rotary and practically every person I interacted with. I still have many friends and "family" there. Some of them lost family members or were otherwise impacted by the typhoon. 

I hope you'll find items here that you can't live without and you donate lots of money to the relief effort. I also hope you'll support the amazing folks who donated their time, services, books, artwork, etc. Buy their books. Visit their websites. Send them a thank you Tweet.

Even if you choose not to bid, I hope you'll spread the word far and wide to others who might bid. Thank you.

Without further ado...here are the items open for bids right now:

(You can click to jump to individual items from here or scroll down)

Auction Item # 1: The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide/Critique from Becky Levine CLOSED

Auction Item #2: Portfolio Critique by Hazel Mitchell  CLOSED

Auction #3: Mermaid Tales Sparkling Collection from Author Debbie Dadey CLOSED

Auction #4: Reading Time (Original artwork) from Russ Cox (CLOSED)

Auction #5: Skype visit with Leslie Bulion (CLOSED)

Auction #6: Manuscript Critique by Sarah Tuttle (CLOSED)

Auction #7: Website design consultation with Greg R.Fishbone (CLOSED)

Auction #8: Manuscript Critique by Adah Megged Nuchi (CLOSED)

Auction #9: Books & Skype from Ellen Booraem (CLOSED)

Auction #10: Monster&Me from Paul Czajak (CLOSED)

Auction #11: "Tea and Mice on the Moon" from Laura-Susan Thomas (CLOSED)

Auction #12: Picture Book Critique from Tara Lazar  (CLOSED)

Auction #13: Query Critique by Emma Walton Hamilton  (CLOSED)

Auction #14: Picture Book Critique & Jump-the-Slush-Pile Invitation! From Kate Messner (CLOSED)

Auction #15: A Complete Newbies Guide to Twitter from Nancy Tandon (CLOSED)

Auction #16: School Visit by Carol Gordon Ekster (CLOSED)

Auction #17: Autographed Copies of I Took the Moon for a Walk from Carolyn Curtis (CLOSED)

Auction #18: Young Adult manuscript critique from Scott Blagden (CLOSED)

Auction #19: Critique + book from Donna Earnhardt (CLOSED)

Auction #20: Portfolio Review from Russ Cox  (CLOSED)

Auction #21: First Three Chapter Critique from  NicoleZoltack (CLOSED)

Auction #22: Developmental Editing from Marlo Garnsworthy (CLOSED)

Auction #23: DIG IN! to Signed Board Books With Moving Parts! from April Jones Prince (CLOSED)

Auction #24: 30 minute Skype Visit with Jennifer Fossberry (CLOSED)

Auction #25: picture book ms. or dummy critique from Vicky Rubin (CLOSED)

Auction #26: Signed copy of Dear Life, You Suck and t-shirt from Scott Blagden (CLOSED)

Auction #27: Agent query critique + 15pp author critique from I.W. Gregorio & Jessica Regel  (CLOSED)

Auction #28: Author/illustrator school visit from Diane Allison (CLOSED)

Auction #29: Early Reading (sketch of a little girl deeply involved in a picturebook) from Paul Weiner (CLOSED)

Auction #30: The Quirks, Welcome to Normal print. Signed by the Artist, Kelly Light  (CLOSED)

Auction #31: Sticks and Stones Poster Signed by theArtist, Eleanor Rubin  (CLOSED)

Auction #32: Video Idiot Boot Camp (course) from KatieDavis (CLOSED)

Auction #33: School Visit from Paul Czajak (CLOSED)