I’m traveling later in the week, so I figure I should probably give one away now, you know?
Here’s how we’re playing it this time:
1. I asked my daughter to think of a number between one and one thousand. She has.
2. Leave a comment in the comment thread. If your comment number matches her number, you win!
3. It is the number of your comment that is important, not what you put in the comment. If you try to guess which comment number will win, that won’t do anything.
4. Only one entry per person. If you put in a comment and it doesn’t show up immediately, don’t panic — it’s in the moderation queue and I will free it before I do the final count. If you post more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Sorry.
5. This contest runs until 7pm Eastern time, April 13, 2011, at which time I will announce the winner.
6. In the event that not enough people comment to reach the number in question, then I will have my daughter think of a number between one and whatever the last number is at 7pm Eastern, April 13, 2011. Whatever comment is at that number will win.
7. The contest is open to anyone anywhere in the world. So go on, leave a comment.
Got it? Okay: Go!
here goes nothing!
Bring back the haiku competitions!
always the bridesmaid
773
253
729
*growl* I hunger for your soul, John Scalzi… *slaver*
What, nobody wants to be first?
Hi Athena!
Damn, I never win anything…
Woot?
Bippity-blark balooooooo!
Hi
If I win, I promise to be good until the end of thyme.
Anyone want to take bets how many comments containing only a number will exist in this thread?
Comment!
i like cake
Loved the original books by H. Beam Piper. I’m looking forward to your book.
Heya… Here we go!
I needs me some Fuzzy :P (take that how you may)
242
703
Well, sure, I’ll bite. All in a good cause: SOMEONE will get a book, and I’ll have helped determine who! Bwahahaha, I have gone MAD with POWER! Or with sleep deprivation. Something.
Sure, why not?
Third time’s the charm?
Here’s to hoping :)
Here I am.
75
Maybe I’ll win this time! It could happen.
Okey-dokey!
WANT BWAINS
6
Comment commenty comment.
428
Stranger things have happened. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky.
I’ve never had an ARC before, it would make me terribly excited to win one!
On an unrelated note: I have a one-month-old daughter named Zoe. She is partially named after the character. (Mostly we were trying to think of a name and I happened to have just read The Last Colony and we both liked the sound of it.)
1
482
I feel fuzzy.
Fuzzy!
42 (yeah, I went there)
Woo Woo Woo You Know It.
I miss the Scott Westerfeld gets eaten by Cthulhu for dissing Pluto video. :-(
Just got my 1st-ever copy of one of your books delivered today. Look forward to reading it.
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
“I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.” – Umberto Eco (I love this quote.)
314
I love these “contests”. :)
Hooray!
it sure would be nice if this were the winning comment.
Give me the Fuzzy, or I’ll shoot!!
Trying.
This is a comment/blog contest entry.
735 reasons why I really want that book, perhaps?
commenting…
I have only the smallest hope of winning; but small hope is better than no hope at all.
/dev/null :)
I really hope she likes <100 numbers.
In the odd hopes that she likes Herbie the Love Bug, I’m shooting for #53
I went to random.org and asked for a number between 1 and 1000 and it gave me 321.
Let’s try it one more time!
I am so excited about this. I loved Piper’s Fuzzy books!
592
347
573
I hope I win!
Lucky 13.
‘Allo allo!
THIS IS A COMMENT
Thanks for the chance
Comment. :)
Two digit numbers FTW!
count me in
Fingers crossed!
872
Thrilled!
This takes away all the fretful attempting to guess, and leaves it to “when did I get around to leaving a comment.” Perfect!
Yippeee??
Whatever comment number this is.
fingers are crossed- making it very hard to type!
Cranberry juice is tasty.
Wow. People just really don’t pay attention to the way things work, do they?
As soon as he put on the light, something inside the shower stall said, “Yeeeek!” in a startled voice.
Totally doing this on work time to get in before comment #1,000.
*sneaky glances*
My guess is that, given a large range, she would tend towards the top of that range, at least 4 digits. However, I have to run, so rather than just not play, my comment is just a placeholder so someone else can win. I wish you the best.
Oooh! I’m gonna choose (insert correct comment # here)! it’s my lucky number!
743
My comment.
Even harder then the last arbitrary contest. Well done!
Woo! show me the Fuzzy Nation ARC!!
comment
Bacon.
woo. Thanks for taking the grunt work of having to guess a number out of the guess-a-number contest.
She probably chose a 3 digit number, but it is a $10 book, so it hardly seems worth waiting to post….
Simple rules. I like!
777
lorem ipsum
She likes this low number because she has taste and panache.
here’s hoping :)
Oh man, this is such a difficult competition! I’m sure to do something wrong and my entry will get disqualified.
wooooo
this number tastes funny
Me please!
Will there be pie?
Crossing my fingers. They shall remain crossed until the close of the give away. :D
742
Yay!
lets try that :) im bad at winning things, but not trying is the safest way not to win.
I’m looking forward to reading Fuzzy Nation. ARC’d be nice, if not I’ll wait longer…
This comment intentionally left blank.
Ooh! Ooh! Pick me!
Fuzzy!
452
And the winning number is……
Sure, why not.
Well, I’ll have something new to read in class. :>
This, I believe, is the one number to rule them all.
el nombre no es importante
271
Fuzzy Nation for me!
What the hey, I’ll give it a try. The way my day is going, I’m sure not to win. :D
This is the lowest uninteresting number.
@34 Chris
I too have a 4month old child with the middle name Perry named for John Perry. I bet he’d like an ARC Fuzzy Nation, when he can read.
Pie.
Sure, count me in :)
Hi John
A semi-random winning.
Witty comment here.
It was the beast of times, it was the wurst of times.
998
Wheeeee!
851
I would like a copy of the book for free, but if I don’t get it free, I’ll undoubtedly buy it.
