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Sticky Post - the Help Vera community

Welcome to the HelpVera fundraiser and charity auction. We are trying to help Vera Nazarian, a speculative writer, publisher, and all-around wonderful person to save her house from foreclosure and solve some other problems, most notably a major sewer leakage.

THE FUNDRAISER IS OFFICIALLY OVER!!! Thank you to everybody who participated. We will post a full summary tomorrow.


Thank you! This community is simply incredible. Many, many small contributions combined together to a larger whole. We've blessed Vera, who needed our help, and we've blessed each other. Together, we have created a miracle. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.


Your proud and happy mod,
Rose
Just thought I'd give people a heads up about the [info]con_or_bust community, helping Fen of Color get to Wiscon.
I'll be posting another candle auction, and I see some familiar names there already, and some fantastic offers :)

Wrapping Things Up

  • Mar. 4th, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Well folks, a few months back we all came together to raise money for Vera, and we had an interesting (dare I say "fun") time doing it. As I look at other communities, I see an increasing need for this sort of emergency fund raising. So that others don't have to worry about re-inventing the wheel, I have started to gather my thoughts together over at my wiki: here.

What happened in this community was NOT a one-person show. We all helped in different ways. I know that a collection of notes by all of us will be more helpful than just mine, so I have setup the wiki to allow your LiveJournal login to allow you to edit. (Basically, it uses OpenID to say "if LJ says you're cool, you can edit me". At no point do I get your password, it's just a trust thing.) Details on that are at the "Logging In" section here.

I'd like to ask those of you who are still following this community to take the time to update the documentation, so that future fund raisers for similar causes can run more smoothly and with less stress for all involved. If you're familiar with wikis, just go in and make your changes. If not, just make a comment here and I'll get them merged in.

In particular, I need help filling in the bookkeeper and community organizer notes. I know that [info]dsmoen and [info]grayrose76 did a fantastic job in those roles, but since I was busy doing auctiony stuff, I don't know enough to document those. However, even if you were more passive, suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks.

Removing helpvera email address

  • Jan. 7th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Spam harvesters have begun to find the email address, and no one's posted anything to that address in days, so I'm removing the address. If you need us, Rose and I are available via LJ PM, and you can also reach me at the address I previously mentioned (my first name @ fuzzyorange dot com also works if you spell carefully).

I'll have a final final report this weekend -- it's a trade show week, so I have almost no time.

Thank you all for being so awesome!

Tags:

How long is reasonable to wait?

  • Dec. 27th, 2008 at 10:52 PM
The auction I posted ended on December 20th, but I haven't heard from the winning bidder.

Besides the reply to the bid, I sent a followup through the LiveJournal message system. With so many people on a holiday schedule, I'm not sure how long it's reasonable to wait for a reply.

What's more, I'm running about a bit myself, and won't be able to get the box to the Post Office any earlier than January 5th in any case.

Can I get a group consensus on when I should offer the book to the next highest bidder?

Treasurer's Report 12/21

  • Dec. 21st, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Including the Scalzi $(3178.10), which isn't in hand but is enroute, the awesome and stupendous Help Vera community has raised $30,685.91 in 688 contributions (plus however many put $ in the tip jar on Scalzi's site).

Here's an updated graph that I hope is easier to read. Boundary numbers go on the left, so $5 is in the $1-5 rather than the $5-10.

All good things must end...

  • Dec. 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Dear HelpVera community –

Some of my friends celebrate Christmas, others celebrate Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa. Some of my friends belong to faiths that do not celebrate in winter; others are atheists. And we’ve probably all felt ambivalent about the holiday season, at one time or the other.

But this holiday season is different - we made a huge change in a life of one family. How often can you say that? “I saved someone.” Well, you did. We all did.

Vera's words



And so we come to the end of our fundraiser. I was told that when we started this, some donors thought, “That would never work.” And then we amazed ourselves.

In folklore, the donor figure often has a role as important as the hero’s. In Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother appears miraculously to grant pumpkin transportation, dress and footwear to a despairing child. In the Russian fairytale Morozko, Father Frost finds an orphan girl freezing in the forest, and showers her with rich gifts. But there are other fairytales. The girl finds herself trapped by the witch, challenged with some impossible task, like sorting grain from lentils. To her rescue come a thousand helpful mice. Each tiny donor sorts a single grain; come morning, the work is done, and the girl is saved. Together, these mice are mightier even than Father Frost.

