May is coming to a close and with it my month of releasing Fuzzy Nation and touring all across the country to support it. You all have been amazing in your enthusiasm and support, and to show my appreciation for you all, and in conjunction with my friends at Subterranean Press, are offering one last Fuzzy Nation giveaway. For this one, I have ten — count them! Ten! — copies of the novel to give away. You could win one! Yes, you!
Here’s how it will go down:
1. You post a comment in the comment thread. One post per person — multiple postings will disqualify you. If your comment does not immediately post, don’t panic; it may be caught in the moderation queue. I will go through and release them.
2. Post it by 12pm Eastern Time, June 1, 2011.
3. After that time, I will select the winners based on a number-based selection criterion that I have already explained to Bill Shafer, the publisher of Subterranean Press, who is sponsoring the contest. Of the selection criterion, Bill said, “Crap. That’s ingenious. I would have given them away for the most creative (but not obscene) uses of the word mutton.” So you know it’s good. In case of a disqualification (enter only once, folks), the comment at the number above the disqualified comment will win.
4. I’ll e-mail the winners and get their mailing addresses. We’ll then send off the copies! Happy reading!
So, really, all you have to do is post a comment. It’s just that easy.
Good luck!
One more contest, one more try!
I’m all about the comments!
Hiya John, welcome back!
Is that all there is to it?
Mutton’s serious.
I would like a copy, please.
Thank you.
Love, Neil
What the hell… COMMENT!
Posting!
Sure, I can post. I hope “One” is part of your random curve!
(rolls dice)
I am posting a comment.
Here’s a comment for you!
Comment away!
Pick me!
“Sure would like me some mutton and french fried potaters.”
Awesome! Fuzzy Nation reading, here I come.
can we still make mutton jokes?
Deal me in.
I would like to win, please. Oh, and mutton.
gief book pls!
I’d love one! :)
Time for Fuzzy!
This Scalziophile would like a copy of the book.
Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.–Albert Einstein
Free book YEAH
Cool, wouldn’t mind giving this book a spin!
Hook me up with the fuzzy.
Hopefully this is a winning comment!
Thanks for running another contest.
Do comments posted before 12 pm EST 01-06-2011 qualify?
You already tried to sell this to me in a dream. Meet me halfway and fork it over for free in real life.
I want to win ‘FUZZY NATION”. This could give me a creative spark to writing.
I already have a copy, but would love a second one to give to friends.
So if a sheep is shaved with mutton chop side burns, does it become meta-mutton-chop-mutton?
I am commenting. Possibly first. Go me.
Comment, for our local library. (Although admittedly, if these are signed, I’d likely give the library my mundane, muttonous, unsigned copy.)
Like Journey says, Some will pay anything to roll the dice, just one more time. But since this is free, I can keep the money for milk and turkey sandwiches. Also, some bacon for the fuzzies.
yes, please and thank you
I’ve got the book on my Kindle but would love a hard copy of it.
Since it’s the only one of your books I don’t already own… yes please, I would love a freebie.
I have sideburns, but if need be I will grow mutton chops if that helps me win this contest.
I just finished it (borrowed from the library) and it was very good. I’d love to own a copy!!!!
I loved the first two chapters that were posted online.
I like books! And I like fuzzy things! And I liked the preview of Chapter 1 posted on tor.com! Pick me, pick me!
Sacrificing a shoggoth in order to win a copy. :)
Casinos have better odds, but I’ll still give this another try.
harder than expected to make my comment number fall in the Fibonacci sequence.
Great work on Fuzzy Nation! Loved it. Definitely shows some nice tweaks on the original. Especially wish Carl could talk. Maybe the Fuzzies can teach him someday.
Would love a copy. Fingers crossed on my chances.
Oh, I thought it said you were giving away Fuzzy Navels…
Hope you explain the ingenious number system!
a comment
Comment posted! Glad to here you made it home yesterday.
i am pretty psyched to read this thing.
I’d be ok with a Kindle copy but I’d be happy to read a dead tree version.
Count me in, sir!
Here goes mutton…
This comment will NOT contain the word “mutton”. Dammit!
Thank you. And Bill. Subterranean is awesome.
I’d love to win this. I need a treat.
Really looking forward to reading the book. A free copy sure would be awesome. :)
This is a comment.
Mutton to see here. Moove along!
Huzzah!
*fingers crossed*
This is a comment. A comment that gives me a chance to win a seriously cool book. I like this comment.
Me, me, pick me!
Bill is the man! Can’t wait for my copy.
I need some new bathroom reading material also wouldnt mind selecting a new book of yours for my bookclub!
squab?
Why not. Happy homecoming!
I can win this time, yes?? We share birth month and year (you’re 10 days older), so I think I should win!!
I was going to choose Fuzzy Nation as the first full novel to put on the Kindle I got for my birthday. I’ll risk winning a non digital copy here …
No comment.
::chortling::
This is my comment. It is witty.
I never win anything.
Feel free to prove me wrong!
Yo!
Crossing my fingers!
I promise Ill stop reporting you to the NSA :)
Commenter commenting.
I’m having a BBQ on Saturday. A nice book to read while I’m working the smoker would be perfect. :)
This is my chance!
If all I have to do is post, then writing stalkerishly fawing fanboy sentiments about Old Man’s War and its sequels will neither improve nor decrease my chances? What’s the fun in that?
But, FWIW, my copies of OMW, TGB, and TLC are among the most worn books on my bookshelf. I can just imagine that Fuzzy Nation will have pride of place next to such august examples of Sci-Fi-literary awesomeness. Just saying.
This is me commenting. Good luck to everyone!
This is a comment.
Who doesn’t like free books?
Yeek!
oh my, I would love it!
also:
nanananananananananananananananabatman
*waves* Welcome home! Oh, and mutton…
I haven’t read it yet and a free copy would make it first on be to-be-read list.
I already read the book on my Kindle (awesome book), but would love a dead tree copy.
Ooh! A comment!
Yay! H. Beam Scalzi!
commenting is fun!
I just love giveaways…
Love your books!
Yea…one more chance. I keep entering these contests, and never win. I must be a “mutton” for punishment.
Here is my comment.
Mutton taste good
Welcome back. Now, can I please have a copy?
Would love to win a copy of the book!
Here’s hoping…Lucky number 37, by the look of it.
A comment here is like a lottery ticket, right? Are the chances of winning the same, I wonder? ;-)
Mutton’ honey….
I could win one! I’ll try, anyway.
flibertygibbet
For the win!
Pick me, please 0.o
here send me one
Thanks for the “reboot”! I have always loved reading about little Fuzzy, ever since I was a li’l one myself.
Well, I am more than capable of making a comment. It’s harder to make me stop talking. However, I suck at contests so I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose anyway. (Yes, my glass is half-empty, why do you ask?)
I ordered the audiobook on Audible (which comes with a free audio of H Beam Piper’s ‘Little Fuzzy’ and I have to say that I can’t believe I’ve found the willpower to listen to ‘Little Fuzzy’ first! I’m really enjoying it, but I also can’t wait to get to Fuzzy Nation, so it’s kind of a sweet torment.
I’m in.
A free copy would rocket this book to the top of my reading list.
Don’t forget to reach for those stars, John!
It’s worth a try!
If you’re in love with mutton, does that mean that you’re smutton…
…er, no, never mind, scratch that. *cough*
Hey, count me in.
Snape kills Trinity with Rosebud and then flies away from Casablanca with his lover 42.
This is a post.
Now I’m curious about the number selection criteria you’ve come up with. I hope you explain it after the contest!
I know I’m going to buy it, but my book allowance is small and I’ll have to wait a bit, so I’ll happily take free!
Missed your signing at BEA, so having a chance to win here is awesome! Thanks.
Looking forward to reading Fuzzy Nation. Getting a free copy would be icing on the cake :-D
Pick me! Please.
Oh yay! Ingenious numbers based selection criterion for an ingenious clever novel I admire the symmetry. I’m in!
Really enjoyed the “Old Man’s War” series
I never win anything, but I’ll never stop trying!
I will gladly pay you next Tuesday for a copy of Fuzzy Nation this Tuesday. Also, it’s Tuesday.
Okay, I’ll bite for this one… saves me the trouble of having to track down a copy later when I’m caught up on my reading list.
Yay for Fuzzies!!! :D I have other books about the Fuzzies at home and this would go wonderfully with them. ^.^
I would love a copy… I ordered mine from Indigo and it still hasn’t arrived :(
I’m already listening to Wil Wheaton read the audiobook, so in all fairness I don’t need the book itself. I can live without the wonderful, tangible feeling of a real book in my hands. But life isn’t just about needs.
I would love a copy of this book! Thanks for the contest to you and to Subterranean Press!
SPORK!
Crossing fingers and posting…but not at the same time.
This is my entry, which is not about mutton!
Once more into the breach
I made a comment on the internet, my life is fulfilled.
My dogs go crazy when there’s an outside mutton my yard.
If I win a copy, I’ll post a review. You can pay me in mutton.
Cheers,
Mark
Maybe the first 10 prime numbered comments, hmmm, that would be: 2 3 5 7 11 13 17 19 23 29 ….damn, already lost.
One more chance HUZZAH! And if this does not pan out I shall go make me a meat eater’s BLT sandwich in consolation (Bacon, Lamb and Turkey).
FUZZY!
I need a Fuzzy!
This is my comment; my comment is this.
Yay, contest! :D
Mutton busting – what did we do before google?
Pretty please!
Now you have me thinking about Lamb Chops.
I personally don’t get the appeal of mutton. I do, however, get the appeal of Fuzzy Nation. So, make of that what you will.
I love mutton! Not in a carnal way, you sickos! But in a tasty, tender yummy OM NOM NOM sort of way. So yeah, I hope I win.
Fingers crossed!
If I win I am just going to spend 10 minutes fanning the pages against my mutton chops. Which I will grow if I win.
Fuzzy mutton?
Keeping my fingers crossed that I hit a lucky number!
I was privy to a conversation this weekend wherein it was asserted that there is a very real possibility of a mutton chop-related apocalypse in our near future. A muttonchopocalypse, if you will.
I’d say it made sense if you were there, but really… it didn’t.
Another chance! Are these signed copies, perchance? I already have a Kindle copy, but would love a hard copy.
I definitely can’t resist :)
So it’s a combination of “just enter” and “guess the number in my head” contest. Hmmm. I wonder if this time my number will be up? Oh wait, that isn’t always a good thing, is it?
Thanks for the giveaway. Good luck all.
You ain’t seen mutton yet.
I heard you like comments about your comments in the comments, so I made a comment commenting about your comment’s comments.
… and then I pulled Xzibit out of my head like Bones pulling a mindworm out of Checkov’s ear.
Here’s hoping I get lucky for once!
This is my comment. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It contains no reference to “mutton” in any form.
It’s too darn hot. It’s too darn hot. I’d like to sup with my baby tonight, light the pup with my baby tonight, but I’m not up for my baby tonight, because it’s too. Darn. Hot.
Pick me, Pick me!!!
If I keep entering these contests, I must win sometime, right ?
Let’s try one more time:)
What if I promised to stop reporting you to the NSA? :p
I would love to win!
Please. Thank you.
My little sci-fi loving fingers are crossed.
Kindle edition, please? I’ve got a chance to combine an old love…H Beam Piper, and a new one…you.
A free copy of “Fuzzy Nation?” Say it IS so!
fuzzy-wuzzy timey-wimey!
Somewhere out there, there has to be a guy nicknamed “Mutton” Jeff.
My library doesn’t own a copy of Fuzzy Nation, which is a tragedy of near Shakespearean proportions. Thus, I think whatever number at which I happen to land should be the winner.
On the other hand, my library owns nearly all of your other fiction releases and insists they will acquire Fuzzy Nation SOMEDAY (probably sooner rather than later, since I keep asking for it). So, you know, it’s all good.
Yes, looks like a good number, this one.
Fun stuff!
Little Mutton?
Is you number based selection criteria based on fuzzy logic?
I am eating a tasty burrito right now made with korean beef.
Please sir, may I have another (or a first one)?
I WANT ME SOME FUZZY! :D
In the line.
I like cats.
Hopefully this comment will age well. I wouldn’t want it to be mutton dressed as lamb!
Supercalifuzzylisticexpialidocious
This is my post. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.
I LOVE free stuff. And mutton. And especially free mutton. But, mostly, free stuff.
Will I win today?
Want to read Fuzzy Nation
Anticipation
A haiku for you
Creator of worlds so real
Love all your works
I read it on my Kindle this weekend, but would dig a hardcopy!
Move along, mutton to see here…
cool, jfg, I mutton know you if not for wheaton :-D
TIA
Yeah, random number contest.
freeeeeeeeeee stuuuuuuuuuuuufff
As I’m unlucky in love I hope to have luck here :-D
Read Fuzzy Nation
For free with just a comment?
Sign me up, Scalzi!
Oh, why not. I need more books to read; the to-read shelf is only just taking over the shelf next to it. It needs some help.
Welcome back, John!
If you give me a copy, I’ll read it. And I’ll also talk about it on the interwebses. Thanks!
Mutton, mutton, who’s got the mutton?
Oh me. Oh please.
Fuzzy me too! Oh, and add mutton. If you have any, BACON too.
I’m grateful that the giveaway is not based on creativity, ’cause I got mutton.
I loved the rest of the books – sign me up for free stuff!
I hope the guy below me fucks up and gets disqualified.
I’m jut sayin’
Mmmm, tasty delicious literature…I mean mutton.
What do you call gloves made with dog hair? Muttons!!!
A comment to win a book, count me in!
I already have Fuzzy Nation sitting next to my bed, waiting for my early July vacation. I have exercised self-control; I’ve only ready the first chapter. If I were to win this contest (Whoo-Hoo!) I’m sure I could find a place for the original copy. It’d be a nice problem to have, come to think of it.
If not an ARC, can I at least get an MLT? Nice and lean, like you do.
Let’s hope it’s not a Fibonacci sequence…
Maybe palindromic numbers?
Mmm, mutton.
whitney, it is not to be.
This is another post.
I missed the first contest. Second chance!
Mutton?
I for one am shocked at the wanton egotism on display by John Scalzi. What’s next, a “Like” button next to a soft focus picture of this dangerous egomaniac staring off into the middle distance, captioned by the phrase “Do you liek mai glamoure shot Y/N”? You’re wasting all our precious internets. This is madness.
We do what we do BEST in Vegas… we GAMBLE! Hoping my comment is one of the ten lucky winners.
I’m intrigued to find out what this ingenious number selection method is.
This self-referential statement is a comment.
Feeling fuzzy today…
Excitement: Abound.
I would really love to read this book. I read the original by H. Beam Piper and would like to see in what way Mr. Scalzi’s version differs.
That and, hey free book.
I believe the number-based selection criterion is actually dividing by zero.
Mutton going on but the rent today. Would love to get a copy of your book. Enjoyed seeing you at Phoenix ComiCon this weekend! I hope you enjoyed our fine city.
Thank you.
I was going to post… but changed my mind.
What a beautiful day we’re having.
Fun! Contests are always fun, especially when they are this easy to enter.
