Editor’s Note: This is a long post, I apologize, but once you get to the end I think you’ll find that it was well worth the journey!
Given the fact that I have changed my blog header to showcase figures from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman/The Dreaming comics series and that yesterday’s post was very Neil-centric, it was no surprise to see Stephanie’s comment in yesterday’s post: “You are certainly a big Neil Gaiman fan…”
My first thought was, “is she calling me fat?”. Considering I am hosting the 10:4 Challenge that isn’t a real stretch of the imagination.
Then I remembered that Neil himself had confirmed this and I felt much better. (And before you think it, no, I didn’t do anything as corny as go up to Mr. Gaiman and tell him “I’m your biggest fan”. This book was lovingly transported to the World Fantasy Convention in Seattle years back by a very good friend of mine who was attending as a participant)
The fact of the matter is, though, that Neil Gaiman’s works, particularly Neverwhere, have had a profound influence in my life. In the same way that Brian Daley’s Han Solo novels and Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat novels kindled the flame of reading in my young child’s heart, Neverwhere rekindled that flame of the child within. I read this book at a point in my life where I was post-college, married, Tori was a toddler, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my career. At that time in my life I wasn’t reading as much as I had when I was younger and I was just beginning to rediscover and embrace all the things that I now cherish and become insanely geeky over.
Who I am really began to coalesce during the period of time in which I was introduced to Neil Gaiman through The Sandman and then discovered Neverwhere. In reading it I felt as if someone had reached gently back into my early adolescent daydreams and written a story just for me. It was, and remains, that powerful of an experience for me and in my memory is the first book that made me understand how a work of fiction can touch one person intimately while remaining unimpressive to another.
Over the years I have given Neverwhere away to a number of people, usually packaged in such a way to include images and symbols from the story that will have special meaning to the person once they have read it. One person gave me back some very special hand-crafted items as a thanks: the gift from Old Bailey feather and the box and key (both pictured above). Neverwhere is that kind of book…it is filled with thematic imagery and symbolism that you can take away with you, hold, examine, cherish. When I came across the booth selling bracelets at the Kansas City Plaza Art Fair a few years ago that had one that said “Mind the Gap”, I knew I had to have one because of what Neil had written in my treasured copy of Neverwhere. It is all about connection for me.
The Once Upon a Time Challenge did not start out to be a Neil Gaiman love fest for me, but as I typed the initial post his poem Instructions kept reverberating through my head, and Stardust became the perfect book to tell those who had never read fantasy: “here, try this”. To my great delight many of you have read and now treasure Stardust and several of you have tried other of Gaiman’s works.
Because of that I have had a big smile on my face the past 2 months and as a reward I want to announce two new Once Upon a Time Challenge Giveaways. I will be running these two giveaways concurrently and the deadline for both will be the final day of the Challenge, June 21st, 2007.
Giveaway #1: The Six Degrees of Neil Gaiman Prize Pack
This is a ‘thank you’ for those of you who already were, have become, or in the next month may become fans of Neil Gaiman.
What must you do to qualify?:
Read and do a review of a Neil Gaiman book. Those few of you who don’t have blogs can send me a book report…or take me out to lunch and talk to me about Neil (you know who you are!). The great thing about this is that if you’ve already done this, your name is already in the drawing.
If you haven’t read a Neil Gaiman story for this challenge, however, you still have a little over one month to do so, and you can even substitute that book for one of the others on your challenge list. Do so and get the review up by the 21st of June and your name is entered into the drawing.
Lastly, if you read, or re-read Neverwhere and do a review on your site by the 21st of June you can get your name entered in the drawing.
What that means is there are ways for you to get your name into the drawing hat more than once, thus increasing your odds of winning.
And what might you win?:
And that is just a start! Non-pictured items will include some Gaiman-inspired objects similar in spirit to the ones my friend made for me, and other various and sundry Gaiman-ish items I come across in the Droppings Vault over the next month. This really will be a great prize pack.
Simply post the links to your Gaiman reviews on the Challenge Book Review Site and your name is in the drawing! All Gaiman review links posted on that site will get their names placed in the hopper for the drawing on the 21st. The more reviews of Gaiman works you have on there (and you have to have read them during the challenge…no going back and writing from reading them way back when) the more times your name will be entered in the drawing.
