Drawing for free copy of Servant of a Dark God by John Brown
Posted November 4th, 2009 by Sandra TaylerFirst a quick note: We have 40 more Schlock Mercenary ACEO cards from Series One in the store. These are the last of them. There will be a series two, but we’re not launching it until these are gone.
Some of you may have met or heard of John Brown before. He is a local friend and debut novelist who Howard helped interview in two recent episodes of the Writing Excuses podcast: How Not to Repeat Yourself, and Emotion in Fiction with John Brown. If you click the links you can listen to the podcasts right on your computer. They’re worth the time because John knows what he is talking about when it comes to writing.
John is celebrating the release of his first novel by giving away copies of his book Servant of a Dark God. He has kindly offered two copies for us to give away here at Blogunder Schlock. The winner must be willing to provide a mailing address via email. The simplest method for determining who wins these books is for us to draw names out of a hat. There are two ways for you to get your name into the hat.
1. Leave a comment here on this post between now and midnight on Sunday November 8. You will get one entry just for commenting. Only one entry per name even if you make multiple comments. NOTE: The first time you comment after registering, your comment goes into a moderation queue and has to be approved before it will be visible. This dramatically reduces the amount of spam in our blog comments. There is no need to comment again, we’ll see it and put your name in the hat.
2. We are curious to know how many copies of XDM and Schlock books are making it into friendly local gaming stores. If you visit your local gaming store and see our books there, snap a picture. Mail that picture to schlockmercenary@gmail.com and we’ll throw your name into that hat two times. (Yes that is in addition to adding your name for a comment.) If we get some good pics, we’ll be sure to share them.
So that’s the contest. Ready, set, go!
Explore posts in the same categories: Books, Merchandise, Podcasts, Random Linkage
November 4th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I am intrigued. consider me entered.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Wrtiing Excuses is one of those things I always fall behind on which is a shame since it’s such a great podcast.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
sign me up
November 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
So, if you provide both a comment and pictures of XDM and the Schlock books, do you get your name in the hat thrice? Does it have to be pictures of XDM _and_ the Schlock books, or will either work? Is it one name-hatted for each, for a total of two if you get both?
November 4th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Oooh, enter me! Enter me! It sounds super cool!
November 4th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
In China there are no gaming stores that sell English-language stuff – unless I wanted to fly down to Hong Kong. It’s a bit far… so no pics, but please sign me up for the drawing.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Looks like an interesting book. Signing up!
November 4th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
A book, a book!
Um. I’m pretty sure that the local game stores won’t have English language books. So I could send you a picture of the non-existent copies, but I’m not sure how it would turn out?
November 4th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Consider me in too. :-)
I’d look at local gaming stores, but I think it’s pretty unlikely they’d have the books in NZ stores.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
ShadowDragon: Yes you get your name entered thrice. The picture can be either XDM or Schlock. Multiple pictures will not increase your contest entries. The maximum is three.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’m game! I’m looking forward to reading John’s book….
November 4th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I’m always interested in trying out a new author.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Sounds good. I’m working on my first novel right now (through NaNoWriMo), which will probably never see the light of day, but I can hope right?
November 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Looks like a good book! Wonder if we’ve gotten it in yet at the Borders where I work . . . One way or another I WILL READ IT!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Yes Please :)
November 4th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I’m in!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Sign me up as well. It looks like a book both my Niece and I can enjoy. :)
November 4th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Sweet deal. Entering.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
1. re: the book (Forte):
OOOOHHH! PICK ME! PICK ME! MEMEMEME!
2. Diversione (Espressivo):
Years ago, when Schlock was young and attorney drones roamed the universe, (imagine what they would do with King Lota!) you once posted a recipe for chili that I copied and have used “on occasion,” maybe once or twice. Or three times. But really not THAT often. I was planning on making it this weekend for my daughter in college, but now I can’t find it. Could you possibly re-post it?
3. Finale (Allegro non tropo):
Also, way back when, you published a seasonal picture that just captured the moment for me. It was a group of turkeys standing around, consulting their PDAs, and one turkey remarked, “Hey, my schedule is free after the 25th, too!” In this age of job losses (and to remind a certain ex-boss not to loose his head at this time of year), could you reprint that, also?
