Manuscripts Critiqued, Cameos Auctioned, World Improved.

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This is a Worldbuilders blog.

Today, we have some pretty awesome things we’re auctioning off.

First off, we’ve got authors, agents, and editors willing to read your manuscripts and give you critical feedback.

I hope I don’t have to stress what a rare opportunity this is. Authors occasionally read a manuscript for a friend, or do a quick critique at a convention. But generally speaking if you want this sort of professional attention you have to attend a pretty serious workshop, like Clarion. Or you have to be a student at one of the rare universities that takes sci-fi and fantasy seriously enough to bring in a professional to teach a class.

We’ve got a second set of auctions too: Cameo appearances in upcoming books. (Or naming rights, or tuckerizations, or guest appearances… whatever you’d like to call them.)

If anything these are even harder to come by. When I offered one up at this year’s Child’s Play charity auction, it went for 8,000 dollars.

Let’s list those first, actually….

Guest Appearances:

  • Name a character and decide what sort of creature (s)he is in Alma Alexander‘s next YA fantasy novel.

Alma Alexander

In the world of Alma Alexander’s next YA fantasy series, there are many different kinds of Were creatures. Some are obvious – there are the Corvids (who turn into things like ravens, magpies, crows…) and now rare and dangerous true Lycans (the original werewolves); there are creatures known as Random Weres (who can be chaotic – you have to wait until spring 2014 and read the first book of the series, “Random”, to find out just how…) and there are New Moon Weres, who don’t turn at the Full Moon like traditional weres do but rather on the nights of the New Moon, the dark-of-the-moon weres, who are usually (but they don’t HAVE to be…) vampire bats in their were form. Then there are the outliers and the accidents (she has a hapless were-chicken).

If you win this auction, you will get to (a) name a character in the final book of the series (you can negotiate, if the name is something she can’t QUITE fit into this world, until you both get a version that you are happy with), and (b) pick what creature (s)he turns into in their were form. Bonus: you get an ebook of Alma Alexander’s short stories – unrelated to this novel series, but it’s an immediate prize which you won’t have to wait to see happen as you will with the Tuckerization itself.

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

Bradley P. Beaulieu

Bradley P. Beaulieu is pleased to offer one Tuckerization for inclusion in his brand new epic fantasy series, The Song of the Shattered Sands. The character will appear in the first book, Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, and may live beyond those pages. Please see the auction description for the details. All proceeds from the auctions will benefit the 2013 Worldbuilders fundraiser.

Contact details with Bradley will be set up following the auction

Bradley has added in his own mini-stretch goals for his auction, that will activate once it gets past certain dollar amounts, making this auction even cooler.

Interested? You can bid on Bradley’s tuckerization over here.

Mike Martinez

We haven’t found the key to living forever, but you can achieve a bit of literary immortality in the pages of THE VENUSIAN GAMBIT, the third book in Michael J. Martinez’ DAEDALUS series.

In THE DAEDALUS INCIDENT (a best-of-2013 pick by BuzzFeed and Library Journal) and the upcoming THE ENCELADUS CRISIS, Martinez created a world in which the sailing ships of the English Royal Navy ply the avoid between the planets of our Solar System. By bidding here, your name will be used in THE VENUSIAN GAMBIT, due out at the end of 2014, and given to a supporting character – NOT just a redshirt. (Though your character’s survival is by no means guaranteed. Life’s rough in the solar system.)

Head over here to bid on this auction.

  • A Cameo appearance  in Patrick Rothfuss’s next novel.

Dignified winter pat

Here’s the deal. If you win this auction, you’ll win a chance to propose a name for a character in book three. If the name you’re proposing sounds great to me, then huzzah.

If not, the two of us will talk it over.

For example, let’s say you want to get your girlfriend’s name into book three because she’s a big fan, and you’re hoping it will get you that threeway you’ve always wanted. But her name is “Veronica” and that doesn’t quite feel right for my world.

So we start talking it over. Maybe we can use her middle name instead. Maybe we use her nickname and I tweak the character’s description a little bit so that it more closely resembles her. (Though I’ll probably do this a little bit anyway.)

Maybe I put a little twist on the name. “Veronia” for example, would be fine for my world. I like that name a lot, actually.

Or maybe you decide you’d rather use your own name after all. And it turns out that works wonderfully, because your name is Ferrel and that’s exactly the sort of name that would fit on a Vintish Courtier, and I happen to be tweaking the Vintish section of the book right now anyway….

