First, I'd like everyone to take a moment and appreciate the clever title of this post. I'm unreasonably proud of it.
We good? Okay.
After a long week, Sarah and I have finally managed to tie up about 99% of the loose ends on the fundraiser. We've drawn numbers, sorted prizes, sent e-mails, and packaged nearly everything up.
And when I saw "we," I mean "Sarah." I did a lot of the sifting, number juggling, and e-mailing, but Sarah was the package queen.
Awww.... She loves those packages. Those hundreds and hundreds of packages.
Also, as you can see in the lower lefthand corner, the holy light these prizes exude can shine through cardboard, tape, and two layers of bubble wrap. It's powerful stuff.
I'd also like to note that these packages do not include the Subterranean Press books. Because not only was Subterranean Press cool enough to donate a great pile of stuff, they were nice enough to handle all the shipping for those books too. Which is why I am filled with love for them.
And speaking of love....
Here Sarah is modeling the catgirl hat many of you have seen before. I wanted to prove that I actually did buy it for her, and wasn't secretly keeping it for myself.
Simply said, the fundraiser would have been impossible without Sarah. She spent dozens of hours bundling up books, running errands, and generally getting everything done. Hell, the trip to the post office alone took two full hours, and that was with a friend with a van helping.
Everyone say, "Thank you Sarah."
And now, answers to some final questions.
Things went really crazy right at the end of the fundraiser. What happened?
Things did go a little crazy. On December 9th, I mentioned on the blog that I thought we had a decent chance of breaking $40,000. Then, we raised over $16,000 in the next two days, tearing past $50,000 and leaving me worried that I was going to have to take out a loan so I could cover my half.
A big piece of this was brought about by folks spreading the word on their blogs. Most notably, Neil Gaiman.
I'd heard through the grapevine that Gaiman was a bit of a Heifer supporter, so I sent him a little e-mail, asking if he'd be interested in mentioning it on his blog.
I should have realized that asking for something like this would be like sticking my tongue into.... well... into anything, really. In my experience, whenever you stick your tongue into something, the outcome is going to be either very exciting, very dangerous, or both.
This was one of those "both" situations. After his blog, Gaiman's readers flooded over to participate in the festivities. Felicia Day mentioned it on her blog too. Plus, I know a lot of folks were finishing their own personal fundraisers and/or waiting until the very end to make their donations. Hence the crazy.
Rest assured, everyone who got their donations in by the 11th was entered into the lottery.
And yes, I'm all twitterpated that Gaiman referred to me as a "good author." Though I hope at least some of that was referring to my storytelling as opposed to my ethics.
The donations hit nearly $55,000. How much are you matching?
The other day I asked Sarah, "What do you want for Christmas?"
"Nothing you can afford to get me," she said huffily.
And we laugh. This has become the running joke in our house.
I've decided to match all the donations. I could have stopped at forty thousand, but I said I'd keep matching until the 11th, and I like to keep my promises.
What was the final total?
If you've read the blog that started it all, you know I offered two options to people who wanted to donate. There was the Sure Thing option, and the Lottery option.
A surprising number of people chose the Sure Thing, which meant they mailed me a check and I mailed them something back, usually a book or a map signed however they wanted it.
(Click to Embiggen)
A *lot* of people chose this option. So many that I ran out of first edition books. The total amount raised from the Sure Thing option was over six thousand dollars.
That, plus my matching donation from the lottery, minus the cost of postage and packaging materials, brings us to $58,493.14
I'm showing you the check not as proof that I'm mailing it, but because it took me ten friggin minutes to write this thing out. I screwed up five checks before I managed to get it right. I misspelled "ninty," wrote the wrong amount, wrote the wrong year, and failed more than once to get the total to fit on the line.
I keep pretending that I'm a grown-up, but I'm not.
Anyway, this money, plus the donations that were made directly to the Heifer page, makes a grand total of $113,466.28.
I don't have words enough to express how happy this makes me. I firmly believe that deep down, people are fundamentally good. But it's nice to have some data that backs that sentiment up every once in a while.
I'd like to thank all the authors who donated books, all the people who mentioned the fundraiser on their blogs, and all the people who donated money to the cause. Yay us.
Are you planning on doing this again next year?
Yes. But I'm planning on doing some things differently.
More stuff. A lot of people wanted to contribute books or other goodies to this year's auction, but they didn't hear about the fundraiser until it was nearly finished. I've already got stuff piling up for next year's fundraiser.
Streamlined lottery. Next year, when you make your donation you'll be able to mark what prizes you're interested in. That way if you win something, it will be something you're sure to like.
Auctions. Some prizes are really cool, but only to a very select group of people. So next year we're going to auction those items off separately. These might be things like manuscripts. Or they might be services, like an author agreeing to insert your name into an upcoming book, a lawyer offering legal consultation, or feedback on a manuscript from a literary agent.
I want to be a part of next year's fundraiser. How can I help?
Donate. Want to chip in a signed book or two? Lovely. Have a cool collectible or unique skill you think would be a worthwhile addition? Wonderful. I'm already collecting prizes for next year. Send them along.
Or maybe you'd like to be an even bigger part of the fundraiser? I'm going to be looking for official sponsors to help me match donations for next year. I'd like to be able to do all of it on my own again, but I just can't afford it.
If you'd like to help out, drop me a line on my contact form or send an e-mail to Paperback.contest (squiggly at thinger) gmail.com.
Spread the word. Not everyone has signed books to donate or money to throw around. But you can help a lot by letting people know about the fundraiser. A lot of the prizes I received came from authors who contacted me, saying, "A fan sent me an e-mail about your fundraiser and I'd love to be a part of it." So if you know someone that might be interested in helping, donating a prize, or potentially being a sponsor, talk to them about it. It's a big help. Help me come up with a name. We *really* need a name, folks. We can't keep calling it "The Heifer Fundraiser." It lacks panache. Names are important things, you know. And they can tell you a lot about a fundraiser.
Right now, the best I've been able to come up with is "Worldbuilders." But we need something catchier than that. I know that a lot of you are word-clever, as shown by your constant, witty definitions of the word verification giberish. Funnel the churning magma of your creativity toward this problem and I'm sure we can come up with something good.
In fact, let's try to get the ball rolling in the comments below. Serious suggestions only please. Believe me, I've come up with enough sarcastic-sounding ones on my own.... (Geeks for Goats being the least lame of these.)
Did I mention that Heifer International called my house? Yeah. They're the coolest folks. Apparently some of them have been watching our fundraiser with more than passing interest. They confirmed something I had started to suspect. Namely, that y'all are cool as hell.
This is the last treasure post, and we have some lovely stuff. Detailed below, we have another original manuscript, signed books and ARC's, and some cool swag from Queen of the Geeks, Felicia Day.
I've raised the donation bar a couple times just in the last week, and right now it looks like we stand a good chance of actually raising more that 40,000 dollars. Which is awe-inspiring, really.
For the last month, the first thing I've done in the morning is check the Heifer donation page. It's been a great way to start my day. But I'll be honest with you, there have been a few times in the last week that I've woken up, looked at the total, and thought. "This is it. I really shouldn't match any more. I said I'd keep going until Dec 11th, but I'm sure folks will understand if I stop matching donations a couple days early...."
When I get that feeling, I go look at Heifer's website. Then I learn things like the fact that half the chickens in Korea are descended from eggs that Heifer supplied after the Korean War.
Or I read about a young man in Uganda who had to quit school to take care of his five younger siblings because his parents died. He got a Heifer, greatly improving the family's nutrition. And the money they get from selling the surplus milk is helping to pay for school.
And then I think, "I can order Chinese food any time I want, and they bring it to my house. I have a car in reasonably good repair. I have a house that stays warm through the Wisconsin winters. I have a house full of books to read, and all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD. I am living the best possible life."
Then I relax, and I realize that nothing makes me happier than raising the donation bar again. And again after that if need be.
Okay, enough touchy-feely. Let's talk about free stuff.
A set of the first three books in Daniel Abraham's Long Price Quartet: A Shadow in Summer, A Betrayal in Winter, and An Autumn War. Hardcover. Signed by the author.
While I haven't mentioned these books on my blog, I've read them and they're really good. In fact, these were the first books I ever decided to give an official blurb to.
I'd almost forgotten about it. But when Daniel's books showed up today, I saw that my blurb was actually there, right on the cover. First book: quote from GRRM. Second book: quote from GRRM. Third book? Quote from me. That's right baby. Me.
So obviously I thought these were great books. But don't take my word for it. Instead, why not trust bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss when he says, "There is much to love in the Long Price Quartet. It is epic in scope, but character-centered. The setting is unique yet utterly believable. The storytelling is smooth, careful, and--best of all--unpredictable."