Thanks for the chance.
Is this the right place for the fuzzy navel contest?
Woot woot!
Well, that was easy.
Read a Library copy, but posting for a chance to own one.
This is my entry. (There are other entries like it, but this one is mine.)
I <3 Fuzzy!
count me in.
In the event of me actually winning a copy, I plan to celebrate the victory by drinking fuzzy navels while chowing down on a mutton burger.
Fuzzy Nation for reading == good
Fuzzy mutton for eating == probable food poisoning.
Finally, a contest that doesn’t require me to be creative or guess at anything. I can win this.
Will my copy be signed! That would be awesome. I read the original book back in the 80′s.
Here’s my entry for the contest.
First! Oh wait.
One more time…
One more try, everything I’ve heard about the book is that it’s great! And welcome back from the book tour.
I’m planning to buy a copy, having read the original stories by H. Beam Piper in the mid 70′s. But, free is always good.
Comment: comment, comment comment comment.
comment
Mutton
Thanks for the book!
Loving your work. Keeping my eye out for future tours to Toronto.
Hrmmm…well, let’s quote Shakespeare…. “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate…” Especially if I win a book ;)
Now we need to get him to fabricate Fuzzy plushies, so we could make a plushy army and take the world.
Love books
Love free
Love you writing
So please pick me ;)
They say once, he powered an entire village with the warmth of his smile.
I will go back to taking my meds now.
Purchased a copy, but would love to have one to give away as a gift. Or horde as my precious.
Either works.
Here’s hoping.
I’m sure there’s a great Shakespearean insult using the word “mutton.”
I fed the mutton to the mutt on muh ton of smut, only to be besmut on the whole gamut on the pile of mutton. That’s my comment and I’m sticking with it.
I’ve read all the books of the Old Man’s War universe, Agent to the Stars, and The Androids Dream.
Haven’t gotten to the The God Engines yet.
Thanks for the chance to read Fuzzy Nation.
Hey! Comment!
Nuttin’ is as tasty as mutton!
Vodka and orange juice right?
Ceci n’est pas un comment.
No, really.
Yes, please!
I’m feeling lucky!
Cool, just for a post.
A comment contest, just like the way that sounds.
Ha! First! Oh, wait. *counts fingers*
Might as well put myself in with a chance of receiving a free book!
There’s nothing like a nice MLT – mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean…
Yay, another chance at free stuff!
I really hope i won
If I don’t get the book, I’ll take a leftover cupcake from your birthday
Mmmm, mutton.
woohoo!
So I should post multiple times, explaining in each why I like mutton?
Gimme!
Please ;-)
Really enjoyed FN. Read it the day it was released on Kindle.
Q: Is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man?
A: No.
Here’s to the ehnd of my bad luck streak for not winning free books on the Intarwubz!
Hi, there.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
(I know that the amusement factor of my comment is irrelevant to my odds of winning, and so I choose to amuse myself. Ha! So there!)
I love the idea of mutton, but I love even more the idea of winning a hard copy of that book! :D Cheers and a happy upcoming June John!
Bring on the awesome!
His followers called him Mahasamatman and said he was a god.
I never luck out on this kinda thing, but I might as well try…
Read the original “Little Fuzzy” back in high school (which was way to long ago). Also read the rest of the Fuzzy series. Looking forward to the latest incarnation!
I’d rather have a free book than mutton.
This would make my week! I’ve been on the library waiting list for it since a week or so before it was released.
I have a copy of Little Fuzzy amongst the rest of my collection of 1970′s SF Book Club books. Little Fuzzy is next in line to be re-read (because of Fuzzy Nation, of course), and I’d LOVE to have Fuzzy Nation to read after I finish it. If I don’t win a copy, I’ll go buy one of course—it will sit near all the other Scalzi books I own. Not right next to them, because I’m not THAT organized.
Just posting a comment? This seems almost too easy….
Hmmm…since there is no containers of esteefee involved here and I am no longer buying DTB books what if when I win a copy it gets donated to an area high school or other school then ya send me a ebook version? To be honest for me it’s not about being green as much as I enjoying a move to a more minimalist lifestyle in terms of possessions. As I replace my books I am giving away all my old DTB copies…it’s fun to know I am not gonna worry about ever seeing a lent book come back in the same condition or at all!! ;)
Of course and promo Shoddabags would be nice to use as market bags too… :D
Well, since it is just that easy, I will comply and submit myself for random winning. Thanks.
The announcement of Fuzzy Nation led me to reread Little Fuzzy for the first time in 30 years. Thanks for that bit of nostalgia!
The Fuzzies have long been favourites of mine. So glad to see you’re giving them a new life!
Here goes nuthin’!
I’d love a copy.
thanks
I feel like a spammer.
Mutton like a contest for making really bad puns.
Thanks for coming to Phoenix Comicon this weekend, giving a highly entertaining panel/reading, answering my wife’s question about pony glitter, and signing my book. :)
What kind of meat is mutton, exactly? I’ve only ever seen it on television or in video games, so it’s sort of a mystery meat to me.
I’m in!
I’ve tried to resist giv, but resistance is futile. :)
What do sheep use to keep their shirts closed?
Muttons.
Mutton wrapped in bacon?
I didn’t get mutton for Christmas but a lump o’ coal, ’cause I short-sheeted everybodys’ bed.
OH. Pick me!
if we don’t win the book, can we still win mutton?
I would like a free book, because books are my Very Favorite Thing in the World.
Here’s hoping!
Just comment? Even I can manage that.
I find mutton to be sadly underappreciated, really.
Hi
This is my comment…42
I can’t wait to get a copy of this book!
Mutton ventured, mutton gained. But I’d rather have a book.
I hope I win one
I’m in! Gota go, there’s a mutton my couch I have to chase off.
I would love a copy, and as for Mutton… well chops to that! (i’m great I know!)
Blargh.
Hmm, I really am intrigued about how you are picking numbers now…
I love a chance to win stuff.
Consider me please
It must be good then, mutton it?
My stack of books to read is over 200 deep. I fear I’ll never get through them. Yet my favorite authors keep writing awesome books, so it’s hard to stop getting them. But I have to admit: Fuzzy Nation would easily move to the top of that stack if it happened to show up at my house…
Hmmm… Fuzzies, not furries. Hooray!
Mutton to see here, keep sheepishly moving along.
Mutton does have an alarming tendency to dress up as lamb, however….
Posting!!!!!!! I hope I win!
I’ll give it a shot.
Well I guess it’s worth a try!
I would love a copy. I had planned to go to Dreamhaven books this weekend to get one but I didn’t make it there.
My little mutton is as cute as a button. Oh wait, that sounds naughty.
Man, am I glad you went with your idea. I’m not sure I could have come up with something clever involving the word mutton.
I LOVE U SCALZI!!
Let’s try this out!
There was a young boy called Glutton
Who sure liked the taste of his mutton
He ate from the pot
And fattened he got
Til one day exploded his button
Here’s my mutton — er, contest entry.
Last month I won a cake, so my luck seems to be trending upwards. Go, me!
I’d love a copy!
Here’s hoping you pick me (fingers crossed–which makes it very hard to type!)
Why yes! I’d love one!
I got plenty of mutton
Mutton’s plenty for me
I’m a librarian – I’d love a copy for my school.
I’ve read three Scalzi novels. That is three more novels than I have read by Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther, Matthew Weiner and Jesus combined.
This comment has nothing to do with mutton, but everything to do with a great book..
I did buy the book already (planning on reading it this weekend) but I’m hoping the giveaway copy is signed. ;)
So… mutton eh? Can’t say I’ve ever tried that. :3 Bison, now that’s the nom!
The joy of mutton
It’s such a wonderful thing.
It is sheep meat right?
Me, please!
Somehow, I’ve managed to figure out posting a comment. Roll the dice!
I hope I win. Thanks!
You have multiple copies of Fuzzy Nation and you’re just GIVING THEM AWAY?!?! Sign me up, PLEASE!
I like free things!
Here is my comment, I am sorry I couldn’t come up with something good!
I’d love to win one, thanks for the chance!
Oh, good thing I won’t have to use my lame mutton pun, then.
Can’t win if you don’t try!
Comment away!
How did I get here?
Even I could win one? Naw, you must mean someone else… “Yes, you!” Well, I’m sold! Yes, please!
‘sup?
I would like to win a copy, if you deem me worthy.
.
He could be picking prime numbers to win, in which case, I’m pretty much borked. Ah, well.
I had a copy of the original children’s book version of Little Fuzzy, and I can’t wait to see your take on it.
Well, since begging and creativity don’t matter for this, I’ll throw them in, gratis.
Please! I am a proud owner of the original version by Piper, and would love to see how you have expanded on Jack.
I aim’t had mutton but muffins for breakfast.
Good thing I hate mutton, then.
Yes. Please.
(So does Bill Shafer kill his own sheep? On second thought, don’t answer that.)
Postey McPosterson!
Thanks for doing a contest!
One please. thanks :-)
Wheaton’s Law
Here we go.
I’m excited to read a book with fuzzy in the title!
I’d love to read the new book.
Big money…
I surely don’t have a prayer, but here goes nothing!
I’m gonna read this book no matter what, but I like winning stuff too!!!!
I’m here for the free book on fuzzy mutton?
I’m in for a read and a comment.
mutt OFF mutt OFF = what you say when you got mutton your leg. :)
Would love to get one here to Iceland. Since we have turned of the night for the summer. It would be great to have something new to read under the midnight sun.
I would like to enter. I liked the book.
Mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton mutton….
Been wanting to read this, getting it free would make that a lot easier.
Does publisher Bill have mutton chops? Or perhaps he likes a good side of mutton drenched in HP Sauce?
There once was a couple from Sutton
Who raised sheep to profit from mutton
The wife grinned and stared
Her husband’s anger flared
“That sheep is as cute as a button.”
I’ve never had mutton, would it be good in a taco?
Sadly the only mutton I know about is mutton chops.
Here is my entry comment. I hope I win. I am glad mutton is not involved.
I can’t wait to read another Scalzi book!
I enjoyed seeing you in Portland!
Not fussin’ with mutton.
Woohoo! My book club is going to read this in July so this would be great!
Already bought a copy, but free sounds nice too.
Let me know if I win!
Woo, free books :D
comment :)
I figure at the current 1 in 33 odds, I might as well take a chance. ;)
Mmm. Mutton.
Pick me! I am fuzzy! Note: I’m not that fuzzy.
Is Fuzzy Nation anything like Fuzzy Navel?
I would like a copy please John.
Thanks
Mark
If I win, I promise I will use it only for good, and not for purposes of gloating and/or world domination.
So, this is me, posting a comment.
i got hooked on your writing a year or so ago when baen.com did some free ebook give aways. i would love the opportunity to enjoy your writting again.
I know Mutton, and you sir are NO MUTTON!
Already read Little Fuzzy. But who says no to a free SIGNED copy?
Woohoo PI! I love pie…
“Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don’t look like mutton again tomorrer.”
OK OK I stole it from the Hobbit, but I have always loved that line, especially in the carton version of the movie
To win, or not to win…. that is the question :)
The word “mutton” has no meaning whatsoever in Swedish.
Please. Oh, please let me be one of the chosen few.
This is my one and only comment.
Hey, this is easy.
a comment.
Ah, High School memories of discovering teh Fuzzy. I am ready to read more!
A comment, posted.
“The problem with internet quotes, is the difficulty in verifying their authenticity” – Abraham Lincoln
Fingers crossed.
I’m almost as curious about the “number-based selection criterion” as I am about the book.
I hope I win! I found an old copy of Little Fuzzy yesterday in a used book shop- maybe that’s good luck!
I’d totally like some mutton.
Suuuh-Weeet!!! You sir are very kind.
I didn’t shave this morning, so I’m a little fuzzy. Obviously I need a copy of the book, please.
Girls just wanna have scifi, too.
a comment
If you take mutton and smoke it, do you get mutton bacon?
Shiny
want!
Books, they’re like the internet printed out on paper and don’t use batteries.
Just a comment, you say? It’s simple, daring and short. I approve.
This is next on my reading list after Game of Thrones. It’s destiny!
40 minutes and already nearly 400 comments?!?!?! ( mutton )
Would love a copy – thanks to @wilw for the retweet of the contest!
Did someone say Mutton?
IF I DON’T WIN A BOOK TODAY I WILL LITERARILY DIE. YES, LITERARY…LY.
Sure, why not?
This is the prize winning comment!
(Did that work?)
I’d like a nice MLT, Mutton, lettuce and Tomato sandwich.
I must confess that I’m not an avid book reader although I love sci-fi. This could be an opportunity to indoctrinate me.
I would like to have a copy you mutton.
Me want book.
Tick tock.
I’m not sure what Fuzzy Nation is all about. I’m not even sure how I ended up following you on Twitter. But, I’m all about free stuff (except mutton) so Bring It!
Mutton? Damn near killed ‘im.
?
To comment, or not to comment. It’s not really a question.
So, a comment contest you say? Well, then I will just leave this here…
This is me posting in the comments, hoping to win a copy of Fuzzy Nation.
I can’t think of anything witty to write here, but I’d like to enter the contest! Thanks!
What number will I be? I want to say weeee!… or something resembling an attempt at humor. Not invoking the mutton though, then it will get scary.
I am now craving mutton. Slow cooked, and served with mint sauce and redcurrant jelly.
And I don’t have any. I think you should give me a book, instead.
‘Mutton’ is a colloquialism. I can use it in a sentence like this, “Give’em’utton o’ them there Fuzzy books, because I just used the last page o’ mah Uncle John’s ARCs.”
You just can’t get good mutton these days. Someone needs to open a Kentucky Fried Mutton in my area.
I would love a copy
I already have a copy, but I see no harm in having two.
Will my luck finally turn? By the way, that numerical criterion has nothing to do with the content of the post, has it? Otherwise, according to my very scientific calculation, I’d have to stop this comment right n
Posting a comment, but thinking of mutton.
Love this a metric mutton.
I am interested, encourage that interest.
A comment full of commenty-goodness.
I’m really looking forward to reading the book John, I recently read all of Old Man’s War and really enjoyed it :)
All your mutton are belong to us.
Mutton is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. There’s, um, mutton kebabs, mutton creole, mutton gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple mutton and lemon mutton, coconut mutton, pepper mutton, mutton soup, mutton stew, mutton salad, mutton and potatoes, mutton burger, mutton sandwich… That’s, that’s about it.
Double double with animal style fries. Yummmm!
Mutton Chops. Mutton head. Mutton Jeff. Mutton to see here, move along. Much Ado About Mutton.
Space Mutton. Little Mutton. Mutton and other People. Mutton Sapiens (aka The Other Mutton Race) (semi clever reference to Androids Deam). A Planet for Mutton. Four Day Mutton. Junkyard Mutton (aka The Cosmic Mutton). Mutton Uprising. Lord Kalvan likes Mutton. The Worlds of H. Beam Mutton. Muttontime. First Mutton (with Michael Kurland). Mutton in 2140 (with John J. MCGuire).
