100K Blog – Signed Books by Pratchett, Gaiman, and More (and Moore)

This is a Worldbuilders blog.

Okay. I’ve had my holiday break. I’m relatively rested and recharged.  You’ll be seeing more blogs than normal in these next couple weeks. Not just fundraiser stuff, but some other blogs that I’ve been meaning to post for some time.

We hit our 100K target a week or so back. So, as promised, here’s a bonus blog full of books I’m personally adding to the lottery. A lot of these I’ve collected over the last year while attending conventions. Most of them are first editions and signed by the authors.

I’ll be doing another bonus blog when we hit 150K. Which, judging by the look of that thermometer over there, is probably going to happen pretty soon….

Recently someone wrote me an e-mail asking, “What do you do when your life sucks and you don’t want to write any more?”

I replied, “I read Terry Pratchett.”

It amazes me that there are some fantasy readers out there that still haven’t read Pratchett. I can’t fix that for everyone, but one person in the lottery is going to win the chance to read all the Pratchett their geeky little heart desires….

I got to meet Terry Pratchett this year, though only very briefly. In this blog I told the story of how I was lucky enough to get him to sign one book for me.

This was that book. I could probably auction it off for a pretty penny. But I’d rather put it in the lottery where anyone can get it.

Honestly, I don’t have any idea where I got these ARCs. But I figured I’d throw them into the mix, too. Thud! is one of my very favorite Discworld novels.

  • One first edition hardcover copy of The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens. Signed by the author.

“This fast-paced, fully imagined fantasy is by turns frightening and funny, and the siblings are well-crafted and empathetic heroes. Highly enjoyable, it should find many readers.” – Publishers Weekly

“This book has it all: a creepy setting, a deadly curse, reincarnation, spells, witchcraft and voodoo, plus characters that simply will not let the reader put the book down until finished…Who could ask for more?” – VOYA

  • One first edition hardcover copy of Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. Signed by the author.

I’ve already gushed about Nnedi a couple times here on the blog in this last month. So I won’t bother repeating myself. Besides, why would you bother listening to me when Ursula K Le Guin is vouching for her…?

“There’s more vivid imagination in a page of Nnedi Okorafor’s work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics.” – Ursula K. Le Guin

“Romantic and blood-streaked, and infused with magic so real you can feel it on your fingertips – Deathless is beautiful.” – Cory Doctorow

  • One first edition hardcover copy of A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin. Signed by the author.

“Martin’s love for sophisticated, deeply strange fantasy permeates “Dance” like a phantasmagorical fever dream.” – L.A. Times

“A grand adventure and an inspiration that is not to be missed.” – Kirkus Review

  • One first edition hardcover copy of Ghost Story by Jim Butcher. Signed by the author.

Pat’s Note: I make no bones about my love for Jim Butcher. The Dresden Files is possibly my favorite current series that I’m reading.

“Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Philip Marlowe.” – Entertainment Weekly

  • One first edition hardcover copy of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Signed by the author.

How much do I like this book?

Well… last year at House on the Rock, me and my crew dressed up as the ghosts in the book. Because that’s how we roll.

(As you can see, Oot was Bod.)

We almost won the costume contest too….

…but that, as they say, is another story.

The Graveyard Book manages the remarkable feat of playing delightful jazz riffs on Kipling’s classic Jungle Books. One might call this book a small jewel, but in fact it’s much bigger within than it looks from the outside.” – Peter S. Beagle

  • One hardcover copy of The Boy at the End of the World by Greg van Eekhout. Signed by the author.

The Boy at the End of the World is both moving and full of adventure. This remarkable survival story will change the way readers think about themselves and the world they live in.” – Sarah Prineas, author of The Magic Thief

From outrageously funny New York Times bestselling author Christopher Moore and award-winning screenwriter and director Ian Corson, THE GRIFF: A Graphic Novel is about an alien invasion of Earth and the motley crew of humans who save the world—sort of . . .

  • One leather-bound, gold-leaf paged copy of Lamb by Christopher Moore. Signed by the author.

This year when I was at San Diego Comic Con I got to meet Christopher Moore. While I was there, I got lucky and bought two copies of the special gold-leaf edition of Lamb. The first one was for me, of course, but the second one I’ve been holding on to so I could put it in the fundraiser.

It’s a pretty book, gold leaf around the pages. This edition also has the faux leather cover, so it’s extra valuable, as faux are now endangered species and can’t be hunted for their skins any more.