What I’m getting at here is that we’ll negotiate until we’re both happy with the addition to the book.

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

Critiques

Before I list all the read-and-critique auctions, I’m going to have to put on my Dad Voice: a voice which contains all the baritone authority of my teacher voice, with an added subharmonic that implies if you screw this up, I’m going to be *really* disappointed in you.

“Please read the auction descriptions carefully.”

You see, each author, editor, or agent is handling their auction in their own way…

  • Everyone has different skill sets, and they’re each offering something slightly different.
  • Some critiques are for the first 15,000 words of a manuscript, others are for as much as 150,000 words.
  • All the professionals below are busy people. Critiques will have to fit in their schedules.
  • When the auctions mention they’ll read “X pages” of a manuscript, assume standard manuscript format.
  • You’re not buying an introduction to someone’s agent or editor here. That’s not what’s on the block. You’re getting specific writing advice from a professional.

Okay. Enough preamble. Let’s move on to the awesome….

Bradley P. Beaulieu

Bradley P. Beaulieu is pleased to offer one story or chapter critique of up to 10,000 words. Brad will draft a formal review that will cover such things as how well the story opens, complicates, and closes, how well the characterization works, dialogue, tone, pacing, tension, and a host of other issues. Essentially, he’ll provide a formal review on the positives and negatives found in the story.

Bradley P. Beaulieu is the author of The Lays of Anuskaya, which begins with The Winds of Khalakovo, continues in The Straits of Galahesh, and concludes with The Flames of Shadam Khoreh. Brad’s new epic fantasy series, The Song of the Shattered Sands  has been sold to DAW Books in the US and Gollancz in the UK and will release in late 2014 or early 2015. In addition to being an L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Award winner, Brad’s stories have appeared in various other publications, including Realms of Fantasy Magazine, Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, Writers of the Future 20, and several anthologies from DAW Books. His story, “In the Eyes of the Empress’s Cat,” was voted a Notable Story of 2006 in the Million Writers Award. Mailing details and contact with Bradley will be set up following the auction.

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

  • Critique of a sci-fi or fantasy short story up to 30,000 words by award-winning writer Brenda Cooper.

SONY DSC

Award-winning Pacific Northwest writer Brenda Cooper will read and critique a science fiction or fantasy short story up to 30,000 words. Her novel-length work is primarily science fiction written for nine to ninety year old readers, and her short stories range across genres and age-groups.

In addition to the critique, Brenda will provide a copy of her latest novel, The Creative Fire.

Brenda Cooper writes science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. Her most recent novel is THE DIAMOND DEEP, which came out in October 2013. Brenda is also a technology professional and a futurist.

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

  • Critique of a manuscript or short fiction up to 15,000 words by award-winning author D.B. Jackson.

David B Coe

D. B. Jackson, who also writes as David B. Coe, is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and the occasional short story.  THIEFTAKER, written under the D.B. Jackson pen name, is the first volume of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements of urban fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction.  The second volume, THIEVES’ QUARRY, was published in 2013.

Writing as David B. Coe he has published the LonTobyn Chronicle, a trilogy that received the Crawford Fantasy Award as the best work by a new author in fantasy, as well as the critically acclaimed Winds of the Forelands quintet and Blood of the Southlands trilogy. He has also written the novelization of director Ridley Scott’s movie, Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe.  David’s books have been translated into a dozen languages.  D.B./David co-founded and regularly contributes to the Magical Words group blog, a site devoted to discussions of the craft and business of writing fantasy, and is co-author of How To Write Magical Words:  A Writer’s Companion.

D.B. Jackson is offering a critique of up to 15,000 words of your manuscript, either a piece of short fiction or the early chapters of a novel.  If you’re interested, head over here and bid.

  • Critique of the first 50 pages of your manuscript by sci-fi, fantasy, and horror editor David Pomerico.

David Pomerico

David Pomerico is an Acquisition Editor at 47North, where he works in all the wonderful sub-genres that make up science fiction, fantasy, and horror.  Still, his passions definitely lie in the realms of traditional fantasy, space opera, military sci-fi, and dystopian novels. Before joining 47North, he was an Associate Editor at Del Rey Spectra.  Some of the great authors he’s been lucky enough to work with include Ari Marmell, Peter F. Hamilton, Sarah Zettel, Chris Wooding, Felix Gilman, Jeff Grubb (and many more that he’d love to list), and future projects by Dana Cameron, Jason Sheehan, Mark Barnes, Jeff Wheeler, SD Perry, and Aaron Pogue (again, among many, many others!).

