Enter Sandman . . . . **READ ME FIRST**
Welcome to the Sandman Book Club! I'm Marian Call, and I instigated this chaotic dream vortex with a tweet.
Want to comment in the forums? They're still open to you. We have closed registration except by invitation, so write to bookclub@mariancall.com and ask to be added.
We have already completed the weekly discussion schedule, but people are still posting here -- and as long as there are new posts, I'll keep on reading what you write. So jump in anytime, the comments are great!
See the welcome video here:
Starting on the weekend of February 22-23, 2014, we will begin discussing Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' series, roughly one volume per week, here in the forums. We will have one main discussion thread for each volume of the series, and the reading/discussion schedule is posted below. Participants can start as many other threads as they like of course.
It's likely that the conversation will spill over onto everybody's Tumblr, Youtube, Twitter, what have you. Diversity of platforms is a strength, not a weakness. This forum will be the hub of many spokes, the place where links collect and information is shared.
If you're not sure which version of the book to get, see the early discussion here on the forums called "Which Sandman Book Is Which?"
Each week, I will open a discussion of "study questions" to consider while reading, and I'll send these to you by email if you're on the list. Everyone can contribute questions or reading prompts! And then in the following week, we'll talk about some of those questions, and whatever else comes up. I hope you will consider responding to the books BY MAKING ART. Write something, draw something, film something, sing something and share it! Art begets more art.
**GROUND RULES:** Be excellent to each other. Don't steal pictures or jokes or deep thoughts, attribute attribute attribute. If famous people show up, do not bother them. Be opinionated and honest, and respect others' right to be. Try to judge of the difference between controversial language and offensive/inflammatory/hateful language. Disagree all you like, but personal insults or phrases like "anyone who could think _____ is an idiot" may get you in trouble with me, because I do not let people insult one another directly using my webspace. I am a bit of a tyrant about requiring people to be kind to one another, and this is my turf. (That said, polite disagreement is applauded.)
Also, if you want to talk a lot about other works of literature at length, that's fine, but use a different forum. I'm going to restrict these forums pretty strictly to Sandman discussion stuff for now and try not to let them branch out all over the place. Because I am a cruel dictatoress.
Questions and answers:
-- Why are you doing this, Marian? What's your angle?
So right now I'm laying the groundwork for a couple of fairly large new art projects (still mostly secret). I'm doing research and writing grant applications and clearing my calender. All of a sudden, last December, I was seized with the idea that there's something important about 'Sandman' that I need to work out, some hidden clue or lesson that I need to absorb to make the art I want to make. It was a powerful feeling, kind of a kick in the chest. I read it immediately. But I couldn't talk about it with anyone, and I needed to dig deeper -- so I'm inviting everyone into the conversation! Let's learn some things! Let's wrestle with literature like we did in college! (Also I am alone up in Alaska for a lot more of this year, and I want a reason to have tea and talk to all of you through my computer.)
-- Do I have to sign in to your forum? Do I have to be involved in discussion?
Nope. You can view all the stuff on the forum without signing in, and you can read along without ever saying a word. Be as involved or uninvolved as you want to be. Email list signup is totally optional too, by the way.
What happens if I fall way behind?
Don't worry about it. The threads will likely be spoiler-y, but they won't close, and you can view or participate in them later if you're not caught up. I'm sure I will get behind at some point! Because I'm me.
Which books should I buy or borrow? There are a lot of versions.
Our first forum topic "Which Sandman Book Is Which?" will be about exactly that, have a look there!
Can I invite more friends to join or look at stuff here?
Sure! Feel free! Share and share. And if you post content from here, be sure to attribute it properly.
Will we have IRL meetups?
Maybe! Feel free to start a discussion about organizing one in your area! I may try to get something together surrounding ECCC. And I'm trying to think of something fun to do when we finish, like a Google Hangout cookie party or something.
Will we read the other books, Endless Nights and Death and so on?
If people are interested in reading some of the additional Endless books after we complete the series, that could definitely happen, although we'll probably take a break first!
Will you bring celebrity guests in to comment and stuff?
They're welcome if they happen to show up or take an interest, but I'm not soliciting anyone's attention. Kindly don't be overly promote-y or pester Neil or anyone else on social media, and don't bug them for retweets. Inviting your friends here is fine, but we don't need to go celeb-stalking. The pleasure of discussing amazing books is what we're here for, not the attention of certain people. And if Certain People do happen to show up, be on your best behavior.
++++++++++++++++++
These are the dates I'll open the forums to discuss each volume. I'm anticipating that with members all over the globe, posts and responses will go on for much of the weekend!
Feb. 22-23 // Volume I: Preludes and Nocturnes
March 1-2 // Volume 2: The Doll's House
March 8-9 // Volume 3: Dream Country
March 15-16 // Volume 4: Season of Mists
March 22-23 // Volume 5: A Game of You
March 29-30 // Volume 6: Fables and Reflections
April 5-6 // Volume 7: Brief Lives
April 12-13 // Volume 8: World's End
April 19-20 // Volume 9: The Kindly Ones
April 26-27 // Volume 10: The Wake
Feel free to read at your own pace and discuss after the fact, the forums won't close -- although your discussion may be livelier on Twitter than on the forums if you're a few weeks late.
If you have further logistical questions about the structure or rules of the Book Club itself, post in this thread! Otherwise take off and find or create a new discussion thread!
