Authors team up for tsunami book

Helen Fielding has written the introduction to the book

Nick Hornby, Stephen King and Margaret Atwood are among 16 writers involved in an anthology of new work, published to raise money for tsunami victims.

New Beginnings, released on Thursday to coincide with World Book Day, features the first chapters of 16 authors' forthcoming books.

Ian McEwan and Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding - who wrote the preface - are also among the contributors.

The book, priced at £5, will be published in English and German.

"I hope New Beginnings will be a must-buy for any book lover," said project director Jonny Geller.

'Unprecedented experience'

"To glimpse the opening chapter of your favourite author's new work before it is published will be an unprecedented experience for their fans."

New Beginnings contributors Margaret Atwood Maeve Binchy Tracy Chevalier Harlan Coban Paulo Coelho J M Coetzee Nicholas Evans Helen Fielding Mark Haddon Nick Hornby Marian Keyes Stephen King Ian McEwan Alexander McCall Smith Vikram Seth Joanna Trollope Scott Turow

"By spending only £5, you will have a great book by the world's favourite authors, participate in a dynamic global publishing event and give real aid to people rebuilding their lives thousands of miles away."

Nigel Newton, chief executive of Bloomsbury, who are publishing the anthology, said: "By publishing this book we hope that a significant amount of money will be raiased by the book trade, to help bring about reconstruction of the lives of those in the 12 countries affected by the disaster."

Author Tracy Chevalier, best known for the novel Girl With A Pearl Earring, said the anthology was "a great idea".

"It is a way of nudging people to continue giving over the long-term. Hopefully it will continue to sell for months and months, providing funds for people on a long-term basis."

The 16 authors featured in the anthology have collectively sold 22m books in the UK.