Over the weekend inspiring images of Queenslanders volunteering to help out in flood-affected areas were a silver lining to the events of the past week. People from across the state picked up shovels to dig away silt or brought a broom to help clean up a stranger’s home.
But for those who couldn’t get there, there’s a number of initiatives from writers and the publishing industry keen to offer their support. Writers on Rafts is being put together by the Queensland Writers Centre who were themselves evacuated from the State Library of Queensland. The website says “Authors from across the country are pledging time, advice, workshops, characters and books to the cause – so watch this space for more information on how you can help raise money for the flood appeal.”
Authors for Queensland saw authors across the country donate copies of their books, manuscript assessments or workshops for an auction that begins today. For the highest bidder there’s the chance to get a partial manuscript assessed by Good Weekend columnist Maggie Alderson or a signed copy of Brothers and Sisters, an anthology edited by Charlotte Wood. All proceeds will be given to the Premier’s Flood Appeal.
There’s also a planned anthology, 100 Stories for Queensland, that’s currently calling for submissions and will also donate proceeds to the Premier’s Appeal. Victorian based literary journal Page Seventeen has pledged to “donate sales of all direct orders received between now and the end of January 26th”.