Thanks!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Please add me. Thanks. I’m in Austin this weekend for a meeting and fundraiser. I’ll look around the gaming stores there.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Entering!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Awesome, I really enjoyed John Brown’s sections on the podcast, I’m excited to read his book, one way or another.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Ooh! Oooh! Me!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Sandra: “Multiple pictures will not increase your contest entries.”
Not even if they’re from multiple stores?
Not that I expect to get any entries that way, but I thought I’d actually say something in my entry.
Wait… One entry per name? Is your moderation queue full of sockpuppets?
November 4th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Oh what the hey, I’ll throw the proverbial hat in too.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I am intrigued, consider me signed up.
Unfortunately, I’ve lived in west Los Angeles for four months now, and I STILL haven’t found anything resembling a local gaming store.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I was a fan of John Brown before being a fan of John Brown was cool!
BTW – Howard, your “Who Needs Talent” presentation (available on youtube) was great! I’d encourage all present to crack open a Fanta, sit back, and enjoy.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Makes me wish I had a local gaming store anymore. *sigh*
But alas, that’s okay. I still have a chance of winning something. FREE even. Now THAT is customer service.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Now this is an interesting contest. Consider my gauntlet ‘thrown’ into the ring lol.
Keep up the great work on the comic there by the way.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Writing Excuses is something that I F5 for every week even though I’m not a writer (aspiring or otherwise). I am a voracious reader though and the podcast has really added another fun dimension to reading for me.
Like Mike said in Spider Robninson’s “The Free Lunch” when asked if knowing how a magic trick work spoiled it: “No, not at all. It was more fun knowing how. I mean, it was even more amazing, that he could do something magical like that without magic.”
In other words, fantastic podcast and please put me down for one name in the hat.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:03 am
This is going to be a long thread!
Happily adding my name to the list of people just posting for the lottery (you gotta play to win!)
November 5th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Heh, why not?
Hmm, I don’t even think I *have* a local gaming store. Even if there was one around here, it’d hardly be called local.
Yay for living in the middle of nowhere.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I am going to wind up with Dan’s book one way or another, I can just see that now. If I can get it as part of a drawing, so much the better.
Oh the bitter irony, wanting something so much, but not being able to afford it, getting it for free and feeling guilty for not paying.
If I do get picked for one, I will cherish it, but probably end up buying one to give to someone else, just to assuage my conscious. Maybe even two if it is really as good as everyone says.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:25 am
Hmm… sounds interesting. Toss me into the fedora as well.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:25 am
i’d like my name in that hat.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:27 am
There sure are a Lota comments here, yep.
As a 40 year old college student, I can always use some good scifi/fantasy to distract me from my studies. I’d love a copy of the book.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Hey, i’d like my name in that hat
November 5th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Yep i would like a shot at that also. Also if i don’t win was wondering if its on amazon in kindle format
November 5th, 2009 at 1:02 am
Sign me up, coach!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Please put my name in the hat!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Put me in!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:27 am
That’s what I call Mercenary :)
But wait: Were you paid for it? What would Tagon say, if he found out?
…
And what would Schlock do?
Sign up for the hat, of course!
:)
PS: Did I ever tell you that it’s damn ingenious to write a story about mercenaries when you want to be able to make a living from your comic *and stay in your theme at the same time*? I bow to your bright mind – or inspired luck :)
November 5th, 2009 at 2:28 am
@Zaratus: Local is wherever your next gaming/comic store is :)
November 5th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Is there a drawing for the hat, too?
November 5th, 2009 at 3:15 am
I’ll enter my name. That looks interesting.
I don’t have a great gaming/comic store nearby. There’s a decent one, but it’s mostly just gaming: roleplaying books, warhammer, and board games. It’s pretty cool for that, but i don’t think there are many non-gaming books. and I have no idea where the nearest comic book shop is. I get all my comic knowledge from the graphic novels my roommate buys from comiccon every year. And, until the recent loss of my iphone, the Comix application. Horray walking dead!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Hmmm… Intriguing! Consider me entered into the contest. I like listening to “Writing Excuses”, and having the chance to own (at no cost, even!) an original work by someone featured in the podcast is a very attractive proposition.
