My life's a rock in a rock tumbler, getting shone. November 15, 2014 3:56 PM Subscribe
Earlier this week longtime MetaFilter member Sean Michaels won the Giller Prize, Canada's biggest fiction award, for his debut novel Us Conductors.
Congratulations, this is great!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:00 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:00 PM on November 15, 2014
CONGRATS!
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:38 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:38 PM on November 15, 2014
Many, many thanks! I forgot to thank MetaFilter in Us Conductors' acknowledgements but really I should have: Ask was helpful with some crucial questions.
posted by Marquis at 4:43 PM on November 15, 2014 [50 favorites]
posted by Marquis at 4:43 PM on November 15, 2014 [50 favorites]
MetaCongratulations!
Yes, it's available at AmazonUSofA (if you want to give MeFi a few affiliate cents) or other online sources. I like how one of the back-cover blurbs started with "DZEEEEOOOoo!" as it should for a book featuring the inventor of the theramin. Just remember, Sean, if you ever want to write a sequel, there's the Theramin Badger.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:55 PM on November 15, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yes, it's available at AmazonUSofA (if you want to give MeFi a few affiliate cents) or other online sources. I like how one of the back-cover blurbs started with "DZEEEEOOOoo!" as it should for a book featuring the inventor of the theramin. Just remember, Sean, if you ever want to write a sequel, there's the Theramin Badger.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:55 PM on November 15, 2014 [3 favorites]
CONGRATS!
posted by Going To Maine at 5:37 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by Going To Maine at 5:37 PM on November 15, 2014
Huzzah!
posted by homunculus at 6:08 PM on November 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 6:08 PM on November 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wonderful!
posted by ocherdraco at 6:09 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by ocherdraco at 6:09 PM on November 15, 2014
Wow, that's fantastic. Many congratulations!
posted by jacquilynne at 6:45 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by jacquilynne at 6:45 PM on November 15, 2014
I saw this earlier in the week but never made the connection. Congratulations!
posted by arcticseal at 7:00 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by arcticseal at 7:00 PM on November 15, 2014
Fantastic--congratulations!
posted by wintersweet at 7:31 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by wintersweet at 7:31 PM on November 15, 2014
Congratulations! I was cheering for you as a fellow Montrealer, but I didn't know you were a mefite. I guess I know what I'm getting everyone for xmas/holiday presents.
posted by Cuke at 8:04 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by Cuke at 8:04 PM on November 15, 2014
Nice check, too! You're buying the beer at the next meet-up!! But seriously, fan freakin' tastic. Huge respect and admiration.
posted by ambient2 at 8:44 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by ambient2 at 8:44 PM on November 15, 2014
Mazel tov!!
posted by DarlingBri at 9:59 PM on November 15, 2014
posted by DarlingBri at 9:59 PM on November 15, 2014
Holy congratubloodylations!
FYI there's a coffee shop on McCaul between Dundas and College that had--at least last week--a notice on their sandwich board on the sidewalk saying "Free coffee for all Giller nominees" (or maybe winners? I can't remember). So if you're in Toronto, free caffeine!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:05 PM on November 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
FYI there's a coffee shop on McCaul between Dundas and College that had--at least last week--a notice on their sandwich board on the sidewalk saying "Free coffee for all Giller nominees" (or maybe winners? I can't remember). So if you're in Toronto, free caffeine!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:05 PM on November 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yipes. I'd read the crap out of this. Only after quonsee season ends, mind you.
totally not a hint
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 11:48 PM on November 15, 2014
totally not a hint
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 11:48 PM on November 15, 2014
Oh my goodness, the synchronicity of this is too weird. I am listening to Sean Michaels being interviewed by Brent Bambury on the CBC, right this very minute, and he's talking about theramins.
Congratulations on your Giller, Sean! I had no idea you were a MeFite.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:36 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations on your Giller, Sean! I had no idea you were a MeFite.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:36 AM on November 16, 2014
Again I say Huzzah!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:40 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:40 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations!