An advance reading copy of Jeri Smith-Ready'sThe Reawakened, conclusion to the Aspect of Crow trilogy. Signed by the author.
Another one of those cool ARC's for those of you who are interested in getting a peek at the book before it hits the shelves. Publisher's Weekly says, "Myth blends with passion in this colorful conclusion to the Aspect of Crow trilogy."
A copy of Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams. Signed by the author.
Award winning author Stephen Baxter calls Mirrored Heavens, "A crackling cyberthriller. This is Tom Clancy interfacing Bruce Sterling. David Williams has hacked into the future.”
A copy of Questions for a Soldier, by John Scalzi. Limited edition.
Questions for a Soldier is a limited edition Subterranean Press book set in the world of Scalzi's first novel, Old Man's War. Scalzi himself says, "for those of you looking for rare and unusual Scalzi-related curiosities, this is it, baby."
Paul Di Filippo, writing for The Washington Post Book World says, "Scalzi's imagined interstellar arena is coherently and compellingly delineated....His speculative elements are top-notch. His combat scenes are blood-roiling. His dialogue is suitably snappy and profane."
A set of S.C. Bulter'sReiffen's Choice and Queen Ferris, books one and two of The Stoneways Trilogy. Signed by the author.
Children's Literature says, "Fantasy fans of all ages will be drawn into the world that Butler has created…. If one wanders away from the main characters they will not fall out of the story but will find another story somewhere in the Stoneways or Valing, and that is the mark of a truly great fantasy."
This husband and wife team just sent me some of their stuff out of the blue. And I'll admit that when this graphic novel showed up, I invoked my sovereign right of... um... book-lookingness. Anyway, I read it. And it was pretty cool....
According to Publishers Weekly, "The tale's unfamiliar setting and the uncanny events work together intriguingly."
A copy of Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor. Signed by the author and by jacket artist Jim Di Bartolo.
In a starred review, Kirkus says, "Featuring both an uncommonly well-conceived setting and buckets of high-energy action, Taylor's debut tale of a thumb-sized devil hunter who comes this close to meeting her match belongs at the top of everyone's fantasy must-read list."
A copy of Dead to Me, the debut novel of Anton Strout. Signed by the author.
Anton Strout is, among other things, my mortal enemy. However, I'm willing to set aside any personal rancor I feel toward the man in order to accept his generous gift on behalf of Heifer International.
Bestselling author Charlaine Harris gives this review: "Following Simon's adventures is like being the pinball in an especially antic game, but it's well worth the wear and tear."
An ARC of Fenzig's Fortune by Jean Rabe. Signed by the Author.
Jean has donated both a signed ARC, and a signed hardcover to the cause. Publisher's Weekly says that, "Readers of all ages will find simple pleasures in this traditional hobbit-inspired fantasy."
A manuscript of Steven Savile's new Stargate novel, Shadows, book one of The Iblis Trilogy. Signed by the author.
I can't say enough good about Steven. When he heard about the fundraiser, he immediately went out and started beating the bushes for donations. He brought in the folks from Bad Moon Books. He tipped off Kevin Anderson and many others. Finally, he's donated this lovely manuscript.
Here's what Steven says:
"Shadows is the first book in the Iblis Trilogy, an SG-1 novel featuring the original team. What makes this manuscript unique is it includes all of the mistakes and material that MGM won't approve - so there are a good 10,000 words different between it as a first draft and the finished book which is coming out at the end of January. The story itself pits the team against the Goa'uld, Iblis, and features the Mujina, an archetypal monster who can be all things to everyone, the hero and villain their heart most desperately desires."
A DVD of season one of The Guild. Donated by Felicia Day. Signed by all cast members.
(That's not my thumb this time, folks. Judging by the grace and poise, I think it might be Felicia's.)
When I heard from Felicia a couple days ago, I hurried downstairs to tell Sarah.
Me: Felicia Day just sent me an e-mail! She says she'd like to donate a signed copy of The Guild DVD and a Dr. Horrible poster signed by the cast.
Sarah:Well that must make you excited enough to pee.
Which, in fact, sums up my reaction quite nicely.
I made a blog post about The Guild a while back, singing its praises. Later, Felicia and I interviewed each other, each in our respective blogs.
What I'm getting at is that I thought she was cool even *before* Dr. Horrible came out and she worked a deal with X-box to sponsor season two of The Guild.
The Los Angeles Times praised The Guild as "perhaps the smartest (and definitely the funniest) webisodic series of the year." This year, they're putting out a new season that's way more budgety.
If you haven't heard about Dr. Horrible, then you obviously haven't been reading my blog for very long. Maybe you have been living under a heavy, heavy rock. Or perhaps you hate everything that is lovely and good in the world.
How much do I love Dr. Horrible? I'll let this picture from my Halloween party tell the story:
Yeah. The ladies were totally into my Dr. Horrible costume. So... yeah. Dr. Horrible was bigger than Lennon, and the poster is pretty cool too. Signed by Felicia Day, Neil Patrick Harris, and Nathan Fillion. This prize is guaranteed to make you excited enough to pee.
That's all she wrote, folks. Remember you have until the end of December 11th to get in on the action. Tell your friends....
Want to know how to win these and other fabulous prizes while making the world a better place? Check OVER HERE for the blog that describes it all.
Okay folks. I know you've seen a lot of blogs full of donations for the Heifer Fundraiser lately. Don't get jaded on me. This one is something new. Something ginchy.
I've known the folks at Subterranean Press for a long while. They were the first publisher to ask if I'd like to contribute a story to an anthology. Bill Schafer actually contacted me two weeks after TNOTW hit the shelves. It was one of the first clues I had that I might have done something right in the book.
What's more, I'm currently working with an illustrator on a not-for-children children's book that will be published through through them. (Details on that will be forthcoming.)
Subterranean Press publishes gorgeous books. Beautiful paper. Beautiful bindings. Stuff by great authors. Stuff that's out of print. Stuff by Neil Gaiman, Tim Powers, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury....
The last time I bought stuff off their website, I looked at my shopping cart and found myself thinking, "Next time I sell them a story, I should just negotiate my contract in store credit and cut out the middle man."
So when Bill contacted me, saying he was willing to donate some books to my Heifer Fundraiser, I was understandably delighted. Thrilled, in fact.
Then he sent me the list. I was stunned. 120 books. Beautiful hardcovers. Many of them limited editions. Many of them sold out. Most of them signed.
All told, over 8,000 dollars worth of books.
Yeah. They're awesome.
Subterranean Press has Donated 10 copies of each of the following.
Last Call was the book that really convinced me Tim Powers was brilliant, and the two sequels are just as good. These are matched, limited-edition, numbered sets, signed by Tim Powers himself.
I have it on good authority that owning these books will give you the strength of ten men, cure any illness afflicting you, and grant you eternal youth.
If you don't believe me, then how about trusting the Los Angeles Daily News when they say Last Call is "Riveting...lyrical and brutal...a thrilling tale of gambling, fate and fantastic adventure."
This is a book of revived, never produced (except for a pilot to the series the book was to have become) teleplays by Robert A. Heinlein, mainly adapted from his stories. Paul Di Filippo, for SciFi Weekly says, "All these narratives are gripping and full of hooks and typically engaging Heinlein characters [....] The stories have proved themselves in print for half a century, and their virtues survive the transition to a different medium."
Ursula K. Le Guin tells us, "Keep your eye on Kage Baker! You never know where she's heading next, but its always worth going there. She's an edgy, funny, complex, ambitious writer with the mysterious, true gift of story-telling."
According to author Charles de Lint, "Blaylock allows us to see the mundane world through new eyes, to perceive the familiar as strange, and therefore exciting."
An anthology of stories by Bruce Sterling, who, according to Strange Horizons, "has done perhaps as much as the work of any other single author to define cyberpunk, steampunk, post-cyberpunk and indeed, the broader course of the genre's development in the last three decades."
Years ago, I was at a party at Worldcon, desperately trying to and prove that I fit in with all these other writer types. After a while, I ended up in a conversation that included a bunch of aspiring writers (myself included) and Larry Niven. We were talking about all sorts of things. Writing, the portrayal of magic... general geeky writing talk. Good stuff.
I mentioned Bridge of Birds by Barry Hugart as being a gorgeous book. Nobody else in the group had read it... except Larry Niven, who agreed enthusiastically. Needless to say, I felt pretty cool....
Hugart's books have been out-of-print for a long while. But they're back, collected here. So now you can read them and feel cool too.