Giveaway #2: The Once Upon a Time Challenge Grand Prize
This prize pack contest will be for those who complete the challenge by the deadline of June 21st. Remember, there are multiple ways to complete the challenge and I am one of those generous challenge hosts who don’t make people stick to their commitment lists. I know all too well that during a reading challenge some other book that fits the criteria may find its way into your hands that is too hard to resist. Book substitution is okay, as long as you’re doing so within the time frame of the contest.
Don’t be discouraged if you are a bit behind, there is over one month left in the challenge and this prize pack is something you will want to be in the running for.
The Grand Prize includes:
*An unopened, shrink-wrapped copy of Spectrum 13, the premiere book of fantasy and science fiction art on the planet. This book is incredible! Do you enjoy my Friday Favorite posts? The Spectrum books are my inspiration.
*An unread copy of The Conquering Sword of Conan with lush illustrations by Gregory Manchess.
*A signed art print by Matt Wilson, a frequent presence in the Spectrum art books.
*Your very own Lisa Snellings-Clark Little Red Poppet
*A candle (because candles and fantasy just seem to go together)
*A few items from my recent antique store/anniversary trip
*One of my favorite Alphonse Mucha cards
*A Kinuko Y. Craft postcard
And MUCH, MUCH more. Not pictured:
* A copy of the soon to be released Vol 5 of Hi-Fructose Magazine. This is a great art magazine and it just so happens that this volume will feature James Jean, one of the most amazing fantasy illustrators working today.
*A gently used copy of one of my most recent favorite films, Stranger Than Fiction (I ended up with two and thought this would be a lovely addition to the fantasy challenge grand prize pack as it has such a wonderful fantasy thread weaved throughout the story.)
*A set of cards from tomorrow’s Friday Favorite post
*A white XL Endicott Studio t-shirt (pictured here)
*and lots more fun little things. It will be HUGE!!!
Just shoot me an email at cvincent68@comcast.net or leave me a comment in the this or any of the coming posts between now and June 21st to let me know you completed the challenge and I’ll put your name in the drawing.
__________________________
As if this post wasn’t long enough, I wanted to mention that tomorrow’s Friday Favorite post will include a very simple writing contest, the winner of which will be receiving a fantastic prize pack (you’ll have to wait until tomorrow).
And Monday will see us vere slightly off the Once Upon a Time path to the A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away path. That’s right, it is Star Wars week. All done in order to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, March 25th. The Star Wars geek-out will also include a prize at the end of the week for those who participate in the week’s posts, so be prepared.
That means Stainless Steel Droppings will have Four giveaways running concurrently next week! That is a record!
Its all because I treasure you all and really enjoy the mutual sharing of our passions with one another.
I hope to see you all joining in on all the contests.
Happy Thursday everyone. You deserve a prize just for getting to the end of this dang thing!!! 😉
You must have just posted this! No comments yet!
I am beginning to think that you should find authors and offer to become their Publisist Agent! I think you do more to get people to read then most promoters do!
You are just far too awesome, Carl! Loving the prize packs – fantastic!
Your photo reminded me that I really need, at some point, to locate hardback editions of both Neverwhere and American Gods. Speaking of which, I should be posting my “review” of American Gods in the next couple of days…it’s a tough one to do, so much I’d like to say…so many notes to sift through.
I’m intrigued by the writing contest! Look forward to seeing what you have in store there.
Neil Gaiman and his work have had and are having a great influence on my life too. His work and his blog remind me of what I want to do and why I want to do it. His words remind me that I can, and inspire me to reach for what I want.
That and my love for his work has led me to encounter people like you and Chris, and share that enthusiasm. Yay!
Aaargh! I am drooling over your Six Degrees of Neil Gaiman Prize Pack, but of course I didn’t sign up for your Once Upon a Time Challenge as I was over committed with some of my work reading. Since I read and reviewed Stardust on my blog, anyway a couple of weeks ago (inspired by you as it happens!) does that mean I’m allowed to cheat and enter the draw anyway?! What absolutely fabulous giveaways you’ve got going!
