I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Free Books! (mostly)

And you know what I am for book giveaways. So far November is blossoming over with contests and giveaways.

Before we get to getting books, remember it's all in the spirit of giving. The incomparable Jim Hines is doing it again ("Let him, let him" - sorry, saw Young Frankenstein over the weekend, it's one of those movies that keeps me giggling for a week, "Froderick!"). He's collecting books from authors and other types to donate to his local domestic violence shelter. In the spirit of the freshly dead campaign commercial, I wholeheartedly endorse this message. My local shelter receives the majority of my charitable giving. It's an issue that cuts close to home for me. You go, Jim.

In other Jim news, he's running a contest to win a free copy of The Stepsister Scheme. I've already won something from Jim this year (and it rocks), so I'm not going to enter this one. But the idea of the contest, photo of you, your pet, 8" action figures, whatever, reading one of his books is inspired.

In other contest news, Joshua Palmatier is giving away the German version of The Skewed Throne. And this one is even easier to enter, all you have to do is comment. I mean, except for those European Email Sweepstakes, it just doesn't get any easier to enter. Plus, you get a cool book in German. How many of you have a book in German on your shelves? (okay, okay, yeah, I know many of you do)

And in other giveaway news, Matt Jarpe will give you a paperback copy of Radio Freefall for just putting a widget on your site (well, the first five people who do so, there's other requirements, which put me out of competition).

And, while not really a giveaway, Apex is raffling (is that a word?) off a whole slew of goodies. Grocked from the ever fab Cherie Priest, who, BTW is guest blogger over at Jeff VanderMeer's Estatic Days where she talks about some cool stem-punk themes (ZEPPELINS!).

Edit I thought I had mentioned this before, but in case I didn't, William Jones is also running a contest that's almost over. To win you have to guess what's in the book. Sorta like "how many jelly beans" but with authors and stories. Contest closes 11-15-08. Also, I haven't seen him close the blog entry contest for the same book.

3 comments:

Jim C. Hines said...

Thanks for the plugs, Steve!

Rick said...

Yes indeed, thanks for putting this up Steve. After I get the miles out of my system (three days on the road and it feels like I'm still driving while typing), I'll check everything out.

Steve Buchheit said...

No worries, Jim. Like I said, local women's shelters are my charity of choice (next is breast cancer research and awareness, then general cancer, the foodbanks, etc). Women's shelters sometimes get lost in the shuffle because of public focus and their need for some secrecy.

I know that feeling. Especially when you try to go to sleep and you still feel the road going on, even when you're in bed. It's sort of like the Tetris playing (where you dream you're playing tetris), only full sensory.