I like books
Sounds like an interesting read, though I think I’ll need to hold off and see if I win a copy before picking it up in my next book store pilgrimage. Good luck to everyone, and hopefully someone that will appreciate it winds up as the winner. :D
*heads back to his well-worn copy of Game of Thrones*
That was easy!
The little waiter showed Lamartine a table upon which were some mutton cutlets in an earthenware dish, some bread, a bottle of wine and a glass. The whole came from a wine-shop in the neighbourhood.
“Well,” exclaimed Lamartine, “what about a knife and fork?”
– Victor Hugo, Memoirs of Victor Hugo
nuttin but a Fuzzy Nation of mutton? Would like to read to find out…..
I’m interested! especially because the dallas news apparently never read the Gunslinger series…
Posting this from my Ben Nanonote. How cool is that?
Oh HAI! :)
Comment.
I would like to enter your contest please. :)
I would love a copy. I’m not getting my hopes up though, because a) I rarely win, and b) usually these contests are not open to Canadians even though we love to read books too.
c-c-c-comment
I like your books, and I like free things – it seems to me that this contest is a win-win situation. I also have to remember to tell you about an amazing charity I volunteer with with that has a chapter in your area, because it’s an awesome thing for kids to get involved in. (It is fun for their parents, too.)
please. I wish to own this.
I too, shall enter the contest to win the mutton. That’s what we are doing here, right? Since everyone is talking about mutton? I would rather have a book though. But not a book made of mutton, that would be messy.
Here’s hoping for the best!
i was going to post a clever comment, but laziness got the better of me. i’m an american, you should expect nothing less.
I’d love to win a copy!
Comment! :D
I’d love to win this, can’t wait for the release :)
I need to read…because it brings me around…to up position…when i’m too lowdown…So send me a book ’cause i know how to read…And i’ll get lost in the story like i wanna be.
Yeah! Book!
I hope i win this random chance contest, random chance is something I’m very good at.
mutton
I’m convinced that, whatever the method is, that this post is it. My days will be completely muttonous without a copy of the book.
Awww… i was just looking up creative ways to use the word mutton last week… all that effort was for naught…
Looks like a good book! Worth trying for, right?
I would love to get a free copy. (and I agree with Penn, mutton is under-appreciated)
Official contest comment.
I have, have read, and did enjoy Fuzzy Nation. Should I win, I will pass on the copy to someone I think will also enjoy it or to the local library.
Who wouldn’t want a John Scalzi novel???
BEHOLD! It is a comment!
MOO HOO HA HA HA!You can’t take mutton seriously, can you?
Comment.
I wonder; should we read the first (non-scalzi) book before reading this one?
Oh wow, a copy of this book would be awesome. My well-worn Fuzzy books will keep it company!
A copy of Fuzzy Nation? Oh boy, I can give it to my nephew Leif Peter for his birthday.
Never any love for the alphabet. Why no ingenious letter-based scheme, John? What do you have against the Cyrillic alphabet?
here’s hoping the number 37 is involved.
commented.
–randomly generated number– is my lucky number
Also, my birthday is June 2!
Mutton.
That was uncreative.
I bet the contest is decided on the vowel/consonant ratio of the post. Therefore, I am queueing to go to Kauai and Maui, adieu!
I hate math. Like books….
Looking forward to reading Fuzzy Nation!
Holy sweet freaking Jeebus – over 400 comments already. I’d love to get my hands on a copy.
Interesting.
I remember the first Fuzzy book I read. I fell in love and adoration with the little scruffs of fluff. I haven’t been reading books as much as I should lately. Making myself a note to pick up some more Fuzzy love. XD
Posting a comment; hope I win.
Oh, cool, I could get a free copy?
Wait. I bought it already, for the Seattle signing.
Hmm… I suppose I could get a free copy to donate to a library or something.
Happy to provide such a comment.
I’ve heard great things about the book, so a free copy would be fantastic.
Post-holiday slump – no cleverness left in my brain. Would love a free copy of the book, though :)
In case the Mutton creteria is used Mutton was once fuzzy, but any book with the title fuzzy nation has to be read
Count me in
Always need something new to read.
I’d love a copy of the Fuzzy!
I would read the heck out of Fuzzy Nation!
Okay, I like contests! Also mutton, apparently.
You said to post, so I’m posting. Here’s hoping this post is the winning post.
comment so easy a muttonhead could do it.
Great cover. Can’t decide who’s cuter: the little fuzzy guy, or the big fuzzy guy.
Fuzzy Nation looks great. I enjoyed the first chapters very much and am looking forward to reading the rest. Which will happen whether or not I win, but may not be right away. I have enjoyed everything so far I’ve bought that you wrote, including Old Man’s War, Ghost Brigades, Last Colony and Judge Sn Goes Golfing.
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Scalzi
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no balzi
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy, was he?
Hello from Ontario Canada.
I can’t think of anything clever to say about mutton.
I am leaving a comment, in hopes that it may lead to the winning of a book. :D I’m currently reading “Old Man’s War”, quite enjoyable!
Wow, lots of comments!
Mmmmm….Mutton! Mouth-watering, shepherd’s pie-filling, delectable mutton!
I’ve heard great things from other nerds I follow, so I hope you grace me with a copy!
My mutton brings all the shepherds in the yard…
Comment, comment, goo, I see you…
WANT! =O
CONTEST I AM IN YOU!
Hope this works
For the contest, but the blog’s always worth a look anyway
The folks I follow on Twitter seem to love you. Would love to get a copy of your book. :)
Hot town hot! Best in hot town hot! Hot dogs and crawdaddies.
If its free its for me.
good luck
1764 is my new favorite number. AND I just finished rereading Little Fuzzy, so it is NOW MY TIME!
I hope it’s a scaling criterion.
My comment.
I’m down with the mutton…
I am commenting because the chance for a free book rocks
Fuzzyyyyyyy! :D
Another Scalzi book makes the pain go away….
Want one! Crossing fingers!
Damn you, Scalzi! Finally a chance to show off my talents and you pull the plug.Thanks a lot!
Sincerely,
Doug Sturtevant, author of “501 Creative Uses for the Word ‘Mutton’”
I’ve been looking for a really good book to read this summer. I think I’ve found it!
Genius, eh? My curiosity is piqued.
Welcome back to Ohio. You’re just in time for Ohio’s switch from a cool, wet “Spring” to a hot dry “Summer.”
one fuzzy please! mine!
There’s no such thing as having too many books.
Wow. That’s a lot of comments.
Comment.
I don’t have a good reason why I deserve to win… but I do!
LTR-FTC (is that an acronym yet?), all for a book!
My Mutt weighs a ton. (Two contest ideas, one entry.)
Bear with me, “Fuzzy-Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy-Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy-Wuzzy wasn’t a Fuzzy, was he? ‘Cause there’s nothin’ like muttun! Count me in for a book please, and keep them coming! H. Beam Piper would be proud to see his beloved Fuzzys continue!
Mutton to see here.*
* – You didn’t say puns would disqualify you.**
** – Though they probably should.
Well. Maybe this time lady luck will smile upon me.
Consider this a comment.
A dead tree copy of Fuzzy Nation would be a great companion to the ghostly electronic version held captive in my Kindle.
fingers crossed
Wha?! I want in on this! Pick me! Pick me! Pick meeeeeeee!
Ohhhhhhh… C’mon! The teacher never picks me!
Yes, please.
This would be an EXTRA copy for me to share with the people who haven’t yet become John Sclazi fanatics!
I hope I win, it would be a great birthday present for myself :)
Is mutton more or less chewy than beef jerky?
I was unable to attend the book signing at the Poisoned Pen due to Phoenix Comicon activities, but would love to win and definitely look forward to reading the book.
This book looks really cool.
a comment (with apologies)
Get Fuzzy!
I look forward to reading Fuzzy Nation while eating a big bowl of mutton stew.
I am confused by the blurb on the cover about how “if” Stephen King wrote Sci-Fi… hasn’t he written tons of sci-fi? Or are we using a specific definition? Like, isn’t the Langoliers classic science fiction? And some post-apocalyptic series he wrote a while ago, can’t remember the name. Something about a tower. Still, it’s a nice blurb!
And I love the cover. Is that a Munchichi? :D
Oh, this looks interesting. I’m always on the lookout for new books.
Last chance. Already heard the audiobook. Time for the dead tree version!
I read the original books. I’m interested in reading your take on the story.
Comment? Comment comment comment. Comment comment comment!
…comment.
Enjoyed your reading @phxcc. Please enter me in the competition for a free copy of ‘Fuzzy Nation’.
Please let me be one of the chosen.
Hope the contest goes well!
Comment number five hundred (mumble, mumble)!
*waves* Hi! So, um, yeah. Comments are fun.
Well?
Okay, you said to count the ten copies of Fuzzy Nation, so: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.
“JERRY (Seinfeld): Hey, salad’s got nothin’ on this mutton)”
You know just in case the mutton thing is still on.
Wil Wheaton sent me through his twitter.
I am ready to read Fuzzy Nation.
Nothing interesting to say.
I like these contests; easy to enter.
Woo comments!
This is my generic comment.
What do you call a cooked sheep named E on a ship at sea? Mutton E on the Bounty.
Just finishing Old Man’s War. Would love to read another! ^_^ A Free one would be even better!
This comment is not about mutton but about an ingenious number based system created by…well…an ingenious person.
Fuzzy Nation looks like a really fun read!
Hiya John,
You novels come highly recommended by friends – so much so, they can’t loan them to me because generally someone else is reading them.
I’ve had some reading fun lately, with novels that are reboots or written in place of someone else or collaborated – the most recent example was a novel by Robert Heinlein (my fave) and Spider Robinson. It was fun to try and pick out which author wrote which part.
I’ve heard that this book is a “reboot” of an H. Beam Piper book – “Little Fuzzy”. About a year or two ago, I found a batch of Piper’s stuff that had entered the public domain. I much enjoyed the books, although I didn’t see Little Fuzzy in there! I will go back and look specifically for that one, as a preface to your novel.
In the meantime, I hope for a chance to win “Fuzzy Nation” so that I may find out what everyone enjoys about your books, and also to help complete my readings of Piper. I have no doubt the book is worthy, just because so many folks have loved Piper and love your writing as well!
I could use a good read these days, so I will keep my fingers crossed. If I don’t win, well, now that I’ve typed so much I will just have to go out a buy a copy. I guess this doesn’t enhance my chance of winning a free copy, No matter, it’ll all work out well in the end!
Good luck with the giveaway!
Dale
I trust in predestination. Also, mutton.
Woooooo!
i never win anything, but no harm in trying… thanks for the last chance
and for some reason, my shift key is not working. fun times for me
Hear my sequence, algorithms, make my sequence acceptable input.
It is my most fervent wish.
Haven’t bought my copy yet, I’ll trying winning one first!
I want one! Pick me!
A comment for a good book? Good deal in my book.
Well, put me and my mutton chops down for an entry…
Mutton? I love mutton, but not mutton chops. Planning on getting a copy anyway. Thanks for the change to win one.
Read it – loved it – will give it to a Library after my housemates get through with it.
Mmm. Mutton.
I love free stuff;)
I like free things! Just don’t use the “Lost” numbers.
Ola, John,
My wife presented me with my birthday book last Thursday, a shiny new copy of ‘Fuzzy Nation’, which we then read to each other in the car driving from Savannah to Charlotte, NC, to Atlanta by Saturday. At one point, you tweeted that you were somewhere overhead, eastbound by jet, causing me to glance up, suspiciously, through the sun-roof, as my nose detected a faint whiff of bacon, which turned out to be a near-by Waffle House. Not three paragraphs later, you worked an off-Terra use of bacon into your novel! For that fragrant pleasure, for the cheery smart-assery of your protagonist, for a nemesis named Wheaton, we thank you!
If I chance to win, autograph the one you send, and I’ll gift my Amazon copy to our county library. Maybe see you at Penguicon next year?
My elite numerological skillz tell me that this is the comment that will win!
This post FTW!
Oh, just read it on the kindle, but I’d love a “real” copy, too! I wouldn’t mind winning!
Great contest, hope I’m the winner
I’m looking forward to reading “Fuzzy Nation”. I’ve really enjoyed your books.
Please and thank you are the magic words!
First, I was going to make a Princess Bride reference. Then, I was going to write a Haiku. But both of those options have been taken. So I guess here is a representation of my gestures if I get a book: \(^.^)/
First!
One more try before I go out and give you my hard earned money!
Rabid
Count me in :)
Long time lurker, first time commenter – chance at Fuzzy Nation brought me out of the darkness!
As the days grow warm
so grow the comments’ numbers
with no end in sight.
Oh look, sheep.
Ah what the hell, even if I sincerely doubt I’ll win, given how far down in the comments I am, I’ll post — maybe I’ll win and can show off my shiny new copy to John’s former college friends and taunt them!
Guvf pbzzrag unf orra boshfpngrq sbe lbhe cebgrpgvba. Lbh ner abg tenagrq crezvffvba gb qr-boshfpngr guvf pbzzrag, abe qb lbh unir crezvffvba gb ernq vg. Vs lbh qb ernq vg lbh ner va ivbyngvba bs Pbzcnal V Whfg Znqr Hc YYP’f tbireavat cbyvpvrf naq zhfg pbzcrafngr zr sbe lbhe genafterffvba ol cnlvat sbe na vpl pbyq orre chepunfrq ng n one bs zl pubbfvat. Gur orre zhfg or cbherq ol n freire gung V svaq frkhnyyl nccrnyvat ohg abg fb zhpu fb gung zl fcbhfr orpbzrf vengr naq fgevxrf zr nobhg gur urnq naq fubhyqref, erqhpvat zl novyvgl gb rawbl nsberzragvbarq orre. Guvf qrznaq vf yrtnyyl ovaqvat orpnhfr V fnl fb naq cebivat gung vg vf abg vf nyfb n ivbyngvba bs cbyvpl naq lbh ernyyl qba’g jnag gb xabj gur cranygl sbe gung. Qrznaq ibvq vs lbh’er ovttre guna zr naq ivbyrag orpnhfr V qba’g jnag gb trg chapurq.
Fuzzy Wuzzy, indeed.
I’m eager to read this puppy, and also to hear what your selection criteria are.
I’m in!
want, want, want!
Wise man once say…a mutton the table is worth two on the floor!
I still have not heard back from you on my entry into #lessinterestingbooks. C’mon Scalzi, get on those tweets from anonymous fans on the internet!
So, the secret word is Mutton?
/me is going read Fuzzy Nation!
does Scalzi have mutton chops?
did Bill Schafer eat the slops?
In my head, a dream pops
As Scalzi, bunnylike, hops
Chased by a thousand cops
Not to mention janitor’s mops
And then the newest books glops
From my bookshelf’s tippy tops
And into my hand it drops
Sound effects: plink plops!
Dare I hope my number pops
And then the mailman clops
To the center of my ops
And I won’t have to visit shops
Or dare Scalzi’s mutton chops
To secure my friends mad props
And a copy of Fuzzy Nation.
…alright, it sucks, but I couldn’t resist. And it saved me from boredom for fifteen minutes.
Just a thanks for an always interesting blog.
Welcome home.
