Haha...After I read the 2nd sentence I donated $150 to the Pixie Project. Itchy donation trigger finger, I guess. I'm glad I did after reading about them. I'll stay hovering over the keyboard until the window opens. It is nice to give to an organization with a direct impact.
Rob, are you serious? Send Dennis at The Cult a good mailing address, and I'll get a package out to you. Be warned, I only send within the US. And I'd like to limit it to one fancy gift per donor.
Hi Chuck. Thanks so much for your attentiveness. I resent a note to Dennis using the contact form on https://www.chuckpalahniuk.net/contact. I referred to this chain of text by date on substack so he wouldn't think I was trying to trick him. If I'm leaving a message in the wrong place, please let me know. Sorry - I would hate for this to be an annoying thing to you from me, and thereby sucking your life force. Take care Rob
I just received your pixie project gift and it was a delight from start to finish. I haven't had as much fun opening a present in a very very long time. It quickly became a family project with my wife and kids as we carefully cut the ribbons on the bottom so that we could retape them. Now the box - with the skull and bells - is on display in my study as a permanent Halloween feature. (Right next to my samurai sword, crystal ball, and Viking helmet - I like to collect/display fun things). The ransom note motif was cool. (Who knows the names of so many stones? Indiana Jones?) We shared the whole experience with our niece in NYC via face-time. (She sells online jewelry on the side.) She was in awe of the detail in the bookmark. She is excited to see it in person. The bookmark is almost too good to use, but I will use it, but only for the most worthy of books. It definitely increases the reading experience. As a bonus, it arrived a day or so before my 55th birthday so I treated it as a combo gift with Halloween. I hope everything is well with you and that you were able to raise lots of money for the Pixie Project.
Funny, I have a post coming up about how much I love Italy. And it's not any nation, it's the Customs people who make things difficult. Every package I get "returned to sender" smashed and searched feels like a little death.
That's funnier than you think. Before the 'Fight Club' movie launched 20th Century Fox mailed out a series of unexplained gifts. One was a chicken feather with the note "Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken." Another gift was a desk clock with the note, "This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time." Word is that many people got those ticking mystery boxes and left them outdoors or immersed them in water thinking they were bombs. The last gift was a bar of Fight Club soap.
Chuck! I have my first college essay due. A definition essay, and I don't want to go with something basic like "love" or "family." Any suggestions? The more transgressive the better. Give me your ideal topic.
Ideal topic of the moment? Compare and contrast the plight of 19th century children who worked in mills to the lives of modern children besieged with enormous world problems and social media pressures and on-line negative influences. Good luck!
I love the messages and can't wait for some meaty stories coming from Chuck.
Now i'm out of subject as usual but i'm really thinking about illustrations.
Yay...More personal account of my life you have to read but still bare with me a minute.
French boy who went to study and live in the UK, I felt blessed. I had a lot of culture going on and all my favorite authors were published also in French. I shouldn't say that but i was always going for a double dip with the original version and the french translated ones.
Since 2010, i grew slowly not irritated with the french publishing market but feeling a little disappointed. Life made me come back to France to take care of my sick mom. I never felt life cheated on me as i loved passionately my mom, i never lacked in my supply of new original and translated books and there was the possibility to go back to the uk.
My mom lost the battle against cancer. Later, there was the brexit.
Then, all the new authors i started to enjoy never got popular in France. Eric Red, Peter Laws, Adam Cesare, and so on... you can check they never got across the boarder. Even Chuck seems to not get lots of french translations nowadays. Then, with covid, my local librarian couldn't order my english books anymore and i had to go Amazon. I felt i was denied culture which is not totally true but you can understand the feeling. The lack of translation doesn't allow you to share with your friends your readings too. You read the short stories from"Make someting up" and try to explain how much they should read that to non English speakers. Alienating!
I understand it takes risks to publish in French new authors but our friendly neighbour Germany has no problem just doing that.
Then i thought about drawing what i read... I'm no picasso or even a comic book drawer so i'll spare the world at large my work. Still, i think it's ab effective way to pass a bit the love. And if you look at the Jules Verne books, they were full of illustrations already during their time.
So, here is my question, do you think if illustrations were more frequent in books, would you think it would attract more readers?
Did an illustration made you sit down and read just what you picked from a shelf?
Please accept my sympathy over your mother's death. That is one of the toughest events you'll endure in life. Time passing seems like the only comfort. When I'm writing I try to imagine people in those grim situations -- hospitals, etc. -- who need a strong distraction.
I'm disappointed that Canadians are cut out of the deal. At least back in the day we were persona grata. I am very grateful for the packages I did get from you (especially the piggy bank). I think the Pixie Project still would accept my donation in Canadian dollars though. ;)
No, it's not fair at all. In 2019 I met many Canadian booksellers at the Winter Institute convention. Subsequently I sent them surprise gifts, then got notified the gifts had been destroyed by Customs. (shakes head at the frustration)
Thanks, Chuck. Some of my embroidered masks never reached me even from within Canada! Maybe our postal workers have all gone postal! You have inspired me tremendously with your kind heart and astounding generosity. Following your example, I've bestowed silk masks and handmade bead chains on dozens of friends and relatives over the past year. I'd even offer you some but maybe your customs officers destroy packages too. ;) Keep well! I'll donate to Pixie Project anyway because things have gone well for me lately (including your reply). Thanks again! PS I might see if a sympathetic friend or relative in the US could help me out. We shall see. Have a great weekend!
