The Dreaming » 2005 » June
Jun 29
Phillipines dates
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From the June 28th BusinessWorld:

Author Neil Gaiman, the man behind the Sandman series, Neverwhere, American Gods, Coraline and Stardust, among others, will visit Manila for the first time from July 9-11.

The three-day series was arranged by Fully Booked bookstore, together with Smart Communications, Inc. and Chikka.com.

The main event, called The Gathering, and a book signing will be held on July 9, 3 p.m., at the Rockwell Tent, Powerplant Mall. The next day there will be a book signing at the Fully Booked Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, at 2 p.m. On July 11 there will be a press conference and Writers’ Forum at the Music Museum, 1:30 p.m. Organized by The British Council Manila, this event is strictly invitational. It will be followed by yet another book signing at Fully Booked Gateway at 4 p.m.

The book-signing sessions are open to everyone and no purchase is required for those who wish to have one item signed. To have more items signed, customers must obtain book signing passes which will be available with every purchase of a Neil Gaiman title from Fully Booked, Bibliarch or Sketchbooks from June 15 to July 11. Each pass entitles the bearer to two items for signing. Two passes allows the bearer three items for signature. A maximum of three passes (four items) will be accepted at one time. If customers have more passes (and items for signature) they must line up again or attend another book-signing session.

In conjunction with the visit, an art competition will be held. Contestants must submit one artwork inspired by the work of Neil Gaiman, in any medium, minimum A3 size, to The Marketing Manager, Fully Booked at the Powerplant Mall, Gateway Mall, and Greenhills branches. Together with the entry, contestants must submit on a sheet of paper their name, address, contact numbers, email address and a brief biodata.

Mr. Gaiman will choose the three winning entries, which will be announced at The Gathering. Prizes at stake are a signed original artwork from Last Temptation and dinner with Mr. Gaiman on July 11 for the first place winner; Mirrormask and Murder Mysteries signed by Mr. Gaiman respectively for 2nd and 3rd place.

There will also be a raffle, with coupons attached to each Book Signing Pass. All coupons must be filled-in and dropped in designated boxes by 10 p.m. on July 8. Up for grabs are a complete signed Sandman series and dinner with Mr. Gaiman together with winner of the Art Competition, for the first place winner; Marvel 1602 and Creatures of the Night signed by Mr. Gaiman respectively for 2nd and 3rd place.

While Fully Booked does not appear to have its own website, the ‘mechanics’ of the signings and signing passes, the raffle, and the art competition are described in the posts and files on the gaiman_fullybooked Yahoo!Group.

Jun 29
Singapore dates
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I’ve tried to annotate this, but am not coming up with much more information than what was already provided on the journal - try there first.

It’s probably worth noting that according to the British Council Singapore website, the 4 July screenings of Mirrormask trailer + Book signing at 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the Orchard Cineleisure are listing as sold out, and the registration for the 7.15pm 5 July talk at the library@Orchid is closed as well.

Also according to the British Council site the 4.00pm 5 July signing at the Kinokuniya (391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #03-10/15 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, (65)6737-5021), and the 6.00pm 6 July signing at Borders (#01-00 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road, (65)6235-7146) will be restricted to 3 books/items per person.

In both cases it would probably be best to call the stores first to determine if they have any further instructions.

Jun 29
Gorillaz
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Neil’s interview with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, complete with pictures, has been posted at Wired.

Ever so slightly different than Jon Pareles’ take.

Jun 24
Heck with the Google ranking
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If this doesn’t mean he’s a household name, I don’t know what does.

Jun 22

From the journal. Expect edits as times are announced, and apologies in advance for the bad links.

