Beowulf Bollocks the third

I don't know what it is about Beowulf that causes journalists to write utter bollocks, but I'll continue to try and keep track of the odder articles on this blog and correct them, at least until the official Beowulf site opens. Anthony Hopkins tries to explain to a journalist that he didn't wear a costume for his role as King Hrothgar in Beowulf but instead looked more like this (okay, it's Angelina Jolie not him, but it's the same clothes) and this is reported as

SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS' new role as mythical BEOWULF required the Oscar winner to be completely naked throughout the entire filming process.

Hopkins stars as the Scandinavian warrior in a new computer-generated animated epic and had to film many of his scenes naked...

So, for the record, Sir Ant plays Hrothgar not Beowulf, and did nothing naked at all. That I know of.

Neil, I'm hoping you'll post this offer in your journal for the community. In a state of delirium after seeing Mirrormask, I ran directly out and purchased the domain name GiantsOrbiting.com. On later reflection, I realized that I have nothing appropriate to put there, nor any time in which to develop it. I'd like to pass on the domain to someone who would do something interesting with it. My price is "something neat". A story, a bit of art, a poem written out nicely, a really cool piece of polished metal you found,something of that sort. For you Neil, as you are a Famous Author, the price would be slightly higher, "something neat" and "lunch next time you are in Boston". Interested parties can email me at alex@giantsorbiting.com and describe briefly what you'd like to do with it. First idea that sounds nifty gets to buy the domain. Please don't send me descriptions of your "something neat", I'm sure it will be fine.
Unrelated, you might enjoy checking out a couple of my side projects. Images from a line of silk scarves I design http://www.1000angrymonkeys.com/gallery/flowers , and the BostonTypewriterOrchestra.com Thanks-Alex-

I have too many websites I'm not doing anything with as it is. But I bet there's someone out there with some cool ideas...


Dear Neil,
I know a year or so ago there was some ueber super special limited edition version of American Gods with parts that had been edited out, heavy awesome gold-lined paper, and some huge unnecessary book cover. I was wondering if you had any idea where I could obtain this. I totally forgot the name of the people who made it. ;_;

Thanks a bunch,
Alex

It's http://www.hillhousepublishers.com/ who have all sorts of amazing special deals on their books until February 15th, so if you're looking for, say Neil Stephenson limited editions, or Terry Pratchett facsimile editions, go and take a look. Good people.

Mr Gaiman,

Do you sometimes wish you still lived in the UK?
I am curious as to why so many British writers feel the need to move to the US. It seems ironic (or sarcastic, if you are American) as most writers - I reluctantly add, not yourself - tend towards writing as to how crappy America is, and how shortsighted the American 'Joe-Public' is, yet they still live there.
I don't ask this to cast negative on you (god knows given a green card, I would happily live in the States) -- I just wonder how you came to choose the 'big move' - and even how it has changed your "writing style"?

You must be sick of seeing question marks on here I guess?

Oh, for a simple full stop to round off an ill-thought out question, no?
Matt ...?

Yes, I miss the UK. Less than I did, given that these days most of my newspapers, radio and TV (well, DVDs) are from the UK, but homesickness never quite goes away. As for why British writers feel the need to move -- I can't speak for anyone else. In my case, thirteen years ago, it was the combination of having an American wife with a mother and grandmother who were getting no younger, and having half-American children who hadn't really encountered that side of their family, combined with the fact that all my income was coming from the US and I liked the idea of going somewhere I could spend the dollars and know what they'd be worth from week to week which, under the economic leadership the former president George Bush, I never did, for the dollar careened up and down and I couldn't tell from one week to another how many pounds it would turn into once I'd taken it to the bank, and also because I realised that I could get an Addams Family house and 15 acres of woodland near Minneapolis for less than the cost of a 1 bedroom flat in London, which was a good thing to learn because I was running out of space for both people and books in the UK at the time.