I’m trying to hit my lucky number 128.
K
number?
Too early I’ll bet – but I’m going to be busy for a while so………………..
Here’s hoping!
rivit…commented
In the immortal words of Fezzik the Giant, “I hope we win.”
Who knows.. maybe this one?
Probably too early…
Meta comment is meta.
Me! Me! Athena, Pick MEEEEE!
hmmmmm is this the lucky entry?
Yay, another chance to win!
I also suspect that I am too early. But what fun is waiting?
Gahhhh! The last time I won anything was back in the ’70s when I won a Snoopy doll at the local premier of a Charlie Brown movie.
Gahhhh! I’m old!
This one.
Yeah numbers!
Please write more.
giving it a shot
I am entering! For Great Justice.
Hi Athena!
*witty comment*
140 something for the win? Or maybe 150 something?
Can I get one?
I want to wait for comment 772, but I have a feeling that either a) we won’t get that far in, or b) I’ll be asleep about the time the comment numbers reach that point.
So, something in the mid-to-high 150s sounds good.
Athena -
This is the number you picked.
is a comment
411
is it me?
*less witty comment*
Deploying surprise in 3… 2… 1….
Here goes.
I guess this spot is as good as any.
I’m busy writing a villain’s POV in my current WIP so I cant help but imagine there’s some nefarious plan behind these “innocent” comment games. Every comment is code to lower the hog-tied hero ever closer to the certain death inside a pool filled with laser-wielding sharks. Or some such.
This was easy
423!
Did I win?
Just a chance.
I’m doing this instead of studying for my exam on Jane Austen, who was insightful enough to predict “Jersey Shore” with “Pride and Prejudice”. Oh, the parties and hookups and gossip and shallow people!
C’mon luck.
Me. And my friends.
This comment intentionally left blank.
I am not a number! I am a … eh? This is a chance to win a Fuzzy Nation ARC?
Count me in!
Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
C’mon low number.
Pick me!
I’m in.
Maybe this time?
Wha?
Daddy wants a “Fuzzy Nation”!
This is my comment!
This is the number, I hope
Winner!!!!
blarg!
I might as well enter at least one of these~
877
Me?
1701
*Fingers xed again*
116
Hoping against hope!
Comment!
Ceci n’est pas une comment.
OMG IT IS A POST
Howdy.
#666 Hopefully she’s a Heinlein fan and not a devil worshiper.
521
8
I like bacon.
Ce n’est pas un commentaire.
Winner,winner, chicken dinner.
Yay!
WINNING!
642
Thanks in advance for the free book.
No? Damn.
Look at me, I can comment! Maybe…
toasty-post.
I can haz Fuzzy Nation ARC?
I’ll keep trying…. maybe she’ll like this number!
You’re going to need to transform that number.
999
About about this one?
Why not me?
This is as likely as any other number!
Long Live Athena!
This is me, leaving a comment.
Have a safe trip.
[insert witty comment here]
This post has bacon taped to it.
Me!
there’s only one number worthy: 42
If Athena picks 42 you have raised her well.
3rd try.
ooteeenee!
Waves hello to Athena…
Here’s my comment.
Any number in the 200 range seems like a solid guess.
A MILLION AND SEVEN. Wait, what?
icanhazfuzzynavel?
This time for sure, nuthin’ up ma sleeve… Presto!
(wrong hat!)
I take a 7 and a half…
perhaps today is my lucky day…
I suppose I’d be willing to get a book.
125
Here goes nothin
My guess would have been 588
Me, me! [Bacon].
Right, if I don’t win I’ll just have to- gasp- spend some money. But it’s plain stupid that I don’t have more of your books, since I always love your writing.
Pick me!!!
*posts*
Or I could just buy the book…am I right?
Green.
Time! Time!
Oh, wait, wrong contest.
“There’s only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.”
These are the gol dangest contests ever, hardest ones I have ever played, yep.
Yes, that might be easier.
Crossing fingers
Please :-)
This one.
Pick me!
I’m game.
Mmmm fuzzy.
I guess I will take a shot.
Sweet.
I am known for winning the door prizes. People are jealous. I don’t care.
Comment
877
This is my comment. There are many like it but this one is mine.
Spoon!
Hope I won
Here goes nothing! I want a copy :)
Surprising how many people don’t read the instructions…
I don’t want to win a door, I’d like the book.
weeeeeeeeeeeee
Anywhere in the world, that means here in New Zealand then! Yay!
42…I know, its the post count, but I had to..
Victory is mine!!
This time for sure!
random crap here . :)
Okay, I’ve made my calculations and decided that this is the optimal comment number to have. Here goes nothing.
I have a feeling the winning comment number will be posted some time during my REM sleep.
post
I’m gonna go with 526
Oh, me me me me please.
GO GO GADGET FUZZY NATION ARC!
I always pick a number in the 700s, but I’m sure Athena is cooler than me and will pick THIS comment.
Here goes nothing!
Yuri Gagarin rocks.
One can only hope.
384
Peas Pappy Jack?
Okay.
Something witty.
Fingers crossed…
I expect the clever are holding back to get a large number, but what the heckaroonie…
287
Or this one?
here goes nothing
It’s amazing how many people place numbers in their comments anyway. Fools!
and so on…..
Nuts, I had a number picked out and everything. Well, here we go…
Just laughing at all of the people that didn’t read the post and see the comment number is what matters.
comment!
1 in 1,000.
I’m completely confident in my raffle-winning skills.
Veen der veer bork bork bork
Ping!
Please let it be me.
I feel like I’m too early…
I choose 677.
Count me in.
794
I am guessing that this comment will be 306, but I’ll take whatever I can get.
fnord
372
This one?
Woo. Let’s try this again :D
Come on four billion!… Fuck! Seven.
Hi
Hey-o!
Maybe this time, I’ll be lucky.
