ROBIN HOBB

As I always do the night before I embark to a convention, my introvert self suddenly wonders, "Why am I doing this?"  

But the answer is a simple one. It's because I enjoy meeting readers.  And I love connecting with friends I haven't seen, sometimes, for years!  So, despite dragging a suitcase through a crowded airport, and sitting in a cramped airplane seat to get there, I am looking forward to the convention.

Belatedly, I am going to let you know where to find me if you happen to be at International Comic Con in Sand Diego and want to connect.  Bear in mind that while I do not charge for autographs, some of the places I'll be signing have rules about how many things I can sign, and what you must do to line up.  I'll try to cover those.

Thursday  July 25

This has become my busy day at the convention!

12:30 PM -   1  Table 1 at PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/BOOK WORLD – Booth #1514/#1515/#1623. Giveaway of the first in the Farseer series, ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE.  

 BUT  For all signings in the booth, distribution of tickets will begin at 10am at Table 1 and move to the checkout area at 10:45am. For signings that require a book purchase, tickets will be distributed at the time of the book purchase while supplies last.  I do not require a book purchase!

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM DARK HORSE COMICS - Booth 2615. Signing of Dark Horse Comics 's ASSASIN APPRENTICE (graphic novel) with author Jody E Houser.

There will be wonderful Swag given away at the Thursday signing at the Dark Horse Comics booth. You can get a free print signed by Jody Houser and me.

But You will need a wristband! WRISTBAND INFO: Some signings require a wristband for entry, as noted on the schedule. Drawings for wristbands for these events will begin when the exhibit hall opens to the public the day before and the day of each signing and will end when all allotted wristbands have been given out. Come to the Dark Horse booth early (9:30 am is when the exhibit hall opens!) for the wristband drawings and for the best chance to attend these events.

Friday  July 26

2:30 to 7   Sails Pavilion  AA14  In addition to signing what you present to me, Kat and I have planned to have a token gift for readers.  As far as I can tell, no wristbands or early sign up required. So come on by, say hello, and I can sign a program or whatever book you bring. Mysterious Galaxy will be selling books at Booth 1119.   I promise I will stay until 7 PM, so if the line is long at first, come by a bit later.  

Saturday  July 27   

This is my 'fun for me' day.  No time committments except some meet ups with writer friends.  But if you see Kat and I wandering about, don't hesitate to say hello!

And Sunday is my fly home day.  

That's it!  Hope to see you there!

Do you want your life to be better 5 or even 10 years from now?

Then vote.

Regardless of your political stance on anything, the only way you will get closer to whatever goal you hope for is to vote.  

And vote in ALL the races.  Not just for President or Governor.  Look at your state Senators and Representatives.  Look at your county Executive, your Assessor, your Sheriff.  Vote for the judges in your state Supreme Court and your County Superior Court.  Look at your state Treasurer, your Superintendant of Public Instruction, and of course your Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Vote for all the 'less important' government posts.  Because the candidates who win those posts are on their way up the political ladder.  You are going to see the names of the winners again, over and over, in the next decade.  

The best way to eliminate extremists and wackos is at the lower levels of the elections.  It's like pulling weeds in a garden.  Cull them while they are small, and they don't overshadow your plants and spread seed.  

Watch the 'little' politcal posts in your local elections.  Who is running for school board and what do they stand for?  The kids who are ten years old now and in school will be voting in eight more years, and they will vote based on what they've been allowed to learn.  Even if you don't have kids of your own in school, the kids who grow up to be voters are going to have a big effect on your life. 

Find out who is on your local Council for the Arts, and other volunteer organizations serving your community.

Vote for the people who share your values. Push them up the ladder.

And the ones who are already in power?  Make your voices heard,  Write an email when your representative or senator does something good.  Write letters when they do something stupid.  They do  care about your vote.  Make them earn your support.

Make things better for yourself in the future.

It's time for another reminder of how to do this.

With traffic and other obstacles,  I don't drive up to University Book Store in Seattle as often as I used to.  

But I will be there to sign and dedicate special orders on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Please note this is not a 'meet the readers and sign books' occasion.  I drive up, head for the basement where the orders are waiting on a rack for me, and I sign them all.  Then University Book Store ships them out to the people who have ordered them.

Most asked question:  Where do I ask for an autograph on the order form? 

Please make that request in the comments section.  And for my sake, be very specific.  Not "It's my grandma's birthday, can you sign a book for her?"  but "Please sign this 'Happy Birthday to Amanda Jones. You made it to 70!'   That makes it so clear to me, and I don't sign it 'To Grandma.'

I live in a different country.  Will they ship a book to me?

Of course.  But shipping may be expensive, so take a look at it before you commit to buying the book. 

Because I do not get up to Seattle as often as I used to, please plan ahead if you want the book for a special occasion.  For example, if you want a signed book for an event in July, please order it now, as I may not get up to Seattle again until August. 

Thanks to all of you who love signed books!  And just a note that I'm not the only Pacific Northwest writer who leaves signed books there.  Do you love Bridgerton or the Dresden Files?  Check out what the bookstore has to offer in signed books.  

Help keep brick and mortar bookstores in business!