Move along, mutton so see here folks.
Your book: give me it.
I’m abuzz with the love for a book about a fuzzy man
Hope John isn’t fussing ’bout choosing me, if he doesn’t
But winning’s in the master plan
I know this rhyme’s not grand
I hope I don’t get banned
Just want to read about a fuzzy man.
(apologies to Paul and Storm for my butchery of their song lyrics….but hey…)
Comment on
Mutton or
Fuzzy book
I shall win
because I need 2
Post
Mutton? I quit and have been attending M.A. Meetings ever since.
This is my entry, and I’m sticking to it.
I shall comment and mention mutton and hope the “post comment” button brings me good luck…on.
I tried :(
I, for one, would like to say MUTTON.
This time… it’s personal…. *dramatic music*
I’ve got a copy on my Kindle but a hard copy would be nice too.
My comment was RIGHT NEXT TO the last random-esque number winner. The only way to be closer is to actually win then, right?
please, sheer randomness, pick me.
623rd!
Worth a try
I’d love to win a copy, so here is my entry! I’d give it to a friend who is a BIG fan of H. Beam Piper, so there’d be TWO winners – me and my friend!
You know what Patrick Rothfuss says about mutton – tastes like damp wool.
;-)
Mutton.
A contest? Contests are good. My luck generally isn’t but what the heck. Here goes.
Here’s my post.
I’d love to win a copy! Purty please, with sugar on top? And a cherry?
Read the original Fuzzy oh so long ago. Interested in reading your version.
Here’s my comment!
My daughter has already read it and enjoyed it; now it’s my turn!
The only obscene mutton reference I have is a joke where the punchline is, “He’s my Daaaaaad.”
I saw Fuzzy Nation at Baycon but couldn’t afford it (money already assigned!). I will read it at some point – love to get it direct from you!
This weighs a mutton!
My cousin is named Sarah Mutton – I’m serious!
I’m super excited to give it a read. If you come to the Triangle area in NC I hope I can stop on by.
Fuzzy books are the best books.
I thought mutton was only served by wenches in inns or found in moldering wooden chests in dark musty dungeons. You know, like mead. And gauntlets.
I’ve been playing too many RPGs, haven’t I?
Commentification. I’d love one for a house-warming present for me. :)
42.
I’ve never tried doing mad science experiments on mutton before. Oh the diabolical possibilities! Bwa hahahaha…
Mutton Defenestration!!
I’ haven’t read a good book in ages! Let’s go!
I’m feeling full of win today :)
Don’t have a clue about all this, but I want to read this. Been reading sci-fi all my life and this looks exactly like what I will want to read next!
This is a comment!
The word mutton has peculiar origins.
Before the Norman invasion (1066), England was inhabited by Anglo-Saxons, themselves periodic invaders of the island, who spoke something descended from Saxon/Frisian/German invaders. The Normans, who spoke a kind of French, were not, in fact, truly French; they were descendants of ex-vikings who’d been offered the coast of France to settle on in 911, on the condition that they’d stop all the _other_ vikings from sailing up France’s many rivers and plundering the countryside. While they were by 1066 more assimilated into French culture, they were still notably given to adventure- like invading England.
The result was an England in which most of the population was Anglo-Saxon, speaking something much more like German, but ruled by Normans, who spoke something much more like French. Thus, the various names for things, as English evolved as a common language, were often based on the role of the person speaking them! Thus, “sheep,” which refers to the whole, live animal, to be tended, was from the working men’s language (Germanic scep), while mutton, which refers to the prepared meat, was from the language of those served slices of it with mint sauce (French moton). See also axe (Germanic axa/aex) versus dagger (French dague), or stool (G. stuhl) versus chair (F. chaire).
Not at all a creative use of the term, I’m afraid, but I’m a massive history nerd, so I hope it’s interesting.
Love this idea. I hope you post an afterwords what your system was.
I’m a little late to the party having just read Agent to the Stars. Probably will end up buying Fuzzy regardless.
Post a comment to get a free book? I’m in.
I comment, therefore I win? Or is it – I comment, therefore I am not mutton.
Come on pseudo-random number generator, don’t let me down!
I’d love this :)
I have no interesting uses for mutton. Well, for the word mutton, anyway.
Warm mutton + free Fuzzy equals warm & fuzzy? I would love a copy. I wonder if word or letter count have anything to do the ingenious number-based plan?
Here I am, commenting.
That’s mutton if not generous of you. Thanks!
Wow! Depending on when my comment gets moderated I could be #666? Amazing! And All I wanted to do is comment on the fact that 42 is such a fortuitous number for you, me just having been through it!
Looking forward to the book!
Fuzzy Mutton what?
This is my post. This is me hoping I win.
[insert comment here]
Going to give this a go. I missed all the other contests by a few hours. Maybe this will turn out better!
(Spoilers: the numbers are against it. But that’s okay!)
Mutton, mutton, who’s got the mutton?
Might I petition to get one for our library? Being in a state of perpetual brokeness, new SF usually gets short shrift there. Oh, BTW, mutton.
The criteria for picking a winner are so intriguing I can’t not enter!
The thought of winning a copy leaves me with a warm and FUZZY feeling.
Love it! Loved the original and would love to read your take on it, you crazy man! (I mean that in the best way…)
Leaving my entry like the wrapper from the sandwich I “liberated” from the work fridge…
A free copy would be fantastic! I’ve been meaning to read Fuzzy Nation, just need to get past the backlog I’ve got already in “books to read”
Mutton.
SubPress – gotta love that publisher. I should probably just tithe a chunk of my paycheck to Bill….
thats an ingenious and awesome contest. i think that if i donmt win, i will buy your book anyway. ps: love the paul and storm song you commmissioned, damned good ballad.
This should qualify as a comment. In an effort to add a little bit of content, however misplaced, my wife got to see you at Phoenix Comicon, and was very impressed. Given our respective reading habits, it would have made more sense for me to be there, but that wasn’t feasible, sadly.
I like comments and books and free stuff.
When I clicked the “post” button there were exactly 666 comments. I have no idea what that means for my odds, but it will at least be fascinating to see how many more people posted int he time it took me to type this.
On the slim chance I am a winner, which means you actually read this, John; allow me to thank you again for your wonderful books!
I couldn’t think of anything interesting to comment with, so…Mutton Honey…
I already bought a copy but what the heck? Just reread the original by H.Beam Piper–free on Kindle!
Sound most intriguing and a personal retweet by Will Weaton. Count me in.
I like pi.
Wanted to take a chance #myluckwillchange #summerreading
I have the Kindle version, but wouldn’t mind a dead tree variant to share with friends.
I am commenting and in so doing, I hope to magically defeat the random number generation and win!
Comment winning? You win by reading, commenting is just icing on the cake.
Please sign the books, thanks!
I’m glad you went with the numbering system, although now I just really wish I had a creative (non-obscene) use for the word “mutton.” I mean, I can’t think of several uses for it, but non-obscene ones? That’s really tough.
*Fingers crossed*
I’ll give it a shot.
Mmmm mutton!
I hope I comment correctly.
Life is a Garden, Dig It?
I really, really, really wanna win. Cause, you know, who wouldn’t? :)
Doing my best impression of those damn seagulls from Finding Nemo over here. Please? Please! Please! Please?
Ate mutton in Mongolia.
Balderdash. Fig newtons. Empty verbiage! Bacon.
Personally, I prefer bacon to mutton.
Win!
M’post for th’book.
All your number-based selection criterion are belong to us.
Oh, oh, pick me!!!!
This is a comment, and coincidentally, a contest entry.
Who??!! Who does not want to share the mutton!!?
BOOP
Woo comments! And books.
Geronimo!
Ohh I have been wanting to read this!
Fuzzy is as Fuzzy does.
TThhiiss iiss aa ccoommmmeenntt,, bbuutt II aappppeeaarr ttoo hhaavvee lleefftt eecchhoo oonn.. OOooppss!!
This post is not a comment.
I will use this completely superfluous comment text to make a request, Mr. Scalzi. When the contest has a pre-selected “right answer”, as many of yours in the past have, why not end it after you first notice someone has guessed the right answer? Why leave it open for more people to guess when there is no chance of them being right?
I’m not talking about this contest, since the mechanism you are using might require the total number of comments to be known. I’m talking about the random number contest, or the place contest. And its not that big a deal, just something to fill this space.
This is really neat, thanks for doing it!
I, for one, blame Obama. And the person who commented just before me is wrong and has questionable ancestry. (Just in case the contest is for drawing the ban hammer.)
Thanks for mutton.
Wil, I’d love to get a copy of Fuzzy Nation!!!
I’m ready to get FuZzy!
Here’s my comment.
Posting for the Book…
I was reccomended this book by penny arcade. He said the humor in it reminded him of the earlier work such as agent to the stars, that counts as a compliment to me.
Most likely, no one will read this comment,
Unless they’re looking for misguided attempts
To curry favor through attempts to avoid
The random number generator, since despite its commitment to democracy,
One of America’s foremost myths is that of exceptionalism, suggesting that
No person can win something randomly, but rather must earn it through personal superiority.
My guess is it’s based on prime numbers. :nods knowingly:
Blubb.
This is a comment.
I’m eagerly awaiting this book, the original Little Fuzzy was the first science fiction book I read, it got me hooked.
Trolls are slow in the uptake, and mighty suspicious about anything new to them.
“Mutton today, Mutton Yesterday, and blimey it don’t look like mutton tomorrer!”
Hopefully is the largest prime number post, and hopefully this one is. And for good measure: 42.
Thank you.
Mutt’n Jeff?
First! Oh wait. Seems I was a bit late again. Stupid malfunctioning time machine.
How was your NYPL event at BEA?
Wow, potential win of copy of Fuzzy Nation! It’s been my week for “good things to come in,” between receiving my tax refund, winning a media player from MP4Nation, and getting an Irish V2A residency certification form signed by the Canadian tax authorities (better for me than winning the Irish lottery, and who could make this kind of thing up?!?!).
Mutton powers activate.
Hey, with the day I’ve had so far maybe I’ll win.
I think muttonchops are underrated.
I’ve only read Old Man’s War, but I own the Android’s Dream. So this would be an excellent addition to my book queue!
I have mutton but respect for this selection process.
Color me hopeful!
Perhaps a recipe for mutton would do….
A limerick packs laughs anatomical
in a space that is quite economical;
the good ones I’ve seen
so seldom are clean
and the clean ones so rarely are comical.
Well, alright. It’s been fun reading about your exploits, so one last fling at the contest bucket? Cheers. Count me in. Dan.
Do you think this dress is too short? I dont want to look like mutton dressed as lamb! thats my entry.
This is not a comment. (I hope someone didn’t already make that joke.)
I honestly can not figure out why this was the most difficult comment to post ever. It is both confusing and frustrating. Oh well, my dog is barking in his sleep so that makes up for it.
Throwing my hat in the ring. Better late than never.
Comment!
Yay!
Whine whine, mutter, mutter. I never win.
I already posses a copy, personalized by Scalzi in Seattle. But should I win another, I do solemnly swear on a stack of mutton (or other meat product of the author’s choice, no porcine presumption on my part, no way) to make sure that another avid reader acquires it.
Well, if you are going to make it that easy, I’m in!
yay!
Leaving a comment in comment section. Please let me win :)
Fuzzy me, please.
Here’s hoping this time is the one!
they say third times a charm?
heres hoping anyway.
Comment.
I tried to come up with a joke “Mutton”, but all I could think of is “What does a sheep with a cleft palate say?”
Not really funny, so I’ll just search the web for Mutton (Safe search “ON”) while I wait for you to send me the book….
Count me in! :)
Welcome Home!
I’m sorry, but what exactly is this “comment” of which you speak?
Hi John!
Sidenote: Can you do a follow up on portal 2 and your opinions on it.
Scalzi, you mad genius.
Perhaps a Haiku would qualify as an entry?
Fuzzy Nation book
Would like to read it today
Fuzzy memories
Around and around she goes
And where she stops, nobody knows . . .
Me want! Please! Thank you.
A free copy of Fuzzy Nation would be almost as nice to have as a bottle of Mouton-Rothschild 2006.
A comment, what’s that?
Comment comment.
squee!
New book! #itmustbemine
post comment here
I will be happy to put my name in for this!
Ingenious? I hope that means we’ll find out at the end.
something clever
I’m in. I can’t wait to see what you did with this world. The Little Fuzzies were a big influence on me as a kid, and I’m always looking at the trace elements :).
Well, heck. If Canucks are eligible, I’ll throw my name in the hat.
Lamb is much better than mutton.
I’m not sure what I should be saying here, but I’ll tell you what, I’m really hoping I win that book.
Comment: Peace out!!
Thanks
Well there is no way I can pass up a chance at getting a great sci-fi book for just posting a comment, consider me in!
This is so easy, even a caveman could do it!
A copy of this book is all that’s needed for me to complete my ingenious plan to take over the world. Hand it over and I may give you the position of Ambassador to Liechtenstein.
Testing my luck and commenting. *throws a 20 sided die* Natural 20! Maybe that means luck is on my side today. Or maybe I just used up all my good luck on the die throw and thus will not win a copy of the book. Oops!
Malkovich malkovich malkovich malkovich malkovich. Malkovich, malkovich malkovich malkovich malkovich! Malkovich. Malkovich malkovich?
Mine, mine, mine!
Please please please please pleeeeeeeeeeeease let your cold equations evaluate to favor me!
Here is my comment.
If I managed to acquire twenty 100-pound mixed breed dogs, would I have a mutton?
I’d love it!
It’s all about the mutton.
I like free stuff.
If you shred meat very finely, then spin it onto cardboard tubes, would you have mutton candy? (I don’t know which is worse, the attempt at humor in the preceding sentence or the idea of mutton candy)
This contest thing is pretty cool. Cheers to the ones who win!
I like easy (oh, and my mutton-chops seem to have gathered an obscene amount of mutton; I hope that this does not also disqualify me).
I am the mutton man, the mutton man and I come for thee by three
Loved your reading in Portland!
I’m glad it’s not the mutton one. I’m already muttoned-out today. Had my fill at lunch.
ME ME ME ME ME!
I love mutton in a non-obscene way! (just doubling my chances here in case that was a clever double-bluff XK Red technique).
Here is my comment.
Here’s hoping!
No mutton
Fingers crossed!
commenting!
Even if I don’t win a book, perhaps posting this will remind me to look back to check and see what the algorithm was.
I’ve already bought a copy, so if I win I’ll give my copy to a library!
having just finished “Little Fuzzy” I would *love* a copy of “Fuzzy Nation”!
this seems easy enough – hope it works!!! ;-D
A Comment
mutton
Well, okay. Even if there is math involved.
If you pick me you could send it directly to my Nook thereby saving yourself, and your sponsors, money. I think that deserves consideration. :-)
This seems like it would be a great birthday present (I’m 49 today).
I see others have gotten to the “do my chances increase if I mention mutton” question before me, so I won’t go there. Even if I just did.
I adopted a shelter cat this weekend!
Yet I would still love more FUZZY around the NATION!
TK Kenyon
I love that it’s just that easy.
