When a creative writing program experiences budget problems, you'd expect a creative solution to bridge the gap. When the program in question is the highly successful Clarion Writers' Workshop, the answer was the time-honored benefit auction with an Internet twist. For 48 hours, beginning at midnight EST January 28 and closing on January 29 at 11:59 p.m., the Clarion Midnight Auction will offer lots ranging from signed first editions to Mars Rover project memorabilia to original comic book art to a screen printed sweatshirt signed by the Brothers Hildebrandt. But instead of involving one of the auction-hosting services, the auction will be conducted via email, with bids being updated continuously at the Clarion website (http://www.msu.edu/~clarion) as the auction progresses.

In the spirit of generosity well known in the science fiction community, many of the donations are limited edition books (a deluxe edition of the second printing of All the Lies That Are My Life by Harlan Ellison, numbered 184 of 300 and signed by the author; American Gods: the Limited Edition - The Lettered Edition by Neil Gaiman, limited to 52 copies, slipped in a wood-veneered box with sliding tray and engraved marble door [retail value estimated at $750]; The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric & Discredited Diseases, edited by Jeff VanderMeer and Mark Roberts, signed by all 58 contributors and one of only 650 sold out copies; and a hardcover first edition of Passage by Connie Willis, signed by the author, to name only a few).

Founded in Clarion, Pennsylvania in 1968 by Kate Wilhelm and the late Damon Knight, the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop has been held on the campus of Michigan State University for six weeks every summer for over 30 years. Budget constrictions at MSU have finally induced the program to seek independent status as well as to investigate other Midwestern college campuses as possible host sites. This auction fundraiser is one of many baby steps on the road to autonomy. All monies collected will be used to facilitate the upcoming 2005 workshop. Winning bidders who so request will receive receipts making their successful bids tax deductible.

For a look at items to be auctioned, go to the Clarion Midnight Auction Preview at http://www.msu.edu/~clarion/auction/auctionpreview.html