Also, happy to see that there are still some ACEO cards available… This will allow me to complete my series 1 collection! YAY!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Sadly here in Bozeman neither of the 2 gaming stores carry XDM even though I have been bugging them to since you announced they could
November 5th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I’m always interested in a free book drawing. Thanks.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:44 am
*inserts personal card into hat and makes note to check out local gaming store after getting her cell phone fixed*
Sorry…. damn battery won’t hold a charge, and this is *not* a known issue with LG (I use the Incite/CT810). So Incite said to take it in to AT&T to check out the battery. Will have to see what happens once I get into that store. But if I come out with a working cell phone, you’ll have your pic. ;)
November 5th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Looks like an interesting book. If I get some spare cash I may buy it.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:01 am
I am game!
(Yes, I am game. I am playable by all.)
November 5th, 2009 at 6:24 am
looks like a cool book
November 5th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Enter me as well, please?
I was in our local store just recently, and did not see any Howard products there. However, I did not go there specifically for that, so I could have missed them. I may swing by again to look if I get a chance before the deadline.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Free Book? sign me up!
November 5th, 2009 at 6:53 am
I’m going to have a look in the stores round Nottingham for you.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:56 am
I will add my name to the draw as well.
I’ll be going to a big gaming store in Dublin on Saturday, so I can browse around if I spot anything.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:56 am
I’ll toss my head in the ring… uhh, my hat in the head…. whatever, I just wanna win a book.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Sign me up to please for the book.
Long time reader, first time poster. Free stuff is always good.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I’ll toss my name into the hat. Almost bought the book last weekend but found a cute little book Called ‘Mall of Cthulu’ and I couldn’t resist.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Throw me into the hat please! Or if I won’t fit, just my name will suffice.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:56 am
If overseas participants in the drawing are OK, consider me signed up as well. :-)
November 5th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Same as McGig. I would love to try that book out. Particularly since I liked John’s Writing Excuses episodes.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Does this count as a comment? ;-)
Then please consider me entered.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
OK, I’m mercenary enough to create an account just to get free stuff. . .
How many entries do I get for Genuine Imitation OvalQuik bribes?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
I read the first pages on Amazon and I’m hooked, so put me in the hat!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Oooh! Shiny!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:35 am
As a fan of both “dark” gods and those who serve higher powers of a questionable ethical nature, this book appears to satisfy my rigorous boolean requirements. I shall register…
November 5th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Okay, I get one entry, but, honestly, the odds of my wife letting me walk into a hobby store (she knows how much *that* will cost her) are amazingly slim…
November 5th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I second the “Shiny.”
November 5th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Throw my name in the pot… hmm… that didn’t sound too good…. how about, “please enter my name into the drawing for world conquest.”
November 5th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Me too, me too!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:07 am
So… uhm… books are good! o.o
November 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
i don’t know about this contest… typing a comment seems like a lot of trouble to go to just to get a book…
November 5th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Please put me into the “hat”, digitally-speaking.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:15 am
We have no “local” stores of any kind at all (we live in the boonies) but the next time I am in the “Big City” I will be on the lookout!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I would like to support the novelizing world. Throw my name into the hat. Of course, it would probably be better support if I just bought the book…
November 5th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Toss my name in, please.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Enter me as well please. I’ve already got the book on my request queue at the library, but would love to own it.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I would like a chance for a free book.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:31 am
I guess commenting enters me automatically, but really I just wanted to ask a quick question. How intentional was the a’sploding of Lota coinciding with the anniversary of the gunpowder treason? Maybe I’m just a crazy Anglophile who reads too much into things, but it seems too perfect to not be intentional…
: D
November 5th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hat toss |>
…My house looks a whole lot like a bookstore… and we have Schlock and XDM… *ponders deviousness*
November 5th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Throw my name in that hat. I’ll see if I can get some pictures as well.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Sign me up :) I’ll check at a local game shop later…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Enter me, please!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:10 am
In the hat!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Sounds like a treat. Thanks for the opportunity.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:36 am
What a cool way to give away a couple of books. (And a sly method to see how many active readers.)
Sign me up.
