Thursday, June 08, 2006

BookWish

This week the Publishing Fairy has temporarily transferred his powers to me. Why? Let's just say he owed me. And as tempted as I am to transform some jackasses into the four-legged variety, my powers can only be used for good. Like granting three wishes.

No, I'm not going to stop writing, go to hell, or drop dead. Quit wishing that, will you?

Wish #1: There is a book out there that you want to read. One that you haven't gotten around to ordering, or that's not in the budget this month, or that you've put off because you had to choose between it and something else and something else won. You just don't have it yet, and you'd like to.

Here's your chance to get it for free. In comments to this post*, list the title and author of that book you wish for (it can be any book at all, just assure that it's in print and the cover price is less than $50.00 U.S.) by midnight EST on Friday, June 9, 2006. I'll draw one name from everyone who participates, buy the book, and ship it to you, no charge. I'll also throw in a signed copy of my novel Dark Need, so don't wish for that. Wish open to everyone on the planet, even if you've had wishes fulfilled here at PBW before.

Also, stayed tuned for opportunities to make Wish #2 and #3, which will be for other cool things.

[*Note: Blogger has gone bonkers so often this week I'm going to post this a little early. Also, I haven't been able to get in to respond to comments a few times this week, so this could cause a problem, too. If you try to post a comment and find you can't, e-mail your bookwish to me at LynnViehl@aol.com; same time cut-off as above.]

67 comments:

  1. "Writing the Breakout Novel," by Donald Maass. I enjoy reading books on the craft of writing. Who knows, maybe this will help me "break out!"

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  2. No, I'm not going to stop writing, go to hell, or drop dead. Quit wishing that, will you? Gasp! Who would be so sick as to wish for that?!?!

    A book I've been wanting but haven't purchased, either because I haven't gotten around to ordering or it isn't in the budget? Hmmm...I have "On Protracted War" by Mao Tse Tung in my Saved Items section of Amazon, but I know I'll buy that one soon. The one that's been sitting in the Saved Items pile since October 31, 2004 is "Logical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained New Algebraic Edition" by Irving Chernev (Paperback edition). James D. Macdonald recommended it at the Absolute Write Water Cooler, and I just haven't committed to getting it yet. I don't know why I'm so ambivalent about it, but if I were to have this "wish" granted, I'd take it as a sign I really needed to get it. (Things happen for a reason, you know.)

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  3. "Operating Instructions" by Anne Lamott. I can't find Lamott at any bookstores in Australia.

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  4. This is very cool -- and very generous -- of you, PBW. Kind of reminds me of Debra Hamel's 'Buy a Friend a Book Week'.

    My choice? Hmmm . . . probably Tom Holland's "Persian Fire".

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  5. Anonymous12:45 AM

    Wow. What a generous offer. I'd be tickled pink with 'Dark Need'. But if I get to spin the wheel for another try, I think I'd say, 'Young Miles' by Lois Bujold.

    Dang, I feel bad. I should be sending you something for all the pleasure I get from your blog. But if you insist...

    Karen, the lurker

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  6. Wow, lets see... I've been waiting for two.
    M.Christian-Running Dry.
    And...
    Someone Like You-Timothy James Beck.

    Either would be fanastic.

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  7. Anonymous1:54 AM

    Another lurker coming out to post here. Oh, the possibilities! But if I were to ask for anything, right now it'd probably be The Great Book of Amber by roger zelazny.

    Course, I'd be all fangirl about Dark Need too.

    And I've really enjoyed your insights into the writing and publishing world.

    Adele Dawn

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  8. Anonymous2:15 AM

    Talyn by Holly Lisle.

    I can't afford it right now because my budget is so tight I'm living off of rice and pasta, so I haven't got around to grabbing this one yet. From all of the good things that I've heard about it, it sounds like it is worth the price and then some.


    Crista

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  9. Any book? Hum. The top of my want to read list is Corrigan's Blood by Holly Lisle. I would love to read it, but well... I can't afford it

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  10. This is a very generous contest. I have on my list Gail Dayton's The Compass Rose.

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  11. Anonymous4:53 AM

    Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers

    Everyone seems to be talking about this and there have been tons of ads for it in RT and RWR, but alas, poor college student. :)

    Tami
    jadzia325@msn.com

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  12. Donald Maass' "Writing the Breakout Novel" or your favourite of your previous pubs.

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  13. Anonymous6:29 AM

    Falcondance, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. And of course, I'd adore the next Dark Need. I read If Angels Burn and loved it, even though my library's filing system is so wierd it took me forever to find. You wouldn't think they could make the Dewey Decimal system so confusing. Thank you!

    Becky

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  14. Easy: "On Combat" by Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen

    Grossman wrote the epoch making "On Killing", all about the human aversion to slaying, and how armies try to overcome it. Did you know that even in the worst Japanese human wave attacks in WWII, less than 5% of the allied soldiers actually discharged their weapons at the enemy. Great for civil society and the future of humanity, terrifying if you're the only person in your unit shooting at the enemy.