We gathered over 30,000 dollars. That's thirty thousand dollars. Enough to get Vera out of trouble with her mortgage, fix her sewer, provide cushion, provide dinner, medical, and even cat treats. The detailed treasurer’s report is coming up. Meanwhile, have a very happy $_Holiday, regardless of ethnicity and creed. And if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s “Validation.”

Much love,
Rose





Dec. 19th, 2008

  • 4:54 PM
Hello, folks! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far!

Alas, all good things must come to an end, even our charity auction. I wanted to remind you that the auctions end on 20th of December ( tomorrow!), noon PST.

There are still many wonderful items to bid on, including items with no bids yet; use the tag list on the left sidebar to browse auctions by category.

Sellers, please be ready to close your auctions tomorrow noon. At that time, please notify your winning bidders and let them know how to contact you!

As always, please feel free to ask questions in this thread.

many warm wishes,
Rose

Tags:

First: there's many auctions ending over the next few days. You can search for ones without bids by looking for items tagged "no bids yet".

More mail has arrived, though not the big one yet.

Total of $25,438.37 in 655 contributions. I took some time to make a pretty graph, though I've got to admit it's not as pretty as the covers on Norilana books.



Hmm, looking at it in this smaller size? Maybe I'll do it with a different layout and font tomorrow.

The wheels of banking have been churning (driven, as they are, by hamsters), and more will be enroute to Vera in the morning.

Brief Treasurer's Report 12/15

  • Dec. 16th, 2008 at 2:29 AM
As of a hair before midnight on Monday (Pacific Standard Time) on Monday 12/15, we've raised $25,091.58 to help Vera save her house, get some badly-needed sewer work done, and take care of some other necessities. You are all awesome.

There's been a total of 642 contributions; the median contribution is $10. Obviously the average (mean) is higher. I want to make a pretty graph, because I think it might prove cool for people. Plus, I just happen to like graphs.

Vera will have a nice chunk o' change tomorrow, and I pray the banking deities and such will be kind.

Scalzi's efforts are enroute, so this will ensure that she'll have a buffer to take care of herself, some for the future, and hopefully even her elderly cat.

Treasurer Brain Melted, Reboot in Morning

  • Dec. 15th, 2008 at 1:55 AM
I haven't forgotten you, my lovelies.

However, tonight I tagged purple yarn as an orange pen that was also a hotel. Really!

Given that that occurred a couple of hours ago, I think my brain is simply too much mush tonight to be useful.

Why was I tagging yarn? Because of this little fundraiser for Vera here, aka my yarn stash. I had also been posting the photos to flickr, and those I tag.

So, as of now, the Bellagio is not soft and fluffy, and my orange yarn is in fact orange -- and a yarn.

I just want to say: there's been some awesome awesome things posted, and I hope this not only helps Vera, but also helps things that were with one person get to another.

Tags:


This lot consists of the three paperback books in Sheri Tepper’s acclaimed Mavin Manyshaped series. At one point these were collectible, but I don’t know if they still are. Pages are tight and slightly yellowed with age.


The Song of Mavin Manyshaped
– no spine creases

The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped – slanted spine, some spine creases, store stamp.

The Search of Mavin Manyshaped – no spine creases, some bumps at cover edges.

I’ll pay for shipping.


Starting bid: $9


Bidding closes Dec 20.


ENDED Offer: Jinian Trilogy by Sheri Tepper

  • Dec. 14th, 2008 at 4:24 PM

This lot consists of the three paperback books in Sheri Tepper’s acclaimed Jinian series. At one point these were collectible, but I don’t know if they still are. There is some edge wear at the spines, pages are slightly yellowed with age, no store stamps, pages tight.


Jinian Star-Eye
– cover crease at left edge

Jinian Footseer – slightly dirty paper edges

Dervish Daughter – one black mark across bottom pages


I’ll pay for shipping.


Starting bid: $9

Bidding closes Dec 20.


Buy the Butcher Bonanza – 5 Harry Dresden paperbacks!!




This is for 5 paperback books in the Harry Dresden Series:

#1 Storm Front
#3 Grave Peril
#4 Summer Knight
#5 Death Masks
#6 Blood Rites

They have some spine creases, but are in good condition otherwise.

I’ll pay for shipping.

Starting bid: $7

Buy it now: $20

Bidding closes Dec 20.

