Vera Nazarian, publisher of the small press imprint Norilana books, was in trouble. Thanks to bills that she incurred while fighting a fraudulent lawsuit, she'd been forced into a sub-prime loan. Then, when her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the bills only got bigger.

The trouble just kept coming when the sewer lines backed up into her home. Now, with Christmas just weeks away, the bank was threatening to foreclose, putting her and her ailing mother out of the street.

But thanks to her many friends – writers and fans in the Science Fiction community, there was hope. Friends quickly organized a Live Journal community, organized a charity auction, and requested donations: $1, $5, anything would help.

As writers posted the information to their own communities, the fund raising efforts soon spilled over to the fannish community in general. Posts concerning fund-raising efforts were spotted in multiple fandoms, as well as several newsgroups. Members of the Austin Browncoats donated several items to the charity auction, including a knitted Jayne Cobb hat.

Other items auctioned have included rare and autographed books, a private concert, several Tuckerizations, and handmade jewelry.

An additional effort was launched by author John Scalzi, who posted a short story online for free. Readers are encouraged to donate to the fund if they like the story. Additionally, the original publisher of the story, Subterranean Press, matched the effort with a $1,000 contribution.

The response was overwhelming. Donations poured in from as far away as Australia, Ireland, and the Philippines in increments ranging from $1 to over $700. One anonymous benefactor donated $5,000.00. In three days, the needed funds were raised.

"This should give her the ability to create a buffer and have the sewer and medical attended to," wrote fantasy author Deirdre Saoirse, one of the driving forces behind the fund raiser. 

Once that goal was achieved, the fund raising shifted from helping Vera to keep her house, to raising the funds to help her re-negotiate the terms of her loan, and fixing the sewer problem.

As of Monday night, over $19,000.00 was donated. The fund's organizers report that there were 524 doners who gave an average of $10 each.

At that point, the fund raiser's organizers took down the paypal donation buttons and removed the possiblity of posting new charity auctions. Auctions that are still active remain in effect.

"I'm just overwhelmed to see so much kindness in everyone," Nazarian stated in her facebook page.