There are many different ways to be immortalised. You can be the first to do something genuinely heroic like Neil Armstrong. You can become the best ever at your chosen profession like Pele. Or you can shell out a bunch of cash to charity in return for seeing your name in a book.

16 writers are holding eBay auctions next month for the right to name
characters in new books to raise funds for an organisation promoting
free speech. One lucky winner of a charity auction will be ripped apart by zombies sent berserk by mobile phone signals in the new Stephen King novel.

Profits from the auctions will go to the First Amendment Project – an organisation that fights court cases to protect the free speech rights of activists, writers and artists.

Should you not fancy being torn apart by a bunch of mental undeads, there are many other options open to bidders. Fans of Andrew Sean Greer can have their name featured as a the name of a "pivotal" bakery in his forthcoming book.

Or you could have your name garbled by Sunny Baudelaire in the latest Lemony Snicket book. Or appear as a University professor in a Marvel comic, or be met by some walking fish in a Dave Eggers illustrated story. Or you could "appear in a good light" in the next John Grisham novel.

Be warned, though. Most of the authors are refusing to include "inappropriate" names. So keep your credit card in your pocket if your name happens to be Fatty McShitwipe. Or, more accurately, use the credit card to buy a plane ticket to get as far away from your horrible parents as you possibly can.

The auctions will be staggered between September 1st and September 25st.

Find more information about the authors’ auctions at eBay

[story by Stuart Heritage]