P
what, no cats ?
This one?
459
777
If I were guessing, I would have guessed a number somewhere in the 300s.
?
Nothing could possibly go wrong with this plan. Nothing.
comment
Would love to send an ARC with my boyfriend as he starts his deployment!
247
Sure, why not?!
The only number we can be sure it is not is this one. See you May 17th. I’ll be the one with the Hebrew copy of Old Mans War to be signed. And a couple of Fuzzy Nations to give to my friends.
789
I love these contests. So simple, so egalitarian.
Third time’s a charm, right? Right?
If I win, I’ll give Athena Warren Ellis’ daughter’s pony*.
I’m totally lying, Warren would eat my soul, if he hasn’t already.
Third time is the charm!
268
Hello.
C’mon big money! Or a book. Either one.
A free book to win.
One girl – a thousand choices.
A comment to write.
^_^
Woot!
Wee! Here we go again!
1 in 1000 …. good odds? Cheap cost of entry though.
For great justice (and an ARC)!
This is the one, I just know it.
I can’t see comment numbers on my iPhone, so I won’t know what I hit. :-(
(Around 330?)
Hi!
Pick me, pick me!
It’s. This. One. I hope.
Nearly contentless comment!
312
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
All mimsy were the borogroves, and the mome wraths outgrabe.
Beware the Jabberwock, my son, the jaws that bite, the claws that catch
Beware the jub-jub bird and shun the frumious bandersnatch.
He took his vorpal blade in hand, long time the manxome foe he sought
So rested he by the tum-tum tree and stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood, the Jabberwock, with eyes of flame
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood and burbled as it came!
One, two, one, two and through and through! The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead and with its head he went galumphing back!
And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy
Oh, frabjous day, calooh, calay, he chortled in his joy.
This comment is not intended to be a factual statement.
850
Maybe today’s my lucky day.
I love how many people don’t read instructions.
777
Here goes nothing.
Oh what the heck, I’ll bite.
FTW
Pick me!
Now.
BTW – are you doing a sequel to Little Fuzzy by H Beam Piper?
here goes nothin’
Good enough?
This is more fun than a drunken monkey. That’s not true actually. The drunken monkey is more entertaining. But he doesn’t read.
Yay!
This sentence is a lie
I wanted to put something clever here, but I have neither the wit nor the patience to think of something. Also, brain melting from reading the other comments. Some of which are very awesome.
…
And some of which are not. I’m looking at you number people
This post is the winner, for sure.
If only I could figure out how to hold the Internet to my forehead, I’m certain I could divine the winning comment number.
312
A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you.” The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, “Which do you want, son?” The boy takes the quarters and leaves. “What did I tell you?” said the barber. “That kid never learns!” Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store. “Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?” The boy licked his cone and replied, “Because the day I take the dollar, the game is over!”
I like pie.
Hey, this is a comment with no substance.
hey, why not?
Howdy do!
bam
357 is clearly correct, on account of it being composed of 3 consecutive odd numbers.
*crosses everything*
Why not?
So here goes nothing.
The last time I won anything was 6th grade; it was one of those hollow chocolate Easter bunny things and I ate the ears off first.
Ceci n’est pas un commentaire.
Fooble
732.
Hi
616
hoping!
Free Comic Book Day is coming!
I love ARCs! CIRCLEs, too!
I should like to claim number 386. But I’ll take what I can get.
/* You are not expected to understand this. */
I hope it’s my turn.
Whatever, whatever.
Looks like many people are not reading past rule #1.
Nothing particularly juicy, but I totally caught a dude flipping through the owner’s manual of a Yamaha RM1x sequencer.
Sorry to say that I haven’t been reading long enough to know what your book is about, although I’m not too dense to figure out that it’s most likely science fiction. If I get the winning number, I get an autographed copy right? heehee
Hi all.
Commenting like a Communicative Communist.
Hi – let’s try 555
This is not my beautiful number.
I always feel like somebody’s watching me.
I can has commit?
fingers crossed!!
No comment.
Here goes nothing :)
Word
I wonder if my number’s up?
I love fish and chips.
Here’s my try.
I’d really like to win
I wish I were a nice round number.
When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir? — John Maynard Keynes
I Comment!
I believe that I have correctly timed my entry. Please thank Athena for me. : )
Mmmmm, fuzzy books.
I wanted a higher number, but there you go.
It’s like playing lotto, but without having to go to the seven eleven. Or pay for my ticket. Yay!
Relax everyone… the ARC is mine.
What is an ARC, anyway?
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read.” -Groucho Marx
ping
Okay, but did she tell her Mom? Because we all know we can trust her Mom.
Me?
The winning comment?
781
I wanted a higher number but was too impatient.
731
Please!
Count me in!
I never win these things…
Could this be the winning comment? Only Athena knows for sure…
This is the exact number I wanted!
Here is my uber-lucky post
Hope I’m not to late to the party! :P
howdy. Ok, Ms Scalzi, pick me, pick me!
ah, whom am I kidding, I never win anything…
Could it be me?
Dolphin code 22
@346- I was totally about to post that exact same poem. I’m not kidding. Whenever I have to say/write something random, I usually end up spouting poetry. Especially that one. People tend to give me strange looks.
Anyways, I want to read Fuzzy Nation!
L’chaim!
And here is my comment
Here goes nothing!
Feeling good about this one…
Hi, John! Hi, Athena!
Me! Me!
Pick me!
676
Could it be this one?
I’ve had the lousiest day in the lousiest week ever in my life. The universe owes me an ARC of Fuzy Nation!
The winner is me!
Winning! Wait, that’s already old. That’s me: already old.
mememememememe
Crossing my fingers.
Comment comment comment
I want one!
A Comment
42 is the best number.
Pick me
Commenting commently commatose….
Commenting.
He-inta sa-wa’aka; igga sa geeda
Best. Number. Ever. This one. Above me up there.
