Writer's Grove

Fly, little book, be free of karmic debt!

Last week I learned that an unscrupulous sort was selling an Advanced Reader Edition of my debut, HOUNDED, on eBay—and furthermore, I suspected that this particular copy was not actually read or enjoyed by anyone. For this, I wept. Holding firmly to the belief that all books should be loved (but especially my books, ahem!), I actually bought the book from said unscrupulous person—it’s on its way to me now—solely so I could give it away to someone who’d like to read it. Might that someone be you?

Leave a comment below about whatever you’d like (peanut butter! hummingbirds! steampunk couture!) and you’re entered to win it. By entering, I hope you sincerely wish to read it and won’t sell it again online! I will sign the book thusly:

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of eBay, I will fear no bookshelf. I was personally rescued from a book pirate by my author, and now I am given unto you, __(your name here)__, to enjoy in advance of millions of people (mwah-ha-ha-ha!), to build a shrine around, bequeath unto your heirs, and so on! Put on some jammies and read me, damn it!

Or I’ll sign it however you’d like. I’m just being silly. :) Seriously, though, it will do my heart good to know that the book is free of its mercenary past and in the hands of someone who likes stories. If you’d like to read this SUPER! SPECIAL! SLIGHTLY ABUSED BUT STILL SIGNED! Advance Edition, say howdy to me in the comments by the end o’ Saturday, January 15. I’ll put the names in the good ol’ randomizer Sunday morning-ish, and announce the winner sometime that day.

The winners o’ my previous contest are Qwill for Zero History and Sarah M for Who Fears Death. Congratulations to you both! Send me an email (kevin@kevinhearne.com) with your address and I’ll pop ’em in the snail mail. Thanks also to everyone who entered that contest—hope you’ll enter this one too!

Whoa…news flash! While I was writing this, My Magic Agent™ sent me an email! I’ve just accepted an offer from Turkey for the series! How cool is that! Thank you, Turkey!

In other news, my miniature painting hobby has veered from dwarfs to these giant things that are advertised as satyrs but are really bipedal goats with three-fingered hands. I’m just about finished with one, and he’s going to be guarding a FLAGON of beer on my next Still Life blog. That is, if I can find a flagon. Flagons aren’t as ubiquitous as they used to be, but I really need a flagon now to feel a distant kinship with Conan the Barbarian. And I completely, utterly blame author Jaye Wells for creating that need. Demand a flagon at your local glassware outlet today! If enough of us demand it, someone will supply it. :)