Monthly Archives: November 2012

KidLit Cares

Auction #42 – KidLit Cares: Publishing Contract Review and Consultation with Author/Attorney Susan Spann (California Resident Only)

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Susan Spann is a practicing California attorney with over ten years’ experience in intellectual property, publishing and contract law. Her publishing clients include book and magazine publishers, independent and agented authors (both traditionally and self-published), and developers of e-books and digital apps. Susan is also a writer, her Claws of the Cat, the first book in Susan’s Shiobi mystery series featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori, debuts in July 2013 from St.Martin’s / Minotaur.

The winner of this auction will receive publishing contract review and consultation (up to 2 hours*) with Susan Spann, transactional publishing attorney. Winner will have up to 24 months to claim the review and consultation, and may elect a 1-hour consultation about general contract terms and issues instead of the contract review option (at the winner’s option). Winner will need to e-mail the contract to Susan Spann for review. Comments and consultation can take place by telephone and/or email, at the winner’s preference. Due to potential licensing issues, only California residents may bid on or win this auction.

 (*This is the standard time for review and comment on a publishing contract, so this auction is for a full, standard-length publishing contract review and commentary, not an abbreviated or truncated service.) The winner will also be able to ask follow-up questions by telephone or email. Contract review and comment includes (1) publishing attorney Susan Spann’s review of your standard-length publishing contract, (b) comments and proposed revisions to the contract language, if appropriate, (3) the opportunity to ask questions and have difficult or confusing terms explained, and (4) if appropriate, preparation of a response to the publisher requesting modifications or revisions to the contract language. Approximate retail value: $800-1,000

Opening Bid: $50 Please confirm in your bid that you are a California resident.

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #41 – KidLit Cares: Limited Signed Edition of Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories Isaac Bashevis Singer and illustrated by Maurice Sendak

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Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Others looking for ideas to raise funds for a cause that they care deeply about have even considered leveraging the power of the internet to crowdfund using platforms like GoFundMe which will allow them to reach a wider online audience and more potential donors.

Now, on to the auction!

Heather Hawke is an ecologist with a weakness for endangered species, an untalented hammered dulcimer player, reluctant debate judge, possessor of far too many chickens and makes the best fig jam ever to sweeten the universe. She also writes YA SF/F.

Heather has very generously offered to donate her copy of Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories; Limited Edition by Isaac Bashevis Singer and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. New York: Harper & Row, (1966). A beautiful and rare book signed by author and illustrator. This was Nobel Prize winning Singer’s first book for children with seven tales of Jewish folklore. Sendak offered to illustrate it and stated his parents were finally impressed with him now that he collaborated with Singer (three years after Where the Wild Things Are was published). When he died this spring and Neil Gaiman said, “He was a unique, grumpy, brilliant, gay, wise, magical and made the world better by creating art in it.” The book went on to win a Newbery Award. Limited Fine Press Edition. #253 of only 500 copies. Perfect condition in original marbled paper slipcase. Hardcover, beige linen, mounted cover illustration, gilt spine titles, 90 pages, 17 black &white tipped-in illustrations by Sendak. Range in price of recently sold copies: $650 – $1600.

Opening Bid: $500 – We realize that’s a higher starting bid than many items we’ve listed, but because of the rare nature of this book, the donor wants to make sure it brings a fair-market-value price donation to the Red Cross, and if it doesn’t sell at this level, she told us she’d like to auction it elsewhere to make a Red Cross donation on her own. Thanks for understanding!

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #40 – KidLit Cares: 20 Minute Phone Call with Agent Marcia Wernick

10 Comments

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

From the Wernick & Pratt Agency website: After working and traveling around Europe after college, and working in different jobs in New York City, Marcia Wernick finally found her calling in children’s publishing. She began working at the Sheldon Fogelman Agency, in subsidiary rights, advancing to director of subsidiary rights. She has attended the Bologna Children’s Book Fair more than a dozen times, enjoying the international camaraderie of the children’s book industry. When she realized that working directly with the authors and illustrators brought her the most joy, she focused on the agenting side of the business. She became a full time agent, bringing in many authors and illustrators to the agency.  Among the clients she brought in, and with whom she continues to work, are Bryan Collier, Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, Kathleen O’Dell, Jackie Urbanovic, Alexandra Boiger, and Mo Willems, who she introduced to the children’s book publishing world.  Her clients now range from the well-established to those just beginning their careers.

Agent Marcia Wernick is offering a 20-minute phone call about children’s book writing and illustrating to the high bidder for this auction. The winner will have the opportunity for a personal, one on one phone conversation to discuss their work, as well as ask questions about the children’s book industry.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #39 – KidLit Cares: Skype Visit and Signed Books from Author Louise Borden

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Louise Borden is the author of 27 picture books, including some biographies and nonfiction titles. Louise lives in Cincinnati, OH and also the D.C. Metro area. She has spoken in over 600 schools across the country. Interviews of Louise have appeared in the NYT, USA Today, and The Writer Magazine. She has been interviewed on the BBC, NPR , and appeared in a segment on Dunkirk on the Weather Channel. Her website is www.louiseborden.com, and Louise is on Twitter: @LouiseBorden.