Might as well.
Fragile Alex 123 Orange.
The effort required for this one is right in my wheelhouse.
This is not a comment
225
Durp!
Anywhere in the world eh? OK…
Woohoo! Random chance at getting the number Athena picked!
I have this song stuck in my head.
Nothing clever to say. Move along.
bah didnt see the time. maybe next time rascal
I’m Henry the Eighth I am.
I guess this is as good as any body else’s number. Hopefully a lot better!
Comment!
These contests are cracking me up. Hope I win. That is all.
Anywhere in the world? Whee!
comment containing info on that wrist-wearable keyboard http://www.l3sys.com/wristpc/wristpc.html or about a Commodore C64 (only with a 1.8Ghz chip and optional bluray) relaunch. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12997245
sure, why not!?!
Why not?
I’ll try one more time.
I’m commenting!!!
I love this number
Here’s hoping……
I just want to point out that I tried the “my guess is my comment number” approach in the first contest, and it didn’t work. :-)
Nope, still not winning
Aw, I wanted an odd number. Oh well ;)
lucky comment number please!
comment!
I suspect that this is not the winning comment.
I hope that my earnest request to see the Cthulhu vs Scott Westerfield videos once more is a winning one, though.
Ok then I won’t say anything interesting.
[please insert witty remark of your choice here]
Just saw the Thor trailer. Mljoiner.
…
867-5309
comment +1!
It’s mine!
I’ll give Athena Brian’s post-Ellis digested soul. And Warren’s daughter’s pony. I’m sure it would fit in the house.
I can has??
now?
I feel fuzzy all ready (all puns intended)
Oooh, I’m comment #496 (before I press the submit button, anyway)!
This has GOT to be a winner.
This is not not the comment you are looking for.
this comment is not important.
I feel quite strongly about the number that has been randomly generated for me! Go my number!
So I’m just curious. If the comments were to exceed 1,00 before 7PM on the 13th should we be smart enough not to bother posting, or would you have your daughter re-think a number between 1 and whatever number over a thousand was the last comment be 7 PM EST on April 13th?
Blum
Have I commented here before?
Winning this ARC is what stands between me and a tour in the CDF… I’ll be that desperate.
I feel like there’s a Burma-Shave joke just waiting to be made in here.
Comment
This is a comment. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Without my comment, I am useless. Without me, my comment is useless.
Generic comment.
Purple
Why not give it a try, since I’m planning on getting it anyway?
Hi :)
Okay, here goes!
First.
No comment.
this is it. i can feel it.
Go me.
pleaseandthankyou
Hope my comment is the lucky comment
Win!
Since it is the number of the comment not the guess, I have a chance as we are still below 1000.
good luck to everyone. (and me8^D)
hi!
So here’s my comment.
I’m a BookCrosser and I released one of your books although I hadn’t read it. It has now been read by three different people who loved it. See this site for the details. Since then a number of people have told me how much they like your books (and one of them directed me to this site) so I obviously have to read them. So you could despoil a Scalzi virgin by picking me.
a_comment_01
C’mon…no whammies!
I am still in the running!!!!
This is my new favorite number
This comment may or may not be #527. But what I put here is not important.
Dr. Phil
This is my comment!
Number whatever-this-is.
I’m feelin’ lucky!
At least I’m before 1000!
Goodness, yes.
Squiggledoodles?
Nothing ventured..
Woo!
Glad I got in before the cutoff number!
I’ve spent the day in the hospital with a torn Achilles tendon. I NEED this!
hope springs
Here is hoping that you are having a nice spring.
Sure, I’ll give it a shot.
Fingers crossed…
I’d like to use lucky 13.
Have fun traveling! Hope to see you inSF.
I don’t have high hopes, but my low hopes are quite hopeful.
Athena is the best! AND she knows a lovely cherry tree when she sees one.
Random comment number for the win!
OK. No whammies, no whammies…Stop!
Me me me me!
I was waiting for the minute to change before I posted this, then I laughed and said “Oh yes, I am having teh dumb.”
*fingers crossed*
wow I can’t believe you guys all picked the wong number. Fools 8)
commenty comment
I have a headache and Tylenol is not fixing it.
Here’s hoping…
470
Now’s as good a time as any. I was off by five minutes last time. >_<
Yahtzee!
I bid one dollar, Bob!
Reboot “Murder in the Gun Room” next
me! me!
I like books, especially if they are Fuzzy.
Come on Fuzzy!
This seems like a very unusual way to get a lot of comments.
Okay, fine, I’ll try again.
This number is unlike any other number.
BANG!
pick me! (Have picked me? English doesn’t have the right tenses for this.)
Worth a shot…
Count me in.
Will I get any extra credit for introducing someone to Little Fuzzy yesterday? (I know….I couldn’t believe he’d never heard of Little Fuzzy but at least he did know who H Beam Piper was!)
Comment entirely devoid of political content.
Hi ya Scalzi compound!
Oh Oh Oh, Pick me pick me pick me
I like the rest of your books. What is an ARC?
Maybe???
Here, Fuzzy Fuzzy!
Third time’s a charm, right?
My house is already covered in fuzz from our cats, so a book about fuzzys will match.
Oh, so they’re making us type in comments. Okay.
me! me!
Please, please, me.
It’s worth a try!
Here’s hoping that your daughter thought of a number in the 500ish range….
Comment!
Or not.
Thanks!
721
Throwing my hat in. I loved the H. Beam Piper version, and I’d like to read the Scalzi version.
I’m willing to bribe your daughter with Yodels. Thought she should know. #564, Young Scalzi!
Here’s an acceptable comment.
Big money, no whammie….
I’ll take some of that action!
(Last time I said that, I won a free pass to a local conference. Here’s hoping it’s lucky again.)
Thank you in advance! It never hurts to be polite and cocky.
