A scheduling conflict prevented the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist himself from participating in the reading, but he donated an autographed book for the raffle, as did Judith Johnson and Tobias Wolf. Woods also encouraged her students to contact other authors, including Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, and Anne Rice. John Irving responded right away. Aside from its primary purpose of helping others by alleviating hunger, the reading will have other outcomes. A writer pays his or her dues, and provides a showcase for others.
Writers do have a responsibility to the community, and they can use their talent to benefit others.
Each fall, approximately 2,000 writers nationwide read their works at Writer's Harvests to raise money for Share Our Strength.