eBay auction for a cause -- thru Sep 24, 2006.

Auction supporting the First Amendment Project

First Amendment Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of information, expression, and petition. For more than twelve years, FAP has provided advice, educational materials, and legal representation to its core constituency of activists, journalists, and artists in service of these fundamental liberties.

Fourteen authors donate a once in a lifetime opportunity -- to have your name appear in an upcoming book."

Some of the auctions have finished. Carl Hiaasen (whose auction finished yesterday) raised $1,025 for "your name in a Carl Hiaasen book + personal Skype call!"

The John Lescroart auction item is "your name in a John Lescroart book + personal call" -- end date 24 Sept.

The Kevin J. Anderson item is "your name in a Kevin J. Anderson book + signed copy" -- end date 24 Sept.

&c. and so forth

[lifted from Neil Gaiman]