He’s offering a detailed critique and commentary (but not a line edit) for the first 50 pages or so of your manuscript (double-spaced, please—and no margin shenanigans!), which he will get back to you within three months of receiving the manuscript. While he could possibly be blown away and want to make an offer on your book, this isn’t guaranteed (otherwise this might be a really pricey auction!).

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

  • Critique of the first 75 pages of your novel by author, poet, and editor Jamie Lee Moyer.

jaimeLeeMoyer_logoFinal

Jaime Lee Moyer is offering a read and critique of the first 75 pages of your finished novel. While she won’t line edit for grammar, she will comment on plot, pacing, character arc, voice, how well the “hook” or opening works, how well the story sustains her interest, and give overall, general impressions of the story. Critique will be done in MSWord via track changes, but please use a readable font and double-space your work. The critique will be returned to you within three months, edit letters and deadlines allowing.

Jaime Lee Moyer is a speculative fiction writer, poet and recovering editor. Jaime is the author of Delia’s Shadow, the first in a three book series coming from TOR beginning in September 2013. Delia’s Shadow won the 2009 Columbus Literary Award for Fiction, administered by Thurber House and funded by the Columbus Art Council. She doesn’t take herself nearly as seriously as that credit implies. Jaime’s short fiction has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, Lone Star Stories, and two of the well-respected Triangulations anthologies. She was the editor of the 2010 Rhysling Anthology for the Science Fiction Poetry Association, a poetry and short fiction editor for a semi-pro zine for five years. For a short period of time she read slush for a literary agent, and has critiqued more novels and short stories than she wants to count.

If you’re interested, go here and bid.

  • Critique of the first 100 pages of your novel by author and editor Joshua Palmatier.

josh

Joshua Palmatier (DAW Books author of the “Throne of Amenkor” trilogy and the “Well of Sorrows” trilogy written as Benjamin Tate) will read and evaluate the first 100 pages of your novel within 3 months of submission. The manuscript must be in standard manuscript format (typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font, etc). He will write a general evaluation of the novel’s opening and mark up the manuscript using comments and track changes in the document itself, although this will NOT be a formal line or copy edit, simply commentary at specific points of the manuscript.

Joshua Palmatier has five dark, epic fantasy novels published by DAW, four short stories in various anthologies, and has co-edited two anthologies with Patricia Bray. His experience is mostly with all forms of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. His intent will be to offer editorial advice on how to improve your novel and to use his experience as both author and editor to make it the best it can be.

In addition to the manuscript review, Joshua will provide the winner with two signed, personalized editions of his books: WELL OF SORROWS and AFTER HOURS: TALES FROM THE UR-BAR.

If you’re interested in this auction, be sure to head over and bid.

Mike Martinez

Michael J. Martinez is the author of THE DAEDALUS INCIDENT (a best-of-2013 pick by BuzzFeed and Library Journal) and the upcoming sequel THE ENCELADUS CRISIS, due out April 1, 2014.

Michael will critique up to 25,000 words of your SF/F novel (or a shorter work), including both an overall opinion on the strength of the work, thoughts on individual sections, and ideas on direction and ways to improve. This doesn’t include line edits, but he’s willing to answer questions and engage in a dialogue to help make your work better!

To put Michael’s expert opinion in your pocket, by all means bid on the auction.

  • Critique of your entire submission packet, up to 15,000 words, by writer and editor Laura Anne Gilman.

Laura-Gilman

Laura Anne Gilman spent fifteen years as an editor for major New York publishers, the last six heading up the SF/F imprint Roc for Penguin USA.  She discovered/worked with such authors as Anne Bishop, S.M. Stirling, Carol Berg, Kristine Rusch, Harry Turtledove, and many others (several hundred, at last count).  She currently runs d.y.m.k. productions, an editorial services company.

As a writer, her work ranges from the Nebula award-nominated Vineart War epic fantasy trilogy to the SFnal/horror collection DRAGON VIRUS, as well as the popular “Cosa Nostradamus” urban fantasy series. Her short fiction has appeared in print and digital magazines, and more than twenty anthologies, including the forthcoming DEAD MAN’S HAND, and the novellas MILES TO GO/PROMISES TO KEEP.  Laura Anne also writes the “Gin and Tonic” mysteries for Simon & Schuster, under the name L.A. Kornetsky.

