Stephen King, John Grisham, Andrew Sean Greer, Michael Chabon and several other best-selling authors are selling the right to name characters in their new novels. The auction begins Sept. 1 on eBay Giving Works, the site’s dedicated program for charity listings, and runs for 25 days. Profits will go to the First Amendment Project, which defends the free speech rights of activists, writers and artists. King says his highest bidder will get to name a character in a new zombie novel, which he describes as being “like cheap whisky … very nasty and extremely satisfying.” Grisham is promising to portray his top bidder’s chosen name “in a good light.” But bidders beware: Most of the authors are clearly retaining creative control to use the names as they see fit