I couldn't paste a picture in the reply. My profile is my wedding picture with the pin you gave me (something blue) over my heart. I included you at the end of our ceremony too (to honour the people who couldn't make it there), to the great amusement of my close friends! I adore the material you've been posting on here. These days I'm too swamped with work (translation) to devote much time to movies and creative writing, but I think of Fugitives and Refugees as my gold standard for tight, compelling style. I've introduced your work (and deeds) to my other "heroes" too. One dear friend sent me his own little gift box, and my dear "brother" the famous Canadian fiddler and composer Oliver Schroer, connected deeply with your Postcards from the Future because he thrived on storytelling too. So now you know everyone ;) I hope you've been doing well during the pandemic. We're fine. This blog was a brilliant idea! I'm very grateful. PS I don't need that bookmark but I'm sure they're beautiful. I have lots of your gifts already, which I cherish. So I'm fine with the decision not to brave our fearsome postal service haha PPS I wore the necklace you gave me around my wrist at our wedding haha
I was quick to donate last night so I wouldn't miss the chance to win. Well after donating I went to sleep. When I woke up, I was sooo excited. Then it hit me.... I didn't read the email over well. Captain Morgan is to blame. I'm glad I made the donation, and can't wait to donate again! I'm such a dork Chuck!
First of all, Chick is adorable, and second of all, that photo is somehow hilarious and unsettling at the same time. I'm for sure using it as a prompt haha
In truth Chick wanted to shred those dolls. She thought I was churning out thousands of dog toys for her to chew. This is the dog that would play fetch with the fake bloody arm, to the horror of other park goers.
Haha...After I read the 2nd sentence I donated $150 to the Pixie Project. Itchy donation trigger finger, I guess. I'm glad I did after reading about them. I'll stay hovering over the keyboard until the window opens. It is nice to give to an organization with a direct impact.
Rob, are you serious? Send Dennis at The Cult a good mailing address, and I'll get a package out to you. Be warned, I only send within the US. And I'd like to limit it to one fancy gift per donor.
Everyone else, don't jump the gun! Only Rob.
Chuck - very nice of you. As suggested, I sent an email to Dennis with my details. I live in the US. Take care. Thanks.
Hello Rob -- No word from Dennis yet. You might want to send once more. I'll hold a package for you to make sure this happens. chuck
Hi Chuck. Thanks so much for your attentiveness. I resent a note to Dennis using the contact form on https://www.chuckpalahniuk.net/contact. I referred to this chain of text by date on substack so he wouldn't think I was trying to trick him. If I'm leaving a message in the wrong place, please let me know. Sorry - I would hate for this to be an annoying thing to you from me, and thereby sucking your life force. Take care Rob
Hi Chuck
I just received your pixie project gift and it was a delight from start to finish. I haven't had as much fun opening a present in a very very long time. It quickly became a family project with my wife and kids as we carefully cut the ribbons on the bottom so that we could retape them. Now the box - with the skull and bells - is on display in my study as a permanent Halloween feature. (Right next to my samurai sword, crystal ball, and Viking helmet - I like to collect/display fun things). The ransom note motif was cool. (Who knows the names of so many stones? Indiana Jones?) We shared the whole experience with our niece in NYC via face-time. (She sells online jewelry on the side.) She was in awe of the detail in the bookmark. She is excited to see it in person. The bookmark is almost too good to use, but I will use it, but only for the most worthy of books. It definitely increases the reading experience. As a bonus, it arrived a day or so before my 55th birthday so I treated it as a combo gift with Halloween. I hope everything is well with you and that you were able to raise lots of money for the Pixie Project.
Happy trails.
Rob
I read it too quickly at first and thought "Where am I gonna find 100 books to donate? I don't want to give up that many of mine!"
Ooook. Another reason to hate being Italian
Funny, I have a post coming up about how much I love Italy. And it's not any nation, it's the Customs people who make things difficult. Every package I get "returned to sender" smashed and searched feels like a little death.
“Was it ticking?” sorry for the joke. I will wait for this post like everything else with a lot of anticipation.
That's funnier than you think. Before the 'Fight Club' movie launched 20th Century Fox mailed out a series of unexplained gifts. One was a chicken feather with the note "Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken." Another gift was a desk clock with the note, "This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time." Word is that many people got those ticking mystery boxes and left them outdoors or immersed them in water thinking they were bombs. The last gift was a bar of Fight Club soap.
fantastic! a publicity stunt worthy of the film.
Chuck! I have my first college essay due. A definition essay, and I don't want to go with something basic like "love" or "family." Any suggestions? The more transgressive the better. Give me your ideal topic.
