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A Contest!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
That's right! A contest! Read on . . .
Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician is beinig published next Tuesday, July 3rd. This is a day I've been waiting on for some time, as you might imagine, and as I've waited I've spent many a sleepless night (until the Ambein kicked in) thinking about all the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things that might happen to the book once it made landfall. The sad truth is, months of anticipation usually make for a disappointing reality: I've imagined some pretty remarkable things for this book, things that will never, ever happen. Among them:
- A front page review in the New York Times Book Review.
- A movie deal
- Oprah Pick
- Surprise bestseller
Alas, what are the chances? All of them could happen, conceivably, but the chances are slim, very slim, slim and none. This anticipation thing is a recipe for disappointment. But would it make it any better for me if I imagined- Being panned by NYTBR?
- Not being reviewed at all by the NYTBR?
- Not reviewed at all?
No. I'll probably be disappointed no matter what, because that's just me. But I can't stop wondering.
Do you wonder too, dear reader(s) of this commentary? Do you have a prediction of what will happen when this book makes it out into the world?
If so, I want to hear it. And if your prediction comes true, I will send you a beautiful poster of the beautiful cover of the book. It measures approximately 10 by 15, and it's printed on glossy photo paper.
Rules.
- Prediction has to be specific, not vague or obvious. "It will be available in bookstores across the country." No poster for you.
- Prediction can't be something you yourself can make come true (unless you are the editor of the NYTBR). "I will buy the book" won't cut it.
- Prediction has to be specific. "The book will hit the bestseller list and climb to #18." Wouldn't that be great!
- The predictions don't have to be positive.
The contest will remain open until I can predict when the book will be remaindered.
Good luck!
posted by Daniel Wallace at 9:18 AM
35 Comments:
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I predict that your book will be picked up for a movie and some famous person will want to buy the rights (Brad and Angelina? Tom Hanks? William Shatner?) I also predict that you will be asked to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres show, an invitation you will gladly accept, so get your dancing shoes ready. I also expect to see an interview with you or a review of your book in Writer's Digest. I don't know about any book lists, but I'm sure you'll make some. Best of wishes!
I predict the News and Observer will review your book and possibly do an interview with you. I also predict that you will be on Nancy's book list at Quail Ridge Books.
This post has been removed by the author.
I predict...
that you will...
garner a little bit of teasing with the title, and possibly be included in a scandal, in which you will, defend to its life, the word "magician" over the use of the word "illusionist".
Because we all know. A magician is real.
I predict the Reverend Al Sharpton will organize a boycott of your book based on the title.
You have a deep fan base. Us fans will read and be dazzled, dance and rejoice. We will collect amongst ourselves and deliberate and drink and critique. We will speak in tones of understanding, we we will argue points of passionate arguement, we will raise fist in defiance...and hug in collective understanding.
We will talk of critics reviews, we will consider those and more....and likely dismiss both.
We will fantasize and feel magic. And feel enchanted becauze you caused us to feel that way.
Six months later it will be a huge success and your readers will do jumping jacks because WE ALWAYS KNEW of your talent.
six months later it is not a huge success and your readers will do jumping jacks because WE ALWAYS KNEW of your talent.
I, julie, from birmingham have scraped the very dig dug dags of my whole and ..I have to predict that your new book will...continue to encompass an ability of fulfillment, a completely satisfying and very much needed literary.
I suppose "your hometown magazine will run an excerpt and a Q&A with you" counts as something I can make true, but doesn't rank quite as high as the NYTBR... so I guess I'm out.
I predict that your book will eventually be sold on online bookstores and sellers ratings and great reviews of the book will encourage the sale.
I predict that your books great reviews will hype up the online book stores sales.
If I had only left my prediction that you would sell at least 200 books at your book signing tonight in Birmingham I would already have a poster. However here are my predictions, late but hopefully true.
1. When your book becomes a movie, Hollywood will choose Morgan Freeman to play Henry.
2. If you would make an additional tab on your home website that says "Enter Contest Here" you would get more predictions.
3. And most importantly, I predict that very soon you will ride on an airplane and see someone reading your book.(If you will go to the Delta filght leaving from B'ham to Atlanta at 12:01 tomorrow it will happen then!)
