Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Gaiman Naming Auction

Posted by Hemos on from the oh-neil-good-move dept.

Embedded Geek writes "Neil Gaiman is auctioning the opportunity to help pick a name in his upcoming novel Anansi Boys. Proceeds will go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. "I've got to name a currently unnamed cruise ship in Anansi Boys. I have no idea what to call it, and, a couple of days ago, realised that my utter lack of inspiration could do good things for the CBLDF. If you wish, you can bid to have the ship named after you, your loved one, your dog, or even your favourite word." As of 10AM PST the bidding is up to US $2,225.00, but surely some slashdotter who cashed out of the bubble at the right time can bid it up. Be warned, though - the auction indicates "Successful bidder agrees to pay actual shipping costs.""

5 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. More Info by maotx · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From his site mentioned in summary:
    ...are you going to be keeping veto power over the name?

    I think we can burn that bridge when we come to it....it's remotely possible that someone at Miramax or Lamy Pens or TeaDirect Tea may decide that this is a heaven-sent opportunity for cheap product placement, and it'll suddenly become the USS Latest Lindsay Lohan Movie or the SS TIVO RULES. But I sort of doubt it'll happen like that.

    Sounds like he could be setting himself up for a lot of hurt.

    Other than that, here is an interview with Neil Gaiman talking about this book and his previous one called American Gods and here is Google's Print of American Gods.

    As for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, here is a site with some highlights of cases that they have helped.

    --
    I'm a virgo and on Slashdot. Coincidence? Yes.
    1. Re:More Info by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 1, Interesting
      Technically, the auction says have the ship named after you, your loved one, your dog, or even your favourite word.

      So, it seems to me, he can go along with something else, but he only has to take a person's name or a pet's name (and he could ask for proof, if it sounds fishy).

      The "worst" it could be is a single "favorite" word. And even most profanities would be explainable, in context, for the name of a ship... some colorful story to explain why it is called "S**t" or even "F**k".

      All-in-all, I'd bet a fan will be the winner, rather than a jerk with money to burn. In any event, It doesn't look like product names count, if you use the old Scrabble argument "it's not a word if it's not in the dictionary!".

      On the other hand, there are some pretty embarrassing dictionary words...

      --
      This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  2. Naming tool... by spywarearcata.com · · Score: 2, Interesting

    And if you are looking for a little lexicographic assistance in finding that perfect name, try the following lists of 6,000 female names, 5,000 male names, and 5,000 surnames:

    http://www.spywarearcata.com/babynames_baby_names_ girl_baby_names_boy_baby_names_popular_babies_fema le_male_free_download_unusual_list_naming_children /babynames_baby_names_girl_baby_names_boy_baby_nam es_popular_babies_female_male_free_download_unusua l_list_naming_children.html

    Free and open source.

  3. Why? by Imidazole · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Please, can someone explain to me... Why?

    --
    -Imidazole
    Hilarious Office Prank!
  4. Obvious loophole by xstonedogx · · Score: 1, Interesting

    They can just have their loved ones renamed. I can see it now: "This is my daughter 'Swiffer's Good'. I'd like the ship named the SS Swiffer's Good please, and thank you." :)