Normally when I write a blog, I try to make it something that can appeal to a wide audience. Something that it’s worth your time to read no matter who you are.
For example, if I answer a piece of fanmail asking for writing advice, I try to make the blog entertaining even if you’re not an aspiring writer. I make jokes, arcane references, and interesting word usements.
So today, I’m sorry. Because this blog is really just for one person. That’s something I don’t ordinarily do.
Here’s the story:
A couple months ago, a reader sent me a piece of mail. She’s in a high-school senior, and she invited me, in a very polite, n0-pressure way to her graduation party.
It was a lovely letter. And it was a very charming and genteel request. So I thought to myself, “What the hell, if I’m not doing anything that day, maybe I will stop out.”
Then it turned out that I was free that day, (This Monday, Memorial day.) What’s more, I was going to be driving from Madison to Stevens Point that evening. And her hometown was right on my way home….
So I decided I’d stop by and surprise her.
Here’s the problem:
Two days ago when I went looking for the letter she sent, I couldn’t find it. I remember putting it somewhere safe so I wouldn’t lose it. And I can only assume that it’s still there, too safe for me to find it.
I never contacted her, because I wanted it to be a surprise. Also, I didn’t want her to be disappointed if I couldn’t make it.
That means I don’t have any record of her name, the address, or time of the graduation party. I can’t even remember the name of her hometown. I just remember that it was somewhere in south-central Wisconsin.
So here’s what I’m hoping.
That you, that one particular reader, happen to read this blog in time, and drop me a line letting me know when and where your party is. Barring that, maybe one of your friends might read this blog and think to themselves, “Mandy is a big Rothfuss fan, and we live in the right area, maybe she’s the one that blog is about…” Then they’ll tell you to get in contact with me.
(Mandy isn’t the name, mind you. Like I said, I can’t remember the name.)
I realize it’s kind of a vain hope, but I just can’t find the letter.
Here’s what I don’t want:
Now this is the big thing. I don’t want a hundred people to e-mail me asking if I’ll come to their graduations, keggers, bat mitzvas, ritual scarifications, handfastings, whatever.
I really don’t want this. I am specifically asking you n0t to do this. Not in the comments below, not in an e-mail to me. Seriously. Don’t wheedle and bribe and beg at me.
The reason is this, I just can’t go to everyone’s party. So if I have to slog through 30 of those e-mails, I’ll feel guilty as well as put upon and clawed at. And that bad feeling will shit on my day and completely negate any good feeling I’d get out of stopping by the party I’m actually hoping to swing through.
I’m trusting y’all to be cool about this. This is a test, in a way. I’m betting that y’all are polite, civilized people. Please don’t let me down.
Also, please don’t e-mail me with wild speculations as to who it might be. If you think it might be your friend, please e-mail them, not me.
Lastly, (and I hope this goes without saying) but don’t pretend to be the person who sent me the letter if you’re not. The letter had a few distinguishing features, so I’ll find out after a quick e-mail exchange. When that happens, not only will you be on my eternal shit list, but my faith in humanity will be damaged. I’m trying to keep that faith undamaged for at least another year or two….
So for that one reader out there: how about it? Is there a chance in hell that you might check my blog the day before your graduation party?
For the rest of you, I hope you have a lovely memorial day.
With love,
pat
P.S. If you’re in the Madison Area, I’m doing a reading/signing at Room of One’s Own at 2:30 today. Feel free to swing by….
T-shirt Design Contest
So the response to the “would y’all like some t-shirts” question has been answered rather enthusiastically.
I was thinking if we got about 150 people expressing an interest it would be worth doing. Since we got over three times that many responses in less than a day, I’m thinking we’re good to go.
Here’s the plan. I’m eventually going to make t-shirts for three different things.
We’re going to start with the last of these as Worldbuilders won’t be starting up again for months, and Adventures won’t be published for another month or so. (I’m so excited…)
Here’s the problem with the plan: I really don’t have a good idea for a t-shirt design.
Part of the problem is that I work in a non-visual medium. I’m texty. And while I’m good at what I do, raw text doesn’t usually make the most compelling t-shirt design.
There are exceptions, of course….
Shirts like this are fun for a lot of reasons. First, you get to let your freak flag fly. This one not only expresses my undying love for Joss Whedon, but it’s a bit of a star-wars riff, AND the shirt itself is from one of my favorite webcomics. It’s a nerdy hat-trick.
Shirts like this are like wearing geek gang colors. If I’m at a convention and someone says they like my shirt, then I know we have something in common. We’ll have something to chat about if we’re standing together in line.
But, generally speaking, a t-shirt with a bit of a picture is way more interesting.
For those of you that can’t see it that clearly, the t-shirt says: “Pose as a team, ’cause shit just got real.” Yes I love the comic that spawned it, but the real reason I own that particular shirt is because it cracks me up.
Sometimes shirts express a universal truth.
Others provide social commentary.
Or give fair warning.
There are also shirts that I consider stealth geek shirts. For example:
Obviously I’m not stealthing very well right here. But the point is, if I leave the convention and take off my badge, the Fruit Oaty Bar t-shirt looks perfectly normal. It doesn’t scream GEEK! at everyone who looks at me. But at the same time, real Firefly can identify me as a true believer.
Also, it’s a really good color on me. I’m an autumn.
Here’s my thought. A couple years ago when I ran a photo contest, y’all amazed me with your creativity. People climbed onto rooftops, stripped naked, someone even sewed a pair of pants for my book.
I’m hoping to tap into that well of enthusiastic creativity again.
So here’s the deal. For two weeks we’ll be accepting submissions for t-shirt designs. (Until June 23rd) Then we’ll winnow through them and put up the cream of the crop here on the blog for people to discuss and vote on.
Something cool. The particular flavor of cool I leave entirely to you. Rock my world.
The best option, of course, is that you e-mail us a file with the lovingly crafted design. Even shirts that are just pure text need some graphic design to them.
However, if you’re like me, you have no graphic talent. If that’s the case, you might want to consider teaming up with a friend to design something.
Failing that, you could just send us your description of what you think the shirt should look like. If it seems like a cool idea, I’ll talk to one of my artist friends and see if they can whip something up.
e-mail it to: paperback.contest [squiggly atsign thinger] gmail.com.
First, the envy of your peers. Bragging rights. Adulation and fawning praise.
Second, we’ll come to some sort of arrangement for compensation. If you like, I could just buy the design off you in the same way I’d pay a graphic designer.
Or, if you’d prefer, I could give you something else. I’ve got a handful of first-edition books around here that I could sign for you. And some ARC’s too, if you’re into collectibles. I’ve got posters and a bunch of other stuff. We’ll be able to work something out.
Also, you can probably make a play for some free shirts when they’re done.
Thanks for playing everyone. Remember, the deadline is June 23rd.
pat