Interview: Greg Fishbone, mastermind of Kidlit4Japan Auction
As mentioned in my post of March 13, I had arrived in Massachusetts the day before the Tohoku earthquake of March 11. It was a painful time to be away from Japan, but within days I had been contacted by author Greg Fishbone wondering what he could do. Whereas I was floundering, uncertain as to where and how I should focus my energy and concern, Greg took action immediately and set up the Kidlit4Japan auction (also mentioned in my earlier post here), which will continue through April 12. Despite the many hours he has been dedicating to the auction, he quickly agreed to this interview.
Holly: The Kidlit4Japan auction was launched on March 21, just ten days after the great Tohoku earthquake. How did you manage to set this idea in motion so quickly?
Greg: I began organizing on March 16th and you were actually the first person I contacted in order to get an idea of what was going on in Japan and where my efforts might make the most impact. After that, I put out the word about the possibility of doing an auction and the event came together at lightning speed because of all the big-hearted people in the children's literature community who rushed to pledge their support. Holly: Who are some of the key people behind the scenes of this Kidlit4Japan auction? Greg: Kidlit4Japan Central Office is just me and my laptop, but behind me are over a hundred authors, illustrators, editors, and agents who have donated items or services to the auction. We've had signed books, advance reader copies, artwork, critique services, and even the chance for a winning bidder to name a character in an upcoming book. In addition to that we've had generous and caring bidders, lots of folks sending out tweets and blog posts, and an amazing logo and badge designed by Edna Cabcabin Moran.
Holly: How much do you estimate has been raised from the Kidlit4Japan auction so far?
Greg: The current tally is $6,848 with a few days left to go.Holly: What do you think is the key to the success of this Kidlit4Japan auction? Do you have any tips for those trying similar endeavors? Greg: The key to success has been bringing people together so they can have more impact as a group than any one of them could have alone. My tip for others would be to use technology wherever it's appropriate. There are so many great tools available online!Holly: You have an upcoming story set in Japan. What is your connection to Japan? And will you be visiting Japan sometime soon?
Greg: I've always had an interest in Japan and Japanese culture, and jumped at an opportunity to live and study in Tokyo for half a year during law school. I was there during the great Hanshin earthquake and also the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Part of the first GALAXY GAMES book takes place during a chaotic few days when it seems like the world is coming to an end. A lot of it takes place in Japan, and many of the characters are Japanese or Japanese American. It might be that I was thinking about that time in my life when I felt completely helpless in the face of all the suffering that was occurring so close to me--but the book is also a celebration of the good experiences I associate with Japan: the culture, the sights, and the people. I would love to go back someday.
Holly: Thank you, Greg! We hope to see you in Japan again soon. And thank you for all that you are doing to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the quake-affected regions of Tohoku, Japan.
And here is a bit more about Greg... Greg R. Fishbone serves as Assistant Regional Coordinator for the three New England chapters of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He is the author of the upcoming GALAXY GAMES series from Lee & Low's SF/F imprint, Tu Books. Greg's hometown of Boston shaped his love of sports, history, and clam chowder. He also developed a healthy obsession with science fiction and fantasy stories. Between (and often during) classes, Greg doodled spaceships and plotted out his own early efforts at writing. After college, Greg attended law school in three countries, including Japan. And definitely check out the Kidlit4Japan auction.
Holly: The Kidlit4Japan auction was launched on March 21, just ten days after the great Tohoku earthquake. How did you manage to set this idea in motion so quickly?
Greg: I began organizing on March 16th and you were actually the first person I contacted in order to get an idea of what was going on in Japan and where my efforts might make the most impact. After that, I put out the word about the possibility of doing an auction and the event came together at lightning speed because of all the big-hearted people in the children's literature community who rushed to pledge their support. Holly: Who are some of the key people behind the scenes of this Kidlit4Japan auction? Greg: Kidlit4Japan Central Office is just me and my laptop, but behind me are over a hundred authors, illustrators, editors, and agents who have donated items or services to the auction. We've had signed books, advance reader copies, artwork, critique services, and even the chance for a winning bidder to name a character in an upcoming book. In addition to that we've had generous and caring bidders, lots of folks sending out tweets and blog posts, and an amazing logo and badge designed by Edna Cabcabin Moran.
Holly: How much do you estimate has been raised from the Kidlit4Japan auction so far?Greg: The current tally is $6,848 with a few days left to go.Holly: What do you think is the key to the success of this Kidlit4Japan auction? Do you have any tips for those trying similar endeavors? Greg: The key to success has been bringing people together so they can have more impact as a group than any one of them could have alone. My tip for others would be to use technology wherever it's appropriate. There are so many great tools available online!Holly: You have an upcoming story set in Japan. What is your connection to Japan? And will you be visiting Japan sometime soon?
Greg: I've always had an interest in Japan and Japanese culture, and jumped at an opportunity to live and study in Tokyo for half a year during law school. I was there during the great Hanshin earthquake and also the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Part of the first GALAXY GAMES book takes place during a chaotic few days when it seems like the world is coming to an end. A lot of it takes place in Japan, and many of the characters are Japanese or Japanese American. It might be that I was thinking about that time in my life when I felt completely helpless in the face of all the suffering that was occurring so close to me--but the book is also a celebration of the good experiences I associate with Japan: the culture, the sights, and the people. I would love to go back someday.
Holly: Thank you, Greg! We hope to see you in Japan again soon. And thank you for all that you are doing to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the quake-affected regions of Tohoku, Japan.
And here is a bit more about Greg... Greg R. Fishbone serves as Assistant Regional Coordinator for the three New England chapters of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He is the author of the upcoming GALAXY GAMES series from Lee & Low's SF/F imprint, Tu Books. Greg's hometown of Boston shaped his love of sports, history, and clam chowder. He also developed a healthy obsession with science fiction and fantasy stories. Between (and often during) classes, Greg doodled spaceships and plotted out his own early efforts at writing. After college, Greg attended law school in three countries, including Japan. And definitely check out the Kidlit4Japan auction.
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