Every object in this auction has a story behind it, and every winning bid sends a writer somewhere they could not otherwise go.

The Treasured Keepsake Auction gathers literary and Hollywood mementos donated by friends of the Write a Great Story Foundation: a Lennon lithograph signed by Warhol, a first edition inscribed by Joseph Campbell to Richard Adams, the chair in which more than 20,000 scripts were read, and more. Each lot is offered with its provenance.

Proceeds fund scholarships for emerging writers of all ages, helping them attend career-changing gatherings such as the Austin Film Festival, the Okoboji Writers Retreat, the Young Filmmakers Program, and the Her Spirit Writing Retreat. For many writers, access is the difference between dreaming and doing.

Bidding opens Wednesday, October 21 at 9:00 AM Eastern and closes Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 PM Eastern. Register to bid with your email, then place a bid or set a maximum bid and let the system bid for you. You will be notified if you are outbid.

Have a treasured keepsake you could contribute to the cause? Please reach out to Stacey Powells (staceypowells@yahoo.com) or David Kirkpatrick (davidpkirkpatrick@gmail.com).

About the Foundation

The Write A Great Story Foundation began its journey as the Storyteller Foundation in 2020, with a mission to elevate the human experience through stories that inspire and encourage. Founded by David Kirkpatrick, a former production chief at Walt Disney Studios, the foundation was initially established under the Family University Foundation. From the outset, it provided $160,000 in scholarships to 120 emerging writers, supporting them in crafting impactful narratives under the mentorship of industry professionals.

The foundation’s programs are tailored to the individual needs of each writer, offering one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, and retreats. As writers advance in their careers, the foundation continues to support them, helping to secure agents or managers and guiding them toward sustainable careers in publishing, television, and film.

A key inspiration behind the foundation is the story of Harper Lee and her iconic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In 1956, Lee was given a year’s financial support by her friends Michael and Joy Brown, allowing her to focus entirely on her writing. This gift resulted in the creation of one of the most influential novels of the 20th century, a book that has shaped discussions on race, justice, and morality for generations. The foundation sees this as a powerful example of how financial and mentorship support can unlock a writer’s potential to make a profound impact on society.

As of today the Write a Great Story Foundation has taken a significant step forward by becoming an independent entity incorporated under California law. Through this evolution, the foundation remains steadfast in its mission to change the culture by changing the stories we tell, fostering a vibrant community of creatives dedicated to making a positive impact on society.

The Treasured Keepsake Auction

Story-Rich Mementos. Life-Changing Scholarships. Bidding October 21 to 22, 2026.