The winner of this auction will receive a Skype visit or two 45 minute in-person presentations (within Ohio or in the DC Metro area) and signed copies of The Journey That Saved Curious George, His Name was Raoul Wallenberg, Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps, America Is…, The Little Ships, and Sleds on Boston Common.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #38 – KidLit Cares: A Set of 5 Signed Books from Author Leslie Bulion

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Leslie Bulion writes funny science poetry and middle grade novels for readers ages 6-100. Her newest novel, THE UNIVERSE OF FAIR, a zany middle grade adventure released August 2012. Leslie’s poetry collection AT THE SEA FLOOR CAFE: ODD OCEAN CRITTER POEMS is a Bank Street College Best Book, was on the American Association for the Advancement of Science 2011 summer reading list, and was a 2011 Parents’ Choice Award winner. Visit lesliebulion.com for information on Leslie’s workshops and virtual visits.

This auction consists of a set of five signed books: two funny science poetry books for readers 7-12, HEY THERE, STINK BUG! and AT THE SEA FLOOR CAFE , in which each poem is about a different critter, and each is a different form of poetry. These books include science and poetry glossaries. Leslie will also include signed copies of her three children’s novels, UNCHARTED WATERS, THE TROUBLE WITH RULES, and her brand-new THE UNIVERSE OF FAIR.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #37 – KidLit Cares: Critiques and SWAG from The YA Highway

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

The YA Highway consists of writers from different corners of the globe, united by their affinity for travel, costume parties, and writing and reading young adult fiction.

This auction has several components:

  • 1 full YA manuscript critique (by 1 YA Highway-er)
  • 1 query critique (by 2 YA Highway-ers);
  • 1 synopsis critique (by 2 YA Highway-ers);
  • Plus signed copies of INSURGENT by Veronica Roth, LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard, A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHTMARE and SHUT OUT by Kody Keplinger; plus upcoming books (ARCs, if available, or else pre-orders): STARGLASS by Phoebe North, FATES by Lee Bross, CHARM & STRANGE by Stephanie Kuehn; plus writing goodies: notebooks, pens, handmade book bottle.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 25. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #36 – KidLit Cares: Signed Book and Original Artwork from Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker lives in Upstate New York where she enjoys painting, drawing, gardening, building elephants and keeping bees. Elizabeth received her Masters of Arts degree from the University at Albany and has exhibited her work in Chicago and New York.

The winner of this auction will receive 1 signed copy of the book Square Cat and 1 signed original illustration from the book.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 24. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #35 – KidLit Cares: 30 Page Manuscript Critique from Author and Former Editor Lisa Graff

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Lisa Graff is the author of numerous middle-grade novels, including The Thing About Georgie and Umbrella Summer. A former children’s book editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers, Lisa is currently an adjunct professor of Children’s Literature at McDaniel College. You can learn more about her at http://www.lisagraff.com.

Lisa is offering a detailed, written critique of the first two chapters of your middle-grade, YA, or chapter book novel (up to 30 pages). She will also provide one follow-up email to any questions you may have regarding the critique. Get some useful feedback from a former editor!

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 24. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #34 – KidLit Cares: Skype/In Person Visit and Signed Books from Authors Amy Guglielmo and Julie Appel

2 Comments

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Amy Guglielmo and Julie Appel are the best-selling authors of the Touch the Art board book series – a fun and interactive introduction to fine art for kids. Titles include: Pop Warhol’s Top, Make Van Gogh’s Bed, Count Monet’s Lilies, Tickle Tut’s Toes.

Amy and Julie are offering a 30-minute Skype Q and A session for your school, classroom, library, or book club, along with signed copies of four books: Pop Warhol’s Top, Make Van Gogh’s Bed, Count Monet’s Lilies, and Tickle Tut’s Toes. The TOUCH THE ART series is appropriate for kids in grades Pre-K through 2. Amy will also create a custom art project to go along with the visit and will tailor the visit to meet core standards. For schools in upstate New York or Vermont: Amy is offering a full-day, in-person school visit that would include up to four presentations for grades Pre-K through 2. Date and time will be mutually agreed upon by the winner and Amy and Julie after the auction ends.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 24. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

KidLit Cares

Auction #33 – KidLit Cares: Picture Book Dummy Critique from Editor Jessica Garrison and Art Director Lily Malcom (Dial BFYR)

22 Comments

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Lily Malcom and Jessica Garrison have worked closely together on many picture books at Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Jessica is an editor at Dial and Lily is the Executive Art Director.

Lily and Jess are happy to offer an author/illustrator the opportunity to have your picture book dummy critiqued. We will review the manuscript and sketch dummy along with any final art samples you may have. In addition, we will offer a portfolio critique of your illustration work. As the winner of this auction item, you will receive a written critique of both the picture book dummy and your portfolio. And this isn’t just for author/illustrators—if a separate author and illustrator would like to collaborate on a project and bid together, we welcome that too.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 24. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund 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.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>