Thanks for the trip to the circus!
I predict that both NPR and Nacy Pearl will give your book rave reviews (in addition to comparisons to another "circus book" Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen). And because of these steller reviews-and recommendations by various booksellers-your book will make its way onto the NYTIMES Bestseller list and be picked by Oprah as her club selection, and you will sign my copy after the show since your signing tour is not coming to Chicago.
But best of all, the book is great and deserves every accolade it gets. That is fact, not a prediction.
These things I predict...
Good luck!
I'm assuming that it's not too late even though I just received my copy of the book in the mail... and due to the unknowable content of the prediction.
My prediction is this:
Once, a reviewer hurt your feelings. It was unexpectedly harsh. It's the review that you were most upset about. Whoever the reviewer is that hurt you the most will give this new novel a rave review!
I predict that today - july 16th, within 5 o'clock p.m, Mr Sebastian will be mine! It means that one copy should arrive in Rome, on my desk, probably the first in English to land in Italy... and who knows what could happen? My grand grand father and his brother were respectively movie producer and director at the beginning of the 20th century (they used to make dumb movies about anchient Rome, the first italian colossals... unfortunately they went bankrupt as soon as the audio arrived!) and it would be a wonderful challenge for me now to find an italian major which may buy the rights and produce Mr Sebastian movie here!
I go, I can't waste time, Daniela
The book will definitely be made into a movie, as was Big Fish. The hero, Henry, will be played by one of the Wayans brothers, who have already played black/white characters.
second post from me.
If the prediction comes true, I would enjoy a poster, and perhaps a nice dinner.
Most people enjoy being right about something. Asking one to contribute something is generally accompanied by an equal compensation.
I predict that sometime soon, someone that you have not seen for some time will suddenly appear during one of your appearances.
You will not get to see it on celluloid as you will suffer from some affliction that will render your eyes useless, they will shrivel up and you will, of course, get glass eyes implanted to replace them. Seeing in that you won't be able to see the movie and frustrated, you will thusly revolutionize the movie going experience by changing the industry with a passionate employment of your invent of some hereto unfathomable auditory magic into the production and presentation process of what we once called "Movies". This will create mass havoc: being blind will become "chic", Magic will be overwhelmingly usurped by the movie-going experience, Hollywood will go belly-up when it doesn't embrace the new technology and Microsoft will and soon thereafter Bill Gates will become not only President of US but of the World, but only after poking his own eyes out in an attempt to be "chic". You will die penniless.
I predict you will meet a sister you never knew you had in Jackson, MS named JoLee. I really feel strongly about this predication.
Kelly
I predict that the book will become an Employee Favorite at Barnes and Nobles across this great nation (and particularly the South). ANd when it gets made into a movie, there is no doubt in my mind that Helen Bonham Carter will get to play Marianne La Fleur.
This is Daniel with a little update on the winners so far. Melissa has won a poster for being seen reading my book in an airport. mnalzma has won a poster for predicting I would see an old friend. bigdadu40 gets one for predicting the NPR (Fresh Air, actually) review, which was great. missneworleans will not get a poster for a long time, but we'll have to wait til I'm dead. No call from the Degeneres people yet . . . kellym's prediction was right on . . . but the long lost "sister" was her and she'd come to the reading the night before -- sorry!
Please email me your addresses, winners, and when I get a moment I'll send your poster. Please indicate if you want me to sign it.
And keep predicting!!! Who knows what's going to happen?
Ok, so a second prediction from Ireland. Some narrow minded group will take offense at the title of the book.
I predict a Pulitzer for this book.
If Katia is right, she gets more than a poster. She gets her own religion.
Since I totally forgot to post my predictions...
