In the mail this week, I received a finished copy of Songs of Love and Death, an anthology of new fiction from romance, science fiction and fantasy authors you’ve probably never heard of, like Neil Gaiman, Marjorie M. Liu, Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Jacqueline Carey and some other people. Gosh, it’s amazing how people with no track record of really honking excellent fiction get to assemble into an anthology AND get really slurpy-good cover art, isn’t it? Outrageous when that happens.
Anyway, because (a) I have an ARC and (b) I’m not done with it yet and also (c) fantasy and science fiction are not what my brain is craving right now and (d) I certainly don’t need a hardcover copy (see [a] re: ARC) I decided to give my copy away. Right here, right now, like that 90’s pop song only with Neil Gaiman instead of Jesus Jones.
This book isn’t out until 16 November, and I’ll mail the book on Friday 5 November Priority Mail, so if you’re in the US, you’ll get it before the release date. I’ll absolutely throw in the customary Smart Bitch Swag that goes into every possible mailing (stickers, SBTB post its, random pieces of cat hair – you know, the regular swag).
If you are the winner, and you want to let me know what you think of it, please do send up a flare, or an email, or both. I can’t require such things due to pesky laws and regulations but I am always curious what people think of the books they win here at the hot pink palace of Bitchery.
What do you have to do to win? Tell me which story or which author you want to read the most – and if you can’t pick one because you’ve never heard of any of these people (gosh who ARE these upstart nobodies anyway? Does NO ONE vet these anthologies for People Who Are Amazing Writers requirement? Sheesh) – tell me which author of romance, fantasy, or science fiction you’d like to see in an anthology next.
Leave your entry in the comments, or, if you’re Neil Gaiman or Tanith Lee and you didn’t get your own copy, you can email me your entry at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTcom with “Anthology giveaway” in the subject line. Comments close in 24 hours, and I’ll announce the winner tomorrow afternoon. If I get the address by Friday afternoon, I’ll mail it out Saturday morning. Standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway except for one less hardback and a little less cat hair in my house. I’m watching the world wake up from history. Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry. Not suitable for anyone under the age of 6. May cause extreme giddiness in your pants.
OMG! Tanith Lee, Peter S. Beagle and Jo Beverly all in the same book, I think I might faint!
/swoon
Gabaldon, because no one tortures her characters and alienates her devoted fans with Quite the panache that she does it with. Seriously, love her writing but if she won’t stop killing/maiming/raping the characters I’ve emotionally invested in I’m going to stop re-reading her work!
I’m looking forward to this, with the Gabaldon the most anticipated. According to her website, the story is about Roger’s dad – eeeee!
Jacqueline Caaaaareeeeey (happy sigh)
Though, I’m definitely reading for all those fine authors listed on the cover. They’re all pretty much win.
I’m excited about Neil Gaiman’s story. I didn’t even know this existed!
DIANA GABALDON – I’ve heard this story is the background to the parents of her character Roger McKenzie and I NEEDS ME AN OUTLANDER FIX – she says it’s 2 more years until the next Outlanders book…. Plus DH can read the Jim Butcher story…and all those other authors are just icing on an already impressive cake….
Jim Butcher. The Dresden Files are awesome books—coincidentally, hubby and I’ve been rereading the entire series the past couple weeks.
Um, Neil Gaimen hands down! He is amazing, and I absolutely love his other stuff.
Jacqueline Carey, because while Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite writers, Jacqueline Carey does SEXY!stories and I like SEXY.
I’d be most interested in Diana Gabaldon b/c I love her Outlander series.
Marjorie M. Liu. Her short stories never disappoint.
Gaiman, with Butcher and Carey and Lee as runners-up. But really, with that group of authors, I don’t want to read it so much as stick my face in the pages and snorfle it.
Neil Gaiman, Carrie Vaughn, and Jim Butcher’s stories are at the top of my lists. Love all their books.
Peter S. Beagle. Not only did he write two of my favourite stories (The Last Unicorn and A Fine and Private Place), he wrote the screenplay to one of my favourite Star Trek: TNG episodes (Sarek). He’s a fantastic genre writer that most fantasy authors list as one of their gods – I always love seeing what he’s up to/writing next.
I’d be right honored to read and review the ARC for this book. I would actually be very interested in reading a star-crossed love story by Jo Beverley since she’s a HEA typa gal. And I read somewhere that Diana Gabaldon’s story was a Lord John story – but I could be wrong. But a wee bit of Scotland wouldn’t hurt me. Nay. Actually, being that we are getting toward the holidays, short stories might fit in well with my reading schedule!