Laura Anne Gilman will read and evaluate your submission packet (cover letter, synopsis, and first three chapters up to 15,000 words).  She will read and critique, with an eye toward catching – and keeping – an editor or agent’s attention, and help you create hooks that will encourage the reader to ask for “more, please!”  She cannot promise to provide any introductions to agents or editors…but she won’t rule it out, either, if you knock her socks off.

Pat’s Note: The fact that this auction includes an evaluation of your submission packet makes it extra cool – people with great books get rejected because of bad cover letters every day. My book was rejected for two years mostly because I can’t write a query letter worth a damn.

If you want in on this, you’d better hurry up and bid on it.

  • Critique and commentary on approximately the first 100 pages of your manuscript by Del Rey editor Michael Braff.

Mike Braff

Mike Braff is an associate editor at Del Rey Books and has been part of the editorial team there for the past five years. He is in charge of the merciless slaying of enemies by battleaxe, the boarding and capturing of space craft in zero-g, and the management of a sect of magic users that secretly runs the paranormal underground in New York City. Not true, sadly, but he does love to read and acquire books about these things and other related sci-fi, fantasy, and urban fantasy topics.

Though he’s from New York originally, Mike once went to Canada for a few years to study Comparative Religion and World History at McGill University (BA ’07). Much to everyone’s surprise (including his own) the course of study proved useful when acquiring and editing fantastic stories for Del Rey, where Mike has been lucky enough to work with the likes of Kevin Hearne, Jason M. Hough, Richard K. Morgan, Matthew Stover, Ted Kosmatka, and newcomers Pierce Brown and Alan Smale, among many other talented authors. He lives in Brooklyn with a rescued pit bull named Ruby, adorable pictures of whom will be provided in abundance on request.

He’s offering a detailed critique and commentary for the first 100 pages or so of your manuscript (rounded up to the end of the last chapter). This is not a line edit, but Mike will get back to you within 90 days of receiving your manuscript with an editorial letter detailing his thoughts and suggestions.

Bid on this auction over on eBay.

  • Critique of the opening chapters (up to 20,000) words of your manuscript by Pat Rothfuss’s literary agent Matt Bialer.

Matt Bialer

Matt Bialer (literary agent) will read and evaluate the opening chapters of one manuscript (up to 20,000 words) within three months of submission, not including the last few weeks of December. He will read and critique, and help the author think about the issues that could be raised by editors at publishing houses.

He will write a general evaluation of the book, both strengths and weaknesses, but line editing is NOT included. If the book is fantastic or has the potential to be fantastic then offering representation is not out of the question — but representation is not a guarantee.

To bid on Matt’s critique, head over here.

  • Critique of the first 150,000 words of your manuscript by Patrick Rothfuss.

Skeptical

Patrick Rothfuss (international bestselling author, lover of women, and hirsute iconoclast) will read your manuscript and give you critical feedback. (Up to, say, 150,000 words.) We’ll schedule this based on when your manuscript will be ready and the endless madness of my own schedular constraints.

I’ll read through your manuscript, scrawling notes and dirty words in the margins, then I’ll call you on the phone and we can discuss it. Or we could do a Google+ hangout. Or, if you live close, we can get together and chat over coffee.

I won’t write you up a detailed critique because that’s not how I roll. But we’ll chat for a couple of hours discussing the various strengths and weaknesses of the book, your writing craft, and I’ll offer any suggestions I might have. Then I’ll mail you back the manuscript with my notes on it.

Mailing details and contact with Patrick will be set up following the auction.

Go bid.  You know you want to.

*     *     *

If you just joined us for Worldbuilders 2013, you can get learn more about the fundraiser on my blog, specifically, you can get details about how to win thousands of lovely books donated by authors and publishers.

If you’d like to see *all* the auctions we’re currently running, check the Worldbuilders eBay page.

This entry was posted in Worldbuilders 2013By Pat32 Responses

32 Comments

  1. Posted December 16, 2013 at 8:40 AM | Permalink

    These are such great ideas!!! I love that you have such a great network of amazing people that are helping you change the world!

  2. jessicapate
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 8:42 AM | Permalink

    Hi Pat!

    By any chance, would one of these be appropriate for critique on a (complete) graphic novel? None of the above seemed like an obvious choice based on the credentials noted, but perhaps one of these lovely folks has a secret love of things not only novelish, but also graphic :)

    Worldbuilders is amazing, keep up the great work!