  • Monday, Sept. 19: New York City, NY, Interview of Susannah Clarke, Symphony Space; 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025-6990; (212) 864-1414 (Tickets not yet available).
  • Tuesday, Sept. 20: New York City, NY, B & N Union Square; 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003; (212) 253-0810.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 21: Charlotte, NC, Joseph-Beth; SouthPark Mall 4345 Barclay Downs Dr., Charlotte, NC 28211; (704) 602-9800.
  • Thursday, Sept. 22: Naperville, IL, Anderson’s Bookshop; 123 West Jefferson, Naperville, IL 60540; (630) 355-2665.
  • Friday, Sept. 23: Cambridge, MA, Harvard Book Store; 1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138; (800) 542-READ.
  • Saturday, Sept. 24: Washington, DC, National Book Festival.
  • Sunday, Sept. 25: Baileys Crossroads, VA, Borders; Crossroads Center, 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Baileys Crossroads, VA 22041; (703) 998-0404.
  • Monday, Sept. 26: Austin, TX, Bookpeople, 7:00pm; 603 N. Lamar, Austin, TX, 78703; (800) 853-9757.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 27: Denver, CO, Tattered Cover.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 28: Menlo Park, CA, Kepler’s; 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025; (650) 324-4321.
  • Thursday, Sept. 29: San Francisco, CA , Book Passage; conversation w/Michael Chabon (Off-site).
  • Friday, Sept. 30: San Francisco, CA, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 7:00pm; tickets available with the purchase of Anansi Boys from Cody’s Books starting September 20th; for more information contact Cody’s at (800) 995-1180.
  • Saturday, Oct. 1: San Diego, CA, Mysterious Galaxy, 12:00pm; 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite #302, San Diego, CA 92111; (858) 268-4747.
  • Saturday, Oct. 1: Pasadena, CA, Vroman’s, 7:00pm; 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101; (626) 449-5320.
  • Sunday, Oct. 2: Los Angeles, CA, West Hollywood Book Fair.
  • Monday, Oct. 3: Portland, OR, Powell’s (Off-site).
  • Tuesday, Oct. 4: Seattle, WA, University Bookstore, Kane Hall, U. of Washington; (206) 634-3400.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 5: Victoria, BC, Bolen Books; 111-1644 Hillside Ave, Victoria BC V8T 2C5; (250) 595-4232.
  • Thursday, Oct. 6: Vancouver, BC, (Special event held in conjunction with the Vancouver International Writers Festival).
  • Friday, Oct. 7: Toronto, ON.
  • Monday, Oct. 10: Minneapolis, MN, Musicland, Mall of America; (Map)

Jun 16
Today’s Dork Tower
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Jun 15
Clippings
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The Beat talks briefly about a screening of MirrorMask and posts some beautiful images from the movie.


CBR reports that Greg Pak will be writing Marvel 1602: New World, a five issue follow-up to 1602.


Library Journal reviews A Short Film About John Bolton in their June 1, 2005 issue.


More on Guys Read, from a Jon Scieszka interview by Gordon McAlpin at Bookslut:

GA: I was actually at the [Science Fiction Writers of America's] Nebula awards the other day, and Neil Gaiman gave the keynote [in part about how science fiction has become more accepted by the mainstream]. I noticed that he and Dave McKean both contributed to Guys Write for Guys Read.

JS: Yeah, you know, and they were so cool about it, because I just contacted them by e-mail without having met either one of them, and they both just instantly said, “Oh yeah, this is a good thing. Spread the word around.” They got it right away that they should be in a collection like this, that includes those literary guys from a different generation like Lloyd Alexander, or Avi, who writes the realistic fiction that the librarians love. That’s why I talked to Dav Pilkey — the Captain Underpants guy — and Matt Groening. I said, “You guys have to be in there. This is what teachers and librarians need to see: that you are on equal footing with this stuff.” So I was so excited that those guys agreed.


And Superhero Hype has posted information about the new Mirrormask trailer.


Other than that, things are quiet.

Jun 15
Beowulf
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Variety has posted information about the actors in negotiations for Beowulf. Mentioned are Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, and Ray Winstone.

Jun 7
Audies
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Sometimes trying to keep Dreaming updated is very similar to swimming…you can keep afloat if you put in enough effort, but once you do manage get your head above the waterline and take a deep breath, it takes a little while to regain your bearings.

