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In the Land of the Free by Geoffrey Forsyth - Book Giveaway

Monday, 15 September 2008, 9:46 | Category : Book Review and Giveaway, fiction, short short stories
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You may remember when not too long ago I reviewed a book of short short stories published by Rose Metal Press. I discovered I loved the short short story form, and thankfully that book wasn’t the only of this sort Rose Metal chose to publish. Their latest, In the Land of the Free, written by Geoffrey Forsyth, is another fascinating example of why I feel short shorts should get more exposure. Forsyth’s stories, most lasting no more than three or four pages, are packed with raw human emotion. From humor to ache, love to death, these stories are concentrated forms of literature that bear reading over and over.

Forsyth’s stories are most original; I’m sure it’s a large part of the reason he won the Rose Metal Press Second Annual Short Short Chapbook Contest. His stories feature young people - a baby born in the kitchen, a man who in his youth purchases a wall out of his naivete, a young man who wakes to find his dead relatives in his living room. These addictive little bits will most certainly get you hooked on short shorts.

If you’ve not read a short short story before, I highly recommend you try it. We all need something artistic and deep in our lives, and let’s face it - most people skip it completely, never realizing it’s missing. But for us readerly types, it’s a necessity that we recognize. Think of short shorts as multivitamins for the brain and the soul. Or a pick-me-up more handy than a cup of coffee, healthier than a cigarette break. If you decide to start with In the Land of the Free, you’ll have yourself a most creatively published work as well. This chapbook has an old-style letterpress cover which was produced at the Museum of Printing in Andover, Massachusetts–the perfect format for In the Land of the Free. I ask you, when was the last time you heard of a mainstream press take such care with their book printing? Another reason to love the Indie presses.

Want to win your own copy of In the Land of the Free? Here’s your chance.

3 Ways to Win:

1.) Leave a comment telling me what interests you about reading short short stories.  Have you read them before?  Why would you like to try? Have fun with your comment! Winners are randomly chosen, but if the name drawn doesn’t respond, I choose the next winner by comment.

2.) Email subscribers are entered into this and all future giveaways, for as long as their subscription is active. Simply place your email address in the little white box at the top of my sidebar on the right. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post.

Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Thursday, September 18, 2008, to enter.

72 Comments for “In the Land of the Free by Geoffrey Forsyth - Book Giveaway”

  1. 1raych

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 11:14

    Short stories have no extra words. Everything is so intentional and precise, and usually they pack a punchy ending.

  2. 2Jenn S.

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 12:01

    I like short stories because they are usually short enough that I can get through them in my spare time.

  3. 3James W

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 12:51

    I like short,short stories because I am short.

  4. 4Linda Pinto

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 14:02

    I like short stories because they tell a full story without wasting time or words. The impact can stay in my mind for a while so that I go back and read the story again.

  5. 5Gina Stratos

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 14:29

    My free time is always limited so I love short stories.
    gkstratos@yahoo.com

  6. 6Megret

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 14:32

    I like how they often tell just part of a story, leaving your imagination to fill in what happened before and what will follow. This is a good stretch for my usually tightly-wound, planned, Type-A personality. :)
    Thanks!
    Megret
    musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

  7. 7Sandra

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 15:04

    I’ve just reviewed a book of short stories and it reminded me why I like them so much. They are often powerful enough that they are memorable. I still remember “Rain” by W. Somerset Maugham,or “Odor of Chrysanthemum” by D.H. Lawrence 40 years after I read them. I would love to read “In the Land of the Free”. Thank you.

  8. 8adrienne gordon

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 16:11

    With two kids running around, I honeslty find it easier to read short stories these days.

  9. 9Elaine R

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 17:17

    I like short stories for reading at bedtime,then I don’t have the scenerio where the book is too good to put down making me stay up late.

  10. 10Nancy

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 17:18

    You make the stories sound so fascinating! I think the really humanistic perspecitve sounds the most interesting to me. Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. 11Ruby

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:05

    I always like short stories because they are nice to take on trips when I am not sure how much reading I will get done. That way with all the excitement of the trip, I don’t forget everything that I had read previously.

  12. 12ruth

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:07

    Short stories are appealing because they are succinct, make the most of the plot and storyline and capture my interest totally. Thanks for this great giveaway.

  13. 13Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:07

    I like short stories because obviously, they are short, and they are a lot of story packed into a little one. I haven’t read many lately, but I did a lot in high school. Great giveaway, thanks!