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:59 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:59 AM on November 16, 2014
This is so fabulous; bravo!! I just bought the kindle version of "Us Conductors," and it's next up on my reading list. :)
posted by taz (staff) at 4:29 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by taz (staff) at 4:29 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Congratulations. So where in Canada are you the Marquis of?
posted by marienbad at 4:30 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by marienbad at 4:30 AM on November 16, 2014
How wonderful, congratulations! Not available on Kindle in the UK (and out of stock from Amazon itself! A good thing, I hope!), so I've ordered it from the US. It sounds great!
posted by ClarissaWAM at 5:18 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by ClarissaWAM at 5:18 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations indeed. I knew about the book because I've been following Said the Gramophone for a few years, but had no idea Sean was part of MetaFilter. (Or a marquis.)
posted by LeLiLo at 5:56 AM on November 16, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by LeLiLo at 5:56 AM on November 16, 2014 [3 favorites]
Giller? Seriously? That's awesome. OK, so the MeFi bookshelf already has a Hugo with scalzi... what other writerly awards have MeFites won?
posted by GhostintheMachine at 6:06 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 6:06 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Whoa he writes Said the Gramaphone too? Now I'm jealous on two fronts. Congratos meng!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:08 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:08 AM on November 16, 2014
Congrats, Sean! I hope you've celebrated wildly and will continue to do so for a while yet.
posted by Kattullus at 7:11 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by Kattullus at 7:11 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations! That sounds like an incredibly cool book: I put it on my holiday wishlist!
posted by ChuraChura at 7:40 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by ChuraChura at 7:40 AM on November 16, 2014
Do you actually get a trophy to go with the cheque?
posted by arcticseal at 7:45 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by arcticseal at 7:45 AM on November 16, 2014
Great job, everyone!
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:49 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 7:49 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Cool, I wanna read it!
posted by oceanjesse at 8:17 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by oceanjesse at 8:17 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations from me as well!
posted by languagehat at 8:43 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by languagehat at 8:43 AM on November 16, 2014
Some relevant links I've gathered over the past week:
Sean posted Whispering Machine, one of three strange glimpses into Us Conductors to MeFi Projects this past June.
A Selection of Works by Sean Michaels
Sean posted Whispering Machine, one of three strange glimpses into Us Conductors to MeFi Projects this past June.
A Selection of Works by Sean Michaels
- Unlocking the Mystery of Paris' Most Secret Underground Society an investigative feature concerning the Parisian art guerrillas Les UX
- The Dull Incredible Sean navigates a series of YouTube videos that highlight how virtuosity can swiftly, easily, become banal.
- Knights of Griffintown "Griffintown is old and quiet and dark and it should have knights."
- After Night March written at age 16.
- YouTube of Lev Theremin playing the theremin
- How the ‘kings of the morning’ (and lack of WiFi) at a Montreal coffee house helped Sean Michaels win the Giller
- A modern playlist for Us Conductors selected by Sean Michaels
- A classic playlist for Us Conductors
Congratulations; when I read the synopsis of your novel my first reaction was "Goddamn, this looks interesting!"
posted by mr. digits at 9:09 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by mr. digits at 9:09 AM on November 16, 2014
I mean, that's cool and all, and imma let you finish, but you are still not the best-selling former professional wrestler of all time.
I keed, of course. Congratulations, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
posted by Rock Steady at 9:11 AM on November 16, 2014
I keed, of course. Congratulations, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
posted by Rock Steady at 9:11 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations! It's great to know that these things still happen.
posted by Namlit at 9:12 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Namlit at 9:12 AM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Damn, that's really impressive, and the book looks fascinating. Nice accomplishment!
posted by mediareport at 9:21 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by mediareport at 9:21 AM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations, and I've already ordered my copy!
posted by moonmilk at 11:02 AM on November 16, 2014
posted by moonmilk at 11:02 AM on November 16, 2014
I loved the Paris underground piece.
(Eat your heart out Don Wildman)
Congrats Marquis!
posted by clavdivs at 12:31 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
(Eat your heart out Don Wildman)
Congrats Marquis!
posted by clavdivs at 12:31 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is awesome. Congratulations!
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:47 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:47 PM on November 16, 2014
Huxah!
posted by The Whelk at 1:27 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 1:27 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Whoa he writes Said the Gramaphone too?