It also has a little bookmark, so you know it’s posh.

All joking aside, this is a great book.Laugh-out-loud funny in places, sweet and touching in others. If you haven’t read any Moore before, this is a good place to start.

*     *     *

Remember, for every 10 dollars you donate on the Worldbuilders Team Page, you get a chance to win these books and hundreds of others.

What’s more, Worldbuilders will match 50% of your donations. So if you chip in before January 31st of 2012, you get a bigger bang for your buck.

To see the other books folks have donated, as well as our auctions, and the items we’re selling in the store, you can head over to our main page HERE.

This entry was posted in Worldbuilders 2011By Pat45 Responses

45 Comments

  1. senkura
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 6:11 AM | Permalink

    I know people who would kill for that entire set of Terry Pratchett books. Kill with a smile on their faces.

    I know some awesome, but rather alarming, people.

    Great selection, Pat.

    • DMage
      Posted January 6, 2012 at 6:25 AM | Permalink

      i would burn a whole town to get those…. of course, that wouldn’t work, as the books would burn too… maybe…

      Anyway, i want those.

  2. DMage
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 6:27 AM | Permalink

    Pat, how does this work for people outside the states? I’m from Chile, if i were to win a book in the loterry, how would that be delivered (or, if you are just not delivering outside the states, i would like to know)

    • Posted January 6, 2012 at 6:28 AM | Permalink

      We do mail prizes internationally.

  3. Erzberger
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 7:06 AM | Permalink

    Holy cow. That really is something.

  4. Ahnita
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 7:17 AM | Permalink

    I donated $10, which is unfortunately all I can afford. But when you look at the website, that’s halfway to a flock of chicks! What an amazing charity. The sustainability and community building (using the Pass Along) that it offers the world is really sensational.

  5. dcist
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 7:33 AM | Permalink

    I’m sure others have said this, but thank you for doing these posts. Even if I don’t get anything in the lottery, the information you’ve shared should keep me up to my neck in titles and authors for quite some time.

  6. kdculb
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 7:37 AM | Permalink

    I know everybody loves math so here it is… the probability post.

    I am using the following assumptions:
    $200,000 total donations
    1,500 prizes
    $120 donation or 1 goat (Pat’s favorite)

    C(12,0) = number of ways 0 of your tickets can be drawn
    C(19988,1500) = number of ways to pick 1500 tickets from tickets that aren’t yours
    C(20000,1500) = number of ways to pick 1500 tickets from total pool

    The probability that you have 0 winners is:

    C(12,0)*C(19988,1500)/C(20000,1500) = .3923 = 39.23%
    Probability of winning exactly 1 item = 38.19%
    2 items = 17.03%

    at least 1 item = 60.77%
    3 or more items = 5.55%

    if you donate $1000 or 2 heifers it becomes:

    Probability of winning exactly 0 items = 0.04%
    1 item = 0.33%
    2 items = 1.33%
    3 items = 3.52%
    4 items = 6.95%
    5 items = 10.85%

    Probability of winning something = 99.96%
    more than 3 items = 94.78%
    more than 5 items = 76.98%
    more than 7 items = 47.83%

    Remember the 2 really important things:
    1. This money is going to a good cause to help people help themselves.
    2. If we can donate enough money that Pat has to match we can keep him writing good books ;)

    • senkura
      Posted January 6, 2012 at 7:44 AM | Permalink

      I bow before your genius. And quietly crawl away where the numbers cannot scare me anymore.

      • daedos
        Posted January 6, 2012 at 9:16 AM | Permalink

        Seek shelter under my lean-to of shame…

    • Constance
      Posted January 6, 2012 at 1:11 PM | Permalink

      UNLIKELY MATHS!

    • Gajos
      Posted January 6, 2012 at 2:00 PM | Permalink

      Should’nt it be C(19988,1500-o) ?

      • kdculb
        Posted January 7, 2012 at 2:30 PM | Permalink

        Let me recalculate… ;)

    • Jam
      Posted January 8, 2012 at 9:33 PM | Permalink

      I like this so much!!!

  7. Widow Of Sirius
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 9:34 AM | Permalink

    Tiny gods, I want this stuff. I JUST finished Grave Peril, so I have a ways to go before I get to Ghost Story, but that’s definitely one (of the many, many, MANY) that I want.