In a starred review, Publisher's Weekly says, "Reading Hughart's endearing historical fantasy trilogy, first published almost 20 years ago, is much like 'wandering blindfolded through a myth devised by a maniac,' in the words of Master Li, the greatest and most frequently intoxicated wise man in a colorful seventh century 'China that never was.' Their rollicking adventures pit them against everyone from murderers and thieves to emperors and gods. Numerous Chinese legends, filtered through Ox's simple perspective, blend seamlessly into both lighthearted and heartrending."
Publisher's Weekly says, "With six-guns blazing and tentacles flailing, this nifty all-original anthology delivers impressively on the "pure storytelling" promise Lansdale (Flaming London) makes in his intro. The dozen authors manage to address serious issues while remaining true to their roots and the book's theme."
Here's what Publisher's Weekly said in a starred review: "Lansdale's The Nightrunners (1987), the centerpiece of this chilling collection, set new standards of graphic violence and is probably the best novel of its type between Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs... This upsetting look at the human capacity for evil breaks with crime novel conventions when a supernatural element enters the story in the form of the grotesque deity known as the God of All Things Sharp. Twenty years later, The Nightrunners retains its ability to awe and to horrify. Six short stories that grew out of the novel, one previously unpublished, round out the volume."
This book should look familiar to some of you, as it's similiar to the one I posted up myself in the original blog when I started the fundraiser. However, these books are much cooler, as they're signed by ALL the authors.
Booklist said this about the anthology, "All the contributors share a gift for sharp-edged prose that keeps the reader pleasantly perturbed for hours."
Joe Hill's first novel won a lot of awards, including the Locus Award for best debut fantasy of 2007. Good on him.
His book was described by the Herald Tribune as "a wild, mesmerizing, perversely witty tale of horror [....] In a book much too smart to sound like the work of a neophyte, he builds character invitingly and plants an otherworldly surprise around every corner."
Want to know how to win these books and other fabulous prizes while making the world a better place? Check OVER HERE for the blog that describes it all.
Lastly, some people have been asking me if I plan on continuing to match all the donations made. Some people have expressed concerns that I will end up homeless on the street, eating tuna out of a can with my fingers and talking to invisible people.
First, let me reassure you that I will be continuting to match donations until December 11th. I can afford it for now, and honestly, if I'm going to be irrisponsible with my money, this is the way I want to go. This is my preferred flavor of stupidity. And besides, if I don't do something like this, I'd just end up blowing it on something cool but stupid.
Second, don't overestimate my current lifestyle. Anyone who has met me in person knows I pretty much look like a hobo anyway. I only own one pair of shoes, and when you come right down to it, there's nothing wrong with eating tuna out of the can with your fingers. It saves you the trouble of washing a fork afterwards.
And I already talk to invisible people. I'm a writer. That's pretty much my job.
So yeah. I'm still matching donations. Bring it on. I'd love to hit $40,000. Let's show them what happens when high-minded geeks set their minds on making the world a better place.
Peter S. Beagle is one of my favorite authors. I read The Last Unicorn about once a year, and every time it just breaks my heart. It's the sort of story that I know I'll never be able to write.
Peter and his friends at Conlan Press have donated some cool stuff to the fundraiser.
Check it out:
Three copies of Strange Roads by Peter S. Beagle. Illustrated with the artwork of Lisa Snellings. Signed by Peter S. Beagle.
This 72 page chapbook contains three new stories by Peter S. Beagle, inspired by the singular artwork of Lisa Snellings. According to Neil Gaiman, "Lisa's sculptures are frozen stories."
The Green Man Review gives us a bit of background and praises Peter's work: "All three stories were begun by Mr. Beagle in the space of a single hour, while sitting on the steps of his late parents' house, as his business manager held a stopwatch to his head. It's a genesis as unique as the stories themselves, with the sly humor, humanity, and awe of beauty that are characteristic of Mr. Beagle's writing. "
A 6X8 photo of Pat and Peter. Signed by Peter and soon to be signed by Pat.
Here's a picture of Peter and me both wearing our Serious Writer Expressions.
Undoubtedly, one of the major perks of being a published writer is getting to meet people I've admired for a long time. Earlier this year, I got to meet Peter and talk with him a bit. Terri at Conlan Press managed to perform a miracle and take a picture of me that actually looks halfway decent. Believe me, this is a true a rarity.
A full set of Last Unicorn prints by Rebekah M. Cox. Signed by the artist.
We'll be giving each of these out as separate prizes. So you have twelve chances to win.
I really can't say enough about these prints. Words fail me. When I saw them for the first time down at DragonCon, I was stunned. Absolutely stunned. They're gorgeous.
About Moon Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle says, "This is, for me, the most stunningly lovely vision in Rebekah's portfolio. It is at once the picture I always held to, laboring endlessly over the book; and yet it is something more, as well - something that I don't think I could have articulated in words then, and never may. All I know to say now is, yes, that's what I had in mind, yes, though I never expected I would ever see it outside the boundaries of my own imagination."
If you want to browse them more closely, and hear what Peter has to say about them, you should really take a look OVER HERE. If you'd like to buy your own copies, or any of Peter's other works, you can do that HERE.
Want to know how to win these and other fabulous prizes while making the world a better place? Check OVER HERE for the blog that describes it all.
Peter Straub gives kudos to this one, saying: "In Miranda, John R. Little uses crisp writing and a masterly sense of pace to structure a brilliant short novel filled with invention, courage, and baffled love."
A copy of Wings of the Butterfly by John Urbancik with an introduction by Weston Ochse. Signed by John Urbancik and Weston Ochse.
Author Tim Lebbon calls this story "one of the most intense reading experiences of the year," and Weston Ochse, who introduces the book, says it's "destined to become the heart's blood of were-fiction."
A copy of House of Shadow and Ash by John Urbancik, illustrated by John Pierro. Signed by the author and the artist.
Illustrated and signed by former Disney animator John Pierro.
The back of this book describes it as "a cautionary tale of the careful balances that exist between nature, magic, and technology... and the forces that bring them together."
A copy of The Scrubs by Simon Janus. Signed by the author. Introduced and signed by Weston Ochse.
According to award-winning author Gary A. Braunbeck, "In both the setting of the Wormwood Scrubs prison and its colorful, even tragic, inmates, Simon Janus has created a terse, tense, and powerful novella that closes in on the reader like the worst case of claustrophobia you've ever had. An excellent achievement, and a real milestone in Janus' career."
Kealan Patrick Burke is praised by Publishers Weekly as "a newcomer worth watching," and Booklist calls him "one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror."
A copy of The Confessions of St. Zach by Gene O'Neill. Signed by the author.
The editor of SF Weekly & Sci-Fi Channel Magazine says that Gene O'Neill's "words bristle with a muscular intensity that strengthens any book or magazine lucky to contain him."
How can you not want a copy of a book called Bitchfight? Author Jeff Strand says, "It's a Mike Arnzen story, which by definition means that it is a) utterly demented, and b) utterly brilliant."
A copy of Vampire Outlaw of the Milky Way by Weston Ochse . Introduced and signed by Brian Keene.
According to author Brian Keene, "Vampire Outlaw of the Milky Way is what would happen if Ray Bradbury and Lin Carter got together to write a space opera. Only Weston Ochse could write something like this. In lesser hands, it would fall apart."
A copy of Plague Monkey Spam by Steve Vernon. Signed by the author. Introduced and signed by Tim Waggoner.
Award winning author Owl Goingbacksays, "Steve Vernon is one of the finest new talents of horror and dark fiction."
A copy of Johnny Gruesome by Gregory Lamberson.Signed by the author. Signed by cover artist Zach McCain. Introduced and signed by Jeff Strand.
Dark Scribe Magazine says: "With its fast cars, leather jackets, and wholesome small town vibe, Johnny Gruesome feels like the drive-in movie you never saw. Lamberson saturates the grisly ordeal with an ever- present sense of fun and melodrama - meant here in the best possible way."
A copy of The Not Quite Right Reverend Cletus J. Diggs and the Currently Accepted Habits of Nature by David Niall Wilson. Signed by the author. Introduced and signed by Elizabeth Massie.
Publisher's Weekly tells us, "Wilson's prose is smooth and powerful, carrying its allegorical weight with grace."
Want to know how to win these and other fabulous books? Check OVER HERE for the blog that describes it all.
Well everyone, through liberal application of garlic, Campbell's chicken noodle soup, and season 3 of Angel, I am miraculously healed.
Even better, I have more prizes for the Heifer Fundraiser. A whole stack of them. Let's get to it....
Two copies of Drew C. Bowling's The Tower of Shadows, book one of the Tides of Fate series. Signed by the author.
Drew was nice enough to donate two of his hardcovers to the cause. Terry Brooks describes this book as, "A fast-paced, exciting adventure that doesn't allow you to take a breath." Though personally, I'm guessing it will let you take at least a little breath here and there. Otherwise, you'd die.