Yeah, I was all 'Oh, neat!' and then I clicked through to the profile and was all 'OMG THE SAID THE GRAMAPHONE GUY'S A MEFITE?!?!' and then was all 'I think I missed the lede there.'
Anyhow, hearty congratulations!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:44 PM on November 16, 2014
Yeah, I was all 'Oh, neat!' and then I clicked through to the profile and was all 'OMG THE SAID THE GRAMAPHONE GUY'S A MEFITE?!?!' and then was all 'I think I missed the lede there.'
Anyhow, hearty congratulations!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:44 PM on November 16, 2014
A heartfelt congratulations from a future reader who may one day work up the courage to write some fiction. Am I breaking any taboos in asking what you'll be asking about next in Ask (he asked)?
posted by pipeski at 2:25 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by pipeski at 2:25 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Well done you!
posted by turbid dahlia at 4:28 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by turbid dahlia at 4:28 PM on November 16, 2014
That is so awesome! Congratulations!
posted by msbubbaclees at 4:46 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by msbubbaclees at 4:46 PM on November 16, 2014
Those AskMe questions alone make we want to read the novel.
posted by stp123 at 5:30 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by stp123 at 5:30 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Neat! Buzz about the book certainly helped me sell my theremin quickly at the Toronto electronic music swap meet today.
(it's okay, I've already bought another one.)
posted by scruss at 5:52 PM on November 16, 2014 [3 favorites]
(it's okay, I've already bought another one.)
posted by scruss at 5:52 PM on November 16, 2014 [3 favorites]
We're not worthy! But you are!
posted by wenestvedt at 7:36 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by wenestvedt at 7:36 PM on November 16, 2014
Perfect timing. I'm about to go to Inuvik for a week, so I bought the book.
posted by ODiV at 8:01 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by ODiV at 8:01 PM on November 16, 2014
Wow! Поздравляем!
posted by trip and a half at 11:46 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by trip and a half at 11:46 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
MeFi's own! Congrats! : )
posted by SisterHavana at 11:56 PM on November 16, 2014
posted by SisterHavana at 11:56 PM on November 16, 2014
Congratulations!
Maybe this isn't the place to ask, but did Maurice Martenot and Leon Theremin share any musical DNA, or is it a case of parallel audio evolution? Both patented their devices in 1928.
posted by asok at 5:30 AM on November 17, 2014
Maybe this isn't the place to ask, but did Maurice Martenot and Leon Theremin share any musical DNA, or is it a case of parallel audio evolution? Both patented their devices in 1928.
posted by asok at 5:30 AM on November 17, 2014
expect an extra kitten in your pay envelope this month
posted by thelonius at 5:39 AM on November 17, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 5:39 AM on November 17, 2014 [3 favorites]
Asok, yes, they were relative contemporaries in New York, and knew each other!
posted by Marquis at 7:07 AM on November 17, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Marquis at 7:07 AM on November 17, 2014 [2 favorites]
(Thanks all: so so so kind.)
posted by Marquis at 7:08 AM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Marquis at 7:08 AM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wow, the Giller is a big deal. That's amazing. Congratulations Marquis!
posted by futureisunwritten at 8:44 AM on November 17, 2014
posted by futureisunwritten at 8:44 AM on November 17, 2014
Hey Marquis, congratulations! I will definitely buy you a pint should you ever attend another Scottish meetup; I hope you're sufficiently over the trauma of the last one I remember you being at ...
posted by Len at 9:14 AM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Len at 9:14 AM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh, and obviously, I'll buy the book as well. What's the best (i.e. which gets you the most money) way to buy it if I don't do ebooks?
posted by Len at 9:15 AM on November 17, 2014
posted by Len at 9:15 AM on November 17, 2014
Whoa! That is awesome. Many congrats, Marquis! I will definitely pick up a copy or six to give away this holiday season.
posted by Phire at 10:55 AM on November 17, 2014
posted by Phire at 10:55 AM on November 17, 2014
Congrats!! Said the Gramophone's always been super well-written too. You're a real talent.
posted by naju at 11:40 AM on November 17, 2014
posted by naju at 11:40 AM on November 17, 2014
Holy shit! I was quite aware of the award and of who was up for it but never knew that Sean Michaels was a MeFite, though I remember the username Marquis. Congratulations, Sean. You've made all us non-illustrious MeFites feel a little more so by association.
posted by orange swan at 2:19 PM on November 17, 2014
posted by orange swan at 2:19 PM on November 17, 2014
@Len, thank you! I remember that night fondly. The parts I remember, that is.