Hi, John.
Here’s a comment. It would contain the word “mutton” if that were a requirement.
Hope you’re enjoying being home!
Holy Rusted Metal Batman that’s a lot of comments.
Posting posting posting,
Keep them wagons posting,
Keep them doggie moving,
Rawhide!
Umm, yay books!
I hope ingenious is your way of saying I win!
Enough people I trust have tweeted this, I’ll bite.
No comment
Going to read H Beam Piper’s first, but really looking forward to yours.
I’ve read the series and Old Man’s War is the BEST!
I like the mutton idea.
mutton mutton mutton!
I would love a copy!
Commenting a commenty comment.
And the magic number is …
Oh my gosh WANT.
Also: “Is that a mutton the couch?” [This works in my head because I'm from Texas.]
This may get the most comments on any post ever.
And I bet most of the comments won’t be read.
If you read this comment, I will be quite surprised!
Note: If you are reading this right now, this is my surprised face: :-0
Hey, anything Little Fuzzy is probably awesome as far as I’m concerned, and given how awesome your blog is, that makes it at least /twice as likely/ to be awesome.
Although I enjoyed reading Fuzzy Nation on my Kindle moments after it auto-downloaded, a hard copy would complete my Scalzi shelf in the bookcase..
I agree with everyone above. Except for those i think are completely nuts.
Awesomeness!!!! The book was not yet out when you were here in MN for Minicon so I hope to be selected. :-)
At last! A contest that doesn’t require obsessive reloading of whatever! Yes, please.
I would have gone with mutton. Because y’know fuzzies have mutton chops. Like in a sideburn? Because they are fuzzy? Of fer spaghetti’s sake…
Umm, mutton?
hmmm a comment… oh god, i can’t think of anything! This always happens!
/panic
obligatory comment for giveaway goodness.
Contest? I love contests!!!
Please, thank you and congrats again on the launch.
I’d love a copy. I really enjoyed the teaser chapters you posted!
I calculated the moment to post by multiplying the number of chevrons on a stargate by the number of notes in All Along The Watchtower. I divided this by the number of books published by Piper and then raised the whole thing to the power of 8. This gave me in milliseconds the time to wait to post my reply.
I love random curves!
Here’s my entry.
“It’s So FUZZY!” my favorite quote of the year, is still apt here, I think. I hope it qualifies me for the contest too.
Me? I just guessed. No math, no clever reasoning. Just trying one last time.
Mr. Scalzi,
I’m very glad you’re happy and well at home with family and pets. I have my own two pups chilling out at my feet while I’m enjoying Fuzzy Nation. I loved Piper’s original and am sincerely tickled by your re-boot of the series. Thanks!
Laurel
Count me in! Love to own a copy :D
please, please, please
/roll
RNG generator, activate!
Random post.
Comment posted
This comment no verb.
mutton
button
glutton
Here is my boring one post
PIck me!
Mr. Scalzi, if I win, I will send you sufficient mutton to bathe in it. (This is a lie. Unless your blog contest integrity is for sale at this price. If that is the case, we should talk.)
Posting! I always love a good contest.
Mutton dressed as kitten.
I just started reading Little Fuzzy and am really enjoying it, so getting a copy of Fuzzy Nation would be doubly awesome!
There sure are a lot of comments here.
PS- mutton
I am posting a comment in your blog’s comments area.
Yes, please. Keep up the good work!
*crosses fingers*
Hello John,
Don’t bother sending me the book – I just ordered all your books I don’t already have at a friend’s bookstore.
Just kidding, of course. I would love to win this book, so that in a few years time I can tell everyone over here in Belgium: “I’ve been reading his stuff since way back when, and I’ve got proof”
LK
Pardon me while I go take my mutton off the spit.
888 other beggars can’t be wrong. Willing to join their ranks. Please put my name into the hat- thank you.
Here’s hoping.
I’d love a copy!
Hi
Free book? Im always up for a contest. :)
Apparently it’s not what I say, but simply the fact that I’m saying it. That’s all that matters.
Mutton!
Would love to win a copy!
May the number-based selection criterion be with me!
Pick me!
Comment comment comment
Geez your followers were all over this one! Be lucky little post.
Sure I’ll give it one more go.
Ingenious mutton? I am intrigued.
*crosses fingers*
if i win …. i will even review on my blog … :-)
Love your books! Thanks for the giveaway.
mutton!
Why not?
A copy of Fuzzy Nation? That would be awesome! Thanks to you & Subterranean Press fro doing it!
baaaa baaa
“Jack Holloway found himself squinting, the orange sun full in his eyes. He raised a hand to push his hat forward, then lowered it to the controls to alter the pulse rate of the contragravity-field generators and lift the manipulator another hundred feet. For a moment he sat, puffing on the short pipe that had yellowed the corners of his white mustache, and looked down at the red rag tied to a bush against the rock face of the gorge five hundred yards away. He was smiling in anticipation.”
from Little Fuzzy, by Henry Beam Piper
(thanks, Project Guttenberg!)
What about consolation prizes?
…Chances are
Glad I don’t need to be witty about mutton….
totally excellent
Hey
I’ld like one copy, please! :D
me likey contest, me likey contest………
please oh please
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo Fuzzy Nation.
fuzzy wuzzy was a bear…
I need to win a copy because I refuse to buy one since John did not come to my city on the book tour.
Le mouton. That is all.
2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987
Lots o’ comments…
A post, as directed. Take only with heavy water.
Mais, ou sont les bagages? Ou les voyageurs?
Ils sont… ICI!
*fingers crossed*
Yey! Free stuff!
Good luck… me
in it to win it :P
gonna cross my fingers!
Loved the book! One I’ll be rereading in three months I’m sure!
I have already bought, read and enjoyed the Fuzzy Nation ebook, but a free book would be way cool. Thanks for another great book John.
Don’t give the book to me! Give it to my mutton chops!
Hmm… number-based selection criterion. Logical deduction impels me to infer that this formula involves the use of pi and prime numbers, which means I should submit this comment… Right… (not yet)…. (wait for it)… NOW!
I am sure that the 10 winners (whoever they will be) will be more than deserving. :) Living in Germany, it makes it rather hard for me to get my hands on new books that I’m really interested in… unless it’s through Baen. :)
In the name of all things fuzzy, send me the book with a fuzzy cover! Mutton
Let today be my lucky day.
Maybe the system is a Fibonacci variation – start with 2 random numbers instead of 0,1.
Thanks for spending time with us in Portland!
I loved the audio version, but I still want a paper copy.
this is so easy
I think I would like this number!
“bbbbbbb” mumbled the mutton.
And another one goes! :)
Blorp
Moo-tton, the only hybrid lamb-beef burger on the market with a catchy marketing name!
Please, I even promise to read it.
d-_-b
Mmmmm … freebies …
Yes please!
Shazoo!
No mutt!
Seems like a good enough place to start. Thanks to @wilw!
This seems like a good number for me. Hopefully for you? Mutton!
I am now commenting…
Will I finally win a contest? No, probably not. But for the billionth time, I will enter one.
I would really like a copy of this book! But if I don’t win one I’ll just buy one!
Great prize for such a simple act.
Do you accept mutton bribes?
mutton jerky…flavored with bacon
A comment. (See. I can follow directions.)
well why not
Ok, I’m in.
Love the Blog. Love your books.
I am all about the free books. Printed on mutton.
this is just to say
I have eaten
the mutton
that you left on
the butcher block
and which
you were probably
saving
to tape to the cat
Forgive me
it was delicious
so fuzzy
and so national
Please?
Fuzzy Nation is an anagram of No fizzy aunt — a warning to avoid giving Coke Zero to one’s aunt.
Hi!
I’d like to enter, please!
nothing ventured, nothing gained. Here’s hoping I gain something by this venture.
I keep trying to think of a creative mutton-based joke but have been failing miserably.
Oh, could it be mine?
Fuzzy Nation up for grabs!
Please, let it be me!
In!
Now I just want to know what this numbering system is.
Oh my god engine! This is my second post! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
No, wait. No it’s not. Thank my god engine! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
I’m so very glad that you didn’t go with picking the winners by the most creative use of the word mutton.
Ok, now are we there yet?
Love your blog, would love to have your book. Keep up the great work!
Cthulhu wants me to win.
Really? Just a comment? You don’t want us to write something witty or profane or wise? Something that rhymes with mutton perhaps? Just a comment? But, um, there’s so much to say!
Okay, okay, here it is:
A comment.
I want one!
You keep writing and we’ll keep reading!
A contest so easy even I can enter it.
I’d love to be one of the first in New Zealand to read Fuzzy Nation! If you could send a copy my way that is ;)
Does it count that I already read Fuzzy Nation?
Can’t argue with that.
I like comments, comments are fun.
third time lucky!
Winning seems unlikely, but still worth trying for! But what I really want to learn what this clever selection method is!
OMG, a new gashta book? i read them in middle school back in *coughcough* and even made a gashta clay mask for my art project. new book? yes, please!
I have a fuzzy notion about how I might actually win a Fuzzy Nation.
Damn! That’s good mutton.
I’m glad it’s not about mutton.
“Colorless green ideas sleep furiously”
Thanks
So … all I have to do is leave a comment? It doesn’t have to be funny or creative or anything? Deal!
Missed you at Phoenix ComiCon, to busy working. Dang. All my stalking plans for naught. :(
Does it have to do with letter frequency or punctuation use? :)
I caught a post on Twitter about this book. It sounds really interesting! I look forward to finding out more about it!
A respected friend just read it and said it was awesome, so, I’d love to have a copy if I luck out.
Paige
even more fuzzy nation! almost like mutton!
Wow, there are alot of comments, hope I win!
Given the number of comments so far, the probability of a win is less than 1%, but what’s the harm in entering?
Yellow bachelor mutton!
And this is me, posting my comment. Free book ahoy!
Mutton is your friend
I would treasure a copy of Fuzzy Nation and would proudly display it with my copies of the original Fuzzy series. It would go next to my autographed copy of Fuzzy Odyssey (signed by both Ardath Mayhar and Michael Whelan).
My save SGU action was randomly recognized on the Twitter so why not try my luck again? I enjoyed the Old Man’s War series so winning here would be sweet.
Scalzi’s giveaway:
This, I hope, will win me one.
Trochees, haikus, done.
The number of the posts shall be one. This is one.
ok then.
Fingers crossed. Hope I win.
I would love to win one of you books. I love sci-fi and fantasy. Thanks for having this give away.
Oh please, oh please, let it be me.
I am SO confused.
Can somebody PLEASE just tell me where I have to send this shank of mutton to enter?! This should NOT be so difficult!
Phrenology: it’s not just for kids anymore.
I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is …..
{}
Given that my car died last week, I could use something to cheer me up. Fingers crossed.
FTW, I hope.
I enjoy eating a slice of mutton while sitting on my futon.
I hope you’ll explain the selection criteria after applying it!
I’m all out of mutton, so will have to settle for winning this contest.
June is tomorrow, where did may go?
I’ll enter any contest! I’ll even put the word “mutton” in my post, in case that helps somehow!
Why look, it’s a comment! One wholly lacking in mutton, but oh well.
Congrats on the release of the book!
Mutton? Wow!
Comment.
*posts and crosses fingers*
Good luck to all anyways!
I’ll post a comment. How about right now?
Here is my entry. 100% Mutton free.
Yes please
mine entry, this is
I endorse this contest and or product.
Oh why not. Last few contests I could tell I was already too late. With super secret selection criteria, it seems I still have a chance!
This is my comment, FUZZY!
comment!
I’ll comment, but I won’t like it! >:-(
Looking forward to reading this from somewhere. I just went through the Old Man’s War trilogy, and your “Fuzzy Nation” posts are directly responsible for me finally reading “Little Fuzzy” and “The Uller Uprising” on my phone.
Seriously. On my phone. No flying car, but I’m reading on my phone. I’m happy.
I already have a copy, but I promise that if I am one of the lucky numbers, my excess copy will be passed along to someone else who would like to read it. Perhaps to someone who does not yet know they want to read it. It is all part of my nefarious plan…. giving away really good books!
Ash sez:
Good… bad… I’m the guy with the gun.
I had mutton & cornmeal mush once as part of a Navajo wedding celebration. Like the marriage, it was tough, hard to swallow, and ended with irreconcilable differences. But at least, I’ll never have to return to Gallup, New Mexico. #silverlining
Giving it a shot…thanks for the opportunity ;o)
Nothing witty to say at the moment.
I have finished my signed copy, am eagerly anticipation reading the rest of the book of the chapter I heard someone read. Also contemplating reading Fuzzy a second time.
fingers crossed…knocking on wood
I got plenty o’ mutton!
I cannot comment
Chances are quite good/
around one in a thousand/
time to read the book.
And the really funny thing? I’m a late-adopter — “reading on my phone” is several years old.
I’m living in the future, and the future is the past.
John Scalzi’s books are better than mutton.
I’ve seen so much ‘mutton’ in this comment thread that it no longer parses correctly in my head.
Posty
ooh, yes please.
This is just to prove I never win anything LOL
I got you two new readers this weekend, does that get me a free copy? :)
I would very much like to win a copy.
I’ll just say thanks a bunch for coming to SF, and that the new book sounds AMAZING. Mutton better get in my way when that book comes out. OH! The agony of the terrible pun!
Beer me a book please.
The most delicious comment I have ever posted. Mutton.
I loved the Little Fuzzy books, and would really like to read this one. :-)
A Comment-ary:
I believe in rainbows and puppy dogs and fairy tales.
And I believe in the family – Mom and Dad and Grandma.. and Uncle Wil, who waves his penis.
And I believe 8 of the 10 Commandments.
And I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, wholesome and natural things.. that money can buy.
And I believe you should put a woman on a pedestal.. high enough so you can look up her dress.
And I believe in equality, equality for everyone.. no matter how stupid they are, or how much better I am than they are.
And, people say I’m crazy for believing this, but I believe that robots are stealing my luggage.
And I believe that Sarah Palin can make this country what it once was – an arctic region covered with ice.
And, lastly, I believe in the sanctity of Intellectual Property, except for Steve Martin bits on Saturday Night Live.
I guess I’ll save my creative but not obscene use of the word mutton for later.
Well, I could use a hard copy to go with my ebook copy.
Behold! A comment!
Perhaps the contest should have been to see who could grow the best mutton chops?
typing this on a coach on the way to an unnamed airport. wireless made posting this somewhat tedious. but at least, i got wireless to “throw my hat in the ring”. gl everyone.
This comment intentionally left blank
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!
Here is my winning entry.
lucky number ….
pickmepickmepickmepickme
I’m totally envious of the Seattle crowd who got to see you. But I lived 3 timezones away. In a different country. And I already booked all my vacation time.
good luck fellow commenters!
I am crossing my fingers.
All we like sheep
The odds of winning
Are they better for haiku?
I like to think so.
Maybe I’ll get lucky. I’d love to read it!
I used to raise sheep. Any ewe that was past breeding became Mutton Summer Sausage. Yum!