Red.
No, wait, BLUE!
Aaaaaiiiiieeeeeee!
Yay another give away
Well, all right then.
Is it… this one?
Unlike most lotteries, the value of a 1/1000 chance of winning this ARC might actually be worth more than the time it takes to type this. So I’ll bite!
I’d like to thank all the people who made it possible for me to win this ARC. I really, really want to thank those people, but if I don’t win I can’t do that… ^_^
Kind of pointless to actually write something. Nobody’s going to read it.
Winner?
[Horshack]
Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! Pick me, Mr. Scalzeeee!
[/Horshack]
486
Wait! Tuna fish mixer! Glass? Eureka! Measuring tape…
This is the first Fuzzy Nation ARC giveaway that I’ve actually seen before it was over. Hooray for timeliness! Or something.
And I’m in!
Pick me! Pick me!
I can haz?
I’m feeling both lucky and fuzzy. Hopefully that will be enough.
I am drinking tea.
Oh wow, why not?
[insert comment here]
I had to scroll a loooooooooooooooooong way to be able to enter this comment. Hope all that work paid off!
Rereading Old Man’s War now. Hope this is as good.
Commentommentomment
Third time’s the charm?
safe travels later this week.
Itchy State
Wooly Principality
Cushy Community
Frizzy Kingdom
Hairy Empire
Hey, there’s still room in this pool!
I’m watching a really depressing Red Sox game and entering this contest might be the most fun I’m going to have tonight.
649
“It’s a metaphor of human bloody existence, a dragon. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s also a bloody great hot flying thing.” — Terry Pratchett, in Guards, Guards
I am not a number, I am a free man!
It is this one..
It’s worth a try!
Comment type thing here.
Huzzah!
It’s as good as any number. Safe travels.
Free book? Really? I can heat my house for 10 minutes after I’m done being entertained.
Hope this is the lucky number.
What’s all this then?
com·ment (kmnt)
n.
1.
a. A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation.
b. A series of annotations or explanations.
2.
a. A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.
b. An implied conclusion or judgment: a novel that is a comment on contemporary lawlessness.
3. Talk; gossip: a divorce that caused much comment.
4. Computer Science A string of text in a program that does not function in the program itself but is used by the programmer to explain instructions.
5. Linguistics The part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic. Also called rheme.
Ooo, I hope it’s me!
Boom.
here goes nothin….
/roll
So, I.. what?
verily this be a fortuitous comment number
513
Thanks for another chance to win!
42…
I like comments.
Ooh! A comment!
Do your wife and daughter have as much fun participating as you do coming up with these contests?
obligatory comment in hopes of winning a copy…
785
I’m totally coming down to seattle (from vancouver) just for the ARC book tour.
An advanced copy would still rock though.
138
If I had a million dollars (if I had a million dollars) I would buy a Fuzzy Nation Arc (but not a real arc cause that’s cruel)…….
pick me! pick me! pick me!
Dude. Duuuude…
This one.
comment submitted
This is not a comment.
Here goes…
Comment!
Ohhhh Craaaapp!!!!
815
She says I am the one!
This is my post
Seems like a good number to me.
485!
Wow, lots of comments!
It’s a simple game for simple people…
fun times
483
Always worth a pop:)
Dinosaur DNA.
And the winner is….
Muahahaha!
Hi, Athena!
47
dang it! I wanted 667…
Okay – We’ll try again..Thanks!
witty one liner
Hello!
:)
812
I would love to be #666, but I think I’m off by a couple. Oh well.
Posting to enter contest for book.
comment
385
Well, looks like there won’t be any problem reaching a kilocomment!
Hopefully I’ve got the magic number. :)
Why not give it a go? Let’s see if I get lucky.
X
Here’s hoping! :)
This is a comment. It has a number associated with it. I will not post twice this time, and so, invalidate my entry.
Oh so fuzzy!!
Comment
Well, it’s worth a shot, eh?
Goodness. Stress testing WordPress.com VIP, I see.
Winning is good.
Hope I win.
ok here’s a gratuitous comment to be numbered as wordpress sees fit
Oh my. I hope she went high with the guess.
My mom once said Lustmord “sounds like Jurassic Park” and she was totally right.
I never win anything. Maybe this time?
First!
Er…
Comment!
Fingers crossed!
=)
In before #1000
Wow, the numbers are going fast.
Just spent 20 seconds furiously scrolling, hoping there were still a few spots left.
Commenty comment.
Betcha’ she chose 3, and we’ve all been typing in vain since then… :-)
But I hope not!
2
While victory had previously eluded me, clearly it is mine this time.
Wow!
I’m game…. Hope to meet you at your SF appearance at Borderlands…
One for the money…
For great justice?
Feeling lucky!
Good grief!
baka bakka!
Comment
I have a blue canary nightlight, but no outlet by a light switch.
Meh.
Yay!
What up, 718?
Well, we’re not to 1000 yet so I still have a chance!
There is a 1 in 1000 chance of winning.
If only I knew her favorite number(s)
Ooh! Pick me!
Here’s hoping she picked something in the low 700s :)
Wow, i hope she thinks big.
It’s me!! I’m here!!
Yatzee
fingers crossed
And…… Now!
Trying my luck, Thanks!
First time commenting thought it was worth a shot.
This is a comment.
It’s it.
Numbers people pick are often include 7′s, out of proportion to the expected number – and threes. *crosses fingers*.
Daddy needs a new pair of shoes. Or at least another book!
Wow, it takes a long time to scroll through 700+ comments! Does Athena take bribes?
Good luck everyone!
Staking my claim!
Almost missed the deadline…
Me!
Why not. :)
I’m going to feel really stupid if Athena is using base eight.
If this count is correct I believe you’ll have too many, not too few, Mister Scalzi.
No chance of it NOT breaking a thousand, I’d wager….!
