One of the biggest surprises for me on TDT - even bigger than King's post-release attitude toward Centipede Press' Salem's Lot - was the pearl-clutching reaction to my use (months ago) of the word "asshole;" it was like I dropped the c-word (and I don't mean cancer) at a feminist convention. It's ok, folks - it was never that big of a deal – it was only "asshole" – and people are still ruffled about it.
Oh no, I’ve been called an asshole by an internet person; whatever will I do?
I know – I’ll continue to live and breathe. There’s a lesson in here somewhere…
You can't be aloof until you advertise.
Not really ironic, given that TDT isn't a feminist convention, but since both of my comments concerned hysterical overreactions (against my use of the word "asshole" in one case and against President Trump's existence in the other), I suppose it is entertaining to consider.
And speaking of entertainment, here is the post of mine to which Tommy was so kind as to refer:
Of course, I wasn't actually saying "you're all a bunch of cunts!" so much as having fun at the expense of a group of people who undercut their own desired significance by self-identifying as such by wearing what they themselves called "pussy hats" in a massive public demonstration. I mean, if they didn't want to attract the opposition's vagina-related humor, man, they left themselves wide open for that one (no pun intended - really!). And while I still find my "what better way" post utterly hilarious, it's not as hilarious as those people and their behavior.
...none of which is a big deal, but if you've overreacted to my previous posts, you're likely to overreact to this one as well...
You can't be aloof until you advertise.
Well, I can't say "sorry I was wrong" if I don't think I was...which property I'm not alone in possessing, if I'm not the only honest one here.
You can't be aloof until you advertise.
...as for being wrong, I have no problem admitting that I was certainly wrong every time I wanted to give Gerald Winters the benefit of the doubt, although this isn't quite to the point of the Great Asshole Caper (or the Great Cunt Caper). Those who knew Gerald best certainly...well, knew him best.
You can't be aloof until you advertise.
When I was in the Air Force back in the 1970's our flat blue garrison or flight hat was always referred to as a cunt cap. I wonder if that is still the case?
I also have strong doubts that it is real. As soon as a few more of the 850 S/L copies appear elsewhere, then I’ll believe it.
Just got caught up on this thread. I’ve never had any interaction with the man, I simply enjoyed looking at pics of his posted items. So disappointing to hear the dishonest ways he has treated other respected collectors who were acting in good faith. What a shitshow.
"...that Siren which called and sang and promised so much and gave, after all, so little." ~ Ray Bradbury
It's a head scratcher for sure. It looks legit, and it makes sense that the publisher would do an S/L of the title, same as the previous two. But if there are 850 of them, one should have showed (shown?) up before now, one would think.
So either it's a fake (to what purpose, if it's not for sale?) or there aren't really 850 in circulation.
“If you don't know what you want," the doorman said, "you end up with a lot you don't.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
Looking for SubPress Lettered::
Angel's Game and Prisoner of Heaven (Zafon)
Ilium (Simmons)
Okay, it's about time I entered my hat into this ring, as I have sat on this shit since April 2017...
Along with Bill and Alec, I was the third member here to collectively donate $250 towards purchasing a suitable S/L King book through Gerald Winters so that it could be auctioned to support our annual HF fundraiser.
After sending the money to Gerald direct, there was radio silence from him for over 2 months regarding the book that we were supposed to receive for the HF. I started to become very concerned so sent Gerald an email requesting an update...
I saved all email correspondence between myself and Gerald and I will post it here for everyone to see. Happy reading!
Email to Gerald Winters - dated 23 April 2017
Hi Gerald,
I hope you are well, my friend? :-)
Regarding the $750 that was donated by myself, Bill and Alec to purchase a suitable book for the HF, do you have any updates on what book has been selected for auction?