These contests amuse me. Winning would also amuse me. But at least this way, when I don’t when, as is statistically likely, I will at least not feel like I’ve wasted my time. Yay! Rock on, Mr. Scalzi, rock on.
goodness, i hardly know what to say. i sure hope i win because i have a really long plane ride soon.
Loved seeing you at Phoenix Comicon. Awesome time!
Two goldfish are in a tank. One turns to the other and says “Alright, you man the guns, I’ll drive.”
pick me!
Pick me! Pick me!
Please consider me to have commented.
So, I’ve been listening to the audiobook version of Fuzzy Nation, and have decided that I want the print edition too. Wil Wheaton is absolutely wonderful as the reader of the book.
What’s the worst that could happen?
I’ll de-lurk for a chance at this :)
42. Now what’s the question?
Yea, possible free book.
Alrighty, then.
Loved both the original and your reboot. Really loved the WIl Wheaton narration on the audiobook. Both Agent to the Stars and Fuzzy Nation were really great audio editions.
Mitch
Pick me, Pick me! Thanks, John, and I loved Fuzzy Nation on the Nook.
Because I’m poor and deserving.
No mutton, eh?
We’ve also got beef, lamb, chicken. pork. long pork, short pork. medallions of cloudwhale, jellied sea serpent, capybara tri-tip, bacon amoebaburgers, doubly ionized venison, ballistic pimento loaf, The Sweetbreads of Dread Carcossa, turkey-legs-before-death, and a special $20,000 steak tartare cloned off of Sir Christopher Lee’s hairpiece for Attack of the Clones.
Would you like fries on that?
Ooo. A contest with the most simple rules, ever!
I don’t think my enjoyment of this literary “reboot” would be influenced merely by reading from a free copy won in a contest. I am, however, willing to be proven wrong Mr. Scalzi.
Love the blog, am looking forward to reading the book, be it a give-away or my purchased copy (though the give-away would be oh so nice).
There once was a lamb named Button,
Whose fleece it was getting a cuttin’
When the farmer said, “Dear,”
“What shall I leave here?”
It was Button who then replied, “Mutton.”
(I don’t know what you want from me, honestly.)
Oh, yes, please! Not just for me – my husband really enjoyed Piper’s Fuzzies and I’m sure he’d enjoy a crack at the reboot as well.
I would like to win. :)
Wow. Merely leaving a comment *is* easy.
a comment
Come on, random number generator!
Anyway, like I was sayin’, mutton is the fruit of the land. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, mutton-kabobs, mutton creole, mutton gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple mutton, lemon mutton, coconut mutton, pepper mutton, mutton soup, mutton stew, mutton salad, mutton and potatoes, mutton burger, mutton sandwich. That- that’s about it.
What if you don’t know how to post comments?
Hypothetically, I mean.
Dear Mr. Scalzi,
Please be good and pick me.
Love,
A fan
I doubt the veracity of this contest. As my mother always says, “You can’t get something for mutton.”
comment for copy….
And thus Scalzi yet again proves Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner were correct… those assholes.
I just read Little Fuzzy thanks to you and liked it!
Book me, please.
some numbers: 1 1 2 3 5 8 13
A girl can dream, right?
Mutton ventured, mutton lost! (At this point, I declined to read through the comments to see if I’m original.) Thanks!
Yikes! I hope your selection system allows for numbers this large!
Boom? Ba da boom!
I’d love a book, please. Thanks and congrats on the tour!
Is this the magic number?
There once was a Bill who liked Mutton
And was a mutton comment glutton
But the author said “Why,
let them simply reply.”
So I clicked on the Post Comment button.
You got me with ” I like pie. “. Then I checked out your website. Got intrigued with your Sci-Fi awards for writing. When I whipped out the Kindle and searched your name I was blown away. Why have I been leading this sheltered life? (lol) So I bought “Old Man’s War”, just to start with. Now between fiction and non-fiction here…you have a lot of publications out there. (wow, that download was fast)
If you want to throw the new one, Fuzzy Nation, my way…. you’d save me some charges thru Amazon.
Love from Austin, Texas ~ Melody
Here’s hoping! *crosses fingers*
Loved the audio looking forward to the next book.
Prime numbers up to 100, then multiples thereof? Or summat like that?
Please enjoy this small excerpt from A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream (Act 2, Scene 1)
The king doth keep his revels here to-night:
Take heed the queen come not within his sight;
For Oberon is passing fell and wrath,
Because that she as her attendant hath
A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king;
She never had so sweet a changeling;
And jealous Oberon would have the child
Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild;
But she perforce withholds the loved boy,
Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy:
And now they never meet in grove or green,
By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen,
But, they do square, that all their elves for fear
Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there.
Hope springs eternal…..crossing her fingers!
Hello!
Pwetty pwetty pwease be for me?
Even though I’ve already bought a copy, I’ll take a second. One of them will be donated to my local public library!
Wow, and I thought that I would get in on a short list…
Oo oo oo, me me me!
The odds are against me, but I’m here anyway. Thanks for the shot.
Holy Mutton, that was a long way to scroll!
There’s a MUTT ON your front porch.
*groan*
I really need this. I need to make my “books I have to buy” list shorter. I can’t afford all of them.
posty!
I hear mutton chops are all the rage.
If it really is just that easy……
Would love to have a hard copy! I’m currently being supremely patient with the audiobook version I have. I’m moving in a week, gotta save it up for that long car ride!
Cool idea. Looking forward to what the formula to win is. (and the book of course)
Thank you for gracing California once again with your (not you’re) presence. Hope you enjoyed your (not you’re) Double Double, animal style.
Glad to have you back and hoping for wonderful news on the movie/tv series release of Old Man’s War Universe.
comment posted!
This is highly mysterious. Maybe… the 2/3rds mark of the final comment? :P
Ok, I’m in!
Here’s my strictly single comment.
It’s like a copy, please.
so color me interested and entered I guess awesome
If not this, then I’ll have to get the ebook.
Just in case, I am mentioning mutton in this post. It’s not terribly creative, however.
Pick me!
Always looking for a new Author. Looking forward to your book.
The Fuzzonomicon will select – THIS NUMBER.
Hopefully a signed copy?
This book is awesome, sir. Thanks for keeping it interesting!
May daughter and I will enjoy it should we be so fortunate.
Welp, can’t hurt to try =D
It’s still, just, 31st of Mat here on GMT so guess I should make it
Oh, hai! I can haz book?
drooling with anticipation :P
Free stuff. Goood!
It’s all about the modest mutton.
The old printer said, “Don’t mix your nuts and muttons, boy!”
The post numbers of the previous winners, plus and minus 42, mod the number of entries? Is he going to check on duplicates before doing the procedure, or just going to look that there’s no duplicate of a selected potential winner? If not, what if the poster before the duplicating entry is also a duplicate? And if, why have a rule about the post before if it’s a duplicate? Sometimes I over think these things.
I’m trying to decide if it’s selfish of me to post when I already have a brand new copy of Fuzzy Nation….
I have never eaten mutton.
Pick me, pick me!
Tomorrow is International Children’s Day and this would make a nice gift :)
BTW Wow. Over 1000 comments already. Over hundred people per one book. And it’s not even 1st yet.
Ooh! Free Scalzi Fuzzy book? Yes, please!
I’ll even promise not to copy-cat tape bacon to my cat. (Well, drive off to my parent’s place and tape bacon to their cat)
Comment!
I missed out on the other giveaways, so perhaps I’ll get lucky!
It can’t be that easy!
A signed copy would be bodacious !
Spread your heartwings and fly me a book!
Awesome! Thanks John!
This book rocks!
Please!
This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. Well, it’s among the things I’ve been waiting for.
Thanks a lot.
I want it to be me. Choose this comment number. I mean it.
I would love to win a copy!
I don’t know mutton about this.
Magical commenting win go!
Give me the book or give me mutton!
Pick me! Please?
Here is my try.
Sounds good.
Wohoo! Pick me!
Yay Bacon!
Comment Comment Comment Egg Sausage and Comment.
Wowza! Is this the record for number of comments on a Whatever post? In any case, please count me in.
Well, this lurker is certainly curious…
Me?
In the hopes that this contest is open to us non-American types (it doesn’t say we can’t enter, but I’m perfectly willing to be disqualified if I just didn’t notice that as a disclaimer or whatever)… I throw in my hat!
Worth a shot.
Cool book 4 free plz.
I like these contest, can I have a copy please I promise to read it right away!
Yes Please, and Thank You Sir!
Wow, what a lot of hopefuls. Yes, I’d like a copy, please.
Me!me!me!
I would really like to win a copy, plz, thanks!
I hope this counts as a valid comment!
check, check, one, two, one, two, is this thing on?
Sure I’ll post a comment …why not?
I’ll take a stab at this contest of yours…
Well.. I loved the original and I haven’t read a book of yours that I didn’t like yet. That means this one should be a slam dunk winner :) I’d love a copy.
Here’s a comment but it’s mutton special…
I already bought my copy of FUZZY NATION and it’s in my TBR pile but I would love to have a signed copy too!
Are mutton comments better than mutton chops?
Ohhh… contests and giveaways. Sounds like a plan. Sign me up please.
Hoping for a fortuitous number…
I now have in my brain that flash animation that used to repeat “badgers” almost indefinitely, interspersed with a few “mushrooms”, where badgers/mushrooms are replaced with fuzzies/mutton.
I haven’t got a substitution for the snake, however.
This is my comment.
I’ve got the video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PipLagenta#grid/user/C25E3DECE49B5A7A
I’m just sayin’…
Likely not a winning comment, but nonetheless it is a comment.
Yes… And also, thank you for the book tour recently. It was awesome seeing you in Portland!
I would certainly enjoy a copy. Thanks for writing such good books!
Good thing you went with the numbers… I couldn’t think of an original use of ‘mutton’ if my life depended on it.
Hi. I hope I win
Shoulda called it Ghuzzee Nation.
A copy of Fuzzy Nation would be great compensation for not hitting up Detroit during your tour :)
The odds are better than powerball…for now.
A man, a plan, a canal, Panama.
In the hope you like palindromes as much as I liked your book (bought for Kindle, but I could also use a physical copy).
“Mutton is the fruit of the meadow. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There’s, um, mutton kebabs, mutton creole, mutton gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple mutton and lemon mutton, coconut mutton, pepper mutton, mutton soup, mutton stew, mutton salad, mutton and potatoes, mutton burger, mutton sandwich… That’s, that’s about it.”
I like pie.
Already have the book, but hey, my mommy could have her own copy too.
Ain’t mutton but a hound dog.
Look forward to reading the book, but would really look forward to reading it for free!
Mmm… free.
Here’s my comment.
Cool. Hope I win one.
Awesomeness is awesome.
Go Scalzi go!
If I don’t get it this time, I guess I’m going to the store!
Well, I guess there goes my use for a pun about a measurement unit of 32000 ounces of dogs of indeterminate ancestry, but I’ll enter anyway.
Mutton mutton who’s got the mutton?
POIT! narf
Do we want old man Patterson here with his finger on the mutton?
Saw you at the New York Public Library, and had a great time there. Thanks!
As easy as growing mutton chops (were I a man)? I can’t think of a reason *not* to post a comment.
Blacklicorice Lager……well taste like black licorice
I bought a copy, but would like a signed one. Thank you in advance, because I know this is my time.
Mutton Jeff is a tasteful comic strip. :) But I’d rather read Fuzzy Nation!
I would totally like to win one of these!
I like books and this, I believe, is a book
My son and I read Old Man’s War and enjoyed discussing it. Thanks for that. I’ve bought & read a few others (Zoey’s tale most recently) and you do the SciFi genre proud, Heinlein-esque.
Sayu hi to the cats from a fan.
Mike -
Love the original Little Fuzzy series so am looking forward to reading this new take on it!
Mmm… mutton…
If the criterion is “award it to the comments where the word count matches the comment number”, I’ve got a lot more to write.
I’m Fuzzy, the book is Fuzzy Nation, as such it must be /my/ nation, this makes me feel entitled >:)
“Fuzzy, the other white meat , high in fiber!”
Old Mans War is the novel that got me reading for fun again!
Blimey, you have to scroll a long way down to get here!
I’m fascinated to see what an author I admire can do with a classic story.
This pairs well with She-Devil Syrah
Mutton Stew
Ingredients
* 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
* 2 white onions, roughly diced
* 4 garlic cloves, chopped
* 4 carrots (washed, but not peeled), roughly diced
* 1 head celery, roughly diced
* 6 sprig fresh rosemary, left whole
* 1 leg mutton (approximately 4 pounds sheep or lamb), diced off the bone
* 1 bottle red wine
* 1/4 cup tomato paste
* 4 cups vegetable stock or water
* Salt
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 6 Idaho potatoes, scrubbed and roughly diced
* 1/4 cup butter
Directions
In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat until it begins to glisten. Stir in the onions, garlic, carrots, celery and fresh rosemary, and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the mutton and stir until all sides of the meat have browned. Add the wine and tomato paste and allow to cook for about 10 minutes. Then add the vegetable stock or water, reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 4 to 6 hours, periodically checking to make sure the liquid doesn’t dissipate, and adding water if needed. When the meat is beginning to become tender, add the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. The stew is finished when the meat is very tender (the flavor should be intense and very tasty). Adjust the seasoning, as needed, and whisk in the butter just before serving to make the sauce a little richer.
From 2006 Robert Irvine, All Rights Reserved @ foodnetworkdotcom
Post!
Had a bike accident today (turns out car doors _are_ stronger than a bike) fractured a rib, completely wasted on painkillers. Hurts breathing in. Hurts breathing out. Would be nice karma to win :)
Thanks John for the wonderful blog. And books.
Wow, this has to be the easiest contest I’ve ever entered! If by “ever” you mean “since that one time in Reading, PA” that is. Meh, close enough.
hello…gotta love em, comments.
This… Seems almost too easy.
*suspicious glances*
Yes, I was expecting a net or somesuch.
It would be nice to win something for a change. I’m usually just losing them.
I read this when I wake up, think ‘I’ll comment later, when I’m not using my mobile’. Have a shower. Grab some breakfast. Another 600 comments have appeared.
You, sir, are handsome and popular.
Very nice of you to pass along a copy of your work. We’re also attempting to do a remix of Paul & Storm’s ‘Fuzzy Man’ song. If by some stroke of luck we end up with a prize for that, please forward our book to another fine customer. Lightning doesn’t strike twice very often…
Looking forward to reading Fuzzy Nation soon, free or otherwise.
Here goes nothin’
*crosses fingers* :)
I fell in love with the Fuzzy stories in the 70s when I was in the Navy, they were wonderful stores and I still remember them fondly. I look forward to your addition to the story.
*insert random comment text here…* <— the extent of my limited ability to be creative… =p
Here is my comment. There is your book. May the two come together.
I was going to write a haiku but I see that’s already been done. I was going to make a joke about how no one’s going to read down this far but then I scrolled up, and surely the next person to comment will scroll up. Recipes have been done. Probably there’s already political commentary embedded in here somewhere.
When I was at WisCon last weekend I saw someone wearing a shirt that said “octopi” that had pi only written with 8 legs (instead of the usual two). I thought that t-shirt was pretty damn awesome.