Random is random.
Ferry travel means I get the number I get. Go, ferry number.
echo “foo”
Win!
I won a science fair once.
Happy National Library Workers Day!
Keeping my fingers crossed
This looks like a fine number.
Comment!
I am no good at the guessing. Hope this breaks my bad luck.
Oh man. I can almost imagine this is actually happening and not a (prescription) drug-induced hallucination…
Whew, we’re still under 1000
Behold, as may unworthiness define,
A little touch of Scalzi in the night.
I have a ridiculously good feeling about this…..
Would love to win one!
And why not this number?
Toot
Here goes nothing…
970. Why? Why not.
woo this page takes a long time to load
After the crappy two weeks I’ve had, I could sure use something cool to happen!!
I feel lucky.
I hope I win!
Eh, I’ll give it another go.
Do we get sparkly pony dust too?
Oh, hello
*wishing hard for a mind-meld with Athena*
Shooting for the triple 7
Because it would just be tragic to have to go through the work of getting a new number…
This is my stake in the ground …
Well, at least I came in under a thousand this time.
Fingers crossed.
Here goes nothing.
All Gaul is divided into how many parts?
Well, here goes nothing…
yowza
Ping
New reader. WOW!
I was recently in my local B&N and noticed they were downsizing the amount of books per author to a few each. Not a few of each they wrote, (more’s the pity!) but simply one or two, to none. Well, with the exception of the Big Guns in books. ie: King, Roberts, Meyers, Rowling, etc. However, you may be interested to know, they had a very nice assortment of _your_ books.
Thanks for your imagination!
Tombstone rules…I’m your huckleberry
I love surprises! Thanks!!
924
And the winner is . . .
Into the breach once more, dear friends, into the breach . . .
aaaaannnndddd…. winner?
Yay free books!
Here goes nothing.
This is the number you are looking for.
1100010100
This is my comment
I bet Athena picked this very number!
John Scalzi is a secret orc sympathizer.
#NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement
Good luck!
May the farce be with me.
There is…No Rule #6.
Let’s hope that my slowness to comment coincides with the young lady’s numerical preferences!
222
; )
Third time’s a charm!
::pokes at her number:: Heeere arccy arccy arccy…
Here, everyone… Have a fantastic one-man Disney Musical while we all wait to see whose comment is the lucky one.
I thought 121 but to ate for that.
ping!
Hopefully!
Please. Don’t give me #806.
Doh!
This is a comment!
642
A phenomenal number of people seem to be either incapable of reading directions or fond of posting unrelated numbers as comments. :)
810 entries . . . increasingly unlikely that “not getting to the number” will be a problem.
Just got my hubby started on Old Man’s War and he’s ready for more!
Fingers crossed.
Numbers… we don’t need no stinkin’ numbers!
!
Pick me! Pick me!
Errr… please? :)
Also, what’s an ARC exactly?
I can haz book?
And who will win?
187
Well past my guess, but you never know.
A wish… a song… a hope; for KAS
hiya
Witty comment, I don’t have one
Comment
Maybe closer to the end?
What’s going to happen if she doesn’t pick an integer?
Sure, why not?
I’m listen to very epic music while posting this. Maybe that will help…
If not, then at least this felt like I did something very important.
No strings attached?
543.
Commenting (and hoping).
This is it I know it :D
I always lose at online contests like this… (Sigh.)
543
crossing my fingers!!
Fingers crossed!
Com, com, comment.
I wonder if the book is signed?
comment
I am the Walrus.
Best foot forward. :)
Fuzzy.
For the win? Surely not.
This is the right number!
Bippity boppity boo.
I’ll go with 62.
Maybe this time….
Here’s hoping….
I claim this comment for the Mole People.
42
Blargh.
Here’s to hoping…
Forsooth! A comment!
In the words of the prophets: Awopbopaloobopalopbamboom.
As good an incantation as any.
The fine print:
Sweepstakes limited to 1,000 entries.
Contestants limited to the inhabitants of Sol III and its satellites, and void where prohibited by law.
Do not taunt Happy Fun ARC.
Let’s see if I am lucky
This thread is tl;dr :-)
Sweet! I got here before there were a thousand posts, so I have a chance.
Yay!
…
Me!
Look! It’s a comment!
Here is a song that has lyrics written by Truman Capote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e0CXcbPIBo
-Pip
hello! I’m having a hard day, and winning this would make me feel better.
Yay!
I would have liked *my* number but, what the heck… :)
Woohoo, this is a charming and erudite number!
As if getting to one thousand comments is going to be a problem!
I am enjoying the randomness of these little contests probably more than a normal person should…
86-something
Pick me
Hope I get it, but you have to eventually sell copies too, right?
Worth a shot.
867 is the Number of the Other Beast
Hah, still not over 1000! Though the moderation queue might mess things up…
At some point, you really need to pick 42. Just for kicks and giggles.
I love the random chance of randomly getting the correct random number. Or something.
I guess it is worth a try!
Ooh, ooh! Me! Me! :)
Still room for me!
I’m just a number.
Darn, all the good numbers are taken.
John,
I think it is really cool of you to give your daughter a task that is a part of your work/On-line blog. That has to put you in the cool dad category. I imagine the show and tell in her class has to be a little bit weirder.
Dave
Onward to 1000! (and beyond…)
Here’s hoping Athena went with a big number.
I’m sure we’ll reach 1000, waaay before the deadline.
:D
Surely it would have been fairer, if there were insufficient comments, to do the calculation of n*(your daughters number)/1000 to get to the same point in the comments? Your rules though…
Oogabooga.
Let’s hope X is my lucky number.
It doesn’t matter what I say here.
Bring it.
Woot Ding!
217
This is a comment.
Stick and stones…
Well, hey. Why not, right?
Oh man. I hope she likes high numbers.