A copy of New York Times #1 bestseller Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, by Sean Williams. Signed by the Author.
Another lovely hardcover, signed by the author. Sean Williams is a prince, not just for donating the book, but also for mailing it all the way from the hinterlands of Australia to the hinterlands of central Wisconsin.
According to the ABC Brisbane, The Force Unleashed is "an action packed novel set during the previously unexplored 'dark times' between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope."
A copy of David Anthony Durham's novel Acacia: Book One: The War with the Mein. Signed by the author.
I've talked about David before in a previous blog, describing how he saved my life. So I won't re-gush here. Instead I'll just repeat what Lisa Tuttle says in her review of Acacia for The Times (London)
"David Anthony Durham has won acclaim for his historical novels, and brings his knowledge of the past and other cultures to create a rich and compelling world on his first foray into fantasy. His skillful storytelling, depth of characterisation, and an ability to unsettle reader expectations is reminiscent of George R.R. Martin, but his is a distinctive new voice."
Gregory Frost's two book adventure, Shadow Bridge and Lord Tophet. Signed by the author.
Fantasy Bookspot says, "The most amazing aspect of the novel may be its constraint. There is a real story. Frost can go anywhere, along the bridges of a multiverse, and he seemingly does, but it all spirals back, every step is relevant, even if we don't know it as a fact when we whimsically take it."
A copy of Hart & Boot & Other Stories by Tim Pratt. Signed by the author.
This collection of stories was nominated for a World Fantasy Award. What's more, Jay Lake raves about the book, saying, "Tim Pratt is in the vanguard of the next generation of master American fantasists. His delightfully loopy vision, lateral thinking and exquisite sense of style combine to provide fiction which infuses the reader like a fine Napa Valley wine, leaving behind aftershocks that go on for days, weeks, even months."
A copy of Pandora's Closet. Donated and signed by Kelly Swails.
This anthology contains nineteen original tales by authors such as Timothy Zahn, A. M. Strout, and Michael Stackpole.
When Pandora's Box was opened, so the ancient tale goes, all the evils that would beset humanity were released into the world. When the box was all but empty, the only thing that remained was hope. Now some of fantasy's finest writers have taken on the task of opening Pandora's closet. It is naturally chock full of an assortment of items, including a ring that can bring its wearer infinite health, a special helmet found in the most unlikely of places, a mysterious box that holds a legendary piece of cloth, and a red hoodie that transforms a woman's world.
One each of The Blue Kingdom anthologies. Donated and signed by Kelly Swails.
A set of all three anthologies in the Blue Kingdom series: Pirates of the Blue Kingdom, Shades and Specters, and Buxom Buccaneers.Tales of swashbucklers and spooks in a world of waters.
A copy of The Golden Cord, book one of the Iron Dragon Series by Paul Genesse. Signed by the author.
Voya Magazine says the following about The Golden Cord: "The plot is well constructed, the characters are wonderful, and the middle-ages setting creates an ominous feel. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for more. The Golden Cord is a rich and compelling fantasy full of adventure, danger, dragons, battles, revenge, magic, and more."
A signed, limited edition copy of Spectra Pulse magazine.
This lovely collectible was donated by Alex Bledsoe, author of the upcoming novel Blood Groove. This premiere issue of Spectra Pulse magazine comes with a letter of authenticity and is signed by amazing SciFi authors George R.R. Martin, Jeff VanderMeer, Elizabeth Bear, and Catherynne M. Valente.
Want more? It includes an except from George R.R. Martin's A Dance with Dragons, the next book of the Song of Ice and Fire series.
A full set of E.E. Knight's Age of Fire books, Dragon Champion, Dragon Avenger, Dragon Outcast, and Dragon Strike.
Eric was nice enough to send along these four lovely trade paperbacks that we'll be giving away as a set. Publisher's weekly says, "Knight turns the familiar features of epic fantasy upside down in this unique world of medieval politics and ancient magic seen through the eyes of dragons."
That's the latest batch of goodies, folks. But it won't be the last. We've got more books coming in every day. So stay tuned, and tell your friends.
If you want all the details about how the fundraiser works, and how you can win some of these cool books, you can find all the information OVER HERE. Personally, I'm hoping we can push all the way past 30,000.
For those of you who celebrate it, have a lovely Thanksgiving.
For those of you who don't, have a lovely Thursday.
Kevin has graciously donated a signed manuscript copy of his upcoming book Batman/Superman: Enemies and Allies. This is really big folks. Not only do you get a sneak peek of the book that won't be hitting the shelves until May 2009, but this story details the official first meeting between Superman and Batman. How cool is that?
Looking at this makes me wish there was some ethical way for me to enter my own contest with the hope of winning.
But that wouldn't be fair. As it is, I'll have to settle for caressing it in a loving manner. It is my firm belief that prolonged contact with the manuscript will heal me of whatever terrible illness has struck me down....
If you want the specifics about how you can win this manuscript, what the other prizes are, or what the whole fundraiser is about, CLICK HERE.
Today also marks the halfway point of the fundraiser. We've only been going for two weeks, and our team has already raised over 20,000 dollars with books and donations still rolling in.
Which brings us to the third piece of news. I'm raising the bar on the donation thermometer again. We'll take it all the way up to $30,000 so everyone visiting MY PAGE is clear on the fact that I'm still matching donations.
That said, I might have to stop after 30,000 dollars. I'm not saying I will, but I might. I need to take a hard look at my finances and make sure I'm not being stupid about this. One of the common misconceptions about being a writer is that once your book comes out, you're rich. But as Tobias Bucknell showed in the survey he took that's just not true.
The truth is, I've been fortunate this last year. I've sold the foreign rights to the book in a lot of countries, and those advances have allowed me to quit my day job. But I don't live in a house made of solid money. I've been loving this fundraiser, it's the most fun I've had in a year. But the only reason I'm able to do this fundraiser is because I still pretty much live like a student. I just wanted to give y'all fair warning that I might need to put on the breaks before too long.
Gech. I hate posting up a blog when I have a fever. I never know when I'm making sense. I need to bring Sarah over and read this to make sure I'm not just frothing like a wild dog.
Say hello to everyone, Sarah.
Hello, everyone.
I made you purple. Is that okay?
Yes. It's very cute and girly.
And you are cute and girly.
Aside from being my clever, beautiful girlfriend, Sarah is doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for the fundraiser, helping me package things and post up blogs. That, in turn lets me continue to get work done on The Wise Man's Fear.
Am I making sense on the blog so far, Sarah?
Yep. You're doing great. Just a bit more and you can go to bed.
Can you say something cool about Kevin's manuscript? I haven't done a good enough job of being gushy about it.
This book makes me tingle a little. It's got a big-mojo aura surrounding it. I can't wait to dig into the story when it comes out. There's bound to be some great, unexplored tension between these two iconic superheros and a bunch of juicy, rock 'em sock 'em, gladiator-style action. Whoever wins this is so freakin' lucky.
By unexplored tension, are you implying that Superman and Batman might be a little, you know, hot for each other?
No.
Are you sure? Two hot young guys? Maybe in college? Curious about...things? Willing to experiment?
Well, they are both quite well-proportioned. You've just given me a lot to think about later while you're sleeping.
Who do you like better, Superman or Batman?
Superman. I'd rather be him. Plus, he's an alien.
I bet Batman is a better kisser than Superman. At least, I think I'd rather kiss Batman. Kissing Superman would be... too weird.
You might get crushed by his super lips.
Wow. Yeah. I didn't even think of that.
What *is* your fever at right now, Honey?
102 last time I checked. When it hits 104 I'm gonna sell.
Hello everybody. No clever preamble today. I'm too busy keeping up with my own writing while dealing with the donations that have been coming in.
If you don't know what we're talking about, you can get the details HERE.
And now, more donations to the lottery:
The entire Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, in hardcover. Signed and personalized to you by the author.
I've already recommended Brandon's series in a previous blog, so I won't repeat myself. Why should I bother when there are about a thousand blurbs out there praising the books.
This one from the Romantic times says it well: "Transcendent... all the familiar ideas and plots from epic fantasy have been turned inside out, and what happens at the end is utterly astounding in its audacity. The characterization is stellar, the worldbuilding solid and the plot intricate and compelling."
What's more, Brandon has offered to personalize the books to the winner.
Ed Greenwood, creator of The Forgotten Realms, says: "I loved it! Many writers have explored hard-hitting and brutal possible futures for Earth, and told colorful tales of people trying to stay alive in them, but few have brought such imagined futures as vividly to life as Don Bingle. Highly recommended!"
An Advance Reading Copy of Greensword by Donald J. Bingle. Signed by the author.