Kind of you to ask, but in terms of my royalty, it doesn't really matter where you buy. If you do it as an import through Amazon.com there's the possibility of an extra referrer kickback - either through MetaFilter's referral link or by following a link on my website.
But I don't think there are that many UK options.
posted by Marquis at 3:14 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
Kind of you to ask, but in terms of my royalty, it doesn't really matter where you buy. If you do it as an import through Amazon.com there's the possibility of an extra referrer kickback - either through MetaFilter's referral link or by following a link on my website.
But I don't think there are that many UK options.
posted by Marquis at 3:14 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]
Congratulations! I heard you on the CBC and was really drawn in. Like others, I didn't know you were Meef.
posted by Rumple at 7:32 PM on November 17, 2014
posted by Rumple at 7:32 PM on November 17, 2014
Like many others I heard you on CBC but didn't realise you were a Mefite so this is great news. Congratulations on the prize; I'll have to search this book out now.
posted by Mitheral at 3:23 PM on November 18, 2014
posted by Mitheral at 3:23 PM on November 18, 2014
Marquis: "Many, many thanks! I forgot to thank MetaFilter in Us Conductors' acknowledgements but really I should have: Ask was helpful with some crucial questions."
It's Shake 'n Bake and we helped.
Congratulations on the honor/award/prize.
posted by 724A at 5:27 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]
It's Shake 'n Bake and we helped.
Congratulations on the honor/award/prize.
posted by 724A at 5:27 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wait. A member here has won the freaking Giller prize? Okay. That does it. This is the tipping point. I'm getting a tablet to read the hell out of this tomorrow.
Queues up questions in Ask.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 10:26 PM on November 18, 2014
Queues up questions in Ask.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 10:26 PM on November 18, 2014
Congrats, Marquis!
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 11:23 PM on November 18, 2014
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 11:23 PM on November 18, 2014
@Len, thank you! I remember that night fondly. The parts I remember, that is.
Kind of you to ask, but in terms of my royalty, it doesn't really matter where you buy. If you do it as an import through Amazon.com there's the possibility of an extra referrer kickback - either through MetaFilter's referral link or by following a link on my website.
Ordered, and very much looking forward to reading! I ballsed up the referrer kickback though, sorry. Call it two pints next meetup :)
Oh, and here's an aide memoire for that last meetup. I'm not sure if that's a "get me the fuck out of here!" face or a "fuck, I'll never get out of here!" face. It was a great night, though.
posted by Len at 10:47 AM on November 19, 2014
Kind of you to ask, but in terms of my royalty, it doesn't really matter where you buy. If you do it as an import through Amazon.com there's the possibility of an extra referrer kickback - either through MetaFilter's referral link or by following a link on my website.
Ordered, and very much looking forward to reading! I ballsed up the referrer kickback though, sorry. Call it two pints next meetup :)
Oh, and here's an aide memoire for that last meetup. I'm not sure if that's a "get me the fuck out of here!" face or a "fuck, I'll never get out of here!" face. It was a great night, though.
posted by Len at 10:47 AM on November 19, 2014
Is the title quote from the book? It's a really nice quote!
In any case, congratulations!
posted by Quilford at 4:13 PM on November 19, 2014
In any case, congratulations!
posted by Quilford at 4:13 PM on November 19, 2014
The quote in the title is from Marquis' thank you post on Said the Gramophone. There's lots to quote from in the book, but the best one might be from the opener of his Giller acceptance speech: "I feel like a whale who has found a whole city in his mouth."
posted by furtive at 10:11 AM on November 20, 2014
posted by furtive at 10:11 AM on November 20, 2014
It made Flavorwire's Best Indie Fiction of 2014 list.
posted by tofu_crouton at 8:53 AM on November 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by tofu_crouton at 8:53 AM on November 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
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posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 3:57 PM on November 15, 2014 [2 favorites]