This seems around the right number!
This is where, ideally, I would say something witty. However it is too late and I am le tired, so…yeah.
I am not lurking. I am merely shy.
893?
If you have noticed this notice, you will have noticed it is not worth noticing.
Leaving a comment…
As ordered I am leaving a comment.
wow, almost too late for this one!
this is probably too close to 1000
Come on, high numbers!
Come on, ARC. Good Ol’ Jack Backgammon needs some new reading material!
I meant to do this a few hours ago but parental duties got in the way. Maybe I’m closer to the right number now.
Incredibly witty comment not here.
Here is my one and only comment. Best of luck to all!
What the heck.
There are still < 1000 comments, but not by much.
We bought a car today so I can come see you at the B&N on Pico. First car we’ve owned since 2007. So take that!
what if she thought of 999 but THAT COMMENT WILL NEVER COME?
It is I, yes?
Hola! Como estas?
Booga booga, that book looks good. :)
Ooh! Pick me :D
That won’t do anything.
Give it a shot…
Comments have been made…..
Crap! Barely making it in.
just in time
Beep beep beep wiggle down the street!
Ah randomness.
What’s the time??
I’ve commented. Not even an interesting comment.
Blam.
zoicks! this is what I get for living in Pacific Time…
Please tell me you are mine.
This one.
413
I want to win!
You never know, this may just be my day.
SPOON!
Fingers crossed.
Hell, is this thing still alive? Being from far, far away Europe and all… Anyway, I am in!
Whoops, almost forgot.
Fools! I will destroy you all!
That’s a lot of comments.
Here’s hoping she likes really high numbers.
Let’s try #711!
Ok
Comment? Comment! This is my comment.
Hey, still a chance to win!
Loving to iPad input.
Wow, 940 comments!
Pick me!
Yo!!
/* Comment goes here */
Caged unicorn.
comment number < 1000 get
Here’s hoping!
If she didn’t pick an integer, will you round? or are we out of luck?
This is my number. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my number is useless. Without my number, I am useless.
Whoo! Yeah! Numbers.. whoo. yeah… numbers…..(whispher… go anarchy)
Whoo! Yeah! Numbers.. whoo. yeah… numbers…..(whisper… go anarchy)
can’t wait to read it ;)
Might as well try too :)
Worth a shot.
Hoping I squeak in before comments hit 1000!
Hey look! I have no math skill.
it will be very amusing if she picked a low number, say “7″ or something.
Well, I’ve probably missed the boat, but what the hell.
Hi John and Athena!
Finally saw a giveaway soon enough to enter the contest.
Forget pie. And cake. Gimme ICE CREAM! (And an ARC)
Wheeeeee late to the game!
Yow! Wish I’d seen this sooner. Or that Athena guesses very,very high.
Comment… Did I win?
Here’s hoping for 964!
hopefully my entry will qualify! There seemed to be only 967 comments, so maybe I have a chance….
still a valid entry i hope
I’m going with 368 because that’s what the sludge in the bottom of my paper cup after gagging down nasty office coffee looks like.
Ugh… Almost missed it…
Fuzzy logic tells me that now is the moment to comment.
Boo!
Just sneaking in under the bar!
Bacon
Sure, I’ll try
Comment! Woooo!
giving it a last minute shot
Whew, close to 1000 already.
The Pyramid does not agree with me.
ugah!
Randomness continues!
*posts*
*crosses fingers*
Sneaking in right under 1000, it seems!
Fingers crossed…
I really have enjoyed your books and your blog. Keep up the good work!!
A post!
Almost 1000 :)
Woo!XD
kjhacgn gf.zdfcv
This one?
last one?
In under the wire by a hair (well 5). Tragically I’m unlikely to be the winner due to the psychology of ‘randomly’ picking a number.
Uh, close to 1000
997 is my lucky number dontcha know.
Very nearly done now.
Made it!
<end
693
Oh…
Just so folks after this point are aware, the contest is for a number between one and one thousand. Any additional posts at this point are just for the amusement of the commenter.
I’m a big fan of ARCs :o)
Okay, this may just be me, but I swore that when I initially commented my number was #667 (I remember this because I saw that Richard wanted that number a few posts down). Now my comment is #670. Did three extra posts appear out of thin air?
Yes. Some earlier comments were shunted for whatever reason into the moderation queue and did not immediately appear; when I released them the were added in at the time the commenter attempted to post them. I noted this might happen up at point four in the entry.
Well, I hope Athena likes number 1007!
I know I’m awake at this hour because it’s lunchtime (Douglas Adams notwithstanding) Over Here, but JS what on earth (or off of it, I presume) are you doing up?
Boo, just a little too late.
<headline>
CLEVER JOHN DISCOVERS ANOTHER METHOD TO BOLSTER Whatever TRAFFIC STATS
</headline>
(Okay, I know that that’s not the reason – though this contest would make an acceptable cover for profiling WordPress’ ability to meet a given SLA.)
:( I didn’t know about the contest until there were 1010 comments visible (and who knows how many in the moderation queue). Oh well, I guess I’m going to have to help fund Scalzi’s Coke Zero habit if I want to read the book.
this post is simply for my amusement. and yes, I am easily amused
Pretty tough to win this one if you are based in Europe. A shame. Maybe something to consider for next time John?
Congrats to whoever wins, anyway.
722
I guess I lost:(
Bummer. This is what I get for sleeping in (or not staying up late).
We’ll see…..
456
747. Not ‘cos it’s a plane ;-)
worth a try.
No whammies, no whammies…
622
999
Damn, I’m late! I’ll comment anyway and see what happens.
yes Brain, but where will we find rubber pants in our size? Narf
Third time is the charm, right?
Come on Athena, Think outside of the box. Don’t conform to the non-sense rules of your father. Think for yourself and choose me.
Bam! Between 1 and 1000 hexadecimal, right?