Ideal topic of the moment? Compare and contrast the plight of 19th century children who worked in mills to the lives of modern children besieged with enormous world problems and social media pressures and on-line negative influences. Good luck!
I love the messages and can't wait for some meaty stories coming from Chuck.
Now i'm out of subject as usual but i'm really thinking about illustrations.
Yay...More personal account of my life you have to read but still bare with me a minute.
French boy who went to study and live in the UK, I felt blessed. I had a lot of culture going on and all my favorite authors were published also in French. I shouldn't say that but i was always going for a double dip with the original version and the french translated ones.
Since 2010, i grew slowly not irritated with the french publishing market but feeling a little disappointed. Life made me come back to France to take care of my sick mom. I never felt life cheated on me as i loved passionately my mom, i never lacked in my supply of new original and translated books and there was the possibility to go back to the uk.
My mom lost the battle against cancer. Later, there was the brexit.
Then, all the new authors i started to enjoy never got popular in France. Eric Red, Peter Laws, Adam Cesare, and so on... you can check they never got across the boarder. Even Chuck seems to not get lots of french translations nowadays. Then, with covid, my local librarian couldn't order my english books anymore and i had to go Amazon. I felt i was denied culture which is not totally true but you can understand the feeling. The lack of translation doesn't allow you to share with your friends your readings too. You read the short stories from"Make someting up" and try to explain how much they should read that to non English speakers. Alienating!
I understand it takes risks to publish in French new authors but our friendly neighbour Germany has no problem just doing that.
Then i thought about drawing what i read... I'm no picasso or even a comic book drawer so i'll spare the world at large my work. Still, i think it's ab effective way to pass a bit the love. And if you look at the Jules Verne books, they were full of illustrations already during their time.
So, here is my question, do you think if illustrations were more frequent in books, would you think it would attract more readers?
Did an illustration made you sit down and read just what you picked from a shelf?
Please accept my sympathy over your mother's death. That is one of the toughest events you'll endure in life. Time passing seems like the only comfort. When I'm writing I try to imagine people in those grim situations -- hospitals, etc. -- who need a strong distraction.
Chuck, you are a saint and a remarkably fascinating individual.
Actually I'm some very dirty water that will have to trickle down through a million years of limestone hell before it will ever be cleansed.
I'm disappointed that Canadians are cut out of the deal. At least back in the day we were persona grata. I am very grateful for the packages I did get from you (especially the piggy bank). I think the Pixie Project still would accept my donation in Canadian dollars though. ;)
No, it's not fair at all. In 2019 I met many Canadian booksellers at the Winter Institute convention. Subsequently I sent them surprise gifts, then got notified the gifts had been destroyed by Customs. (shakes head at the frustration)
Thanks, Chuck. Some of my embroidered masks never reached me even from within Canada! Maybe our postal workers have all gone postal! You have inspired me tremendously with your kind heart and astounding generosity. Following your example, I've bestowed silk masks and handmade bead chains on dozens of friends and relatives over the past year. I'd even offer you some but maybe your customs officers destroy packages too. ;) Keep well! I'll donate to Pixie Project anyway because things have gone well for me lately (including your reply). Thanks again! PS I might see if a sympathetic friend or relative in the US could help me out. We shall see. Have a great weekend!
Thank you!
I couldn't paste a picture in the reply. My profile is my wedding picture with the pin you gave me (something blue) over my heart. I included you at the end of our ceremony too (to honour the people who couldn't make it there), to the great amusement of my close friends! I adore the material you've been posting on here. These days I'm too swamped with work (translation) to devote much time to movies and creative writing, but I think of Fugitives and Refugees as my gold standard for tight, compelling style. I've introduced your work (and deeds) to my other "heroes" too. One dear friend sent me his own little gift box, and my dear "brother" the famous Canadian fiddler and composer Oliver Schroer, connected deeply with your Postcards from the Future because he thrived on storytelling too. So now you know everyone ;) I hope you've been doing well during the pandemic. We're fine. This blog was a brilliant idea! I'm very grateful. PS I don't need that bookmark but I'm sure they're beautiful. I have lots of your gifts already, which I cherish. So I'm fine with the decision not to brave our fearsome postal service haha PPS I wore the necklace you gave me around my wrist at our wedding haha
I was quick to donate last night so I wouldn't miss the chance to win. Well after donating I went to sleep. When I woke up, I was sooo excited. Then it hit me.... I didn't read the email over well. Captain Morgan is to blame. I'm glad I made the donation, and can't wait to donate again! I'm such a dork Chuck!
Great cause. Want bookmark. Will subscribe. Woo hoo.
First of all, Chick is adorable, and second of all, that photo is somehow hilarious and unsettling at the same time. I'm for sure using it as a prompt haha
In truth Chick wanted to shred those dolls. She thought I was churning out thousands of dog toys for her to chew. This is the dog that would play fetch with the fake bloody arm, to the horror of other park goers.
I got one last year. I took the bookmark and the letter to Michael's and had it custom framed. I cannot wait to get another one.