    According to my martial arts guru in Finland, "On Combat" follows on from "On Killing." It's all about mental training for combat; how armies, units and individuals cope with combat, and sustain morale, and how they learn to follow their tactical training in the heat of the moment.

    I suspect it'll help my longsword training and coaching. It should also inform my fiction. However, when I last checked, it's not available in the UK, so I've not got around to ordering from the US.

    (Glad to see McKee and Maaaaaasss upthread. Wonder if anybody will ask for Swain.)

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  15. Anonymous6:45 AM

    Goddesses, Whores, Wives and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity, by Sarah B. Pomeroy. Pomeroy is an authority on the subject, and the classical world is an absolutely fascinating set of societies. Alas, my budget is too tight to indulge my passions.

    Liz
    (a lurker)

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  16. Anonymous6:53 AM

    My wish book would have to be,

    "The Art Of Dramatic Writing" by Lajos Egri.

    Always on my list, never got around to getting it.

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  17. "Talyn" by Holly Lisle. Had this one on my Christmas list but it must have remained on Santa's sleigh.

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  18. Zed by Elizabeth McClung. Gotta support the small-presses when you can.

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  19. Anonymous7:07 AM

    Talyn for me as well, by Holly Lisle of course. The hardback is just too expensive for me. Not that I wouldn't shell out the cash if I could.

    Julie Anne

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  20. Windfall by Rachel Caine, but it's not released until September.

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  21. Anonymous7:55 AM

    Sanctuary, by Mercedes Lackey

    I've been waiting for it to come out in paperback, but then my budget took a hit and the book allotment had to be shifted away, so I still haven't been able to pick it up and finish the trilogy.

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  22. The book on my wishlist is Way Of The Cheetah. : )

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  23. A non-entry--just to say in public, what I've said to you in an email--you are my model as to how a writer should treat his/her fans. I hope to be fortunate enough to emulate you some day.

    best,
    ljc/lisa

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  24. what a very cool contest.

    I'm terribly materialistic...I usually end up buying what I want even when I shouldn't, so I have the books I want... well, there are two I'm waiting on but they aren't out yet. So this is a non entry.

    just wanted to say what a very cool thing for you to do.

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  25. When Darkness Falls, by Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory (but it's not out until July 25th)

    I've got the other two in the series, but hardcovers are so expensive!

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  26. What a great contest idea! I think I'll borrow it.
    The book at the top of my own want to buy list is Eight of Swords by David Skibbins

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  27. Anonymous9:11 AM

    I had another book all ready, but while scrolling down to post my wish I saw what a few other people and posted and thought Ohhh! Yes! That one! So my wish is Talyn by Holly Lisle.

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  28. This is very cool of you, thanks!

    HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON, by Naomi Novik.

    Bonus: if I'm the lucky winner, I'll crow like a banshee all over my blog... a double promo op! :-)

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  29. I never win these things, but if I did... "Maker of Dune - Frank Herbert" by Brian Herbert.

    The Dune books were among those that got me interested in doing my own.

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  30. Thank you for the contest. As others said, very generous.

    For me, I guess it'll be Sabriel (The Abhorsen Trilogy) by Garth Nix. Not sure why I haven't picked it up yet, considering all the raves behind it.

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  31. Anonymous9:42 AM

    Talyn by Holly Lisle.

    I've thought of buying it since its release, but I forgot...

    Thank you for the contest ^_^

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  32. You know, I've seen your generosity in action many times since I've begun reading your blog, but this is amazing. I'm not even going to enter ... but I am going to go out and buy DARK NEED today cuz you're just so damned cool. Hopefully that'll help you defer at least the cost of shipping. {wry g}

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  33. This is sooooo cool. Thanks. I actually was going to put your book on as my wish, but my second choice would be The Art of Detection by Laurie R King. She's a great writer and she is also the one who introduced me to your blog. Thanks again, Ann

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  34. I can't believe how cool you are!
    And my b-day is June 9th to boot.

    So here's my choice, always wanted to get it, but for some reason never did:
    Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
    by Gregory Maguire.

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  35. Tiger Eye (Paranormal Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
    by Marjorie M. Liu

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  36. Aw man, just one? An unabridged copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales. ;) I'm sure the library would be happy if I finally got my own copy.

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  37. Lynn,

    Thank you so much for the chance. I would be elated with DARK NEED only, but if we are picking another,I would love to have WHEN LIGHT BREAKS by Patti Callahan Henry.

    Again thanks and hugs, Zara

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  38. Anonymous10:45 AM

    The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue

    And thanks!

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  39. Anonymous10:58 AM

    So many books... Current top of the wishlist is Thunderbird Falls by C E Murphy
    -Gail L

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  40. My TBR pile is already overflowing, but kudos to you for the contest. Your karma points just got a big boost.

