my heart, you're either exercising it or killing it, not sure
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I put the winner in spoilers so that we can attend to the background of the contest first, and also reveal the solution before we learn who the winner is. That way we have some context.
Before publishing Misery, I came up with this idea as a way to pay tribute to, and honor the memory of my late father. He was a great man with a solid gold heart, and much of who I am today is as a result of the lessons I learned from him, and the examples he set.
So, the solution is that in each of the first five books I published, I included a letter spelling out my father’s name, which is SOLLY. The final letter ending with The Road was intentional because of the story about the bond between a father and his son.
So… to my dad, Solly Suntup you shall never be forgotten. You were the best father anyone could ask for.
Okay... And now, THE WINNER IS:
Spoiler: 11-15-2019 11:46 AMMikeDukeA big congrats to the person in the spoiler :)
And a great tribute to your father Paul. 11-15-2019 11:47 AMHunchback JackCongratulations, [redacted]! And what a wonderful tribute, Paul. 11-15-2019 11:47 AMracerx45That's Awesome. Congratulation Lotuz 11-15-2019 11:48 AMfiremonkey66Congrats to the winner! I wish it was me, but I'm glad it was you:)
And what a tribute, Paul, very cool and touching 11-15-2019 11:51 AMjeffingoffCongratulations!!! I’m clapping as I wipe a tear from my eye!! Wonderful and beautiful!!! I’m so happy for everyone
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 11-15-2019 11:54 AMFlyerPhan0826What a way to honor your father. This is incredible!
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk 11-15-2019 12:03 PMJoe315Congrats! That was my guess as well. Day late and a dollar short. 11-15-2019 12:03 PMlotuz:panic::panic::panic::panic::panic::panic::panic:: panic::panic::panic::panic::panic::panic::panic:
Thank you so much, folks, and Paul!
This is such a rush. Give me a minute and I'm gonna type up how it happened from my perspective, and how touching and amazing and coincidental it all was... 11-15-2019 12:16 PMICry4OyCongrats you LUCKY man!
...and to all of us losers....well...you know what they say....."so solly, Cholly" (I can't be the only one who guessed that?) :cyclops: 11-15-2019 12:32 PMlotuzOK, so as anyone who has searched eBay for the term Suntup has probably seen, Paul published a book of poetry called Sunset at the Temple of Olives back in 2011. I know several folks on these boards have picked it up as part of their Suntup memorabilia, and I strongly encourage everyone who has to open it up and read it! The works "Emily" and "I don't really know what this poem is going to be about, or even if it'll be any good, but I'm writing it anyway." are some of my favorites, but the whole thing is beautifully dark.
The thing is, as recently as the beginning of this week, I could not have told you those things because I did not own the book!
I've been eyeing it off and on when I see it in searches and for the first time, last week, I pulled the trigger.
See:
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/...TTOO_order.png
I ordered it on the 7th, it shipped on the 8th, and arrived to me a week earlier than scheduled on Monday the 12th. As you all know, Antony made the amazing discovery shortly thereafter!
When only the letters "S" "O" "L" "L" were known, I made the guess of "Solly". Why? Because I am the parent of two small children and recently in our house we had something called a "Solly Wrap". But my reasoning was incorrect. Even though it was a longshot, as most people without kids would not have heard of this product, I guessed that maybe "Solly" meant that these books were his babies, that he was putting out into the world. Also, like most of you, I'm sure, I googled "words that start with soll" and it turns out that there aren't, like, any. Some foreign words, and something called a "solleret", which is an armored shoe for a knight.
I didn't really think that was right but, hey, guessing was free! But I could't help but think that "Solly" was the right word, there was just some connection that I was missing.
Fast forward a bit, and I decide to pick up and peruse my just received Suntup book of poetry. I open it up, and as is my custom, I start with the copyright page and all the front matter. There's a title page, copyrights, and then this:
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/...m/IMG_1246.jpg
When I read this page, I about had a heart attack! I knew that this had to be it - simply no way that it was a coincidence. The only coincidence is that had I not ordered this book at the exact time I did, I would never have had it right in front of me, at the most perfect time possible.
Having a father myself who I am rather fond of, and who I am fortunate enough to still have around, it was an incredibly touching realization to see this dedication to someone's father, first in this book of poetry, and then through the craft of his son's great accomplishment. It's an incredible gesture.
I'm very fortunate that this all worked out in the way it did and I just had to share the genesis of the whole thing from my end.
:rose: 11-15-2019 12:44 PMur2ndbiggestfanCongratulations, lotuz!!! 11-15-2019 12:49 PMMikeDukeThat's a great story Lotuz. And congrats again. 11-15-2019 12:50 PMNiceMQuote:Such a heartfelt tribute Paul. I came on board with The Road and the more I learn how emotionally invested you are with the books you publish, the more I feel compelled to stay with you on this beautiful adventure and experience that is Suntup Publishing. Your dad can be proud sir.
Congrats Lotuz! A grand prize!! 11-15-2019 12:57 PMT-Dogz_AK47A HUGE Congratulations Lotuz!!! :clap::clap: 11-15-2019 12:59 PMMikeDukeWe are in the final countdown. 2 left. 11-15-2019 01:07 PMur2ndbiggestfanAfter two delays, the UPS finally brought me my numbered ROSEMARY'S BABY today.
I have some lettered editions that don't even come close to the quality of this production. 11-15-2019 01:14 PMT-Dogz_AK47 11-15-2019 01:36 PMHunchback JackGreat story, lotuz. Thanks for sharing it. (And congrats, again).
HBJ 11-15-2019 02:14 PMM_O_O_NCongratulations on your win, lotuz! 11-15-2019 02:14 PMzeligThanks lotuz... what perfect timing! After reading your post, I thought I should provide this link for anyone who wants a copy of that poetry book as these are signed.
Appreciate the other comments. This worked out very nicely, and it all played out here on the forum which is great. 11-15-2019 02:22 PMHunchback JackKind of neat that it was all discovered and revealed right when the last letter in The Road was being shipped/received. 11-15-2019 03:11 PMRandall Flagg 11-15-2019 03:16 PMperipheralThat’s a lovely story and gesture,Paul. And congrats Lotuz.