Diana Gabaldon, because I’ve never read anything of hers. Next choice Neil Gaiman because I have read and loved some of his work.
Hmm. I’d have to flip a coin to decide between Butcher and Carey. Actually—maybe Carey first since I’ve never read a short story by her :D.
OMG, gimme some Neil Gaiman. I first discovered him with Terry Pratchett in “Good Omens” and fell in lurve. Then I read “Anansi Boys” and “American Gods” and lurved him more. Then I saw that kids book he wrote/illustrated, something about the alphabet, and he’s one of my very favorites now.
I’ve also heard some very good things about Jim Butcher so I’d like to check him out.
Pick me! If you were the Fug Girls I’d offer to bribe you with Diet Coke, but at the moment… I got nothin’.
total23: The total number of my books is way more than 23.
I had the honor of hearing Neil Gaiman speak a few years back and he signed two of my books (major swoon time). My love for him grew to obsession after that, so his story is the one I am looking forward to reading the most.
Pick me, I love SF/Fantasy and I’m a fan of Carey, Gaiman, Beverly, Butcher, Lee, Gabaldon (in the order I will read the stories if I’m the winner). I do not recall having read anything by the other authors, so it must be time.
Definitely the Neil Gaiman story, followed by Jacqueline Carey – I haven’t read her in a while and this would be a good excuse to 🙂
Gabaldon, definitely. As others have said, I need a fix…
I’ve been wanting to read Jim Butcher. I’ve had oodles of recs but never have spent the $$ to try his writing style yet. All of the other authors I’ve read and enjoyed so….. who to pick?
Mostly would want to read Jacqueline Carey’s story. She’s an author that I’ve bought multiple copies of her Kushiel series for gifts and I love her writing style(s). Her Santa Olivia was so different than her other stories. Oh wait, I got MEN to read Vaughn’s Kitty series. Which reminds me that one still has my copies!!! EEEK!
Yeah, Carey would be the one I’d want to read the most.
I am SOOOO EXCITED FOR THE WHOLE BLOODY THING. Though I’m really excited for the Linnea Sinclair, Neil Gaiman, and Peter S. Beagle stories.
Can I just answer “Yes!”? I don’t know which one I’m looking forward to more. Maybe Jim Butcher. Maybe. It’s like the publishing gods put a bunch of my favorites into one book.
Tanith Lee. Haven’t read any of her shorts in years, but I looooved some of the stories in … was it Red as Blood? Her fairy-tales-done-differently collection.
Not that I wouldn’t also like to read Gaiman, Carey, Butcher, Liu, Beagle, etc. etc.
Carey and Liu, definitely. I like a lot of the other authors included, but I’m the most impatient waiting for the next book from them.
It’s hard to pick one that I’m the most interested in, but it’s probably a toss-up between the Jim Butcher story and the Marjorie M. Liu one.
Did you say Neil? That was pretty much all you had to say. Anything with Neil Gaiman’s name on the cover will make me pick up a book, graphic novel or probably anything for that matter. He’s such a phenomenal story teller. I’m in book nerd love. 😛
Kristin
Jim Butcher, Jacqueline Carey & Marjorie M. Liu…love all three of them!
Tanith Lee! Her books are truly excellent. Now, I actually like her older books best, but she definitely is an amazing author!
SQUEEEEEEEE!
Sorry, I’ve had this on order since Amazon first posted it. I’ve been stalking said order page since GRRM posted that he had turned in the final edits.
Jacqueline Carey’s is probably the one I’m waiting the most on…but Gaiman’s has got to be good.
Gaiman, Gabaldon—both favorites.
Love the gratuitous Jesus Jones references!!
I’d be interested in the fantasy writers in this anthology. Especially Gaiman who is great in a short format and also Robin Hobb and Beagle are great story tellers so I do not know really which I should read first.
It’s pretty much a three-way tie between Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, and Carrie Vaughn.
*crossing my fingers that the random number generator picks me*
I’d mostly be in it for the Diana Gabaldon, but I also loves me some Putney. I’ve been meaning to read something by Marjorie M. Liu, too.
I have heard of a quite a few of these authors but have not read them. I do like Diana Gabladon and looking forward to her story! Love anthologies especially when I have not read the authors yet. I litle sneak peak of differen writing styles! Thanks for sharing!
Neil Gaiman, because he’s *everywhere* now, and I have yet to read him, and I really want to!!
OMG! Neil Gaiman or Jim Butcher!!!! *swoon* Oh, ahem. Wait? Who are these people again? Oh, yeah, put my name in the hat!
Jim Butcher, because it’s a long time until April and Ghost Story.