    • Posted December 16, 2013 at 2:03 PM | Permalink

      That’s a great thought. I know a few comic people, and I’ll see if any of them might be interested in providing a similar critique…

      • jessicapate
        Posted December 17, 2013 at 8:34 AM | Permalink

        :)

  3. Posted December 16, 2013 at 11:32 AM | Permalink

    Hi Pat!
    Sorry (kinda/not really) to get off topic, but I knew you would never see this on Facebook with how many comments were on your status.

    Congrats to your family on the new addition! That’s absolutely wonderful, hope Sarah and Cutie Snoo are doing well. Also that you and Oot are having a fun time with the new experience.

    That is all! – Back to regularly scheduled programming.

  4. abdsilva
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 2:30 PM | Permalink

    You’re probably aware of this (since you put the idea together) but these are undoubtably the modt awesome items up for big that I’ve ever come across. Ever. Anywhere. Seriously. Wow.

  5. abdsilva
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 2:35 PM | Permalink

    *most *bid. Ugh, that’s what comes from typing things out on my phone. :(

  6. chrisxcore
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 3:46 PM | Permalink

    If I only had the dough! Oh well, let me just Mr. Rothfuss, as a loyal comPATriot, I believe you are a magnificent human. Your creativity and humble kindness are incredible, and you make me feel like a better person just by reading your novels and blogs! Thank you for everything you do, for everyone you do it for! Please don’t ever stop being great.

    Oh and congratulations for your addition. :)

  7. cynrtst
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 3:57 PM | Permalink

    Got my new princess and Mr. Whiffle book today! That was relatively child safe! I was gobsmacked! And a loooootttt longer!

    Anyshrew, I liked it a lot. Thanks for writing it. And you take as long as you like with the third book, what with the new Oot coming. I saw someone on Facebook say, “Why would you name your child Oot?” Unclear on the concept, I guess. Congratulations!

  8. kcermorgaine
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 4:25 PM | Permalink

    Is bidding open to US residents only or can anyone from anywhere enter the bidding war? The reason I am asking is because I have a writing obsessed man and this might just be the perfect christmas present for him, but we’re in Europe and often exempt.

    • Amanda
      Posted December 16, 2013 at 6:48 PM | Permalink

      Bidding’s open to anyone – no worries there :)

      • Macrosthewashedsomanytimeslooksblue
        Posted December 17, 2013 at 10:16 AM | Permalink

        You may want to edit the auction to include worldwide shipping, thought I was out of luck until I read this response. Cheers.

        • Amanda
          Posted December 17, 2013 at 12:01 PM | Permalink

          Thanks for the note – we didn’t realize it didn’t include that.

          • Neville Longbottom
            Posted December 17, 2013 at 12:37 PM | Permalink

            Amanda, you’re not an assistant; you’re more like a superpower.

            Pat must think, “There’s a problem. I shall spend 20 magica and cast an Amanda at it.

            ;->

          • Amanda
            Posted December 19, 2013 at 11:15 AM | Permalink

            Awww, you made me all blushy… Plus, bonus points because the bravest Gryffindor who ever lived said it :)

  9. Mike Provencher II
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 4:33 PM | Permalink

    I’m not sure if this goes here or not, but I’m not sure where else to put it either so…

    Amazon has recently started something called Amazon Smile. The idea is that you select a charity of your choice and they donate .5% of everything you spend to that charity. I’d like to select Worldbuilders, but it’s currently not an option. Is there any way you (or the appropriate person) can look into getting Amazon to make Worldbuilders an option?

  10. Ian
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 4:54 PM | Permalink

    Is it inadvisable to hit the loansharks to be a competitive bidder on the critiques? It’s sorely tempting, but, naturally, Pat’s critique is the apple of everyone’s eye. The bidding is up to more than a thousand already, with six days remaining. I can only dream up adequately large quantities of currency to match the reality here. World builders has grown from a fairly ordinary charity to a level at which “May the goats and cattle blot out the sun as they rain down upon the needy!” is coming to mind. Even priced out of the big prizes here, I appreciate these amazing auction items being offered.

    • Mike Provencher II
      Posted December 16, 2013 at 4:55 PM | Permalink

      Well…how attached are you to your thumbs?