What a fun post! So much cool stuff. Your thought on Neverwhere were such a pleasure to read. It really was such an incredible book. There’s just something about Gaiman. He’s totally in a league of his own. He’s magical with words. I think I’m going to tack on Sandman: The Dream Hunters illustrated by Amano for challenge for my review to qualify me for the prize 😉 I also just discovered that I’ve actually read 5 books for the challenge! So I guess you can put me down for having completed my mission! Though of course, I’m still going strong….
Thanks Deslily…if you can find me that job I’ll take it!!! 🙂
“His work and his blog remind me of what I want to do and why I want to do it” Me too.
Have your read Monarch of the Glen at the end of Fragile Things? If not, I highly recommend it. It is an American Gods novella and it is very nice to find out what has happened to Shadow since the events of AG. If you have a chance to buy or borrow from the library a copy of Fragile Things on CD, listening to Neil read Monarch is great!
I am hoping for good participation in the writing contest. It is one of those deceptively simple things. Shouldn’t take too long and yet could take forever!!! 😉
Equano, the Once Upon a Time Challenge includes 4 Quests. One of them is:
“Quest Four: Read at least one book from the four genres. This is for those who don’t read much, or those who feel that this type of story is so far out of the realm of what they normally read that committing to anything beyond one story is asking too much. (In other words, this is only a one book commitment)”
That means that if you go click on the Once Upon a Time Challenge link and join the contest then post a link to your review of Stardust in one the book review site, then you’re in!!! If you read even more Gaiman and do reviews before the 21st of June you have even more chances!!!
Chris, Dream Hunters is one of the items that I cannot believe I haven’t bought yet. I need to pick that up.
Carl, the prize packs you’ve put together here are AMAZING! I’m very impressed with the amount of effort you have put into this reading challenge, and I’m delighted to have been a part of such a great group.
And yes, I’ve already finished my commitment of five books, so please please PLEASE add my name to the Gaiman drawing (LOVED Anansi Boys) and to the Grand Prize Drawing as well.
You’re an amazing host. Keep up the good work. 🙂
The prizes are fantastic!!!
Good Lord, I should have proof read that before I posted it. All kinds of grammatical errors and missing words! Sorry!
Proof reading is overrated….LOL!
Carl – I have and I enjoyed it a great deal. Actually, I just realised – I’ve re-visited three Gaiman books for this challenge so far…and having finished AG, I am sorely tempted to revisit Anansi Boys, although I feel I should probably finish up some of the others on my list/stack first.
I’ve popped the Fragile Things audiobook on my wishlist, so hopefully I’ll get to hear that in the not too distant future!
I’ve been thrilled with everything about this challenge, and yet…it keeps getting better!!!
You ARE an amazing host, Carl!
An aside– I’m already collecting titles for the next R.I.P. Challenge. 🙂
I finished this challenge a long time ago, so I am excited that I can be entered in both contests because the prizes are great. 🙂
You were in the running right away, Kailana. As the first one to complete the challenge there and doing so in record time you didn’t even have to remind me! Ha! 😉
Thanks JenClair. I am doing the same. My R.I.P. list for Sept/Oct. is getting HUGE!!!
I think this needs a mention on my blog.
I’m another one amassing a pile of books for the RIP challenge. Will have to be very good and make sure I don’t break into that pile before the challenge starts!
With as many as I, and many of you, have we should start the R.I.P. Challenge in July!!!
Just can’t get that old gothic feeling in the warm July/August sun though….
I’m glad someone else has such fond memories of the Daly Han Solo novels, IMHO the best Star War novels written. I treasure my three-in-one omnibus copy.
wow, such fantastic giveaways… this is very generous of you, Carl.
Neil is my favourite author, and he’s had a huge impact in my life. I make Quixotic’s words mine: He reminds me of what I want to do, and why I want to do it, and also that I am capable of doing it, if only I devote myself enough.
I loved reading this post of yours – it’s really wonderful to see that others share my passion. You do a great job of passing this passion along to others, and that is beautiful to see.
