A neighbor of mine just emailed me with a fantastic opportunity. Hanford Challenge, a not-for-profit that watchdogs the Hanford nuclear cleanup, is holding its annual benefit auction, and they just added a boat ride down the Hanford Reach with author Neal Stephenson and environmental scientist Marco Kaltofen.

I ran it by Paul, and he says that this auction item is actually a really big deal:

Here's my review of his most recent book Reamde. (I know you don't read The Stranger, so you can take my word for it when I say it's a positive review.)

This is a big deal because Stephenson is highly publicity-shy. He's not a Salinger-style recluse—he does readings and things like that—but you can tell that he really treasures his anonymity. Part of the reason he likes his anonymity is that he's a really thoughtful guy; based on my few interactions with him, he's the sort of guy who doesn't just say "fine" when you ask him "how are you?" He doesn't have a bunch of canned anecdotes; he's very present in every interaction. Personal interaction with his many fans takes a lot out of him because he has so many fans, and because he offers so much more of himself than most authors of his caliber.

So what this says to me is: 1) He must feel really strongly about this cause, and 2) Whoever wins this auction will get a real, genuine conversation with the man, not some canned PR appearance. It's a neat, rare opportunity.

And you can trust Paul. Because unlike me, he reads books and stuff.

So don't miss this rare opportunity to boat down the Columbia with Neal Stephenson, while supporting a good cause to boot.