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Zadie Smith among authors letting public bid to name new characters for charity auction

The Guardian UK Thursday 22 October 2026, 15:13 UTC By Aamna Mohdin Community affairs correspondent 1 min read
Key Points

Other prizes at Freedom from Torture event include rare Mary Wollstonecraft book illustrated by William BlakeMargaret Atwood, Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan are among a number of literary stars auctioning off the chance for readers to name characters in their next novels to raise money for survivors of torture. The auction is part of Freedom from Torture’s 10th anniversary literary festival, which brings together leading authors and survivors for a celebration of storytelling, featuring a poetry...

Other prizes at Freedom from Torture event include rare Mary Wollstonecraft book illustrated by William Blake

Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan are among a number of literary stars auctioning off the chance for readers to name characters in their next novels to raise money for survivors of torture.

The auction is part of Freedom from Torture’s 10th anniversary literary festival, which brings together leading authors and survivors for a celebration of storytelling, featuring a poetry competition and live readings at the London Library on 11 November.

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Zadie Smith (PERSON) Mary Wollstonecraft (PERSON) William BlakeMargaret Atwood (PERSON) Ian McEwan (PERSON) the London Library (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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