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.
Diana Gabaldon because reading her ” Outlander” series made me feel like I had my guts ripped out spun around, and then put back in my body ( in a good way, I am so not making this up the series is awesome!!!!).
YASMINE GALENORN for sure! I’ve read several of the other authors as well and would enjoy their latest offerings. I LOVE ANTHOLOGIES!!! Thanks for the chance to win one.
Tough call! So many great authors in that anthology! Since it looks like editor George R.R. Martin sat this one out, I’ll have to go with Jacqueline Carey. Can’t get enough of her Kushiel saga.
I haven’t yet read something by Neil Gaiman I didn’t enjoy! The rest of the lineup for this collection looks pretty great, as well.
I would love to read this. I can’t believe a single anthology has so many of my favorite authors in it! Plus I’ve never read anything by Jim Butcher, so I’d love to check him out.
The last story in Butcher’s new book, Side Jobs, is supposed to resolve that problem!!
Definitely Gabaldon. Her writing is so descriptive and so engrossing.
Neil Gaiman. I’m relistening to Stardust. Wonderful stuff.
If I have to keep it to just one, I’ll go with Jo Beverley.
Neil Gaiman, because American Gods and The Graveyard Book are so awesome that I want to read what else he can do.
Since I have no idea what time zone you’re in, I’m not sure if this is too late, but if it isn’t, I want Neil Gaiman. Well, I mean, I want Neil Gaiman no matter what time it is, but I’m sure you understand.
Jacqueline Carey—I’ve been waiting for her to write about Delaunay and Rolande’s love story for yeeeeears.
Holy balls! Marjorie M. Liu, for sure! I can’t get enough of her. 🙂
Gabaldon first, but Butcher and Gaiman are close seconds.
I have hear Neil Gaiman read his story, and it was creepy and awesome. I am not sure whether I am more eager to read the Jim Butcher story, or the Gabaldon one. There are so many authors whose work I really like in this anthology, and I don’t know if I can wait until I see if I get it for Christmas!
I Love that more authors ( and publishers) are realizing that most readers like to see genre crossovers. My first stories will be the ones by Jum Butcher, Marjorie M Liu, Jo Beverly and Mary Jo Putney. ( or they may be my last as is ‘saving the best for last’)