Offer: The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary

This is a two volume set and it weighs a ton (22 pounds, actually, but it sure feels like a ton).



The two volumes are in a slipcase and there’s a top drawer which is supposed to contain the magnifying glass, which is missing. And you do need a magnifying glass to read it because “compact” means they put four pages on one page. The picture of the quarter is to show you how small the print is.


Like any dictionary, this book is fun for random reading, but you will have to buy your own magnifying glass. I’m near-sighted and can see the print just fine as long as I’m an inch away from the page, which is how I read it.


ETA: Forgot to mention this is the 1989 edition.

Because it’s so heavy, I ask that you pay shipping (~$10).

Starting bid: $20

Buy it now: $50

Bidding closes Dec 20.





ENDED: Alan Rogers' Night

  • Dec. 14th, 2008 at 1:13 PM
This auction is on behalf of [info]mroctober.

I'm going through my library of things I no longer want and will put
this up for Vera's auction:

A signed, limited edition of Alan Rodgers' Night. Hardcover, no jacket, as published by Wildside. A gripping, apocalyptic horror novel.


NIGHT

I started working on this book with the thought that God isn't dead, and it isn't that he doesn't love us, either. It's just that he wants to give us room enough to be ourselves, even if that means we screw up.

If he didn't we'd be nothing but children, and it'd stunt us.

I ended up telling a story that isn't that, exactly -- but that's where and what it comes from. That's what this book -- the story of a man with a forbidding legacy and a destiny he can't imagine growing great enough to face -- means to be.

-- Alan Rodgers


Minimum bid: $25
Buy Now: $75.

Auction Ends: December 20th.

Note that as this is not my auction, the winner will simply be put into contact with [info]mroctober, and I'll back out of the middle.

This is for five Tara K. Harper paperback books.  They're all in good condition, with no spine creases, except as noted below:





The Grey Ones Series (Tales of the Wolves)

  • Wolfwalker
  • Shadow Leader
  • Storm Runner
  • Wolf's Bane -  1 small, barely visible spine crease
  • Silver Moons, Black Steel

I haven't read these (yet) so have copied these blurbs from Tara's website. (tried to do descriptions behind a cut,but my computer isn't cooperating. Sorry).
 
Wolfwalker
Engineered by the Ancients, wolves and humans had long been able to read each other's minds. But centuries of decimation from the alien-designed plague had made the wolf-human bond rare.

Dion, a healer, had discovered the telepathic human-lupine bond by accident. Now, the link that she shared with the wolf, Gray Hishn, filled her mind with all the senses of the wolfpack. What Hishn saw, Dion saw also; what Dion felt, Hishn also experienced.

But Dion never guessed how strong that bond with Gray Hishn could be, or what kind of power it could wield until she found herself lost in the wilderness, with angry slavers at her heels and war on the horizon. Suddenly she and her fellow travelers were fighting for their lives in the snowy winter wastes, where the wolves were their only guides, the greatest secret of the Ancients their only salvation...and Dion their only hope to survive.

Shadow Leader
Linked by an unbreakable telepathic bond, Dion and the wolf, Gray Hishn, were an unbeatable team. Together, they could scout a trail better than any single human, and their unique healing talent had saved the lives of their companions during their desperate flight through the frozen mountains to warn their people of impending war.

Now enemy agents scoured the countryside looking for the group that included a young healer and her wolf. And suddenly the very strengths that Dion's friends had come to rely on could mean the downfall of them all...

Storm Runner
As a wolfwalker, Dion made an ideal border scout. She could experience the woods and mountains through the senses of her companion, the wolf Gray Hishn--even the wild wolves fed her their impressions. And that was how she knew that in the beleaguered lands across the border, something unspeakable was happening. Not just people, but the wolves were fleeing in droves. And the lupine packsong, which echoed through the Ancient's mountains, haunted Dion's mind with grief

But the wolves who remained behind, across the wide, rushing river, had cut Dion off from their minds. She could not hear their voices. Nothing but their despair leaked through. Dion knew that time was running out for the people on the other side of the border--and for wolves everywhere. Her only hope lay with an ancient rite that had remained untested for generations...the Calling of the Wolves!

 Wolf's Bane
Once, long ago, humans traveled the stars and walked on different moons.  They flew through unearthly skies like eagles with silver wings.  But on Asengar, the silver wings no longer rose. Eight centuries after the aliens brought Plague, humans lived by hiding their science, and engineered wolves ran wild on the world.