Ooooh.... another advance reading copy. Your chance to check out this book before it's available to the common masses.
Robert Sawyer has this to say: "Science fiction has always been a great vehicle for biting satire and social commentary -- from H.G. Wells' The Time Machine right on up to Donald Bingle's engrossing GREENSWORD. Bingle is a terrific writer."
A copy of Fellowship Fantastic. Signed by Donald J. Bingle.
A collection of 13 new stories including Donald J. Bingle's The Quest. Signed by the author. Lovingly caressed by a thousand virgins. It still has that new car smell. How could you not it?
The first three books of the Ravrin series: WebMage, CodeSpell, and CyberMancy by Kelly McCullough. Signed by the author.
According to the starred review in Publisher's Weekly: "McCullough handles his plot with unfailing invention, orchestrating a mixture of humor, philosophy and programming insights that give new meaning to terms as commonplace as 'spell checker' and esoteric as 'programming in hex.'"
Plague Year and Plague War, the first two books of Jeff Carlson's Plague trilogy. Signed by the author.
Jeff Carlson was nice enough to donate *two* sets of these. Isn't he a nice guy? I think he's a nice guy.
E. E. Knight describes these books as, "Part Michael Crichton, part George Romero... full of high-altitude chills."
A copy of Writers of the Future Volume 23, including Jeff Carlson's story The Frozen Sky. Donated and signed by Jeff Carlson.
The Writers of the Future anthology is where I got my start, long ago. It publishes stories by new writers getting ready to burst onto the scene. Jeff Carlson sends along two copies of Volume 23 which contains his story, "The Frozen Sky."
According to Locus Magazine, "Jeff Carlson’s “The Frozen Sky” is a tense adventure story set on Europa, where explorers encounter intelligent beings who seem to have no way to respond to strangers but by attacking them."
A copy of Writers of the Future Volume 18, including an early version of Pat Rothfuss's story "The Road to Levenshir." Signed by the author.
Jeff's donation made me realize that I actually had a copy of my volume of Writers of the Future still lurking around the house. It's volume 18, which means, among other things, that I'm getting old.
This was my first publication, and it kicked off the chain of events that eventually led to me getting my book published. The story in here is an early version of "The Road to Levenshir." A much earlier, rougher version of the story that was later published in the Subterranean Press Tales of Dark fantasy earlier this year.
Jennifer Stevenson's entire new trilogy: The Brass Bed, The Velvet Chair, and The Bearskin Rug, all signed by the author.
Vicki Lewis Thompson, says these books are, "more fun than pillow fighting naked." And Phil and Kaja Foglio say, "Once you get into The Brass Bed, you won't ever want to get out." And if you can't trust Phil & Kaja Foglio to know sexy, then who can you trust?
If you want to know how to win this cool stuff, you can get all the details over HERE.
Or, if you want, here's the short version:
1) You donate to Heifer international on THIS PAGE. 2) I match your donation, dollar-for-dollar. 3) For every ten bucks you kick in, your name is entered into a drawing for these and many more fabulous prizes.
So far, we've raised over 17,000 dollars in under two weeks. Because apparently fantasy authors and fans are the best people around. That's my working theory, anyway.
Fantasy authors have to be some of the coolest people around. I have suspected it for a long time, but now I know it to be the truth. I have proof.
It's only been about a week since I announced the fundraiser. When I started it, I sent out a very mild-mannered request to a few of the authors I know, telling them what I was planning, and mentioning that if they wanted to, they could donate a book or two. Y'know. If they wanted to. No pressure.
Since then, people have been donating in spades. Today the first of the packages arrived.
And just in the nick of time, too. I was starting to wander around my house, desperately looking for things I could add to the lottery. Thinking to myself, "A.... fork? Fork used by Pat Rothfuss? Pocket lint? Pair of my girlfriend's ladybug underwear?"
Oh man. I really want to put a picture of them up on here. But she would freak out.
But it would be REALLY funny....
...
You guys really don't know what dangerous waters I swim to entertain you. Just as I typed that, I heard the door close as my girlfriend left the house, so I scampered across the hall and started to root through her underwear drawer, giggling maniacally. It took me almost three minutes to find the pair I was looking for...
And then what happens? She comes back for some reason. Just in time to catch me standing outside her closet, clutching her ladybug panties, and laughing like some pervert who's been huffing paint. Luckily, I've spent years convincing her that I am absolutely insane. Otherwise things could have gotten a little awkward.
Okay, on to the new prizes.
A galley copy of The Adamantine Palace by Stephan Deas. Signed by the author.
Just so we're clear, this is an ARC. One of those Advance Reading Copies that the publisher prints before the book comes out. That's right, here's your chance to be an insider and get hold of a book before it actually hits the shelves.
SFF world gives it a glowing review, saying, "The book is an entertaining mix of Pern and Westeros, with the knowing characterisation of Abercrombie and the endearment of Novik."
Hardcover copies of Spirit Gate and Shadow Gate, the first two books in Kate Elliott's Crossroads series. Signed by the author.
The inestimable Kate Elliot has donated TWO sets of two books, so you have twice the chance of winning. Woo!
Publisher's Weekly describes these books thusly: "Elaborate first entry in a projected seven-book fantasy series introduces a once prosperous but now lawless land called the Hundred. Its godlike Guardians, who dispense justice, have disappeared; the eagle-riding Reeves, who have kept the peace, have lost authority; and a mysterious, ruthless new force preys on the towns and inhabitants of the Hundred and neighboring empires.... This promises to be a truly epic fantasy."
A copy of Mindy Klasky'sMagic and the Modern Girl, third book in the Jane Madison Series. Signed by the author.
According to the The Romantic Times, "this is an irresistible tale of power and love, friendship and acceptance. The main character's constant and often rambling internal dialogue is surprisingly charming and insightful."
A galley copy of Lamentation, the first in a new five-book series by Ken Scholes.
This is another ARC. Rumor says that Scholes is going to be the next big thing. And with blurbs like the following, it's easy to see why....
Orson Scott Card raves: "Scholes barely gives us time to breathe. Yet he gives us vivid characters, a world thick with detail, and wonders we've never seen before. I wish my first novel had been this good. I wish all five volumes of this series were already published so I could read them now."
Tiffany Trent'sIn the Serpent's Coils, first in the Hallowmere series. Signed by the author.
Tiffany has donated two of these, which I in turn will give to two different people. I think that would be for the best.
"IN THE SERPENT'S COILS is a rich, earthy, engrossing novel that heralds Tiffany Trent as one of the best dark fantasy writers of our time. I was completely mesmerized by her tale, and deeply gratified in the end. Bravo!"-David Farland, New York Times Bestselling fantasy author
Goblin Quest, first in the Goblin trilogy by Jim C. Hines. Signed by the author.
I recommended Jim's goblin books in an earlier blog, but why listen to me when Midwest Book Reviews says, "Prepare to be entertained throughout and completely satisfied with Jig's journey by the time you reach the end."
A copy of Red's Tale by Jim C. Hines, book one of the Faery Tale Project. Signed by Jim C. Hines.
This is a two-for-one book, which also features a copy of Lobo's Tale by Christopher Kastensmidt. Also by Jim Hines, author of the aforementioned Goblin trilogy and soon to be released The Stepsister Scheme.
I'd like to thank these authors for taking the time to send these books out of the goodness of their hearts.
Now here's the thing - if you are one of my author friends and I haven't sent you an e-mail asking for a book, it's not because I don't like you, or because I don't think your book is good enough. It's because, for the most part, I haven't contacted anyone directly. I've sent out a few tentative e-mails to a few lists I'm on. I'm from the Midwest, you see. Asking people for favors makes me distinctly uncomfortable.
The truth is, whether or not I know you, I'd love nothing better than to throw your book into the mix. If you're interested, just drop me a line at paperback.contest (squiggly atsignthinger) gmail.com.
Oh, and did I mention that we're past 15,000 dollars? Yes. We are mighty. We are a thousand feet tall.
Well folks, as I sit down to write this, we've raised over 12,000 dollars, and it hasn't even been a full week yet. That's not counting my matching donation,or any of the people who are choosing option #2 as described OVER HERE.
Again, I wish I could make that thing say "we've raised."
I've raised the donation "goal" to 20,000 on the Heifer page because I don't want anyone to pass on donating because they think we've reached our limit.
To accommodate our growing numbers, I've increased the number of DAW samplers, maps, and signed books being given away. Also, two days ago I found an old copy of the UK galley proof. Though I have a sentimental attachment to it, I can throw it into the mix as well. I've only seen about 10 of these in my life, so a signed one is probably worth something as a collector's item.
Also, the donations have started to come in. Most of them are signed books from other fantasy and science-fiction authors. I've been amazed at how willing everyone has been to contribute.
