After much terrible slicing and into-pot-inserting, four (4) winners have been selected. I even recorded a dramatic video clip with terrible (late-night whispering) audio of the drawing. But, thanks to Murphy and his darn law, it wouldn’t load tonight, and I know some impatient Australians are already up and wondering why I flaked on the big announcement. So .  .  . without further ado (or an appropriate soundtrack–I had an original ukulele piece by my agent lined up and everything), here are the winners:

Sip Hofstede, Heather C., Paula, and David

If you are wondering if you are the generic David, or the generic Paula, or the slightly less generic Heather C., just wait to see if I email you for your shipping address. As for Sip Hofstede, well, I’m pretty sure you know who you are.

Congrats and Merry Christmas!

Canon Press, whose international headquarters are a mere two blocks from my family’s hobbit hole, is once again generously offering their 100 Cupboards Christmas special (and many thanks to them). The first 200 people who pre-order The Chestnut King through them, will receive a free signed bookplate and card to place under the tree in anticipation of the January arrival of the actual book. In the past, these have gone pretty quickly, so don’t lolly on the gaggle and make your children cry. Nobody wants that.

The time has come (and not just because the walrus said), to talk of many things. The tale of Henry York is coming to an end next month when The Chestnut King releases on January 26. No more hanging threads, no more wondering what happens next. No more secrets. This . . . is the end. And I think it’s a good one. I’ll write more about the actual story when the book releases, but for now, I know that there are many folk and folklings out there who have been waiting patiently and impatiently for this book. I’m glad, and quite grateful to you all. And in an attempt to make that wait end sooner–before Christmas, say–I’m going to give away four (4) copies of The Chestnut King right here, in the comments on this post. Random House is going to overnight me four (4) finished copies as soon as they come off the presses on December 15. I will then inscribe them to the winners (or to the winners’ children), and hit the Post Office, getting them to mailmen (or men in brown shorts) who will in turn get them to your door. You will be responsible to get them beneath the tree.

The rules: leave a comment, any comment, one comment only, please. (Multiple family members can enter–there is no age or height requirement). Wait until December 15. On that day, at noon (PST) I will stick every comment into a hat (or maybe a large pot), and then select four (4) winners. The announcement of the winners will go up in this blog by the end of that day.

(Sidenote to my friendly readers around the world: this is an international contest. Comment away. But I can’t assure delivery before Christmas.)

Cheers and Double Cheers and Merry Christmas. Ready, set, fire.