UK Book Trade Raises money for Pakistan Flood Victims
Former Bookseller journalist Sarah Shaffi has teamed up with Octopus Publishing Group’s Hamza Jahanzeb to organise Books for Pakistan, an online ‘Air’ auction to help the victims of the recent floods.
Online participants will be able to bid for a variety of lots including book bundles, signed books, custom artwork and event tickets donated by figures in the publishing industry. Bidding begins at midday on 30 September and will last for two weeks. Money raised will go towards the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Floods Appeal.
Among those offering lots are children’s publisher Knights of and the author Louise Doughty, author of the BBC hit dramas Apple Tree Yard (also a novel) and Crossfire, who is offering a write-your-novel workshop for ten people. Pavilion is offering signed copies of Ammu and Asma’s Indian Kitchen by Asma Khan (Pavilion), and Penguin is offering a signed copy of Baroness Sayeeda Warsi’s The Enemy Within.
Shaffi said: “The flooding seems far away, but it’s closer than you think; so many people in the UK publishing industry will know someone who is affected or has a family member who is affected. The book trade has shown its generosity time and again, and I’m so encouraged by the lots that have been donated, and the time people are prepared to commit. I’m looking forward to seeing some fierce bidding, and as much money as possible being raised for the DEC’s Pakistan Floods Appeal.”