I am so bummed that I missed Scalzi at the San Francisco signing, buy hey a free copy of Fuzzy Nation would help with that
I’ve already lost!
Awesome book,even if I have to buy my own copy.
Thanks, local library for stocking it months sooner than local bookstores.
Well, okay then! I’m sure number 1260-something has a chance! Really I do!
Thanks for blogging about the book tour. It was intersting reading about your experiences on such a long trip.
And here’s my “one and only one” comment. BTW, welcome back from the road!
Baa, I’ll join the herd.
Fuzzy!
I loved the book when I read it on my Nook. It would be great to have a hard copy, too.
Never know when you may get lucky. Cheers!
Better late than never having a chance.
Hmmm. The Whatever site is slow tonight. Wonder why…
I do believe in numerology, I do believe in numerology, I do believe in numerology…
Too poor to buy. Hope I win.
It’s as good a number as any.
Hoping to get fuzzy. Any chance you’ll sign them? Because that would be fantastic
Wow! Over 1278? I hope I still have a chance. I like my mutton fuzzy.
Who wouldn’t adore cute and fuzzy things?
Me! Me! Pick Me!!!!!
It will ease some of the deep depression I’m experiencing because you haven’t been to Omaha yet to sign books!!!!
Did I make lucky 13…00
Monkeys. Wil Wheaton. Also, Bananas.
I need fresh reads in scifi. My interest is wavering.
Hi!
This is fascinating, 1286 comments as I type. I wonder if this will get to 2000? 2500? 3000? I hope so! Anyway, I have a nice dead-tree hardcover, 1st printing, 1st edition so I do not NEED another copy, but you know, I have a friend I would love to give a copy to, so bring it on and I will dispose of this book for you to a needy, poor sf reader. Thanks, and it was a good read and I am sooooo looking forward to the new one next year too.
Bacon for everyone!
Well, it won’t be out in Australia for ages, because of our silly book-importing laws. But don’t let that influence the perfection of your mathematical scheme. I’ll be fine. Sigh.
What the heck. I’ve got mutton to lose.
John – I have already purchased, read and enjoyed the book, via my kindle… But, I would love a hardcopy! Thanks for rebooting such a great H. Beam Piper story.
I could totally use a hard copy.
Entering the FUZZY NATION contest.
I’m licking my chops in anticipation! I probably should have cooked the mutton first.
Will the word ‘bacon’ help me win?
I expected to see more attempts to guess the numbering system (divide the number of comments in tenths?). Maybe that’s just ’cause I can’t think of a comment about comments or mutton or fuzziness to save my life (well I suppose if my life really depended on it AND it didn’t have to be cleverer than the 1280+ people before me…).
One more try to win the book.
This is my attempt to thwart the gods of consumerism and get something for free. Free dagnabit!
Comment? OK, I’ll comment. (Recently finished Little Fuzzy and would *love* to read the reboot.)
I enjoyed the book – I bought a second signed copy from Jay & Mary’s – If I win I’ll give it to one of my friends (I think that will be the 4th Scalzi book I’ve given to someone!)
When I win you can just tweet me @meontheedge if you follow me then its a double win. LOL
My cats want this boook read to them… seriously!
A comment full of “fuzz” words from the underground funk movement of Rygel 12…
I had mutton chops for a short time
I’m a-hopin’ for some Fuzzy Nation. I’ve got the audiobook (with that excellent Wil Wheaton reading), but a physical copy would be a-ok.
The odds are getting worse…
*fingers crossed
Hi, Scalzi!
@RobK
That mutton stew sounds really good, but it’s already too darn hot for stew. I’m gonna save it for later….like six months later.
Here’s hoping its me.
First time entering a contest here: I hope I win!
Just to be safe, I will involve mutton: there is a mutt on my mutton, if i don’t get him off there’ll be nothin’ but stuffin’ for my muffin.
Comment
So, that’s by noon tomorrow, right?
If I don’t win a book, can I have some mutton instead?
Bluh.
I hope at least one of your criteria is to give it to a really large number because there are 1321 posts ahead of me.
I doubt I will win, but heck, if I don’t comment then I surely won’t win. Right?
Hello, here’s a comment. Good luck to me!
You could do worse than put a copy of Fuzzy Nation in my hands. Hook a brother up.
I want some fuzzy mutton.
Me too please!
Oh god, I suck at math. 6,329?
Sure!
I would dearly love to win a copy john.
Boy is my browser laggy.
Congratulations on surviving the tour!
I will not share an obscene mutton haiku… I will not share an obscene mutton haiku…
Fuzzy Nation – woohoo!!!!
Computer almost froze up getting over here. No wonder. Look at the number of comments. Fun stuff to be had.
Cats!
I’m an unemployed phone cleaner and can’t afford the book.
I have read all 1,333 comments in this thread prior to mine. Really. I swear. I wouldn’t make that up. I certainly have nothing else to do, so obviously I need something marvelous such as Fuzzy Nation to read.
Mmmm, mutton. Mmmm, booooks.
Scalzi — Thank Whatever for your tweets, as they lead me to your word, and thus to your blog. I bought Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded tonight. Take care, Duffi
“a comment. It’s just that easy.”
Hmm good book especially when read with Bacon and Mutton;)
Mutton is good. It has more flavour than mere lamb.
Sounds like fun.
Golly! It really -is- that easy!
Contest!
I’m in.
Yay! A matching set for my audiobook!
well, i guess trying my luck is not a bad idea
I can has comment?
Hooray books!
Mutton? Ingenious!
Prize!
I’d like a book because it saves me buying two to donate one to the local cruddy country school library, so I can keep one jealously grasped in my hands while the community at large can shower adoration and worship the other copy, creating a new creepy, Children of the Corn style Fuzzy based cult. It could happen, there’s more churches than video stores in this town.
Incidentally whenever I read the word mutton I always think of that Tinpot General and the Old Iron Woman book, probably the best book about war for kids ever, need to get a copy.
Ahh, the lucky 1300′s! Too late for mechanized paper making but too early for the printing press. We did invent the floating crane, though.
I love book contests! iI hope math works in my favor!
Winning a copy of Fuzzy Nation would be mutton-tastic!
Pick me, pick me!
Count me in, and thanks!
Woo hoo!
bump
What? You mean I don’t have to bump?
bump anyways
Me, too! :)
Congrats on the new book! Can’t wait to read it.
Another chance! It’s slim but I’ll take it.
numerical heartwings, don’t fail me now…
comment
Yay. Now I get to see if that Scalzi guy can write. If I win, that is. (I could, of course, BUY a book of his…)
Even though I have the luck of someone whose luck has been stolen by a luck-theif at work (and I aspire to be a writer, you can tell by my lovely use of creative words), I’d like to enter this contest!
I hope therefore I am. (Also I believe I am entered, now.)
And it’s whispered that soon,
If we all call the tune,
Then the piper will lead us to reason…
I’ve got a good feeling about this.
This is me posting a comment
Phooey, I’ll buy it anyway.
I can’t post mutton, but i can post a comment :)
Sail on, sail on Cap’n Scalzi
Yarrrr!
Wow, look at all the comments! No wonder the site was freezing….
I already bought my copy, but if I do (against odds) win this, please donate the book to a library. I know my own never has enough good SF (if there is such a thing).
I have wood for sheep. Anyone?
Gimme?
People always show up when the word ‘free’ is mentioned. I am no exception.
well, at 1,380 comments (at the time i am writing this post) i have pretty much zero chance to win but what the heck. :)
What fun! Fuzzy Nation entry submitted. Thanks for the chance to play! Thanks also for making it easier than composing mutton poetry.
My cat’s breath smells like cat food.
just this once…..
I never win mutton… *grumble grumble*
:P (I love the “mutton” idea!!!)
Hi,
I’d just finished ‘The God Engines’. AWESOME.
Have you heard the mutton, man?
May I interrupt here to mention that this is only my third time posting on Whatever?
Me?
Ah, many tries, endless hope, endless despair. I’ll try once again.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Agent to the Stars”. Adding “Fuzzy Nation” would be grand.
spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam
I would love a copy of Fuzzy Nation.
Wow! ‘Nuff said.
I miss the days when I could just run out and buy a new Scalzi book. Now I have to try to win giveaways. Woe is me. Woe.
I am looking forward to reading this book.
I’m a Little Fuzzy on what I need to do to win a copy!!
I am anointed by the flaming testicles of Shatner.
Mutton is as mutton does.
There, I said it. Can I has Fuzzy Nation?
On the one hand, there are already 1395 comments in this thread—on the other, who knows what Scalzi’s algorithm will be? I’ll give it a try…..
I found this pretty late in the game (at least 1392 comments). Still, it never hurts to try. Are you going to reveal the number-based selection criterion after choosing the winners?
insert comment here—–>
I have given up on attempting to make a joke about a canine standup with a punchline along the lines of “Mutt on”
Comment from me
I’ll throw my name in the hat.
As an inhabitant of a household dominated by fuzzy creatures, I would regard Fuzzy Nation as a survival manual, or possibly a wish list, depending upon its point of view.
I see your ingenious algorithm and raise you with my random number generator.
As a fuzzy man I’d love to read it!
gosh it would be nice to win a fuzzy book.
I am always so happy after reading a few blogs. I am extra happy i found this.
I loved the original Little Fuzzy, and am looking forward to reading your take on it;)
Roll for initiative!
This so awesome, the cover art work is phenomenal
Ooh, me. Pick me!
Would love a copy…
mutton: just pork dressed up in sheep’s clothing, or so I’ve been told.
Obligatory comment for contest.
#1415 by Matthew in Austin on May 31, 2011 – 10:23 pm
I could totally go for a copy if you’ll send it to Canada. Assuming our postal service doesn’t go on strike.
Thanks, John. Thanks, Bill.
what the heck, I’ll try for a copy :)
Oh, and ‘mutton’
I’m just gonna throw my hat in the rink
Comment for your book contest – winning would be spiffy, especially since it’s almost my birthday. :)
another day, another comment. I wonder what the neato method will be to choose the winners?
Was I supposed to read all the comments to enter? I skipped a few hundred. May mutton mania rule if I win.
Can I overcome the staggering odds?
Comment.
I attended your reading in SLC and can’t wait for your awesome top-secret book for 2012!
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
“Charge for the guns!” he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismay’d?
Not tho’ the soldier knew
Someone had blunder’d:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
If a Fuzzy tastes like mutton, maybe a Little Fuzzy tastes like lamb?
And the giveaway doubles as a scheme to test how many visitors actually read the content, because really, why would anyone who read that post not leave a comment?
This is my one comment.
Welcome back and wow, that’s a lot of comments.
whip me up some fuzzy mutton of your dirty love…
yay!
Bong, bong, bong…Muffins!
Over 1,400 comments. Better odds than the lottery, at least for now.
Let’s see…If the algorithm is to pick the entries where the number of characters in the post matches the entry number of the comment, I have a hell of a lot more writing to do.
I guess I better plan on buying the book after all.
Bit hazy on time zones but if i still qualify then…….
I bought my copy of Fuzzy Nation at Balticon, but if I win, I’ll donate it to the PSFS “No-Fund”, which is our unbudgeted book exchange.
Maybe I’ll win?
I would like some mutton. Barring that, I would like a copy of Fuzzy Nation, please!
Comment!
(the word “mutton” always reminds me of the Errol Flynn Robin Hood, when he’s fighting Friar Tuck for a leg of mutton.)
Here’s to free stuff.
Just. That. Easy.
Fuzzy logic leads me to believe that I will be at least close
This is the number that will win. I sense it in my mutton.
Hey, you know, why not?
Ensuring that my non-winning streak will continue… or not.
Mutton and beef, cows and sheep.
Here goes mutton…
Count me in!
This is a comment.
Scalzi, you fool, you’ll never get me to comment!
mutton… lol. That being said, I love Sub Press books
That’s quite a lot of comments.
All glory to the hypnoScalzi!
Oh yay, what a great reason to comment for the first time!
Yay, free books!
Well?
Oh please oh please oh please oh please
Aahh…Papa Fuzzy’s telling me to post. Who am I to argue?
I’ve spent enough time trying to think of a funny joke about mutton, that I might as well have bought the book.
Oh, as if this late comment will win.
I am all about the fiendish mathematical mystery, Can’t Wait!
This was my planned holiday reading and my local store was OUT! Dagnabbit!
Qapla’! …maybe.
adding my post. seems to be a lot of worthy contenders
Looking forward to it either free or not … read everything H. Beam Piper wrote after finding the Fuzzy books in Half-Priced books 15+ odd years ago. I have read them all several time since then.
I was looking for more after just finishing “Old Man’s War” today and found your site, more Old Man’s War books, and a contest …
… great and more good news ” … make a film of Old Man’s War … ”
Thanks for the stories
It looks as if this will be post #1462, so the odds aren’t good. But I can hope.
Oh, why not?
I’m currently re-reading Little Fuzzy first — it’s been 30+ years, I think, and enjoying it all over again. So thanks for that, too.
Hope I win
Does your ingenious idea allow for 1500 comments? Here’s hoping! (Also, I’m the guy from Seattle who was giving the book to his dad because Dad needs to encounter new authors from time to time, so I no longer have a copy!)
You are very talented Author and I just read the first of what I hope will be the start of much more of your work and it was loaned to me by someone very close to your heart and to mine also. Your very talented and I would be very happy to win a copy of your new book.:)
Wow, so many comments my browser froze trying to get here!
I already have a signed copy from your book tour, but I would love to have an extra. I would use it as a gateway drug to get someone else hooked on Scalzi books. I am sure you wouldn’t mind that.
Hopefully my luck is turning …
Odds are 1 in 150ish and getting worse…. but still more likely than Powerball
::Raises hand::
Wow. What will one winner do with 10 books? Regardless awesome give away thanks. Any future plans for kindle version give aways?
Me! Pick me! :)
Very glad you made it home safe and sound. Well, mostly sound. Please get back to work writing novels.
Thanks for coming to Seattle. We had a great time! Fuzzy Nation is great and I would love to have a signed copy. It’ll go well with the two unsigned copies we have!
!v! L! 0 !V (posted from my phone)
What the hell. When you’ve got mutton, you’ve got mutton to lose.
I have already bought Fuzzy Nation. What will I do with another copy? Thinks… thinks… chocolate… mmmm… Fuzzy Nation dipped in chocolate…
I’ve already read it, but I’m not one to turn down a copy signed by the author (hint). :)
Oh what the hell, it’s about the same odds as me winning the Powerball.
Nothing witty to say. Just commenting and trying my luck.
This is not a comment.
You’ve got a new book out? Why didn’t you tell someone? ;-)
If I only have one comment, I can take two or three minutes to try. I spent four or five pleasant minutes reading the sample chapters. Will this make six or seven Fuzzy novels? If I get this novel, I would have eight Scalzi novels. I would lend it to nine friends, and read it at least ten times.
I already bought the audiobook, but I like paper copies too :)
(and your words + Mr Wheaton’s narration are such a winning combination!)