  14. 14Alyce

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:24

    I haven’t read short stories in a several years, but I like them. In college I bought a big textbook full of short stories, but I haven’t read them in a while. It would be nice to have some new short stories to read!

  15. 15Jackie B.

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:45

    I like a book of short stories to put on my nightstand because I can usually get through one or two of them before falling asleep.

  16. 16Leslie Longoria

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 18:51

    I first became interested in short stories when a Doctor that lived across the street from my Aunt (we called him Pop) wrote a book with a bunch of short stories in it. The fun part was that everyone he loved and lived for was in the book in one of his stories. So reading it was great.

  17. 17judy brittle

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 19:02

    I like reading short stories because you get the story without adding a lot of not needed wording. You can get through it pretty quick so you have time for other things.

  18. 18Alicia

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 19:04

    book worm

  19. 19Pat Connors

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 19:30

    This helps fit in with my short periods of silence with work and two children.

  20. 20Nora

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 19:38

    I enjoy short stories especially when my time is limited.

  21. 21Corkrose

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 19:48

    Love all types of books & this sounds very interesting & can pick up & drop inbetween chauferring & errends :)

  22. 22Anna

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 20:58

    I am intrigued by short shorts, and interested in reading more as I would like to be able to write them: I have made a couple attempts but not, I don’t believe, successful ones . . . so more reading will help, I’m sure!

  23. 23Cindi

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 21:10

    Hi, I became interested in short shorts years ago when I was in college. One class was entirely based on this type of story. In a certain way, I see these
    shorts as a type of poetry, but in sentences. They are more poignant because they take less time to get to the point! This books sounds wonderful!
    Thanks, Cindi

  24. 24Linda

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 21:23

    I love reading short stories before going to sleep.

  25. 25mannequin

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 21:46

    Short stories certainly have a lot of merit with me. I love a long, engaging novel also but with short stories, it gives you sort of like a thought for the day. I like reading them right before bedtime and the next day, the story is on my mind.

  26. 26Margaret Snyder

    wrote on 15 September 2008 at 22:05

    I enjoy all types of reading but short stories are like snacks for the brain.

  27. 27Susan Ledet

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 0:10

    I like to read short stories since I usually can finish reading the story the same day that I started it. I get so engrossed in reading sometimes that I ignore everything else until I finish the story.
    Thanks for another nice giveaway.

  28. 28christopher h

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 1:43

    love the immediacy of short stories

  29. 29Felicia

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 3:29

    I love to read during my lunch break, short stories are the best, thank you

  30. 30Suzette

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 5:04

    I enjoy reading short stories before going to sleep at night.

  31. 31Alice Hansen

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 5:43

    I love short stories but I don’t think I’ve ever read a short short. I imagine I’d like the same thing about them that I like about traditional short stories - that they capture very quickly a very specific mood. Thanks for the chance!

  32. 32Sharon Jones

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 5:48

    I love that you can get a ‘great read’ finished even when you have little time…love short stories!

  33. 33Carla

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 6:20

    I usually read novels but would like to start reading short stories.

  34. 34Katrina

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 6:32

    I like nonfiction short stories!

  35. 35Kathy Scott

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 7:48

    I like to read before going to sleep. Short stories enable to finish and not stay up all night.

  36. 36David Holder

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 8:05

    They take little time to read and you get to the point quickly. That is a big plus in my busy life.

  37. 37Anna Treusch

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 9:14

    I like short stories because they generally don’t have “dead zones” that make me want to read ahead or skip sections. Because of the length and style, a writer is forced to be clear and details provided become ever so important.

  38. 38Susan C

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 9:48

    I love reading short stories, especially anthologies. What’s great about them is they introduce me to new authors!

  39. 39sandy

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 9:53

    I like short stories because if I get a long book I tend to sit up till dawn reading, short stories fill me and let me catch some zzzzzzs

  40. 40Desmond

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 10:24

    I love short-shorts; it’s a true art form all its own, and I myself am a published writer of short-shorts.

  41. 41athena910

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 12:06

    When I was much younger I read the short stories of W. Somerset Maugham during a difficult period in my life. Since then I have loved the short story format. They tend to carry more of a punch than novels and are perfect for a rainy afternoon.

  42. 42Carolyn

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 13:49

    I enjoy old detective Pulp short stories. As a mom, it is easier to read a story that will have a ending soon! I enjoyed reading Raymond Carver in college.

  43. 43Rose

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 14:32

    Count me in

  44. 44Anita Yancey

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 14:45

    I’ve never really read short stories before. But this one sounds good and I’d like to try it just to see what they are like.Just maybe I’ve been missing out on something great.

