Neil Gaiman and David Handler (Lemony Snicket) we're having an event on November 19th in Washington square park at 8:30 in the morning in manhattan where they would be giving away free copies of their books. I don't recall seeing any promos or adverts for it. I only knew about it because I stalk Gaiman on twitter and he tweeted about it.
I already had the day off so I get to Washington park at 7:40am. There are a group of people standing there waiting fort he organizers to get their shit together so they can decide on where and when to start the line.
Eventually the line is formed and we patiently wait for Gaimen and Handler to arrive. I must point out at that at 7:40 in the morning, it was 25 degrees. I was dressed warmly in multiple layers and I still was freezing my balls off and shivering like I had hypothermia.
Handler and Gaimen get there around 8:30ish and the event begins. A medium sized book case is rolled onto the park and Gaiman and Handler start handing out books one at a time. You could either have Gaimen give you a book or Handler give you a book. Most people stood in line for Gaiman. I was pretty close to the front so when my turn came I shook hands with Gaiman, spoke to him briefly for a few moments before he handed me a book. Gaiman gave me a book that handler had just wrote. The line moved at an even pace. Nearly everyone asked to take a picture with Gaiman (myself included) and neither Gaimen nor the organizers objected.
After Gaimen gave me, my book, I got in line to see Handler because his was very short and he was laughing it up with attendees. Handler signed my book I got to get another pic with Handler and then handler and Gaimen together.
Gaimen said he would only sign books if he had time. So I move over to a spot where there a few other people waiting for Gaimen to sign their books. While I'm readying my books for signage Gaimen suddenly walks over and starts signing things lightning fast; telling us that he'll do quick signs but nothing personal as it's too cold and his fingers are numb. So I set my book down ( the one that Gaimen gave to me and handler signed) for a minute and shove a handful of comics towards Gaimen and he signs them all. I turn around and my book is gone!!! I looked around for it but don't see it at all and asked several people but no one knows what happened to it.
I was seriously bummed about losing it but very happy that signed Gaimen and handler took photos with me. But I'm still upset I lost my book. I feel very conflicted about the whole event.
Gaimen himself is so nice. He's funny and charming and witty and artsy. He thanked every person who he spoke to for coming out in the cold and waiting and gave a hug and shook hands with anyone who asked (as did handler) the entire time the event was happening, Handler and Gaimen were cracking jokes with one another and the crowd. Also, Gaimen is much shorter in real life. In pics or on stage he always looks so tall. When I was face to face with him, we were roughly the same height, maybe Gaimen was a couple inches taller than me. I'm pretty sure Neil Gaimen is made from the tears of a phoenix and has the heart of a unicorn.
I got 3 things signed, all Sandmans stuff. Sandman 1 from the 89 vertigo series, Sandman Overture 1 and one other sandman book.
Sandman overture 1, I am reserving for Stocky is he got me that awesome signed Alan Moore comic. And the other sandman book is for another boardie.
I will definitely post pics tomorrow
Neil Gaiman & David Handler Book giveaway
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Mr Wallstreet
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Mr Wallstreet
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Mr Wallstreet
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- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:21 pm
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Mr Wallstreet
- Posts: 3734
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:21 pm