Culture

The #AuthorsForFireys Campaign Closed Overnight, Raising Thousands For Local Fire Services

Authors from Nick Cave to Benjamin Law have contributed to the #AuthorsForFireys campaign to raise money for state fire services.

by Hannah Story  12 January 2020
Nick Cave and Benjamin Law support #AuthorsForFireys

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The #AuthorsForFireys fundraiser closed overnight, raising thousands of dollars for state fire services like the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Victorian Country Fire Authority.

The Twitter auction, created by young adult fiction writers, Emily Gale and Nova Weetman, kicked off on January 6, and closed bidding at 11pm AEDT on January 11, with over 500 authors, illustrators and publishing professionals donating over 900 personal items and their expertise.

The stuff on offer ranged from one of Nick Cave’s suits, as organised by author Kirsten Krauth, to leather-bound, to a meal with writer Benjamin Law, to signed special edition copies of Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

#AuthorsForFireys Organiser Emily Gale told Junkee today that she and Weetman see the campaign as “so much bigger than us”. They’re currently working to tally up the final figures, for release later this week.

“Apart from the money, what we’d like to remember is that the whole process made a lot of people feel better about humanity, and that they could do something to help.

“That this began with the arts community, who are often dismissed as less important than other industries, is also a strengthening aspect.”

Children’s author Andy Griffiths bid $10,000 on Nick Cave’s suit and a signed copy of his book The Sick Bag Song. He apparently intends to dress a skeleton in his studio in the suit.

He wrote on Twitter: “I’ve always admired and been inspired by the art & humour of Nick Cave and his—and Warren Ellis’ 500K donation to fire relief only increases my regard. I love the book & the skeleton in my studio has no clothes — the suit will definitely suit its style.”

Cave and Ellis pledged a total of $500,000 to a number of organisations involved in the bushfire effort, writing on Instagram: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the fires destroying our beloved Australia… We urge everyone to do whatever they can to help.”

Yesterday, Strayed advocated for change on climate policy on a global level: “I hope around the globe we’ll vote & act to make real change in our lives & laws to address climate change. I hope we’ll trust that kindness & love is the only way forward. I hope we’ll never forget that together is the only way we survive.”

One of the successful bidders on copies of Wild was the showrunner for Grey’s Anatomy, Krista Vernoff, who offered $2000.

Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch bid $2500 on a breakfast with academic Anita Heiss and writer Benjamin Law.

Law also offered other prizes, including dinner for four with himself and David Marr, at Marr’s house, which was won for $3057. And for $1600, Law sold a yum cha dinner and signed copies of his back catalogue – an amount which he matched with a donation to the Environmental Defenders’ Office.

For $3000, financial tech company Midwinter co-founder Julian Plummer scored himself and a few friends a home-cooked meal from writer Clementine Ford.

Author and poet Maxine Beneba Clarke raised $6300 in total for her items, from copies of her books to a poem commission, which went for $5000.

Trent Dalton raised $6250 when Brissie-based book clubs came together to bid on his offer – to turn up to their book club with a bottle of French champagne, a signed French copy of Boy Swallows Universe, and read to them from it (in French), as well as from his upcoming novel, All Our Shimmering Skies (not in French).

Based off those examples alone – just a snapshot of winning bids and prizes – the #AuthorsForFireys initiative has been an incredible success.