Books and collectables at the Clarion auction
Geoffrey
RARE , FUN ITEMS OFFERED AT CLARION MIDNIGHT AUCTION
Internet silent auction features items from Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow
and more
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A bundle of Mars items from a scientist who
helped put a rover on that planet, unique and rare autographed books,
and a flag from the First Flight Centennial Celebration are among items
being auctioned this weekend during an Internet-only fundraiser
benefiting The Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop
at Michigan State University.
The silent auction runs from 12:00 a.m. (eastern) Jan. 28 through 11:59
p.m. (eastern) Jan. 29. Visit
http://www.msu.edu/~clarion/auction/auctionpreview.html for a preview
and details on participating.
Bestselling author Neil Gaiman, Ellen Kushner, an author and host of a
popular public radio show, MER scientist and author Geoffrey Landis,
and award-winning author and editor Jeff VanderMeer are among the many
creators who donated items for the event.
Gaiman, whose novel American Gods has won many awards, joined with his
specialty publisher, Hill House Publishing, to donate a full slate of
limited editions of his books. Among them is a hardback edition of "A
Screenplay," available only to subscribers of that publisher's
Gaiman series. Only 52 editions of the screenplay were printed, and
none will ever be offered through retail outlets.
Though Gaiman has never attended or taught at Clarion, he wanted to
contribute. "Young writers need all the help they can get, and for
decades Clarion has been helping to produce some of the finest writers
in the SF and Fantasy field," he said. "I'm glad to have the
opportunity to help."
For 37 years, the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Workshop
has helped some of the field's best storytellers discover their
footing. Participants gather for six weeks to be taught by a rotating
group of top authors and editors. Graduates and instructors have
included Octavia Butler, the only science fiction writer to be awarded
a MacArthur Fellowship, Bruce Sterling, Vonda McIntyre, Scott Edelman,
Gregory Frost, and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.
Clarion is actually three workshops, each functioning independently.
"Clarion East," the original workshop, is seeking new partnerships
after more than two decades at Michigan State University. "Clarion
West" is based in Seattle, Wa. and "Clarion South" is set in
Australia.
The funds generated through the auction will benefit Clarion East and
will be used to maintain the workshop's quality as it prepares for
relocation.
Additional auction items include a collection of dark poetry from
award-winning author Bruce Boston, a page of comic book art by
"Supergirl" illustrator Leonard Kirk, and manuscript critiquing by
noted author Bruce McAllister, recipient of a National Endowment for
the Arts fellowship.
Ellen Kushner, host of Public Radio's "PRI's Sound & Spirit with
Ellen Kushner" and award-winning author of Thomas the Rhymer, has
taught twice at Clarion, which she feels helps emerging writers with
more than just the words.
"It creates community, and a sense of possibility for writers who are
often beleaguered and bedeviled in "mainstream" writing classes and
programs," Kushner said. "As a kid from Ohio myself, I know that it
means something to students to have a prestigious class that is not
based on one of the coasts."
David Brin, award-winning author whose book The Postman was turned into
a film by Kevin Costner, said he donated several items even though he
has never attended or taught at the workshop. He's just impressed
with it.
"When it comes to helping talented newcomers transform into skilled
professional storytellers, Clarion has no equal," Brin said. "There
simply aren't any other workshops than can match its fecundity at
fostering both verve and success."
Ellen Datlow, fiction editor of Scifi.com and multiple award winning
editor of several anthology series, is a vocal supporter of Clarion and
has taught at all three workshops.
"Some of the most important writers in the genre have come out of the
various Clarion workshops," Datlow said. "The workshops can't
create a writer out of nothing but it can focus those with potential
and teach them valuable writing and editing skills."
Cory Doctorow, award-winning author and cofounder of the popular
BoingBoing.net pop culture site, donated one of the 10 homemade galleys
he created for his new novel Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves
Town. The galleys are not available to the general public. Doctorow
graduated from Clarion East in 1992 and is returning to teach in 2005.
"If it wasn't for Clarion, I think I would have given up writing," he
said. "I learned more about writing in six weeks of Clarion than in
the five years that preceded it."
The generosity of professionals and fans who donated to the silent
auction is thrilling, said Lister Matheson, director of Clarion East.
"We are grateful to all Clarion well-wishers for their generosity,
which will help the workshop through these difficult financial times
and keep it available and affordable for all qualified participants,"
Matheson said. "So check out the items online and then bid early, bid
often, and bid high! And enjoy the fun!""
For more information, visit:
www.msu.edu/~clarion/auction/auctionpreview.html
--
Geoffrey A. Landis
http://www.sff.net/people/geoffrey.landis