I'll be posting those other donations up as they show up at my house. I might start as soon as tonight....
And now, a little more Q & A.
"If your name goes into the lottery hat multiple times, can you win multiple prizes? The first prize your name is drawn for? The Coolest prize your name is drawn for? How will that work?"
Here's how it will work.
Say you donate 120 dollars, enough for a goat.
Your name would go into the final drawing 12 times. Then, if we draw your name out of the hat and you win a signed book, your name is still in there 11 times for the rest of the drawing.
Then I'll drop you an e-mail telling you what you've won, and asking for your address. At that point, you can choose to pass on any of the prizes you've won. (For example, if you won two copies of the map, and you only want one.) I'll keep those re-donated prizes in storage until we do this again next year.
You bet. Personally, I can't think of a better way of keeping The Man away from your money.
I have something I'd like to donate to your lottery option. Where can I send it?
Well... before you drop that macrame owl into the mail, why don't you drop me an e-mail at Paperback.contest (squiggly at thinger) gmail.com and tell me what you're thinking of sending.
It's not that I don't appreciate your generosity, and it's not that I have anything against macrame. Or owls. It's just that right now we kind of have a tight focus of things we're giving away as prizes. It's mostly books and SFF related stuff. For now, I think it might be best if we keep that focus.
That said, if you've got a book or something you think would fit in into the mix, I'd love to include it. So e-mail me or send it to:
Pat Rothfuss P.O BOX 186 Stevens Point, WI 54481
"I have an idea for an awesome prize. You could offer to pass the winner's manuscript along to your editor or your agent. I'd love to win that..."
Several people sent e-mails similar to this one. Believe me folks, I know where you're coming from. I struggled to get someone to read my book for years. Back then, I would have loved to win a prize like this too.
But though I feel your pain, I don't think this is a good idea. Here's why:
1) Most of the people participating in this contest don't have manuscripts I can read. I don't want to give out a prize that would be useless to 90% of the people eligible to win it.
2) It really isn't polite of me of me to inflict some random manuscript on my editor or agent. They're busy people.
3) The implication here is that you'd get published off the deal. And that just isn't a fair thing to imply. Hope is a wonderful thing, but false hope is actually more destructive than constructive.
But I think I might actually be able to offer a constructive option....
For you writers out there, I'm going to add something under the "Sure Thing" option. If you're willing to make a sizable donation to Heifer, I will read your manuscript and give you feedback on it. Revision advice.
Now, let's be clear so we don't have any misunderstandings. What I'm offering is this:
I'll read your manuscript just like I read my own, with a red pen in my hand, making notes on my thoughts: What I like. How I feel about the different sections. What is working well and could be expanded. And what, in my opinion, needs fixing.
Then I'd call you and we'll talk about the book. It's not as good as getting together over coffee and looking at the same manuscript, but it's better than me just dropping it in the mail and you trying to decipher my demented scribbling.
Also, and this is key, I'm not going to blow a lot of smoke up your ass. I'll tell you what I really think about it, both good and bad.
That said, I should mention that I was a writing tutor for almost a decade. I know how to give constructive criticism without it being excruciating to the writer. It's a talent I'm proud of. Too many tutors (and teachers, and writing groups) aren't good at this.
Here's what I'm not offering, just so we're clear.
I'm not offering to do this right now. I have some deadlines myself. We'll have to schedule it for some time after December.
I'm not offering to pass your manuscript along to my publisher or agent. Not. This is just you and me. Two writers having a discussion about your story and what you could do to make it better.
I'm not offering to work on your book with you as part of an ongoing editorial process. It's a one-shot deal. I'll read your manuscript once, a solid, careful read. Then I'll chat with you on the phone about it. Then I'll mail it back to you with my notes.
Just so we're clear.... Are we clear?
How much is a "sizable" donation? Well.... It needs to be fairly high in order to protect my time. If it was $10, I'd get 200 manuscripts and spend the next year reading Harry Potter fanfiction. Then I would kill myself.
So I think I'm going to have to set it at 1000 dollars or more. If you're willing to donate at least a thousand dollars to Heifer, drop me an e-mail and we'll negotiate.
Negotiate what? Well... YA fantasy is easier for me to read than quantum entanglement based science fiction, so I'd probably negotiate you to kick in more out of consideration for the extra time I'd be putting in. Same thing if your manuscript is 200,000 words long. If it's full of hot lesbian vampires making out... I'm okay with that. No extra charge.
Lastly, I feel obliged to say that the only reason I feel comfortable doing this is because it's for Heifer. You see, I'm trying to do what good I can, given my situation.
It's like this, if I were a movie star I could help Heifer by showing up and taking some pictures with a goat. Then they would use my name and my picture to help spread the word about the organization.
But I can't do that. Being photogenic is not part of my skillset. If someone took a picture of me with a goat, the journalists would get confused and the caption would end up reading something like, "Heifer also gives goats to shabby hobo-looking authors like Patrick Rothfuss. Before Heifer gave him a goat, Pat was too poor to afford a haircut or a second pair of pants. Now the nutritious milk will supplement his diet of ramen noodles, keeping his bones from becoming brittle as chalk."
And that's a best-case scenario. More likely the caption would read, "Goats provide milk to needy families, while sheep can be sheared for their wool, providing warm clothes and a source of income."
No. I'm not pretty, and I'm not famous in any conventional sense of the word. But I know stories, and I eat and breathe revision. So that's what I'm offering up on Heifer's behalf.
Lastly, can any of you out there think of a cool name for this fundraiser? Obviously (given the title of the blog) I haven't been able to come up with anything cool so far. Suggestions are welcome in the comments below.
You guys are awesome. I think I can safely say that.
It's been less than four days, and we're raised over 5000 dollars. That's not counting my matching donation or any of the donations being made by people who are mailing checks or choosing option two.
If you've joined us late in the game and don't know what's going on, you should probably check out the blog OVER HERE. It gives the details of what we're doing.
News.
I've added more prizes to the Lottery option, because we're having a bigger response than I initially anticipated. I've added more maps, signed books, and a second Advance Reading Copy of book two.
I've been contacted by a bunch of authors who are donating signed books and other cool things to the cause. I'll be posting up details as soon as those books come in. We're going to have a LOT of new stuff in the mix.
My delightful PR person over at Penguin has managed to find us more copies of the DAW sampler. So we have 60 of those in the mix, each with a teaser chapter from The Wise Man's Fear.
Everyone say, "Thank you Erica."
You know she's cool, because I don't let just anyone wear my gnome hat.
Now, answers to more questions.
"Can you add an early reading copy of book two to the Sure Thing option? I'd pay ANYTHING for an advance reading copy of book two. ANYTHING!"
Really? Okay. I've added it to the list of things for sale under option two. You can buy one for 1000 bucks.
Here's the deal. I'm not saying you can have it right now. You'll get it when it's ready, and right now it isn't ready. I can't promise you a galley copy either, because I don't know how many of those I'll have at my disposal. But if I can't get you a galley, I'll print a copy off for you on my own personal printer, bind it together, sign it, and mail it to you. Maybe I'll draw a little goat on it too.
New - If you're interested in this option, keep in mind that your 1000 dollars doesn't get added to the lottery. You're effectively going for Option Two, as described over HERE. If you don't know what Option Two is, go over there and read about it.
Now just so you know, I'd never sell advance copies of the book like this just to make money. That would be crass. But this is for charity. So if you have money to burn, and you *really* want it that badly. Drop that check in the mail. I'll even add 200 bucks of my own. 1200 dollars is ten goats for ten families.
"I love that you're doing this. Can I post about this on my blog?
Absolutely. I'd like nothing better than for people to help spread the word. Tell your friends on Myspace. Twitter it. If you're on Facebook, you can join the event someone created for the fundraiser. Feel free to sign up and invite your friends. The more the merrier.
However, I would prefer if you would link to my blog, rather than trying to copy-and-paste my post. That page gets updated whenever we get new prizes or something changes.
"I plan on donating to Heifer Int'l this year as a gift to my parents. In the past, donating directly, I received a card verifying the donation. If I donate through your page will I still receive the same type of gift card/verification?"
For those of you who are new to Heifer, this is the card he's talking about:
(Click to Embiggen)
These cards are actually really cool. They talk about the work Heifer does, and how the different animals improve people's lives.
I called Heifer and they reassured me that donating off MY PAGE is just the same as donating through their gift catalogue or anywhere else on their site. You still have the option of requesting the gift cards.
"Can I donate to Heifer International using paypal?"
Nope. Sorry. But if you have Paypal, I'm guessing you have a credit card. You can use that.
"I don't have a credit card. If I mail you a check will you enter me in the lottery and match my donation?"
