Dear friends,

If you're looking for a way to help with the hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico, please check out #PubforPR, an auction organized by several members of the kid lit community, featuring items donated by authors, editors, and literary agents. All winning bids going directly to Unidos por Puerto Rico and ConPRmetidos (bidder's choice), two carefully vetted local charity organizations participating in the relief efforts.

The full list of auction items--including signed books, manuscript critiques, query letter critiques, writing retreats, Skype visits with authors, in-person visits with literary agents, and more--may be found here on the Pub for PR website.

If you know an elementary-school teacher or a classroom of 2nd, 3rd, or 4th graders who love to read, please consider bidding on my auction item: a class set (up to thirty copies) of Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split paperbacks, plus all six of my books in hardcover for the school or classroom library, a class set of bookmarks and stickers, and a 20-minute Skype visit with me. The approximate value of this package is $320. Bidding starts at $75, and you can find the link here.

The #PubforPR auction opened this morning and runs until 10pm eastern time on Thursday, October 5th. Please bid early and often! And please help spread the word to your friends.

If you don't wish to bid, you can still donate to Unidos por Puerto Rico or ConPRmetidos. If you contribute $15 or more to either organization and send a copy of your donation receipt to PubforPR@gmail.com with the words “Donation for Raffle Entry” in the subject line, you will be entered to win one of five secret prizes.

Thank you to the auction organizers for donating their time and energy to this effort. And thank you for the good you do in the world.

xox, Nica