With best wishes,
TimGerald is full of shit right there! He never wrote to me and I had absolutely no interest in obtaining store credit. However, I tried to play nicely so that my donation would still go to the HF...Reply from Gerald Winters - dated 24 April 2017
Good morning Tim,
Nice to hear from you. I hope you had a nice weekend. I am not sure if you got my last email from February 23rd I believe, but Alec did not wish to participate in the Haven Auction, and Bill decided to use his donation to help me with the Charlie the Choo-Choo project for the Children's Hospital in Bangor, so there was just yourself that contributed. I wrote to you and asked you if you wanted me to return your donation, or if you wanted to apply it as store credit for a future purchase, but I never heard back, so I am not sure if you got it. In the absence of you writing, in case I forgot, I put your $250 as credit.
Please let me know what you would like to do, and I will take care of it immediately. Have a great day.
Gerald
Complete radio silence and I never heard from Gerald again after this.Email to Gerald Winters - dated 25 April 2017
Hi Gerald,
Thanks for getting back to me about this. I can confirm that I didn't receive the email you sent back in February.
Returning the donation to me via PayPal would not be fair to you, as you would incur an overseas charge sending the money as I live in the UK.
Although I very much appreciate your kind offer of giving me $250 credit towards a future book purchase, I do think that the money should really go towards helping this year's Haven Foundation fundraiser.
Therefore, could I please ask that you donate my $250 to the Haven Foundation, using the fundraising widget on the DarkTower.org website?
http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/index.php
Your kind assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
With best wishes,
Tim
After 3 days of waiting, I had no choice but to ask Jerome for help...
After a few days, Bill sent me $250 through PayPal stating the money had been recovered and I donated it to the HF widget. However, I now think that Bill probably covered this himself and that Gerald Winters kept the money that was supposed to be given to charity.Email sent to Jerome (CC Bill) - dated 28 April 2017
Hi Jerome,
Please see the trail of correspondence below between myself and Gerald Winters (neo-trinity) regarding the HF.
Along with Bill and Alec, I donated $250 towards purchasing a suitable S/L King book that could be used in one of the auctions. However, due to various reasons this plan never came to fruition and the donated money remained in limbo.
Over 3 days ago, I sent Gerald an email (see below) requesting that he donates my $250 directly to the HF, using the donate widget on the forum. Since then, I have not received a response from Gerald to confirm that he has donated this money.
Can you please confirm whether Gerald has sent you the $250 for the HF? I am getting a little concerned about this, especially as he talks about an email he sent on the 23rd Feb, which I clearly did not receive.
Your confirmation regarding this, and if necessary, thoughts on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
With best wishes,
Tim
The guy is lower than whale shit - which is at the bottom of the ocean, so pretty fucking low!
So I am confused is Gerald a class act and honest?
seeking: ANYTHING DT related #246
Ready Plyer One Sub Press S/L
ANYTHING DT Related #246
Dead Zone First Edition F/F or NF/NF
I have had a few interactions with Gerald via phone and email over the past couple of years and found him to be pleasant and knowledgeable. I loaned him a copy of Second Coming to display in his store for almost a year and encountered no issues when the time had come for it to be returned. An unfortunate situation for sure.
Unfortunate indeed.
Nonetheless it is all of his own making.
Interesting to note that an anagram of “Gerald Winters” gives us “Great Swindler”.
How very apt!
Nice work with the anagram, Alec!
whilst we are on the subject of anagrams Alec, did you know your name becomes:
"Alchemist" (Someone adept in turning base metal into gold) also very apt
Spoiler:
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
I have since heard many stories that have not been shared here. I heard a VERY sad one from a wonderful guy about another of Winters stunts. He swore me to keep it to myself and I will. I cannot believe anyone would deal with this guy.... what he did to this guy is deplorable. IF you are reading this Gerald (and I bet you are) you should be fucking ashamed of yourself. I hope King (or his people) know all about you and what you have done...
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Gerald winters Facebook link is down and either broken or removed. Can any one else access?
Down for me too
Facebook and Instagram - down...
Main site is still up