Article Source: Scottish Book Trust
Last Updated: 22 November 2017 10:08
Online auction of literary treats launched for Scottish charity.
Signed first edition Harry Potter among items available to bid on.
An online auction featuring exclusive literary items will be launched today ahead of Book Week Scotland. Funds from the auction will go towards Scottish Book Trust’s programmes to transform the lives of people across Scotland through reading and writing.
Book Week Scotland runs from 27 November to 3 December and the auction will close on Friday 1 December at noon.
Among the items available to bid on is a signed first edition of the second book in the iconic Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The book is signed by its author JK Rowling and is an exciting opportunity for fans of the series to own a rare piece of Potter magic.
Since the first in the series was published 20 years ago, the Harry Potter books have been distributed in more than 200 territories, translated into 68 languages and have sold over 400 million copies worldwide.
Also part of the online charity auction is the chance to win a portrait from one of the UK’s top illustrators, Chris Riddell. Chris was the 2015-2017 UK Children’s Laureate and is an accomplished artist, as well as the political cartoonist for the Observer newspaper.
Chris will create a portrait illustration of the winning bidder, or someone of their choosing, making this a unique and personal item to keep.
The auction items also include the opportunity for an unpublished writer to receive advice on getting published from leading literacy agency, Jenny Brown Associates. Among the agency’s dozens of authors are top writers Alasdair Gray, Lin Anderson and Sara Sheridan, and they have guided the careers of many more.
The chance to receive valuable one-on-one industry advice, including how to get an agent and how to find a publisher, could be the crucial turning point for a budding writer looking for help to take their work to the next level.
Information on each of the auction items and how to bid is available online at Scottish Book Trust website here
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “These exciting auction items each offer a rare opportunity to bid for a literary treat, while supporting our work in communities across Scotland. We rely on fundraising, donations and grants to continue bringing our life-changing programmes to people from all walks of life, so that everyone has an equal chance to thrive through reading and writing.
“Book Week Scotland is for everyone and is a celebration of all we love about books and reading, and we hope there will be many bids for these wonderful items.”
Book Week Scotland is a national celebration of books and reading, and this is its sixth year. Working with a wide range of partners, Scottish Book Trust will deliver a huge range of events and activities across the country during Book Week Scotland, all linked to this year’s theme of Nourish.
Central to the week is the events programme which includes hundreds of diverse opportunities for all ages and interests, linking to different strands of the Nourish theme. Among those taking part this year are Val McDermid, Bernard MacLaverty, Christopher Brookmyre, Denise Mina and Judy Murray.
Also for the first time, Book Week Scotland will include a Virtual Festival, a selection of online events that can be enjoyed and accessed by all via Scottish Book Trust’s social media channels.
Book Week Scotland was initiated by the Scottish Government and is supported by £200,000 from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland Targeted Funding, and £24,000 from SLIC.
While the online auction will raise funds for Scottish Book Trust’s diverse programmes across the country, there are other opportunities to support the charity. During Book Week Scotland schools, companies and communities across the country will be encouraged to hold a fundraising book sale or swish, in aid of Scottish Book Trust. A free fundraising toolkit with top tips on holding a book sale is available here
Elaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORESip & Bark, a vibrant dog-friendly brunch spot, is delighted to announce its grand opening next month in Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.
READ MORECome along to the Palace of Holyroodhouse this Easter for a range of family activities! £1 Gallery tickets will also be available to those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits
READ MOREThis August, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will welcome guests from around the world to experience its new Show, Journeys.
READ MORELooking for an egg-stravagnza this Easter weekend? St James Quarter is giving guests the chance to win a host of foodie prizes, plus enjoy a basketful of family fun in the Quarter.
READ MOREFrom Easter Brunch to Kids Easter Egg Hunt, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy this Spring at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh!
READ MORETo marks World Theatre Day, Edinburgh Playhouse is highlighting the wonderful Creative Learning projects and initiatives that they have launched since Katie Mitchell was appointed in September 2023.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREVisitors to Edinburgh’s Bonnie & Wild are in for a sweet treat during the Easter holidays as the popular Food Hall hosts an exclusive pop-up with renowned local bakery Kilted Donut.
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREMulti-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREFayre Play Edinburgh is gearing up to celebrate its first birthday in style by giving away £1000 worth of prizes through an exciting city-wide Duck Hunt this Easter!
READ MOREJudy Murray OBE will start the third annual Corgi Derby – the popular “four-legged sprint with a difference” that kicks off The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.
READ MOREGusto Italian invites guests to celebrate their bank holiday with a bottomless brunch and an Easter egg hunt.
READ MOREWATTSHOT, the premium shot company, has landed in Edinburgh with the first ever gin designed to be drunk as a shot!
READ MOREOn Saturday 30th March, start your Easter Weekend right by fuelling up on Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh's all-time breakfast favourites, featuring a complementary visit from the Easter Bunny.
READ MOREA sword made for George IV’s historic visit to Edinburgh and other rare surviving items of Georgian clothing are among almost 100 works from the Royal Collection that go on show from today.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORESix by Nico's upcoming menu promises to take guests on a quintessential New York gastronomic excursion.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORETwo neighbourhood restaurants - Fhior on Broughton Street and Pomelo from Sciennes Road - are teaming up on Sunday 21st April to bring a fusion of their cuisines to Edinburgh city centre.
READ MOREAward-winning performance Pain and I by Sarah Hopfinger, about living with chronic pain, and moving with care, returns to tour Scotland.
READ MORETheatre lovers have a lot to celebrate this World Theatre Day (27 March), with Vue screening some of the UK’s best stage productions throughout spring.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its programme today, with an exciting line up of performances.
READ MORETaste & Tour have announced their expansion into Scotland, initially offering public tours in Edinburgh and corporate experiences across the central belt.
READ MORE