Morgan's vaccines auction raises £60k after trade support

A Books for Vaccines auction organised by HarperCollins editorial director Phoebe Morgan has raised almost £60,000 after the industry assembled to help vaccine roll-out across the world.

Across 355 items, a total of £59,142 was rasied through the auction which ended on Friday evening though donations can still be made. The highest winning auctions were a critique of a cover letter and first 25 pages of a novel from literary agent Juliet Mushens which went for £1,921, followed by a signed box set of three Hilary Mantel hardbacks for £1,860 and a Q&A session with agent Jonny Geller for £1,700.

Other donations included a chance to have a character named after you in the next novel by Behind Her Eyes (HarperFiction) author Sarah Pinborough, a signed first edition of a Robert Galbraith novel, signed with J K Rowling’s pseudonym, calls or Zooms with editors such as HQ publisher Lisa Milton, and a signed and dedicated set of all five of David Nicholls' novels. Morgan, also an author herself, donated a signed bundle of her books and an editorial critique which went for £1,000 altogether.

Morgan told The Bookseller: “We also had some really lovely other items including four Pink Floyd CDs signed by David Gilmour and Polly Samson, a weekend in a five-bed Victorian house donated by author Jane Shemilt and a unique copy of Mr Stink by David Walliams (HarperCollins Children's Books) with an original Quentin Blake doodle in the front done specially for the auction. There was a rare limited edition hardback proof of The Thursday Murder Club (Viking) — one of only 100 ever printed — as well as tons of agent and editor critiques, book bundles from a range of authors, sessions with psychologists to discuss what makes strong characterisation, a bundle of books from Formy Books, which works with Black artists and writers with the aim of making children feel represented properly in the pictures they see.”

The sum raised from the fortnight of bidding will go towards CARE International, a global charity providing support and vaccines to countries hardest hit by Covid-19.

Morgan said: “I am so grateful to everyone who has donated either money or items to this auction. To be able to give Care International almost £60,000 is brilliant and although it is only a drop in the ocean, the whole auction has felt like a very positive experience and has shown how much people do care and that it is possible to make a difference rather than just sit feeling helpless as the situation in other countries worsens during this terrible pandemic."

She added: "I would urge everyone to please visit the CARE International website to read more about the work they are doing to ensure the vaccine roll-out is fast and fair; they are an incredible organisation and have been helping spread the word about this auction as well. Thank you again to everyone who took part and I really am stunned by the generosity shown.”

Laura Hawkesford, head of private sector engagement at CARE International UK, said: "Books for Vaccines has been an unexpected boost to CARE's work to support the Covid-19 vaccination effort in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries. The money raised can help CARE reach 36,900 vulnerable people around the world with fast and fair vaccine assistance. We're deeply grateful to authors and book lovers who helped raise both funds and awareness for this important effort."