I’ve re-read both American Gods and Coraline for the challenge, but now I’m very tempted to revisit Neverwhere as well – I’ve been meaning to for a while, and now would be the perfect time.
As for finishing the challenge, I more or less have – I’ve read 5 folklore books – but I’m yet to complete the goal I set for myself, which is read 5 books of each of the five categories.
Wow, sounds like you’re putting a lot of thought and time into this!
Oh, and since I’ve read about 7 qualifying books now. I guess I’ve technically completed the challenge. But I’ll continue to see how many books I rack up till the time runs out… lol
OK….for the record, I NEVER SAID YOU WERE FAT!! 🙂
And I also did not join this challenge for the prizes, but they are really amazing! I can’t believe you are giving away such great stuff!! In fact, Neil Gaiman is the reason I joined this challenge!! I read my first book, American Gods, about 2 weeks before you announced the challenge and loved it so much I knew I had to join. Fantasy/SciFi is the one genre that has eluded me all these years. I’m a late starter, but I think I’ve found a home! I just yesterday posted a review of Anansi Boys on my site….and have been thinking I should be reading Neverwhere before I read anything else!!
Thank you for being such a wonderful host and posting such great information. I can’t believe all the cool things I’m learning about as we head toward Midsummer’s Night!
Carl you should change your name to Mr. Generosity, both for these prizes and for the way you share the stuff you love, like Neil Gaiman’s work.
And I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but I love your new header
*each of the FOUR categories (I’ve apparently forgotten how to count).
Don’t feel bad Nymeth, You forgot how to count and I forgot how to use the english language :p
You truly are an incredible host, Carl! I’m beginning to doubt my ability to finish the challenge, but I’ve got to tell you that I’ve already won a valuable prize…I got introduced to and fell in love with a whole new world of reading. What more could one ask, huh?
Thanks Debi. That is the same prize I am looking for in these challenges as well, and it is truly priceless.
What a fantastic grouping of stuff. Like everyone else, I’m sure, I am coveting winning one of them. And I finished my fourth book this afternoon. I’m going to start another one as soon as I get off here. Everyone raved about DeLint so much that I bought one when I just happened to be in Borders last week. Again, what a creative mix of prizes you have assembled.
Which one did you get, Pat?
This was my very first reading challenge, and it’s been so much fun it’s going to be hard to beat! I’m really looking forward to your R.I.P. challenge. Thanks for being such an incredible host. Oh, and I love the new header!
Yes, yes, which one did you get Pat?! By the way, I too am accumulating a stack for the R.I.P. challenge. So many books, so little time….
The Wild Wood because I fell in love with the cover.
And thanks for asking, Chris and Carl.
That’s one I don’t have Pat, but I’d like to get that one. I like the cover too. I see you buy books the way I do…whatever cover looks the best 😉
Such great prizes. As if reading these books isn’t enough, you keep adding on. I just finished my 5th fantasy book, completing the challenge, but now I’m going to the library to find a Gaiman book. I have “Neverwhere” on my TBR list and you’ve given me extra incentive. I don’t win these things, but it’s always fun to try.
Wild Wood does indeed have a beautiful cover Chris and Pat.
Definitely go read Neverwhere, Framed. Now!!! 😉
Great idea! And very tempting prizes, Carl!
Will see if I can manage to read and write on “Angels & Visitations” over the weekend.
carl you are amazing.
you are a gem of the internet. a faerie. yes, thats what you are. i hereby proclaim you a faerie of the internet.
this blog is already wonderful and then you do these things as well. i like the internet, but probably not as much as many people. as such i only have about 6 or 7 sites i visit daily (and thats including gmail). your site is one of them.
your intelligent, insightful, erudite and very human reviews of films, books, art (and more) are wonderful to read and very stimulating! you don’t know how my amazon wishlist has bulged because of you!!! whats most significant and what i appreciate most is that you share your love for your interests, which in turn inspires us and ignites our love for art, literature and films. thank you.
and then you do this. these giveaways.
wow.
i’m actually struggling for words to express how grateful i am for this (struggling for words!? my wife would never believe it!). i think it is simply extremely generous. extremely. in this world you just don’t get things for free (or for the minimal effort it takes to read). i think the biggest thing, though, is that you don’t have to. thats what it comes down to. it takes such effort to do it and you still do it, even though you don’t need to at all. that just doesn’t happen.