  11. Brandon_Mac
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 5:02 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, awesome opportUnities. I couldn’t find this anywhere else so if you’ve answered it somewhere I apologies. But when is the due date for the manuscripts if we win. I’m still working on mine, though I would love the opportunity to have it looked at, money is a bit tight, being the holidays and all, and I don’t want to risk losing it should I win and my manuscript isn’t ready when it needs to be.

    If you could clarify that I’d appreciate it. Congrats on the progress so far, it’s a great charity.

    • Brandon_Mac
      Posted December 16, 2013 at 8:09 PM | Permalink

      Wow. Autocorrect on my iPad makes me read like I’m a moron. Sorry for all the errors, but my question still stands.

      Thanks

      • Posted December 17, 2013 at 2:26 AM | Permalink

        It’s probably better if you’re planning on using it within a year or so…

        • Brandon_Mac
          Posted December 17, 2013 at 11:04 AM | Permalink

          Good enough for me.

          Thanks oh legendary purveyor of awesomeness.

  12. LaMiss
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 6:30 PM | Permalink

    Looking up hirsute…ahhh! Looking up iconoclast…Ahhhh! Thanks for always introducing us/me to new, awesome words.

    • Posted December 17, 2013 at 2:22 AM | Permalink

      That’s what I’m here for.

  13. Gavin enlow
    Posted December 16, 2013 at 11:09 PM | Permalink

    Dear Pat:

    Could you stop offering such awesome opportunities and being so legendary. Offering a cameo in your next book is tantamount too throwing a steak to a pack of ravenous wolves (the wolves being us your readers).

  14. uklvrbm
    Posted December 17, 2013 at 8:27 AM | Permalink

    Pat,

    Sorry for posting this here, but I wasn’t sure where/how to get a question to you by other means. I sent two books and some “swag” your way about a month and 1/2 ago, and wanted to ensure that they made it to you. I just wanted to follow up because I know you are busy, but wanted to make sure.

    My package contained some swag from the bourbon state and a note about the good news I wanted to convey (with your assistance).

    Thanks,
    Brian

    • Amanda
      Posted December 17, 2013 at 10:28 AM | Permalink

      Heya Brian – I just sent you an email, so we’ll figure it out :)

  15. Soren
    Posted December 17, 2013 at 12:45 PM | Permalink

    pat, will the streaming of brandon be available to see after the streaming? Will it be recorded? I don’t have a computer (mine is broken because of downloading the fucking google earth), and I certainly don’t want to miss the opportunity to see his 20 hands writing at the velocity of light. I really don’t want.
    Thanks.

  16. ajrcohen
    Posted December 18, 2013 at 12:45 PM | Permalink

    My heart almost stopped when I saw critiques being offered. It pretty much did stop when I saw the price. I’m a struggling writer and unfortunately the key word is not currently writer. Oh well. Great idea Mr. Rothfuss and you should be commended on your devotion to charity!

  17. dan man
    Posted December 19, 2013 at 9:04 AM | Permalink

    Pat and team Worldbuilders,

    I recommend that you adjust the eBay auction end times so that they don’t all end simultaneously, even if they end at 1 minute intervals. If you can’t do it this year, consider if it makes sense for next year. I think this would bring in more money and here’s why:

    Let’s say that I decide I can afford one item for about $200 and have narrowed it down to three auctions I am willing to bid on. I can’t put in my max $200 bid on each of the three items because I might win them all and I can’t afford that. So I am limited to bidding $200 on my preferred item and waiting. Let’s say I’m in the lead, but then 5 seconds before the auction ends someone comes in with a bid of $250. Now I want to switch to my second choice and put down my $200 bid, but it is too late, all auctions have closed.

    If auctions we 1 minute apart, even with 60 items, the whole thing would end between 8pm to 9pm and I may have a chance to bid on second and third choices, if I lose out on my first choice. I admit this is not a flawless approach since my first choice might be the last auction to close, giving me no chance to try for my second choice, but at least I am no worse off.

    • Amanda
      Posted December 19, 2013 at 11:12 AM | Permalink

      No worries there – they do end one minute apart. It’s just that ebay isn’t projecting the exact time that it ends right now. We knew that would be a concern, and made sure that would be the case. I hope that helps!

  18. muskwatch
    Posted December 19, 2013 at 10:58 PM | Permalink

    It would be awesome if the Canadian edition could include the u in colour and parkour as well. I guess I’ll have to start getting the British versions of your books!

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