    Think I'll check out DARK NEED myself, though...

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  41. Great contest. I would like to read Madeline Hunter's Lady of Sin. I missed this one when it came out.

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  42. *sits and takes notes, hoping to absorb some of your coolness*

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  43. Anonymous12:42 PM

    Wow... this is most generous of you! Thank you for the opportunity to win something here again!

    Dark Need was going to be the choice, but since it's part of the wish...

    Blue Smoke, Nora Roberts

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  44. Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

    I already have a copy of Dark Need (I'm still reading it), but dibs on the next one in the series whenever it releases!

    Thanks!

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  45. Well, I have all of your Star Doc novels and the first Darkyn novel. So I willl wish for any of the other Darkyn novels.

    I hope the puppy is doing well.

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  46. Anonymous2:26 PM

    "Dhampir" by Barb Hendee, it's been on the top of my endless amazon wishlist for ages, but somehow I never came around to actually ordering it...ohh and though I already have "Dark need", a signed copy will be even better!
    Thank you so much, love your books and your blog!

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  47. Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge

    What a great idea!!

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  48. Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey.

    Loved the first three, hard to rationalize buying a hardcover...

    Thanks PBW!

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  49. Anonymous4:23 PM

    I think I would absolutly die for a good translation of Dante's Inferno. I'll be reading it for a myth class this next semetster, and while the professor said any translation will do, I would love a good one, and I have no idea how to go around determining what that is.

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  50. Sharon Kay Penman: Sunne in Splendour

    I'm busy collecting her books, but since they are trade paperbacks, it sometimes is either groceries or another book, and I do need to eat sometimes. :)

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  51. Dictionary of Word Origins: Histories of More Than 8,000 English-Language Words by John Ayto

    I'm so practical :)

    Impractically speaking, I'm looking forward to seeing if Janet Evanovich moves the series forward with Twelve Sharp.

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  52. Anonymous8:43 PM

    Your offer is truly above and beyond the call. On my list is Murder in Montparnasse : A Phryne Fisher Mystery by Kerry Greenwood to complete my series. Thanks again!

    Marie in RI

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  53. Anonymous9:34 PM

    Well, I've had my eye on Way of the Cheetah for a while now. I'll keep my fingers crossed. :)

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  54. "Don't Look Down" by Jennifer Cruisie and Bob Mayer. Have heard good things about it, but don't have the extra cash.

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  55. Wow, this is such a generous offer! Sheila, you rock!!!!

    My choice is Bitten by Kelley Armstrong.


    Cheers,
    Erin K.

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  56. Anonymous10:25 PM

    I already have Dark Need ordered, but I would be happy to gift it to a friend if I won the contest.

    My book choice would be Crystal Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

    Thanks for running the contest - the Publishing Fairy should be proud!

    JED

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  57. The Way of the Cheetah which I haven't bought because I have absolutely no business buying another writing book at this point but I really want it because I've become so fond of your blog and I can't help but think that there must be new and inspiring information in it... So that would be my pick.

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  58. One of your Darkyn novels, because I love vampire novels and haven't been able to find yours in my local bookshops. Thanks (and big fat kisses to the publishing fairy)!

    Dawn

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  59. I just read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and loved it. I'd adore having it on my keeper shelf... or better yet, the sequel New Moon though it isn't out yet.

    Vampires are very sexy... but then, you already knew that, didn't you?

    I'm stealing this contest idea for when I'm finally published. Great idea!

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  60. Goddess of the Spring by P.C. Cast or better yet, The Sandman coffee table book by Alisa Kwitney or The Lonely Planet Travel Book

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  61. Anonymous11:23 AM

    Thank you for being so generous!

    My pick is Talyn by Holly Lisle. I've been wanting to read it after all the reviews I read, but I've had to curb my book buying these days.

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  62. Anonymous12:01 PM

    Hi PBW,

    Love your blog. You're my goto source for publishing questions (I'm an extreme newbie - effectively still in diapers).

    I'd love Deep Breath by Alison Kent since my first pick would have been Dark Need. I adored If Angels Burn and Private Demon.

    Swimmrmom (another lurker lured in from the dark)

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  63. Anonymous12:50 PM

    Thanks!

    Joyce Carol Oates, "High Lonesome: Stories 1966-2006"

    Gratefully,
    Michael Snell

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  64. Anonymous2:13 PM

    The Clan Corporate by Charles Stross. It's now out in hardcover (I have the first 2 in the series in paperback). I could probably wait another year for the paperback, but I hate waiting (grin). (I always wish for authors to have the next book ready to read when I finish the previous one.)

    Your giveaways rock! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  65. My wish would be DEEP BREATH by Alison Kent.

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  66. I'm with Bill!

    Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee

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  67. Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy if lucky enough to win. I am the proud owner of an ARC of Dark Need won through a previous contest so if I won I'd send that along to one of my book buddies.

    EllenO

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