  45. 45Kathy Conley

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 17:07

    I love reading short stories because, as a single mother of 3, sometimes that is all I can squeeze into my busy day!

  46. 46Matthew

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 18:22

    I love reading anything good regardless of length. This has been passed on to two of my three kids. For the one “non-reader” in the family good short stories have been have an incentive to join in reading with the rest of us.

  47. 47Tatiana

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 18:47

    I teach a first year college English course and the students nowadays read short short stories, both fiction and non-fiction. As part of my job, I am always looking for short lengths of prose and the authors of them, so I can give my students examples of good short stories to view or discover. I have found, through this process, that I have developed an affiliation to short fiction. Many times, I find myself reading short short stories just for the fun of it too.

  48. 48Erin S

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 19:25

    I’m a bookworm, single mom, university student. This doesn’t leave me nearly as much time for recreational reading as I would like. This is perfect!

  49. 49vicky boackle

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 19:56

    i love short stories.

  50. 50Ed Nemmers

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 20:09

    If I am reading a short story book, I can usually read one story each night before bedtime, from Alice Munro to David Sedaris.

  51. 51Maggie Jorge

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 20:53

    love shorts

  52. 52S

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 21:41

    I like the challenge of it - sometimes authors create the best works when they have imposed limitations.

  53. 53Patricia Adams

    wrote on 16 September 2008 at 23:16

    a book from my era so want to read and own this thank you

  54. 54Elizabeth M.

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 5:32

    I like short stories because it’s a nice change of pace from reading a long novel.

  55. 55Annie G

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 10:21

    I like short stories when traveling because they fit in better with my schedule. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read a book strictly of short short stories, but I believe it would be interesting. I did write extremely short stories for my high school newspaper.

  56. 56Vicki wurgler

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 10:22

    I like them because they are short and sweet-not alot of extra words. I read at night, depending on the length of the story, I’m reading another one in a few days

  57. 57Tami Richards

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 11:56

    What a treasure to keep forever. Short stories are so awe inspiring,some of my favorite collections are The 5 Minute Illiad,Neil Gaimans Fragile Things,and for a romantic read “My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding”

  58. 58Frances Watson

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 17:43

    this looks like a great read hope I win thanks for the chance

  59. 59Sandy

    wrote on 17 September 2008 at 19:13

    I always go to Amazon and read the reviews on books I haven’t heard of. This one perked my interest because it is short short stories, something I not had a lot of experience reading. They said the stories are emotional and varied. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

  60. 60Mary B

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 1:59

    I like short stories because they don’t take as long to read but still are captivating.

  61. 61sandra

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 8:42

    i like short stories because i can fit them into my busy schedule

  62. 62Deb

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 11:24

    I’m a big fan of short stories. I don’t want to sound facetious, but (just about) anybody can write an opus. It takes a truly skilled and talented writer to achieve the same effect with fewer words. I especially like the short shorts - they are like little vignettes, little trips to other worlds, other times and places and people. I can visit these worlds any time I choose, without investing a lot of time in doing so. And they make great bathroom reading. :)

  63. 63bethany canfield

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 11:45

    hey, this looks like a great read :) Thanks for the review! I guess I like short stories because after so much reading they break things up a little, making every story you finish a reward in the whole scheme of a larger “finishing the book” reward.

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

  64. 64Buddy Garrett

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 12:03

    I haven’t read any short short stories but I would like to read them because I have very little time to read.

  65. 65Betty C

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 13:37

    I’ve always loved short stories because that is the way to get the attention of a reader without intimidating them by the size of the book. Short stories are great for getting young people interested in reading.

  66. 66SharonC

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 17:17

    I’ve loved short stories since I read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson in high school.

  67. 67Janet

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 21:14

    i enjoy short stories .

  68. 68Heather C

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 22:17

    I used to subscribe to a short story mag. I loved it. It’s almost like a high quality bathroom reader! Short enough to read in one sitting. Huh!

  69. 69Pamela S

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 22:47

    I love to read but that is a luxury of time that only short stories fit.

  70. 70Donna kozar

    wrote on 18 September 2008 at 23:31

    I like short stories because they are…short.

  71. 71Tammy

    wrote on 22 September 2008 at 0:37

    I love reading, and always have a book with me, especially for waiting periods. Sometimes though the errand or appointment that I’m waiting for comes about much quicker than I expected - like three or four pages into a chapter — however with a short story all is good! I’d be done and have the satisfaction of being well read!

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