Want to comment in the forums? They're still open to you. We have closed registration except by invitation, so write to bookclub@mariancall.com and ask to be added.
We have already completed the weekly discussion schedule, but people are still posting here -- and as long as there are new posts, I'll keep on reading what you write. So jump in anytime, the comments are great!
See the welcome video here:
Starting on the weekend of February 22-23, 2014, we will begin discussing Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' series, roughly one volume per week, here in the forums. We will have one main discussion thread for each volume of the series, and the reading/discussion schedule is posted below. Participants can start as many other threads as they like of course.
It's likely that the conversation will spill over onto everybody's Tumblr, Youtube, Twitter, what have you. Diversity of platforms is a strength, not a weakness. This forum will be the hub of many spokes, the place where links collect and information is shared.
If you're not sure which version of the book to get, see the early discussion here on the forums called "Which Sandman Book Is Which?"
Each week, I will open a discussion of "study questions" to consider while reading, and I'll send these to you by email if you're on the list. Everyone can contribute questions or reading prompts! And then in the following week, we'll talk about some of those questions, and whatever else comes up. I hope you will consider responding to the books BY MAKING ART. Write something, draw something, film something, sing something and share it! Art begets more art.
**GROUND RULES:** Be excellent to each other. Don't steal pictures or jokes or deep thoughts, attribute attribute attribute. If famous people show up, do not bother them. Be opinionated and honest, and respect others' right to be. Try to judge of the difference between controversial language and offensive/inflammatory/hateful language. Disagree all you like, but personal insults or phrases like "anyone who could think _____ is an idiot" may get you in trouble with me, because I do not let people insult one another directly using my webspace. I am a bit of a tyrant about requiring people to be kind to one another, and this is my turf. (That said, polite disagreement is applauded.)
Also, if you want to talk a lot about other works of literature at length, that's fine, but use a different forum. I'm going to restrict these forums pretty strictly to Sandman discussion stuff for now and try not to let them branch out all over the place. Because I am a cruel dictatoress.
Questions and answers:
-- Why are you doing this, Marian? What's your angle?
So right now I'm laying the groundwork for a couple of fairly large new art projects (still mostly secret). I'm doing research and writing grant applications and clearing my calender. All of a sudden, last December, I was seized with the idea that there's something important about 'Sandman' that I need to work out, some hidden clue or lesson that I need to absorb to make the art I want to make. It was a powerful feeling, kind of a kick in the chest. I read it immediately. But I couldn't talk about it with anyone, and I needed to dig deeper -- so I'm inviting everyone into the conversation! Let's learn some things! Let's wrestle with literature like we did in college! (Also I am alone up in Alaska for a lot more of this year, and I want a reason to have tea and talk to all of you through my computer.)
-- Do I have to sign in to your forum? Do I have to be involved in discussion?
Nope. You can view all the stuff on the forum without signing in, and you can read along without ever saying a word. Be as involved or uninvolved as you want to be. Email list signup is totally optional too, by the way.
What happens if I fall way behind?
Don't worry about it. The threads will likely be spoiler-y, but they won't close, and you can view or participate in them later if you're not caught up. I'm sure I will get behind at some point! Because I'm me.
Which books should I buy or borrow? There are a lot of versions.
Our first forum topic "Which Sandman Book Is Which?" will be about exactly that, have a look there!
Can I invite more friends to join or look at stuff here?
Sure! Feel free! Share and share. And if you post content from here, be sure to attribute it properly.
Will we have IRL meetups?
Maybe! Feel free to start a discussion about organizing one in your area! I may try to get something together surrounding ECCC. And I'm trying to think of something fun to do when we finish, like a Google Hangout cookie party or something.
Will we read the other books, Endless Nights and Death and so on?
If people are interested in reading some of the additional Endless books after we complete the series, that could definitely happen, although we'll probably take a break first!
Will you bring celebrity guests in to comment and stuff?
They're welcome if they happen to show up or take an interest, but I'm not soliciting anyone's attention. Kindly don't be overly promote-y or pester Neil or anyone else on social media, and don't bug them for retweets. Inviting your friends here is fine, but we don't need to go celeb-stalking. The pleasure of discussing amazing books is what we're here for, not the attention of certain people. And if Certain People do happen to show up, be on your best behavior.
++++++++++++++++++
DISCUSSION SCHEDULE
These are the dates I'll open the forums to discuss each volume. I'm anticipating that with members all over the globe, posts and responses will go on for much of the weekend!
Feb. 22-23 // Volume I: Preludes and Nocturnes
March 1-2 // Volume 2: The Doll's House
March 8-9 // Volume 3: Dream Country
March 15-16 // Volume 4: Season of Mists
March 22-23 // Volume 5: A Game of You
March 29-30 // Volume 6: Fables and Reflections
April 5-6 // Volume 7: Brief Lives
April 12-13 // Volume 8: World's End
April 19-20 // Volume 9: The Kindly Ones
April 26-27 // Volume 10: The Wake
Feel free to read at your own pace and discuss after the fact, the forums won't close -- although your discussion may be livelier on Twitter than on the forums if you're a few weeks late.
If you have further logistical questions about the structure or rules of the Book Club itself, post in this thread! Otherwise take off and find or create a new discussion thread!
Comments
And I agree, Josie and the pussycats really was a great comedy.