Rodney
November 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I love the Podcast and enjoyed the episodes with John Brown.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Chronically poor college kid would like to enter in the drawing.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am
A hat?! Talk about lowtech… ;-)
November 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Oh! Oh! Enter me!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Snif, my FLGS here doesn’t have schlock in store. So only 1 entry for me.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’m in. Don’t have so much access to English-language books here, so another good one would be nice.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I am here for the potential future irony.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Name, meet Hat; Hat, Name.
(”Cat in the hat”? Yes, indeed.)
–GS
November 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Looks like a good book! I’d love to be entered for a chance to win!
Thanks!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Your endorsement of his writing is good enough for me. Sign me up!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
looks like an interesting book.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Hmmm… The book looks interesting, and I have no money… Should I enter the contest? Hmmmmm… tough choice.
Please put my name in the hat.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Why yes, I’d definitely like my name in this particular hat. Many, many thanks. :-)
I don’t think my local comic shop has either Schlock or XDM, though. Could I snap a photograph of the empty places where they should be for those two other names in the hat?
November 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Looks like a good book! Add me to the growing pile if you please! :)
November 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Please enter me as well.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
“A strange and dark system of magic”? Who could resist!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Hat? Name?
You betcha.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I’m in!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
That was a good couple of episodes Mr. Brown did. Count me in.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Sure, why not?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Oh, pick me, pick me, pick me!!!! Me, me, me, over here! Pick Me!!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Add me in!
Thanks!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
So, by commenting here I not only put my name in but also dramatically reduce the chances of winning for everyone involved? Sounds great! (Sorry, guys, them’s the breaks.)
November 5th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
i’ll never win (0.25% odds are too low — and most contests like these are stacked in favor of customers who buy a lot of product — it only makes financial sense that way and encourages loyalty), but it would be hugely ironic if i did.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Throw my name in
November 6th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Hmmm…I could use something awesome to help me avoid worrying about work, count me in!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I’ll probably read this book regardless, but getting to do so for free (and pre-Christmas, which is the earliest I can envision having personal book money again) is tempting enough to elicit a comment.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Awesome Idea now even if I don’t win I gotta buy it just to see what you would endorse
November 6th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Well, sounds nice.
Add me and draw my name, pretty please :-)
November 6th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Pull my name out of the hat bro i decided to pick up a copy on my Kindle. figure he can use the sales, besides i like the blurb lol
November 6th, 2009 at 3:12 am
This is a comment. Its purpose is to register me for the lottery.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:18 am
I’d like to be in the drawing please. I’d buy it myself, but works been slow and i like food.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Great! This book is already on my wishlist, but I always wait for the paperback if I haven’t read the author before. Thank you.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Ah, what the heck, I’d like a new book to read. Count me in.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:07 am
I like free books too!
November 6th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Sounds good to me, easy entry for free book
November 6th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Looks like a great book. Great comic, too
November 6th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Might as well throw my hat in this ring too. It’s not often that one can win something as valuable as a book after all.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
A book…
me please:-)
November 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Far be it from to pass up a chance at free stuff. Of course, I am assuming this offer is not valid where prohibited. (Still one of my favorite disclaimers.)
November 6th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Free is not quite as good as getting paid twice, but still better then accidentally blowing up the king. I’m in.
November 7th, 2009 at 6:45 am
I’ll throw my hat in the ring (going to have to be a large hat you realize.
I haven’t been near a local comic/boot/gaming store to get a picture of XDM or Schlock books, alas. I think I may have to remedy that.
So, do you think this one will get 500 comments?
November 7th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Sounds like a majorly neat book; please throw my name into the hat!
November 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
What the heck. I’ll play.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
eh im with nichii I’m game i won’t be able to make it to the local store though anytime soon my shop keeps “unique” hours like not open until Tuesday noonish…. kinda hours that seem to change on a weekly basis….
November 8th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Nothing better than the chance for free entertainment on dead trees that comes with such glowing praise from an extremely entertaining artist/author.
I’m in and thanks.
November 8th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Noodles are a dangerous cross between ninjas and poodles.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Add me to the list please!
November 8th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I see I haven’t entered this yet, well here is my entry.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Sounds like a fun book…
November 8th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Neat book! I’d like a copy….
November 8th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
OK, I’ll toss my name in the ‘probably’ virtual hat…
sounds like a good read, and does come recommended by an artist and author I have grown fond of….
November 9th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Woo! Free book!