When I saw what happened last week to the East Coast – the flooding, the burned homes, the newly homeless – I knew I wanted to do something more than just feel sad for hurting people. Writing a check is a quick way to help but I felt bad that I wasn’t able to write as big a check as I wanted. Then I realized I do have something I can give, and that’s my time and expertise as a writer. I saw on Twitter that another writer had offered a 50-page critique to the highest bidder, who would then send that amount to a designated relief effort. That critique, last time I checked went for a thousand dollars! That tweet is where the idea for Write Now Relief came from.
I want to help the victims of Sandy, and I can actually do that by helping up-and-coming novelists. Here’s how it will work:
WHAT: Bid on a 50-page critique of your novel by one of the Write Now Novelists (listed below). Highest bidder will send their amount to the designated relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, for their relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
WHEN: Begins Friday, November 9, ends Friday midnight EST November 16.
HOW: Head to the blog of the author you’d like to have critique your 50 pages (that list is below). Find their Write Now Relief blog post and place your bid in the comments section of that post. Monitor it closely so that you can re-bid! Check back on this Facebook page for updates on all the bids. If you are the high bidder for the author you’ve chosen, make your donation and email a copy of your receipt to the author with your 50 pages. It’s that easy.
What will the critique entail? The author you choose will read your fifty pages with an eye to giving you insights and feedback on all aspects of your story excerpt, including plot, character, story arc, mechanics, pacing, and reader appeal.
What is Samaritan’s Purse? Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Here is a video from Samaritans Purse on their efforts to help Sandy’s victims.
How do I donate to Samaritans Purse? You can head to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage on Hurricane Sandy http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/
and click on the GIVE link imbedded on the page. Whether you are the highest bidder or not, do consider donating to this effort.
AND NOW THE PARTICIPATING AUTHORS! Choose the author who suits you best, head to their hosting blog and find the post on WRITE NOW RELIEF. Place your bid in the comments section of that blog, starting Friday, Nov 8. Check back often!
Susan Meissner (me, so comment on this post) Women’s fiction, historical, contemporary
Ginny Yttrup Women’s Fiction, Contemporary http://ginnyyttrup.com/words-for-life
Hannah Alexander Contemporary romantic suspense, Christian romance, both contemporary and historical http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
Rachel Hauck All genres http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com
Jill Williamson Middle grade, and YA or adult for spec fiction (fantasy, science fiction, etc. http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/
Gayle Roper Romantic suspense, suspense, mystery and romance. Hosted by Nancy Mehl www.nancymehl.blogspot.com
Miralee Ferrell Historical romance, women’s contemporary fiction, romantic suspense www.miraleeferrell.com
Donita K. Paul YA, Fantasy, romance http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com
Ruth Axtell Historical Romance http://ruthaxtell.com/blog
Kathy Fuller Amish, contemporary, historical, screenplays www.amishhearts.com
Missy Tippens Contemporary category romance, anyone targeting Love Inspired. http://lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/
Happy bidding, everyone!
Is it tomorrow yet?
That made me smile!
My starting bid is $50.
I will begin the bidding for Susan’s critique at $35.00, the price I once paid at a writer’s conference and more than worth it:)
Susan, is there a time frame to submit the 50 pages by, if we win? I’m finishing up my rough draft and would need some time for revisions.
Thanks.
Sally, I am okay with giving you all the time you need!
I raise the bid to $55. I’m bidding on a few of these. I hope I only win one. 🙂
I think it’s wonderful you’re doing this! I’ll bid $75. And check back.
Talk about a double whammy! A critique by Gail that benefits those devastated people in the east. I’ll up the bid to $100.
I’ll up the bid to $125. Thanks for doing this. Wonderful idea.
Awesome, my fellow writers! Keep ’em coming. And do keep in mind your opportunities for charitable giving for 2012 is coming to a close very soon. When you give to Samaritan’s Purse, it’s a charitable donation. Win win.
Note to Jane Baker — Just fyi, I think if you are wanting Gayle Roper to do your critique you go to site listed above for her. If you comment here you are bidding for Susan Meissner’s critique. If I’m understanding it right…
Yes, Charity! You are right. Thanks for catching that… Hope on over to Nancy Mehl’s blog to bid for a crit by Gayle, Jane!
I’ll make that $135.00
I’ll do $150. 🙂
I see Charity’s 150 and I’ll say $155.
$175 for my historical!
I will go $180.
COOL!!
$200 for a historical.
Thanks, Steve!
My bid is $250.00
Congrats, Rhonda! And may God bless your gift to Samaritans Purse in amazing ways! Email me at susanlmeissner[at]gmail[dot]com and let’s chat!