Dion, the wolfwalker--the Gray Wolf of Randonnen--was telepathically bonded to the Gray Ones.  Thirteen years ago, she herself had seen the plague-death which the aliens had brought, not just to humans, but to the wolves.  She had made a promise then--a promise to the wolves to heal them, in exchange for the lives of her family and friends.  But time had held her, caught in the battles of men and the violence of her own world, instead of helping her find the cure which she sought.

Now, as fate ripped from her almost everything she held dear, she found only one reason to live:  the Call of the wolves to help them.  Driven by the Gray Ones, she would seek out and confront the alien birdmen--even if they would destroy her.  In eight hundred years, no human had survived that contact, but Dion could not avoid it.  Only by facing the aliens could she save herself...and the future of the wolves.

Silver Moons, Black Steel
Dion -- Healer and Wolfwalker -- dared to try to unlock the secrets of the aliens who lived to the north.  Her courage was rewarded with their fury, and she was nearly destroyed.  Now, desperate to put distance between herself and the fate that awaits her, Dion rages against the wolves as much as she rages against the world.

But she cannot elude those who seek her:  the Gray Ones who grow restless with her absence; the brother searching the wilderness for his Wolfwalker twin; and the people of her homeland, who are relying on her to secure their future with her new knowlege.  And there is one other:  a distant warrior unable to resist the mysterious force that summons him to find a woman whose face he has never seen, whose name he has never heard.

As the forces of destiny converge, Dion must fight to keep her secrets safe -- secrets that could change Wolfwalker, warrior, and even their world forever.

I'll pay shipping.

Minimum bid: $8

Treasurer's Report: Saturday night, 12/13

  • Dec. 14th, 2008 at 12:15 AM
As of a hair before midnight on Saturday (Pacific Standard Time), we've raised $22,560.11 to help Vera save her house and take care of some other necessities. This is amazing.

The super-good news: John Scalzi is sending along $3,178.10 raised from his blog, which is amazing, and that's not included in the total above (as I haven't received it yet). Go buy John's books!

In short, when the Scalzi $ is received, there will be enough money to pay off the plumber and the back mortgage with $978.49 left over, which provides a bit toward the other necessaries, such as Vera getting representation to re-write her loan on better terms (which, long run, will help her more than we can) and medical attention, plus the ever-necessary reserve.

So, what's left? We've covered the big ticket items, but here's some things Vera may need:

1) Possible: a lawyer to renegotiate the loan at better terms. We will first try with someone who isn't a lawyer, but if that doesn't work, then she may need one. The one estimate I've heard is $3500.

2) Medical. As mentioned, she's got some serious medical issues. (The SFWA Emergency Medical Fund may be of help here.)

3) A buffer. She has regular income, that's not a problem. Still, everyone needs a buffer.

More admin details:

The total does include 18 snail mail entries received Tuesday through Saturday.

Especially good news: Vera's sewer is fixed! The total amount was $13,530; they did some additional work on the side gratis, cleaned up nicely after themsleves, and she's got a warranty on parts and labor. (Some of you questioned -- quite rightly -- the amount, but the short version of the story is that there was a long history of benign neglect when it came to plumbing issues, and that long history extends long before Vera purchased the house.)

Thanks to everyone, including the contributors far away from where Vera lives: Ireland, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, France, Brazil, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Philippines.

There's been a total of 602 contributions; the median contribution is $10.

My heartfelt thanks to each of you -- I know that many of you have been through hard times, or have family going through hard times. There have been requests for us to do this again for others, and, honestly, Rose and I are exhausted and have pressing other commitments, including our jobs, our families, and our writing.

For more modest requirements, there's modestneeds.org, which I'd recommend. For getting good housing, habitat.org can always use additional help and funding, because there's always more families there who need help than can provide it.

ENDED, Third Generation SF

  • Dec. 13th, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Several years ago, my local SF group DMSFS got the bright idea to put together a library at a local coffee house. Well, the coffee house closed, we couldn't find a place for the books and it didn't seem right to just get rid off them... until this community formed. Now we can promote reading AND publishing in a fair way to everyone who donated the books.

This auction is for a stack of what I'm calling "Third Generation SF". None are signed and all should be considered "reading copies" (i.e. the condition could be better). If you've not read these authors, you might want to.