it makes me feel like a child again. or at least, that same innocent wonder and pure excitement i used to feel as a child. which i guess is what you’re going for.
initially i wasn’t going to participate in this giveaway thing. i think i just felt so touched that you were doing this and you were giving away SUCH nice stuff that i thought… well i didn’t think i deserved it. i also have this backlog of books that i am trying to get on top of. but then i realised that with such a gesture as this, if it is not accepted then you won’t know how much we appreciate it. of course there will be many who’ll participate, but i personally wanted to let you know how much i appreciate what you do. so i will be reading a gaiman book (and i might just say to hell with it and take part in the other challenge too – i have been reading some books that qualify as it is…)
by you sharing your love for books and stuff you ignite our love. that love then spreads and circulates even further, with people discovering new favourite novels, magical places, feeling inspired to create their own beautiful art, coming back to you to express their gratitude and sharing their love with others…
and thats wonderful.
you are an internet faerie.
Hi, I got here through Sqt’s blog. I only got to know Gaiman this year, so I haven’t read as many books by him. I only read Good Omens (I know with Pratchett), Anansi Boys and Neverwhere. Neverwhere really blew my mind and I am trying to get others to read it as well. I had posted on my blog on Gaiman, but not really a report. So I will go and do that, because the package you put up for grabs is unbelievable. I guess the competition will get tough!
Welcome Fabienne!
Thank you so much, Jean Pierre! My head is now swelled to such an enormous size that I am going to fail the 10:4 Challenge no matter how much weight I lose! 🙂
Not sure I’m any more generous than the next guy, I just like trying to find a way to make stuff like this work. And you can never had too many books, so you deserve a chance to win the swag, the booty, as much as anyone else.
Carl, you are such a good challenge host! So many incentives and generous prizes! I am very behind, must go read now so I have a chance 🙂
You are such a generous blogger, Carl! 🙂 For once I have actually completed something–I read Stardust! I have started Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad for my Myth read, so I hope I am back on track!! Great photos–I need to be more creative, too.
Just meeting so many new bloggers with such wonderful reviews has been immense fun. Then you announced the prizes . . .
This is above and beyond. Thank you Carl, your enthusiasm is an example for all of us 🙂
oh my golly geez! you are generous! i’m only one book away from the goal! i’m definitely going to try to enter this contest. 😀
I love the Mind the Gap braclet. very cool. You must show it to me sometime please.
“and I am one of those generous challenge hosts who don’t make people stick to their commitment lists.”
Well I would hate for all that generosity to be wasted so I will take you up on it. I originally had picked Grimms’ Fairy Tales. At 700 pages I’m not sure I can get through it in time. But I have a replacement that is a pleasure to read and I can definitely get through: the Little Black Book of Stories by A.S. Byatt. I picked it up for Mother’s Day and just couldn’t wait to start reading it. The first story has that chill factor; not really scary but gives one goosebumps just a bit.
But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on the Brothers Grimm. I will keep working at it each day in the hopes of completing it in June.
Once again, thanks Carl!
Hurray! I finished the Once Upon A Time Challenge – made a post about it at my blog. Thank you for hosting it and allowing us to substitute books. It was fun and motivating even without the prize. I’m still going to read the books I originally chose – cause I intended to read them anyway.
Carl, Thanks for turning me onto Neverwhere. I absolutely loved it. You can tell Neil you sold a couple more books for him. I am going to be buying a few copies to share. Please put me in for the drawing, I love contests. I haven’t been totally following everything in your blog, but I wanted to say I love those figures, like the guy with the stack of books. I assume that is probably a character I should know, but I guess I will read up on your notes and find out!
That character is Lucius, the caretaker of a very interesting library in the world of The Sandman, the graphic novel series written by Neil Gaiman.
So glad you liked Neverwhere, it is such an amazing book. You’re definitely in the drawing!!!
Carl, just want to make sure you know that I finished the Once-Upon-a-Time Challenge. Sure do want my name in the drawing. Who could pass up those fabulous prizes?!