So on Twitter the other day, in a fit of frustration, I posted this:

I should not buy a $70 prop and light it on fire just because the internet is not giving me the cover image I want. >_<

— Marie Brennan (@swan_tower) February 6, 2016

Which of course promptly led to a bunch of people saying that no, I totally should do that. After the third or fourth of those, I issued this challenge:

ALL RIGHT INTERNET if you want me lighting things on fire for work, somebody mail me a gold, medievalish crown you don’t need back intact.

— Marie Brennan (@swan_tower) February 6, 2016

Until someone steps up to that plate, I am not going to destroy things just for your entertainment. 😛

— Marie Brennan (@swan_tower) February 6, 2016

…but if somebody DOES mail me a suitable crown, I will blog/tweet the burnination for the entertainment of all. <g>

— Marie Brennan (@swan_tower) February 6, 2016

And, well. I think I’m actually serious about this. If you have a crown you don’t want back (or don’t mind getting back charred and possibly warped), get in touch with me. The following requirements apply:

1) It needs to be metal, as nothing else will last long enough in the fire to be of use. (Doesn’t have to be gold, though.)

2) Should look at least vaguely royal/medieval — no bridal tiaras here.

3) Has to be full-size.

If you have something that fits that bill, send a picture of it to marie {dot} brennan {at} gmail {dot} com. As promised, if I get what I need, I will take blog/tweet the whole process, with color commentary. But I need it soon, so be prepared to act quickly if you offer up your crown!

And thanks in advance to anybody who might be able to help.

FORGOT TO ADD: If you do provide me with a crown, I’ll send you your choice of the audiobook of A Natural History of Dragons on CD, a UK trade paperback of Midnight Never Come, or an ARC of In the Labyrinth of Drakes.