and the autographed book sale winners are …
I am totally thrilled that 419 of you entered the autographed book lottery, and I'll be honest: it's weird to me to think of choosing "winners" who get to buy something from me, but that's just my damn liberal guilt, I guess. (And, I think I said this before, but in case I didn't: the Bursar at my son's university thanks you for your purchase.)
So here's how I did this: I removed the duplicate comments, divided the remaining comments into 20 groups of 20, then rolled d20 three times. The first time gave me a group, the second time was to choose if I would start counting from the top or bottom (1-10, go top to bottom, 11-20 go bottom to top) and the final roll gave me the number I'd count to.
I could have used a bunch of different dice, but I decided that the d20 was perfect for this method, because it has a 5% chance of rolling any number (unlike a combination of d6 or something, that has a different Gaussian distribution that peaks around 13, muh-hay, guh-hey flaven) and it's also the only gaming die I have that's the size of a billiard ball, which felt appropriately massive for this occasion.
So, without any further ado, here are the nine people who were chosen by my giant d20. If your name is on this list, and you haven't gotten an e-mail from me, you should e-mail me RIGHT AWAY so I can get your book in the mail today:
1. Xuff
2. Dwayne Reinhardt
3. Terry Callan
4. Jeswils
5. Tamelam
6. Isisgate1
7. Jonathan Disher
8. Kwbeck
9. Bsv567
If you weren't chosen, do not despair! The response to this was so overwhelming and awesome, I was inspired to go ahead and release a chapbook of short fiction that I've been afraid to publish for almost a year. It will go up on Lulu a little later today, after I've taken care of signing and shipping these copies of Happiest Days.
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Congrats everyone!! Enjoy your books and have a great Christmahannukwanzadan! (or however that’s spelled)
We really need to see a picture of said d20.
Congratulations to the winners! Looking forward to buying the chapbook later so we can keep the Bursar in dried frog pills.
Congrats to the winners! I agree with Tweir . . . I think we need to see said d20!
that peaks around 13, muh-hay, guh-hey flaven)
SNORT. I love you.
As you say, to be fair you wanted a flat statistical distribution, which is what you did. I would have used 3 d10s as my three digits, but I’m a d10 guy. d20 for old-school D&D guy isn’t surprising.
And yes, I would love to see the d20. Hey, maybe in a stupid cell-phone video! With the cat would be even better!
I didn’t enter the contest because I already have multiple copies of that book…but I’ll be on the limited chapbook like CG on TRON as soon as it comes out.
Happy Holidays sir!
I could never be upset over the outcome of rolling d20. Well, I suppose I could, but it’s not like I was trying to kill a gazebo or anything.
Please, please explain the science of dice to me at some point. That sounds fascinating! (And bonus points for Frinking.)
I was hoping there would have been video, was so wanting see if Wil rolled a 19 and used his famous (infamous?) line. I will keep an eye out for the new chapbook. At least I got my “How We Roll” and “8-Bit Crest” T-Shirt in time for Christmas.
I thank you & your d20.
Your friendly Bursar thanks your d20.
As for feeling funny about a lottery we pay for/liberal guilt allow me to say the book is the prize and the cash is the opportunity. Trust me. No one in our State’s lottery commission feels bad that anybody pays 50.00 for an instant ticket worth a POTENTIAL PO.TEN.TIAL 250,000.00 (of which you only keep 45% after taxes.)
The hours of joy and the honor of an autographed copy are well worth it.
And I will send that info along as soon as I am at a secure connection. You’ve put the fear of spambots into me otherwise I’d risk it on this public cafe connection.
Thank you so much. Here’s hoping this starts a good winning streak 😀
Thank you, That’s Awesome. Nice rolling. I am not sure exactly how to email you, where is that info? thanks again
I'm wilTAKETHISOUT at wilwheatonTAKETHISOUTOO.net
Ping me quick, so I can get your book shipped today!
Woot! E-mail me right away, so I can get your book out in today's mail.
Was this giant D20 (of Dooooom!) the infamous Dragon Heart of Slaying Fame?
As a stickler for details, which group, counting order, and final roll number came up?
It was 14, 11, 5, wasn’t it?
Groups 6 and 15 came up twice. Top-to-bottom was rolled six times.
Hey Dude,
It’s time to embrace capitalism 😉
Its not like Paramount doesnt make a billion dollars everytime a Star Trek movie comes out!
I really need to know this: What was the second dice roll good for? Couldn’t you have simply counted from top to bottom each time?
I could have, but I wanted to introduce one more random element. I don't have a good reason, it just pleased me to do it that way.
I’m delighted that I now have a way to spell “muh-hay, guh-hey flaven” ::squee::
Bell curve distributions aside, when I read 419 entries I was having fun imagining you rolling 21d20 and throwing out the perfect mega crit roll if it happened.
But I’m glad you applied real math and despite my continued bad luck used a fair method.
Did all the winners contacted you? I don’t suppose there is a chance somebody could not buy their book and there will be another drawing?