Fuzzy!
i hope your math scheme has an exponential element
I think I’ll get some mutton from a local farmer, roast that bad boy up with some homegrown garlic and serve it up with mint sauce made from mint grown in my parents garden.
Rob
Wow, 1495
Thanks for having another giveaway!
Comment.
Just got out of the hospital this morning, a good book should never be far away when your recovering.
What could possibly go wrong?
Count me in!
Here’s my one comment and fuzzy hopes and dreams.
The mutton thing would’ve made for more interesting comments, but the judging would’ve stressed ewe.
Jeez, there’s a lot of comments. But here’s my hope of winning the numerological jackpot. Cheers!
Pretty sure I haven’t missed the deadline yet, but I always get confused by 12am/12pm. Not helped by seeing the timestamp in east coast time rather than Ohio.
Wondering whether our generous host just got 1500 notification emails.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage, give me your strength!
OOOHHHH YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!
Fingers crossed!
What’s the worst that can happen? (I’m guessing it probably involve rabid badgers)
I can has book? Plz?
Here’s hoping!
Yes, this is really easy. :)
This is a comment containing the word “mutton.”
I wants me some mutton!
I mean a BOOK…Yeah. A book about fuzzy old sheep. Or aliens.
Whichever.
I;ll give this a try.
Feeling very commenty here.
Attempting to post
entry for Fuzzy Nation;
Website Scalzified!
…
Saw a recommendation for Fuzzy Nation from the Penny-Arcade guys. Given their fanbase’s rabid devotion, you might just need a few more print runs.
Ahh! just got home, hope I made it!
Though I have no puns involving sheep products to offer, I still want your book.
Love, Shannon
I hope I win!
mmmeheheheh
I highly doubt you’re gonna read all these comments. And I’m never exactly sure when 12pm is. Is that midday or midnight? Whatever.
Holy crap, there are a lot of commonts here. Mmmm, mutton.
These aren’t good odds.
Oh please, oh please!!
no whammys no whammys no whammys STOP
winner
Frankly, I can’t think of mutton to say. Yeah I know it’s bad but it doesn’t count anyway.
John, thanks for introducing me to the original “Little Fuzzy” story by H. Beam Piper. I’m loving it so far!
If it’s really that easy, I’ll join in. That’s my comment.
yowza
Aloha from President Obama’s real birth state.
Fingers crossed FTW!
thanks in advance for the book ;)
You just want to break your record for comments, right?
Well, yeah, put me down for a chance to win a free copy of Fuzzy Nation then. I missed seeing you in Beaverton, thanks to being employed and it being the first day at the job when I was able to actually get things done, which is a hard knot of irony to choke down. If I win then it’d make up for that. A little.
Love the blog!
So, I’ve already read the novel twice, but I would enjoy a signed, first-edition SubPress copy – that would be the thing to have. But 1500+ comments – that’s crazy odds, especially with some sort of odd Scalzi-number-magic things going on. Probably have better chances with the lottery… if I could ever remember to buy lottery tickets.
Love the fuzzies. I’ll Play.
Toss a coin, hope it lands on the face I choose I don’t care. I would love to have a copy of fuzzy nation
I’d love to get my grubby hands on a bit of Fuzzy :)
I love free stuff.
Here’s hoping :-)
If you system is awesomely ingenious, this will be one of the comments it picks! Maybe.
nothing mutton related in this post. I’m looking forward to reading Fuzzy Nation.
I wouldn’t mind winning one!
Well, hello.
Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Do carnivorous androids dream of electric mutton?
Do cannibal androids dream of YOUR TENDER HUMAN FLESH?
… “The Cannibal Androids” is the name of my new band, delicious meatbag.
A comment
I’m trusting my fate to a random number?
Come on! Don’t be a dick and give me one of your books! I would really appreciate it!
I’ve definitely been over-thinking this (it involved the Fibonacci series and the word “dumbwaiter”), so I’m just gonna post and hope for the best! Glad to hear you had an enjoyable book tour and you made it home safely!
Isn’t it quite a bit Too easy ? :)
Probably for the best. Last time I used mutton it was for a bookmark and boy the grease was a nightmare.
Oooh, a book giveawawy determined by a mysterious and ingenious algorithm? Count me in! :^D
Jim want Fuzzzzeeee!
I’m in space…. SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! XD
Nothin’ says lovin’ like a Fuzzy eatin’ mutton
Here’s hoping your random number-based selection scheme goes up this high!
Ewe!
Man… I woulda gone for the “mutton” theme.
I feel a bit sheepish
I remember finding the original in a used book store back in high school in the 80′s. Loved that book. It had all the characteristics of the classic Sci-fi novels which I was tearing through at the time. I cannot wait to read your reboot. I’ve come close to pulling the trigger a couple of times, but have quite the backlog of stuff that needs to be read at the moment and my bank account doesn’t need that pile of stuff to read to get too large.
Looking forward to reading it if I win a copy here or pick it up down the road.
Good writing!
baaaaaaa.
Baa!
>_>
<_<
pray pray pray
The way I figure it works, I just went out and bought a copy last week, and my husband and i read it aloud to each other, which is what we do with favorite books. So…since I just bought one, I figure that means I’m gonna win one, laws of the universe being what they are. It would still be great tho–then we could each have our own copy.
Yesterday was birthday. Let’s see if I’m lucky!
A girl can always hope!! Alternatively they could bring it out in eBook in the UK and then I’d be good to go.
I will definitely gonna win this for sure and mutton I love that…
Give me Fuzzy Nation or give me death!
Preferably Fuzzy Nation.
If not, hold the death.
Mmmmmmmmmmmh… mutton *drool*
Roll for initiative!
I am glad I just have to leave a comment. I couldn’t think of limmerick about mutton.
Fuzzy wuzzy was a sheep. Mmmmm…. mutton…… Fuzzy wuzzy isn’t very fuzzy anymore.
I would love to win a free copy of Fuzzy Nation! That would mean I could buy another book off my ever-growing wish list. Because if I don’t win, I WILL buy it! I’m just trying to decide if I should read Fuzzy Nation before I re-read Little Fuzzy. Oh, decisions, decisions…
Read the book from the local library and loved it. Worth re-reading, so a copy of my own would come in handy!
I think you’re doing this just to see how robust the commenting function is in WP.
Hm, hard to game the competition, with the rules so fuzzily explained (or, rather, cleverly obscured).
Nonetheless, with roughly (at the moment) a 1-in-160 chance of scoring a free book, it’s probably worth a try.
So, here is my (single) comment to this post.
I want to win!!! Please! This is coming up on my list to read!
I was thinking I would enter…but man, that’s a lot of comments above me. I doubt you went over 1000 but oh well!
This is awesome! 1500 comments and counting!
Mutton IS delicious though!
Just finished the H. Beam Piper version, so looking forward to your story! (PS: I’m Canadian, in case that helps make for a quick & easy disqualification).
already read the first four chapters for free, now hoping to read the rest for free as well!
My wee little post is only 11% mutton.
no need for another copy (yet!), but hey – who can resist an opportunity to drive your webstats through the freaking roof:?
Me, please.
Love your stuff, I’ve been recommending you to a number of acquaintances.
Comment: comment comment comment comment, comment comment. Comment!!
Mutton Chops!
Also, IE7 is not appreciative of this site + 1700 comments.
I done entered!
I’m feeling fuzzy with anticipation.
Being a big fan of Will Weaton and since I posted this on my Paper: Maegic Dude Sensationalisms: http://paper.li/MaegicDude/1306499771 I think it would be cool to actually be able to read one of these. I live way out in the country and dont have access to buying one. Lucky i have internet. I would even savor a digital copy for my Ipod Touch. Cheers and good site by the way.
MaegicDude
I like to read the books.
I have mutton to say here….
I hope your number generating pattern produces numbers this high!
So then you don’t want me to present you with this fully functional mutton motorcycle?
Is this thing still on?
After reading your page about publishers, I’m hooked!
I can has Fuzzy?!?!?!
Commenting as instructed. Impatiently waiting for a new Scalzi that is also a reboot of H. Beam Piper. Counting the days!
/delurk
Gooooooood Morning, Sunshine!! Up and at ‘em.
One try for one of ten books!
I like cheese
Quickly calculates transatlantic time difference …. Yay, this comment should still be in time!
(Fingers crossed …)
Totally smashing! I would LOVE a copy of Fuzzy Nation!
I’d like a side of mutton, fuzzy side up (1,603 comments before me? Hope your numeric criteria gets at least this far, but no further)
A possible free copy from Subterranean? Awesome!
Well, I’d certainly enjoy a copy. Having just read the original H. Beam Piper book solely based on the fact that Scalzi felt the need to write this book, I was pleasantly surprised at an under-appreciated SF classic. Reading a modernization of it will be swell, whether through this giveaway or from actually ordering it.
Sleepy morning post.
Can we still post mutton-inspired comments?
I will be a sheeple too and post. (Soylent wool? It’s made of sheeple?)
NARF!
Me too!
What the hey. I’ll add a post to the OVERWHELMING post count of this thread.
This is a good read.
oh why not. :)
I’ve always wanted to be #1614
me please
*fingers crossed*
If I win, I will give my signed copy to my dog and badger you for another autograph at some con or other.
If I lose, I will give my dog some mutton.
For many years I’ve used Ender’s Game as a “gateway to SF” book. In recent years, I’ve used Old Man’s War in the same way but only for an older audience (late-teens or so as opposed to pre- or early-teens). Last week, I bought Fuzzy Nation and gave it to my 12-year old who promptly inhaled it (metaphorically speaking – no emergency room involved). Here’s hoping Fuzzy is another gateway book.
-shane
I have to admit to a dire curiosity about this mysterious ‘number-based selection criterion.’ O_o
My odds are pretty low at this point.
This is my one, and only comment on this matter. I have mentioned the word number, and included a number, in my comment. 42. I have also written a number, in case that is somehow involved. Also, ein, a number in a foreign language.
Greetings from Greece!
Well, I’ve already bought and read a digital copy, but I’d love to have a physical copy, too! Thanks!
Oooh! Ooooh! Is it too late?
Groovy. I’m not going to try to be witty or try to guess which number you’ve guessed or will guess, or randomly select (I bet it involves dice, doesn’t it?), I’m just going to say “Me too!” and throw my hat in the ring again. So…
Me Too! I want one! (But I want my hat back when this is done…)
I can haz
muttonfuzzy?Just finished Agent to the Stars and was ready to go buy Fuzzy Nation. Maybe I won’t have to?
I have to admit that I am not familiar with Fuzzies at all but all the attention Fuzzy Nation is generating makes me wonder what I am missing.
While not a requirement, I will still sing the praises of mutton.
One Fuzzy Nation to go please.
Wow, there are a lot of comments here. If I win this, I’ll actually consider buying a lottery ticket.
A comment.
Watching Thomas the train engine with my daughter thus morning and finishing the ware tetralogy , looking forward to your new book!
I need to get in on the giveaway action!
1637 – a magical number for a winning comment. Magical. And it’s my wedding anniversary today too. Bring on the good karma!
To win, or not to win, that is the question…
Well, you can count me in. I love a good Scalzi tale :)
Disembodied advertising voice: “Watcha eatin over there?”
Generic advertising meatsack : “Mutton, honey.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5yjgLOGHKQ&feature=related
This is a comment. No… wait… this is THE WINNING COMMENT.
Thanks for the great books! Really enjoyed @wilw’s reading of “Android’s Dream”. :)
Eeeexcelent!
I’d love to win, but if not congrats on the book and to those who do.
1. Mutton
2. ???
3. Profit!!!!
I already have Fuzzy Nation on Kindle and audiobook. Might as well shoot for the hard copy for the trifecta.
Comment equals free book (maybe) – I’m there.
would love a copy. Posted!
One more try.
wow, that’s a lotta comments
I will add my comment to the pile of potential winners.
Always up for more Scalzi :)
Count me in for the freebie!
Thanks!
42? Gotta be 42…
Hooray for pants!
That’s a lot of comments. Count me in.
Free book, sweeet
Me too
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of Fuzzy Nation!
I just finished Little Fuzzy this weekend and can’t wait to read Fuzzy Nation!
As big fan of H. Beam Piper I was not aware someone had taken one of his story lines, I will keep an eye out for it if I don’t win.
I wish your tour had brought you through Texas.
Is your selection criteria based on the fibonacci sequence?
I have a cunning plan. After entering this I quickly submit lots of posts using a different identity. These will be disqualified but if at the correct number I still win whit this post!
just reread the conditions, I have to send the disqualified entries first.
Rolls natural 20…
Pretty please?
Mutton.
Be like Oprah and give one away to every single poster! We’d call you Scoprah, which sounds like a bad ass name for a Mortal Kombat fighter who uses giveaways and crazy celebrities to deliver fatalities to his enemies. Death by couch-jumping, anyone?
Oracle is back online.
Also, me.
Fortunately network was restored in time to post.
Posting with hope!
My name is Cheech, and I am a School Bus Driver…
comment comment comment! Also, downloaded _Fuzzy Nation_ to myKindle the day it was published and more or less inhaled it. Such fun!
Good seeing you at Borderlands!
w00t!
pick me, pick me….pretty please.
My turn, please. I like a free thingie as much as the next guy.
Woohoo! Fuzzy Nation giveaway! Glad me made it home safe and sound. I hope you make it to south Texas one day!
Thank you! I can’t afford one right now, so it would be wonderful to win. But I will in September, so if I don’t win, I’ll get it then. It’s a very kind thing to do.
What kind of number?
A Few Hypercomplex Numbers
Is it one of these?
Books are good!
This is a comment.
I hope I am not too late.
/roll d20
This late in the comment thread, there’s probably not much chance, but what do I have to lose by trying?
Fuzzy me!
“There’s nothing like an MLT, a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, when the tomatoes are nice and ripe. They’re so perky!”
Yahtzee!
Is the lucky comment #1215?
On June 1 of that year, Genghis Khan captured Beijing.
Either that or 1495.
On June 1 of that year, Father John Cor records the first known batch of scotch whisky.
Fingers crossed…
Better this contest than seeing 5,271,009 posts about mutton, irrevocably messing up the Google search algorithm
This is my comment. There are many other comments like it, but this one is mine.
I think I’m in time. Fingers crossed.
217.
Wait, what? We aren’t guessing? Drat.
Mutton? In the southwest US, think that requires frybread.
insert witty comment here.
Getting in just under the wire.
I think I’m too late. Stupid West Coast.
Quick note to potential future commenters on the thread — the contest is now closed. Thanks!
Looks like I’m late. <3 Fuzzies!
This is what I get for working nights. I miss all the fun whatever news when it is timely.
would be nice.Very nice indeed
I managed to misread that as “I will mail them the winning address” and immediately thought “I would like to have a winning address!” If only I could break things so that every post after mine accidentally double-posted…except I’m probably posting too late for that to increase my chances of winning dramatically.
Felicitations for favoring fans with free fiction. Fabulous!
Wow, it looks like your book will be a big hit based on the number of post.
Ask and (maybe) I shall receive…
Me, please! My son is heading to an expensive geeky college and I need free reading material for him! Plus I gave his headmaster “Old Man’s War” !
First time is a winner :D.