Thursday, February 19, 2009

HarperCollins to publish book tribute/fund raiser for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires

Thursday 19 February, 2009:

HarperCollins Publishers in association with News Ltd has today announced it will publish a fundraising tribute book for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires with all proceeds (excluding GST) going to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Black Saturday: Stories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian Bushfires will be on shelves the first week of April with HarperCollins aiming to raise A$200,000 from the book’s sales. The introduction to the book will be written by Australian PM Kevin Rudd.

HarperCollins Publishing Director Shona Martyn says “This is a book to honour those who have lost their lives and a show of solidarity to those who must pick up the pieces and carry on in the aftermath of this disaster.”

The coverage of the bushfires has emphasised, once again, the strength of the written word and, as publishers, we believe it is important to collect such first person stories as an ongoing testament. I believe many Australians and New Zealanders will want to buy this book.”

Edited by the Deputy Editor of Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph, John McGourty, Black Saturday will be a collection of deeply personal contributions from people directly affected by the fire, their friends and relatives; the people who came to their aid – firefighters, doctors, nurses, counsellors and wildlife rescuers, as well as moving accounts and photographs from journalists at the scene. A roll of honour, listing those who perished in the fire, will be included.

Black Saturday will be available from bookshops in New Zealand in April. The entire proceeds from every copy sold, excluding the GST, will also be donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

This amazing book will offer New Zealanders the opportunity to give tangible support to those in need across the Tasman by donating to the Red Cross Appeal and to own a permanent reminder of this very sad day in Australian history,” says Tony Fisk, Managing Director of HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand.

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