    • Oatmeal
      Posted January 6, 2012 at 9:41 AM | Permalink

      I’m in the middle of Turn Coat… Damn Pat getting me all addicted to the Dresden Files. I’m trying to read them as slowly as possible though, so I am saving them as my bus books. Until I reach the end, if I’m more than 85% through, I will hide in my room til I’m finished. :o)

      • Widow Of Sirius
        Posted January 6, 2012 at 4:17 PM | Permalink

        Yeah, the boyfriend and I listen to the audio books on long car rides. Our families live on opposite ends of the state, and we live right in the middle, so there tends to be a lot of driving involved in holidays and such. Still, it’s been a slow, winding process to get through just these three books.

      • ShaneJ
        Posted January 6, 2012 at 8:59 PM | Permalink

        Every book in the series is awesome, but you’re amost to Changes which was my all time favorite book in the series so far!

        • Oatmeal
          Posted January 7, 2012 at 3:06 AM | Permalink

          I’m really excited for that one. I keep looking at the cover and just wondering.
          I have to say, I didn’t really realize the amount of time taking place between each book until he said that something (to prevent spoilers I won’t say what) happened almost 10 years ago. I love that …

          • daiceman
            Posted January 8, 2012 at 3:39 AM | Permalink

            Butcher has said before, he likes to think of each books as “harry’s worst week of the year.” When the 13th book comes out this summer, it’ll be ~12 years after the events of the first book.

          • ShaneJ
            Posted January 8, 2012 at 8:12 PM | Permalink

            Yeah each book takes place about a year after the previous one, and he’s written short stories that fill in alot of the gaps between books, the majority of them were packaged together into the book Side Jobs. So you could also pick that up when your all caught up!

          • Oatmeal
            Posted January 9, 2012 at 5:02 AM | Permalink

            Ok, from the very first line of Changes it is my favorite book so far. Turn Coat was utterly amazing, but Changes has got me as enthralled as I generally get at the end of one of the books, from the very beginning. I’m even reading it when I’m not on the bus. LOL. On the one hand I want to get to it as quickly as possible, but on the other I want it to last. *sigh* Choices, choices …
            I already have Side Jobs, I’m looking forward to that one too.

          • Oatmeal
            Posted January 15, 2012 at 5:27 AM | Permalink

            Done with Ghost Story. Ummmm … wow. That’s all I can say. Wow.
            Now I’m listening to them all on audio. Well, not at the same time. I’m listening to Storm Front right now. I think I have an obsession. :o)

  8. kris.rudin
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 12:15 PM | Permalink

    OK, OK! I give in! I couldn’t resist any longer – I donated! ;-)

    And, actually, I’m very familiar with Heifer Int’l, as our family gives each other ‘gifts’ of donations – this year I ‘gave’ my sister a flock of chicks, and in my mom’s memory I also donated honeybees. We’ve done this for Christmas for several years now, and it’s so much fun! I always print out the little cards, with an appropriate picture, and wrap it up in a fancy envelope with a bow. They look so nice sitting under the tree!

    Anyway, you have lured me with just TOO many wonderful possibilities, and the fact that it’s Heifer, and I know what a great program it is. Kudos to you, my man, for doing this whole fund-raising gig!

  9. Constance
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 1:11 PM | Permalink

    Oh my. These prizes inspired me to donate again so I can try to win one of them! Lovely, lovely selections!

  10. QWOPtain Crunch
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 1:11 PM | Permalink

    I saw the signed Dance with Dragons and nearly wet myself. Upon seeing that, my wallet cried out and ripped itself to shreds in a hopeless gesture.

  11. Physicker
    Posted January 6, 2012 at 10:27 PM | Permalink

    Indeed, I must say that the Martin book also caught my eye, but more so because I think I remember from one of the book tour stops with Pat that he mentioned he had never read any of George Martin’s books. This of course makes me wonder if that has changed since that time (March 2011 I believe), and also if Pat has read all of these books as well. Care to enlighten us on that Pat? Simply curious…

  12. The Other Pat
    Posted January 7, 2012 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

    Just curious, what’d you edit out of the Discworld image, Pat? :P

  13. ashley_capes
    Posted January 7, 2012 at 10:05 PM | Permalink

    Massive.

  14. dancer7887
    Posted January 7, 2012 at 10:22 PM | Permalink

    150,000!!!!!! yeah!!!!