Oh, no…
666
like it! :)
I always love it when you feature Athena.
Let’s hope 33+ people double-posted.
He is also a police detective
I won!
(if this is it)
Thanks Athena and John!
Moe!!!!
Uh-oh. Already more than 1000 responses. Guess I’m out of luck! (Unless your daughter thought outside the 1000 limit)
Aargh!
Wow that’s a lot of comments.
Is it wierd that I want a book I’m too blind to read? I’ll jujst have to force my wife to read it out loud. Oh, the horror — feel sorry for her if I win. ‘Cause then she’ll insist on reading everything else you’ve writen out loud, as well. So very sad. A veritable tragedy. :-)
237
past a thousand before I even saw it – saddies
Curses! Foiled again! I’ll show you… I won’t buy a copy. Ha!
Who am I kidding. I already have it on pre-order.
Good luck to #1-#1000!
“Just so folks after this point are aware, the contest is for a number between one and one thousand. Any additional posts at this point are just for the amusement of the commenter.”
We are not amused, thus we post, then we are amused, but we lose the contest, thus we are again unamused. Or something.
I win ! I win !
A little late to the game! Captain Crunch Gravy Train is my Lou Donaldson electropop tribute band…
765 Ever hopeful
103
Isn’t it precious how she always pick 678? :)
453
Huzzah!! Too late!!
“In the event that not enough people comment to reach the number in question,”
Ha! Like that was gonna happen. How bout if we get to 2000, you give away a second one… ;)
Too late…grumble…
Loved your Old Man’s War – that’s how sci fi was meant to be
Dang, I missed it.
So I’m guessing being over 1000 is statistically disadvantageous in a contest of 1 to 1000…
Here’s hoping!
725
242
owt’s worth a try
A number hum how about 95
225, perfect squares ftw
I’ll comment anyway, despite being over 1000…
Sadly already over 1000. :(
For the people coming over because Tor tweeted about the contest: Sorry, you’re too late. BUT: there will be another contest, I’m sure, possibly next week.
13
I was going to post and then decided against it.
How often does your daughter disobey you?
Crap.
I was able to read this one before the time limit had expired, but then I saw the comments had already reached 1067. Sigh….
I hope she disobeyed you and guessed over 1000. Please!!!!
Me want Fuzzy
734
I post therefore I am (the winner,I hope)!
Pick me! Pick me!
999
A lot of the people who posted need to work on reading comprehension.
Hmmm… I guess it’s not about winning but it’s about participating :))))
Too late. I guess this is proof that the wilderness experience is not so great after all :)
poo.
over 1000 already? oh well
637
Well, kick me for not reading it right!
:-)
Bummer. But maybe 82+ of the previous comments are duplications that’ll be tossed out AND Athena picked a number close to a thousand.
Hey! It *could* happen! =)
-Buxley
Phooey, too late!
It’s only 9AM on the west coast and I’m already out of the running! Sad!
comment :)
Guess I snoozed too long on this one.
I love ARC
72
Pick me. Pick me.
But at my back I always hear
Time’s winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
I can hope that your daughter has bad math skills right?
Howdy!
347
These types of comments really favor those not on the west coast. By the time I get to work and get to see the blog there’s already over a 1000 comments… Oh, well. sucks for me.
Bacon!
Next time maybe a number between 1 and 10000?
111
Me, please.
Pick me! :)
I think you’re going to need more than 1,000.
I never win these, but that doesn’t stop me from playing.
398
Wish me luck!
/random
Wow, already over 1000 comments.
871
It’s like the lottery: I know I won’t win, I can’t stop myself from playing.
I want to win!
409
I will try.
712
Bazinga!
My goodness..I sure hope she picked a large number, like, say 1112.
I see we’ve exceeded 3-digit numbers. Darn!
This post is in the vain hopes that she is as bad at math as she is good at writing…
724 yes!!!
I think I’m to late it’s past 1000 comments :(
10
What if there aren’t enough comments? Well past 1115 now….
My original guess was 9, but I hope Athena will choose a number between 1 and whatever…
Just on the off-chance there are repeat commenters (such as the nefarious Mr. Scalzi) whose entries get scrubbed…
sigh. Too little, too late. Story of my life.
11
Too late. Damn you Pacific Timezone! Damn you day job!
I’m beginning to think it’s easier to win the Powerball than to get one of these ARC’s. :-)
Hello !
Comment!
hmmm, doesn’t really make much sense, I guess, but here is a post…
606.842
42….. Douglas Adams Don’t Fail Me Now!!
327
My cat’s breath smells like cat food.
Ah well, I’m out of luck. Too bad. I’m sorta looking forward to this because I checked Little Fuzzy out of the library on the strength of Scalzi’s recommendation, and now having read it, I want to see Scalzi’s take.
But alas and alack, I am far far out of the running and not eligible once again.
973
Weeee!
whoops…derp. Nevermind.
127
Even if it is not the “right” number… I await the opportunity to read it – Thanks!
The number is 143. It is.
928
23
Wow, does this page load slowly…
By the power of Zeus, I should win this thing.
BTW, for those of you who have not seen this, please do, it’s great: http://youtu.be/rynvewVe21Y
It’s not Zeus, but I think this cat is named “Thunder”?
Foolishly hoping for many disqualifications.
Man – I should pay more attention. Maybe I’ll have my phone send me alerts whenever John posts something. It would be more interesting than the “breaking” news I just received from AP regarding the Barry Bonds trial…
i may be 143 too late but never say never! or die! or double negatives! …
Here’s hoping at least 71 people entered twice.
hopefully contest rules can be retroactively adjusted…
I’d suggest giving Athena a greater spread to choose from next time!
Hopefully she thinks outside the Box
185 :-)
Hello
I just posted the winning number and am closing the thread. Thanks, everyone, for playing!