Which is just a long way of saying that I’m fairly sure that Neil mentioned he was the emcee of this years Audio Publishers Association awards last Saturday, but I’m not finding the post.

So this may or may not be newsworthy. Apologies if it isn’t.

Jun 1

Besides the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times reviews, the stage production of Stardust has also been reviewed at CenterStage Chicago and Daily Southtown, and capsule reviews have appeared in the Windy City Times and the Chicago Reader.


Jenn Q. Goddu of the Chicago Free Press posted the following review:

Neil Gaiman’s novel Stardust begins with the familiar sounding: “There once was a young man who wished to gain his Heart’s Desire.” The author goes on to concede, quite slyly, this is not an “entirely novel” beginning but his words have served to establish this as a sort of fairy tale.

Griffin Theatre Company’s world premiere adaptation of this Katherine Nawrocki and Kevin Kingston fantasy novel full of romance, adventure and sarcastic wit is well executed and entertaining. This is the story of a young man who goes adventuring in the land of Faerie after promising his lady love in the oh-so-ordinary town of Wall that he will bring a fallen star back for her. While adventuring in this strange land peopled with talking trees, floating pirate ships, witches and mischievous little folk our hero, Tristran, discovers his true nature and comes to fully understand what loving another person entails.

It’s a lovely story told with a strong sense of humor and William Massolia’s adaptation is admiring while practical. It provides a fleet retelling of the pivotal pieces of Gaiman’s tale and only in the second act do we feel things are being rushed and regret some of his changes. Yet Massolia has also found more opportunities for humor by playing up the possibilities afforded by bringing this story and its eccentric characters from page to stage.

Directed by Dorothy Milne this production is packed with a bounty of novel characters charming us in even the shortest turns on stage.

Creatively costumed by Kimberly G. Morris and playing their parts on a versatile set by J Branson that suggests a child’s pop-up picture book, this show’s 11 cast members take on a number of roles (except Kevin Kingston, who capably portrays Tristan throughout).

There are too many fine performances in small parts to single them all out but Kate Nawrocki and Jon Stutzman are particularly fun in their odd roles as a coquettish talking tree and Little Hairy Man. Jennifer Grace brings great vim to the feisty Star and Vanessa Greenway’s Witch Queen is fierce enough to remind adults in the audience of how scared they once were of fairy tale witches.

Some might feel this stage production has lost a little of the book’s heart but whether audience members have read the novel or not they’re sure to be taken in by this show’s lively whimsy.


Venus Zarris of Gay Chicago Magazine posted the following review:

Griffin Theatre takes us on a mysterious journey in its world premiere production of “Stardust,” William Massolia’s charming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling fantasy novel. Unicorns, witches, talking trees and all manner of magical characters, surprises and dangers lay wait in the land of Faerie as young Tristran Thorn sets off on a quest to win the love of a beautiful lady from his village of Wall. What lies ahead of him will not only change his life but his heart as well as he seeks to find a mystical fallen star.

This is a good, solid children’s theatre treatment of the story but is lacking in anything remarkable for adult Kevin Kingston and Jennifer Grace audiences as far as an overall artistic or dramatic vision. With the exception of a few brief scenes and saucy references, this is actually straight-up children’s theatre. Still, it manages to engage and entertain through the twisting and turning story of a young man’s adventure for the sake of love. The production values are lovely, and Dorothy Milne’s direction manages to handle the adventures that weave a complicated web of interactions with clarity and good, old-fashioned humor and fun.

The cast is playful and talented, with outstanding performances delivered by Bergen Anderson, David Blixt, Vanessa Greenway and Karyn Morris. Dialect coach William Burnett creates a fluid and very consistent vocal interpretation. The thick-lined backdrop of the set resembles a thatched woodblock print and adds a look of fairytale book illustration to this enchanting frolic in the land of make believe.

“Please, just a little improper,” Dunstan says to Daisy as he tries to steal a kiss while walking her home through the forest. Perhaps a little more “improper” would invigorate the production, but this trip to a darling never land is nonetheless well worth the viewing.

(Stardust runs through June 26 at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. 773-327-5252.)