    • Erzberger
      Posted January 8, 2012 at 2:20 AM | Permalink

      I´ll add a “hell yeah”!

      • ashley_capes
        Posted January 8, 2012 at 9:01 AM | Permalink

        Seconded

  15. rjleduc
    Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:07 PM | Permalink

    Lottery suggestion:

    I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a number of people in the same situation as myself: possessing a copy of both your books, but unsigned.

    And dearly wanting to have them signed!

    Have you considered as a lottery item the following: the right to mail in a single copy of NotW and WMF, have them signed by yourself and then mailed back?

    This would top my wish list.

    Ryan

  16. eli057
    Posted January 8, 2012 at 12:18 PM | Permalink

    Has some malware infected Pat’s computer and taken over his blog in a manner that he does not even know? I used to come here quite often to read Pat’s musings and experiences – pretty enjoyable way to diffuse the frustration at the unbearable wait for book 3. Yet now , every time I check this out , it’s just another wordbuilder list of books with the regurgitated descriptions about this and that awesome author and how much money they’ve raised. How long can this go on for? Does this really qualify for legit blog postings? The first few times I thought it was cool , but now they have taken over this blog and reduced it to the red cross red shield of science fiction fantasy book shillation. I am sure this is really offensive to some people and wordbuilders somehow is involved in some great altruistic service of mankind that is worth turning Pats blog into its borg slave. But in the off chance that this in fact malware that is deleting all original posts on the blog and leaving us with the WB manifesto can someone please do something about it?

    • Posted January 8, 2012 at 1:22 PM | Permalink

      Well, since the fundraiser only goes till 31st January, it’s a safe bet that lots of posts until then will be Worldbuilders-related. If you aren’t a fan of that, I’d recommend staying away from the blog until 1st February… but even then, it’s Pat’s blog, and he can do as he likes with it. I don’t recall a Worldbuilders post that ever demanded anyone to donate nor berated those that don’t, so I can’t imagine why you seem so upset about it.

      • Peeper_j
        Posted January 8, 2012 at 7:48 PM | Permalink

        Well said, Maggie!

    • Jam
      Posted January 8, 2012 at 10:25 PM | Permalink

      Offensive? Raising money to help people who don’t have the means to support themselves or their community in order so that they may actually support themselves and not rely on continued aid in the long-term is offensive?

      Worldbuilders has been going on for a few years now and while I don’t have any money to donate, the blogs at this time are the reason I like Mr Rothfuss so much. They mightn’t be the entertaining posts we adore, but where’s your charity spirit? Get involved.. You might win some awesome books..

    • christie
      Posted January 9, 2012 at 5:22 AM | Permalink

      Didn’t your parents ever teach you: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

      Or perhaps … It is better to be silent and thought a fool, rather than speak thereby removing all doubt.

      Pat, please keep all your warm fuzzies, and may your cereal be safe as well.

    • ryssgarden
      Posted January 9, 2012 at 4:46 PM | Permalink

      Is this Ambrose, trolling?

    • themantheycalled mikeal stanne
      Posted January 9, 2012 at 8:14 PM | Permalink

      well…… in some ways i agree, but it is his blog, so let him do what he wishes with it, brave of you to speak your mind.

    • Oatmeal
      Posted January 15, 2012 at 5:26 AM | Permalink

      Holy Crap, Pat’s promoting HIS charity on HIS blog! The horror! The Shame! The pure unadulturated bullshit!
      He should focus on entertaining us all and nevermind the charity he created to help others in a way that he feels strongly about. He’s donated almost a million dollars over the years, but that can all fuck off, give us our Photo Contest!
      *sigh*

  17. eli057
    Posted January 9, 2012 at 6:10 AM | Permalink

    ok fine , you guys are right. I just hope the money actually goes to helping human beings rather than lining the pockets of the executives and bureaucrats that run the charity (as most large scale charities go). It always amazes me how we love to raise money for poor people overseas yet when we look at the guy or family down the block who struggles somehow our altruism disappears and we say let them get a job!

  18. eli057
    Posted January 10, 2012 at 5:10 PM | Permalink

    I am sorry , my post was in bad taste and it really does look like a good cause. Please forgive.

  19. Posted January 10, 2012 at 7:37 PM | Permalink

    You get 100 life points for having the humilty to apologize. :-) In my classroom 100 lifepoints would buy some serious swag from the school store, so that’s a big deal :-)

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