The book will be made into a movie by Tim Burton after you two sit down for lunch one day, and he brings up the rumor. You both will laugh at it and he will say "Let's make it real." In shock you accidentally knock your glass of water on to the floor and a bus boy comes to help you clean it up. Tim looks at him and says "You'd be perfect as a teenage Henry, how do you feel about wearing black-face?" Upon the film being announced, John August signs on to write the script again. Warner Brothers who picked the film up feels like the title could be offensive to those with narrow minds, so they ask for the title to be changed to simply "Mr. Sebastian". Tim, John and you fight for the title and eventually Warner Brothers gives in, deciding that on promotional spots and posters the title shall be Mr. Sebastian, but the films real title will be Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician. Upon the film's release Oprah will add the book to her book club line up. The film will go on to numerous awards at film festivals and will qualify for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay Based on Previously Published Material at the Academy Awards. With all the excitment focused on the movie, Double Day will pick up all your un-published works and finally publish them in an exclusively hard bound collection titled "Tall Short Tales: The Collected Un-Published Works of Daniel Wallace".
Professor Wallace,
All the reviews of Mr. Sebastion and the Negro Magician have it wrong. Daniel Wallace is still living his Alabama past. Well done. Magnificent. I have a somewhat parallel writing entitled 'Oh My God, He's Black'. Would enjoy dialogue at jaggedlegsix@yahoo.com. Of concern. The Borders on Six Forks Rd. had your Big Fish and M. S. and the N. M. hidden in the Literature Section near the markdowns. I had to ask for help to find your work. They had no problem putting my money in a good place. Their cash register! It was money well spent. Look forward to hearing from you. Your neighbor down the road in Creedmoor, NC. .SIDNEY.
I predict that director Christopher Nolan will approach you after having read mention of your book in his hometown paper. He always wanted a shot at Big Fish, but it wasn't mysterious and dark enough for his emerging tastes. He will already have a vision of the film in his head when he contacts you, but it will take years to develop the perfect script because it really will redefine both his and your perspectives.
I do not see you being reviewed on the front page of the NY Times, but the editor has a child in college here in Alabama, so something even greater may come from that. Sometimes, the best thing ever is to be mentioned everywhere else in the world EXCEPT the NYT.
This book will (probably already has) open you up to a whole realm of esoteric and metaphysical understanding, almost like alchemy of the creative soul. Just like Henry, you're looking at a serious journey ahead of you, except the Devil won't be interested. What you've got, he doesn't need.
No more media exposure is coming to me, but you'll find an immense satisfaction in the publicity this book stirs up. In your tenth novel, lessons and epiphanies earned during the present experience will emerge, growing.
That's all I've got for you, Daniel. Other than the sincere wish that no matter what, YOUR dreams and predictions come true. Say it, and it will be.
It is done!
MD
Oh yes, the prognostication.
All affair will one day be as they appear.
No need for human mysticism. Ultimate and Spiritual Truth will write fiction as doctrine.
God bless you in this endeavor and those of the perpetual nature.
.SIDNEY.
Mike D, for having the guts and realistic POV to suggest the book will not be reviewed on the front page on the Times, gets a poster! Send me yr address!
Further note from the author: if there's a flood of negative predictions ("the book will not grow wings and fly") I will have to re-think the giveaway . . .
Fear not Mr. D. W.
Fear thee not. M.S. & N.M. could very well become one of those larvae writing that has to pass through the molt of chaff and rubbish like "the secret" "h. potter" anything by J. Patterson and Co. and a littany of diet decadence. Sufferage through the providence of time will provide a suitable and valuable RHYTHM for Henry and Characters. As HANNAH says, AsToNiShInG. Einstein knocked on every door in Germany for a substitute teaching job before the whole world discovered he was a genious. This ramble or all before it in my name have nothing to do with the contest; just honest observation. USA Today back in July printed a forthright and most favorable overture of the book and Daniel Wallace. Enough said. To the speed of a great future. .Sidney.
Thanks, Sidney!
This is Bigdadu40. I'd send my info for the poster, but I don't have your email address.
Thanks,
Jim
Daniel,
I sent something for you to your old partner 'Algonquin:Ravenel' to look at should you ever have a spare inclination. James Callahan, now that was a surprise. The race factor, not a surprise but a damn good ace in the hole comrad! I know that hindsight is an easy call but I believe the title "Black To Alabama" would have done wonders for the sale of M.S.& the N.M. The book is to damn good to not be seen, read and understood for what it says about the human spirit.
A good day to ya,
Sidney
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