Absolutely.
"Can I send you cash?"
Muahahahahah....
Um.... Wait. No. You really shouldn't. It's just risky all around.
However, if you don't have a checking account or a credit card, you could get a money order and send that to me. I'll enter you in the lottery, and double your donation.
That's all for now folks, keep spreading the word.
Today I woke up feeling refreshed. The tight knot in my back that's been bothering me for almost a year was almost non-existent. I found myself singing in the shower, something that I used to do a lot, but haven't lately.
It's no great mystery what's making me feel this way. It's the fact that in less than 24 hours, we've raised more than 2000 dollars for a great charity. More that 4,000 after I match everyone's donations. Success beyond my wildest expectations.
Hmmmm.... I wish that little thermometer said, "We've raised."
Anyway, because we've had such a strong start, I waned to answer a few questions people have been asking.
"Will you stop matching donations when you hit 5,000 dollars?"
No. I'll match all the donations that are made.
Earlier today, when I told Sarah how well things were going, she looked at me a little nervously and asked, "Are you going to be okay with it if people donate 10,000 and you have to match it?"
"I expect I will whistle a jaunty tune," I said happily.
"What if they raise 20,000?" She pressed.
"Then I will probably perform a tiny, happy dance while I whistle," I explained.
Don't misunderstand me here. I'm not all Scrooge McDuck rich over here. But I can't think of any better way to go broke than this.
Truth is, when I was setting up the page on Heifer, I set the goal at 5000 because I had no idea if y'all would be interested. I didn't want to set it really high, because then if I only got a few donations, I'd feel like a sad loser.
But because this actually seems to be going somewhere, here's what I'm going to do.
I'm going to raise the goal on the donations page to 10,000. If we hit that, I'll be all tingly.
I'm also going to add more prizes to the pool, so that everyone still has a good chance of getting something cool. That way, you can tell help me recruit more people without feeling like you're ruining your chances to win stuff.
I'll post up more details about the new prizes in a couple days.
Can I do some fundraising of my own, then donate it and have you match it?
By all means. Have a bakesale. Search under the couch cushions at your friends' houses. Show people at work the website then pass the hat. I'm matching donations from any and all who want to chip in.
But make sure you get it in by Dec 11th. And make sure you donate through THE PAGE I SET UP. That's the only way I can track donations.
"I can buy chicks on your page, but not baby ducks!"
Yeah. They don't offer all the different options on the donor pages. The cost of a flock of ducks is the same as for the chicks: $20.
"How much of my donation to Heifer goes to actually helping people?"
This is a fair question. A lot of so-called charities are actually just scams that collect money, then use a very small amount of it for the intended purpose.
But trust me that I've done my research. Heifer is an award-winning charity for a reason. They've been doing good works for over 60 years.
Heifer keeps all its financial records available to the public, and 75% of everything it collects go directly toward helping people.
Here's a nice visual breakdown from Heifer's site.
You can see here that less than seven percent of their money goes toward administration. That's exceptional.
"I live in [foreign country]. Can I still send you a check and buy a book?"
Yes. I stopped by the post office and bank today and peppered them with questions. So here's how it will work.
It costs me $20 dollars to ship a book internationally. Every additional book in the same package adds $10 to the cost of shipping.
So here's what you do:
1) Add the extra shipping to the prices I've already given.
2) Add three bucks to cover the fee that the bank is going to charge me.
3) Convert it into your local currency. (euros, pounds, rupees, whatever)
4) Write me a check using your local currency. (This is important. Don't write me a check in dollars if that isn't what they use where you live.)
"I love that you're willing to donate to charity. Would you match my donation to [insert name of charity here] instead?"
Everyone has their favorite charity. As I said in my first post on the subject, I know there are a lot of good causes out there, and people have very personal attachments to them. Emotions run high in these areas.
Someone contacted me asking about animal shelters, another about diabetes. A third person posted a comment on the blog, arguing that people living in the US shouldn't give money to charities that support causes outside the US. I erased the post because it was harshing my groove, then I felt guilty about it because the person was very polite in making their point.
But here's what I'm getting at. I think it's important not to go all Bruce Wayne in these situations.
Follow along with me on this. Bruce Wayne's folks were killed by criminals, so he grows up and becomes Batman in order to fight crime. Because he hates crime. Because his parents were killed by crime.
Now I like Batman as much as the next guy. Good stories. Batarangs. Men in tights. He's probably my favorite superhero, or close to it. But the fact is, his whole Batman deal is pretty self-indulgent.
Think about it. Dude is a multi-billionaire. If he wanted to make the world a better place, he could create a foundation 100 times bigger than Heifer International. He could build shelters for battered women, schools in low-income neighborhoods. Sustainable agriculture. Renewable energy.
What does he do with his money? He builds super-gadgets so he can fight crime. Drives a rocket car.
Yes I know that Bruce Wayne is also a philanthropist. Don't quibble. He does a tiny bit of charity, and a whole big shitload of being Batman.
Why? Well... because it wouldn't be much of a comic if he didn't. But the other answer is, he fights crime because it makes him feel good. Not because it does good. There's a difference.
Cancer got my mom not too long ago, and it took a good hard swing at my dad, too. That means that I should be raising money for cancer research because I hate cancer, right?
Well.... no. Do I hate cancer? Of course. But if I just focused on fighting cancer for the rest of my life, I'd kind of be doing it for selfish reasons. Instead, I'd rather focus on making people's lives better. I'd like to focus on doing good, then let the feeling good be the side effect.
That's why I'm focusing on Heifer. They help people all over the world, not just here in the US. Why? Because people all over the world have it really shitty and they need help. To say that some people deserve my help more just because they're from the same country.... Nah. That's not my game. I'm playing for team human, not team USA.
Does that make sense? Wait.... What was the question again?
Oh. Yeah. Will I match donations somewhere else instead of Heifer? Respectfully, I'll pass. I'm not saying you should stop loving your charity. But I've put some thought into this, and I'm going to stick with Heifer for now.
Lastly, for anyone who's interested. I'm going to be doing a workshop (4:00) and a reading/signing (7:00) at a library in Lanesboro, MN tomorrow (Wednesday the 12th). I'm excited because I hear this place is about fifteen miles away from Lake Wobegone.
Want more details? Check out the my tour schedule page.
What's that you say? You'd like to make the world a better place while simultaneously winning fabulous prizes?
Well today is your lucky day.
Heifer International is my favorite charity. It helps people raise themselves up out of poverty and starvation. All over the world Heifer promotes education, sustainable agriculture, local industry, and clean water.
They don't just keep kids from starving, they make it so families can take care of themselves. They give goats, sheep, and chickens to families so their children have milk to drink, warm clothes to wear, and eggs to eat.
I think this is something we can all get behind.
If you're wondering *why* I'm doing this, that information is OVER HERE. This blog gives details on *how* the donation drive will work.
You've got two options for donating. Please read things all the way through before making your choice.
Option One: The Lottery.
I've created a webpage OVER HERE on Heifer's website. For every dollar you donate there, I'll donate a dollar too.
It works like this:
Elegant in its simplicity, no?
After a month's time, on December 11th, we'll have a drawing for prizes. I'll use the information from the Heifer site to get the donation totals. For every 10 bucks you've kicked in, your name will get entered into the drawing once.
So if you've donated thirty bucks, your name would go in three times. Think of it as buying tickets, if you like.
When I started this fundraiser, I thought it was mostly going to be for my readers and people on my blog. So most of the prizes centered around my book (as you can see below.) But the fundraiser has grown since then, and we're getting new stuff from generous donors all over the world. Stay tuned for new stuff.
Added Nov 18th - We have a bunch of signed books and ARCs OVER HERE.
Added Nov 20th - More signed books and ARCs OVER HERE.
Added Nov 24th - Signed manuscript of Enemies and Allies OVER HERE.
Added Nov 26th - More signed books and collectibles OVER HERE.
Added Dec 1st - Signed books from Bad Moon Press OVER HERE.
Added Dec 2nd - Signed books and prints from Peter S. Beagle OVER HERE.
Added Dec 3rd - $8000 of signed, limited-edition books from Subterranean Press OVER HERE.
Added Dec 9th - More signed books, ARC's, DVD's, and other cool swag OVER HERE.
40 color maps of the Four Corners. Signed by me.
Drawn by my friend, Nathan Taylor. Nate is also the illustrator who drew the black and white map that ended up in the book. This is the color version, so you can see some of the detail that's not available in the book, including some of the political borders.
40 Copies of The Name of the Wind Movie Poster. Signed by me.
Also drawn by Nathan Taylor. He was fantasising about them making a movie out of the book, and drew this as a mock-up of what the movie poster might look like. I love Kvothe's expression. It really captures a key piece of his personality.