The books included in this lot are:

* Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
* The Investigation - Stanislaw Lem
* A Gift from Earth - Larry Niven
* The Chain of Chance - Stanislaw Lem
* Anvil of Stars - Greg Bear
* Otherness - David Brin
* The Difference Engine - William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
* Beggars and Choosers - Nancy Kress
* Zodiac - Neal Stephenson
* The Peace War - Vernor Vinge
* The Postman - David Brin
* Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
* Speaker For The Dead - Orson Scott Card
* A Perfect Vacuum - Stanislaw Lem

Now, let's see. How about the entirely unrelated photo for this auction be of an emu?
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

But seriously, if you like relatively hard SF and you've never read Lem, you probably should.

Also, it's come to my attention that some of you already have some of the books I'm putting into lots. So, here's the deal. If you win, you get to choose to exclude books. I will then include bonus books from the SF library. If you tell me what sorts of things you like, I'll try to match tastes, but my stock isn't infinite, so if you exercise this option, you get to be surprised. (Oh, and if the books don't completely fill the box, I'll likely pad with other surprise books... that's better than bubblewrap, right?)

The one catch is that it's gonna be heavy and I can't cover the shipping. If you bid, you promise to cover all the shipping. Functionally, this means that I'd need you to paypal me an amount estimated on the high side (looks to be about $10, less if I can find a boxes for free). Anything left over gets added to the Help Vera pool.

Auction ends December 20th.

Minimum opening bid: $5
Buy Now: $25

ENDED: Triple Series

  • Dec. 13th, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Several years ago, my local SF group DMSFS got the bright idea to put together a library at a local coffee house. Well, the coffee house closed, we couldn't find a place for the books and it didn't seem right to just get rid off them... until this community formed. Now we can promote reading AND publishing in a fair way to everyone who donated the books.

This auction is for a stack of mostly complete series. None are signed and all should be considered "reading copies" (i.e. the condition could be better). If you like series, this would be a great lot to win.

The books included in this lot are:

* The Tolkien Reader - J.R.R. Tolkien
* The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
* The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
* The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkien
* The Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkien
* Red Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson
* Green Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson
* Blue Mars - Kim Stanley Robinson
* To Your Scattered Bodies Go - Philip Jose Farmer
* The Fabulous Riverboat - Philip Jose Farmer
* The Magic Labyrinth - Philip Jose Farmer

Now, I don't have a copy of The Dark Design, so the Riverworld series is not entirely complete. To make up for it, I have added:

* Unreasoning Mask - Philip Jose Farmer

I know it's not much of a replacement, so here's a Tawny Frogmouth:

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

Hopefully, everyone's happy now.

Also, it's come to my attention that some of you already have some of the books I'm putting into lots. So, here's the deal. If you win, you get to choose to exclude books. I will then include bonus books from the SF library. If you tell me what sorts of things you like, I'll try to match tastes, but my stock isn't infinite, so if you exercise this option, you get to be surprised. (Oh, and if the books don't completely fill the box, I'll likely pad with other surprise books... that's better than bubblewrap, right?)

The one catch is that it's gonna be heavy and I can't cover the shipping. If you bid, you promise to cover all the shipping. Functionally, this means that I'd need you to paypal me an amount estimated on the high side (looks to be about $8, less if I can find a boxes for free). Anything left over gets added to the Help Vera pool.

Auction ends December 20th.

Minimum opening bid: $3.14
Buy Now: $25


I am offering a SIGNED Advance Reading Copy copy of Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi.  He signed this for me at Loscon. 

It's in good condition.  I think it's unread and has no spine creases.

As most of you know, Scalzi is hot.  His first books are collectible and I think this ARC will be worth mucho bucks in the not-too-distant future.  Plus, it's a really good book!  Interesting characters, fabulous world-building and Scalzi wise-ass dialogue.

And did I mention it's SIGNED?  

Opening Bid: $10


Help Vera

Vera Nazarian of Norilana books is facing foreclosure due to a series of truly unfortunate events (a fradulent lawsuit, mother's illness, father's death and sub-prime mortgage.) We hope to raise $11,229.72 to help Vera save her house. Update: We have raised this money. Any additional monies raised will be spent per this post.

Please consider donating, spreading the word, and/or participating in the charity auction.

Thanks a lot!

Mods Rose (grayrose76), Deirdre (dsmoen) - treasurer, and Josh (Guppiecat) - website and auction maintenance

Thanks to Adam Israel for banner and website help!

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