Nate and I are also working on a not-for-children children's book together. So here's your chance to get hold of some of his art before he gets super famous....
90 Copies of the DAW sampler. Signed by me.
DAW put this out earlier this year as a promotional item. It's got teaser pieces from all sorts of upcoming DAW books, from authors like Tad Williams and Mercedes Lackey.
It also has a chapter from The Wise Man's Fear.
25 signed hardcover copies of the Name of the Wind.
The 5th printing with the sexy new cover.
5 copies of the College Survival Guide. Signed by me and the illustrator.
My first publication. The first four years of the humor column I wrote for the local paper, along with illustrations and annotations. Only 500 copies of this were printed, so they're hard to come by these days. Perfect for reading on the toilet.
5 First edition copies of the Name of the Wind. Signed by me.
With the old out-of-print cover. You wouldn't believe what some people are charging for these things out there.
6 Copies of Tales of Dark Fantasy. Signed by me.
This is the Subterranean Press anthology that printed my short story, "The Road to Levinshir," which is an excerpt from The Wise Man's Fear.
It also has some great stories by folks like Tim Powers and Kage Baker. It's a beautiful hardcover book, and the cover price was $40, and that was back before it sold out.
A signed copy of the first printing UK hardcover.
There aren't many of these in existence the simple reason that I don't live in England. Plus, you know how everything sounds way cooler when it's pronounced in an English accent? Well this book is WRITTEN in an English accent. How cool is that?
2 Copies of the original galley proofs of The Name of the Wind. Signed by me.
A galley is an early version of a book that publishers occasionally print in order to promote a book. There weren't that many of these printed, and the last one of them I saw on e-bay was going for over a hundred dollars. The few signed ones out there are going for more than that...
A copy of the UK galley proof. Signed by me.
I've only seen about ten of these, so a signed one is probably a bit of a collectible item.
Two advance reading copies of The Wise Man's Fear.
I need to stress that this book is not ready to read yet. Not. Ready. To Read. Yet. That means you can't have it right now. (This picture is a cruel lie.) But here's the deal, if you win this, I'll make sure you get a copy as soon as it's ready to show around, before it officially hits the shelves.
An early editorial manuscript of book one.
A proto-version of The Name of the Wind, printed out on my trusty HP printer, and marked up as part of my ongoing editorial process. Includes the now absent first chapter of the book, as well as a hundred other small differences. A similar item sold for 1000 bucks over in England a while back, and the one they have now is going for more than that. So odds are, if you don't want it, you can sell it to someone else who does....
Two things:
Make sure you donate on MY PAGE. Otherwise I won't know you donated, won't have access to your e-mail, and won't be able to include you in the fun.
Option Two: The Sure Thing.
Or, as I like to think of it, the Christmas Present Option.
Over the last couple months, people have been contacting me, asking if I'm still signing books like I mentioned in my blog from long ago.
The simple answer is, "yes." You mail me the book, something cool, and a check to cover return shipping, and I'll sign your book.
But right now, in honor of the Heifer fundraiser, I'm willing to streamline the process. Rather than you buying a book, finding something cool, packaging it up, and paying for shipping both ways, you can just mail me a check and I'll send you a book signed however you like. Then I'll ship it right back to you, carefully packaged and in time for Christmas.
Here's a list of the books I've got stockpiled here in my house. (For more detailed descriptions, look above.)
New - Signed color version of the Four Corners map. $40
Signed hardcover (5th edition with the new bluish cover) - $45
Signed copy of Your College Survival Guide - $65
Signed copy of Tales of Dark Fantasy - $75
SOLD OUT First Edition Hardcover - $85
Signed galley proof - $250
New - An ARC of book two - $1000 (Not now. When it's finished. Details HERE)
New - I will give you feedback on your manuscript - (Details HERE.)
For the most part, these prices are double what these things cost me, plus a little to cover shipping. I can get a 5th edition hardcover for 20 bucks, so they're up there for 45. The anthology I can get for 35, so they're going for 75....
The reason for this is that it's in keeping with me matching donations. If someone buys a book from me for 20 dollars and then I donate the money. They really haven't donated. They just bought a book. Follow me?
If you're going with option two, please follow these directions.
1. Write the following information on a 3 x 5 note card:
A) Which item you want.
B) EXACTLY what you'd like me to write in the book.
I have no problem personalizing books, but please be specific about what you'd like. Asking for a quote from Bast is fine. Asking me to wish someone luck in their own writing is fine. "Happy Birthday Schmendrick." "To the best lover I've ever had." It's all good.
But if your card says, "write whatever you want." I will write, "Whatever you want" in the book. Seriously.
C) Your return address.
D) Contact information. Either a phone number or an e-mail address where you can be reached.
2. Include a check. Make it out to me because I'll be using a couple bucks from each one to cover postage.
3. Mail the note card and the check to:
Pat Rothfuss P.O. Box 186 Stevens Point, WI 54481
If you live outside the US and want to buy a book, follow the instructions I've laid out in THIS BLOG. International shipping is expensive, and you need to fill out your check a certain way or my bank won't cash it.
If you'd want to buy something AND do the lottery, that's fine. So if you send in a check for 85 dollars, and specify that you'd like a copy of the College Survival Guide, I'd mail you that book, then match the extra twenty dollars and throw your name in the hat twice when we did the drawing.
If you're an author or some other interested party who would like to donate something other than money to the cause, feel free to drop me an e-mail at Paperback.contest (squiggly at sign) gmail.com
Additional questions? I might have answered them HERE or HERE or HERE. Please read through those FAQ's before you e-mail me.
That's all for now. If you have any other ideas for things that might make good prizes, feel free to leave them in a comment below.
And one more time, here's the link to MY TEAM PAGE.
Heifer International: Part One - A Charity for People Who Love Baby Ducks.
Earlier this year, I held what I thought was going to be a little photo contest. The response surprised me; hundreds of people sent in almost a thousand photos. People dressed up, stripped naked, and climbed onto rooftops. It was an eye opener for me. I realized that there were a lot of folks out there who *really* liked the book.
Ever since, I've been thinking about what sort of contest I'd like to run next. Fanart contest? Video contest? Something for the writers out there? What sort of prizes would people be interested in? Posters? Signed books? Sneak peeks of books to come?
But then I had a better idea.
Eventually, I will run the contests I mentioned above. There will be good times. We will revel in our shared geekery. Blogs will be writ. Prizes will be had.
But first, I'm hoping to direct some of this energy in a slightly different direction. If I'm going to hand out prizes, I'd like it to be for a good cause. Something I believe we all have in common....
I believe that deep down, people are good. I believe that most of us would go out of our way to take care of baby ducks.
My favorite charity is called Heifer International. They are a great force for good in the world, and I'd like to help them raise some money.
There are a lot of worthwhile charities out there. Important causes. Things I feel strongly about. But Heifer is my favorite. Here's why.
Let's say by some miracle I raised ten thousand dollars to help fight cancer, or Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's. While it would help the cause, it would just be a tiny drop in the bucket. Enough to help fund some lab's research for a couple weeks.
But we don't need to research a cure for hunger or poverty. We know how that works. Heifer doesn't just hand out bags of rice, Heifer gives a family a goat and teaches them how to take care of it. Then that family has a continual source of milk for their children. They can sell the extra milk to make money. When the goat has babies, they give those babies to other members of their community, sharing the gift.
Heifer helps people become self-reliant. As someone who has just recently become self-reliant, I know what a nice feeling that is.
My Mom loved Heifer. Every Christmas I would donate enough money for a goat, then give it to her as a present. I remember the first year I did it. She opened the envelope where I had drawn a crude picture of a goat and a happy stick-figure child.
She knew what it meant right off the bat. "Oh! I love it!" she said. And she got a little weepy, because she loved nothing better than helping people who needed it. She had a heart as big as the sky.
This is why I love Heifer. If we raise a couple thousand dollars for them, it will make peoples' lives better. A couple thousand dollars means little kids get milk to drink. It means families get sheep, which means wool for warm blankets and clothes. It means better wells, so moms with babies can have clean water to drink.
I think this is something we can all get behind, can't we?
So here's my plan, the bare bones version.
1. You will help by spreading the word, and making donations.
2. I will match all of the donations, dollar for dollar.
3. We both have a big warm fuzzy feeling in our chests that lets us know we've helped make the world a better place.
4. Finally, as a gesture of my appreciation, I will supply gifts for the people who participated: Signed books, maps, sneak peaks of book two, stuff like that.
This blog is to explain *why* I'm doing this. The details about *how* are over here on THIS BLOG. There are links to my Heifer Team page and details about the prizes. So hop on over there and check it out.
