Before we get to today’s main event, I have to say that when I saw THIS, I was filled with geeky delight. Something Positive is one of my favorite webcomics, and if your sense of humor tends toward the slightly deranged, odds are you will find whole days of your life destroyed by the uncontrollable urge to read every last scrap of his archive.
Share and enjoy.
Now. On to business.
A few weeks ago, somewhat overwhelmed by people asking me to sign their books, I posted THIS BLOG. I expected it to act as a slight damper to the book signing requests, but quite the opposite happened.
After hearing a few horror stories from fellow authors, I started to get a little freaked out at the thought of giving out my home address. I tried to get a PO box, but to do that I’d have to get a new driver’s licence. And to do THAT I’d have to go to the DMV.
I don’t know what your local DMV is like. But personally, I can think of better ways to spend my afternoon. For instance, I could go to the local hardware store, buy a ten-penny nail, and then hammer it directly into my eye.
So the PO box plan is temporarily out. But I found a new option. You can send your books to my office at the University where I work.
If you’re sending it through the post office, use this address:
Patrick Rothfuss
English Department
UW-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
If you’re sending it UPS or FED-EX, use this address:
Patrick Rothfuss
English Department
486 CCC
UW-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
And remember the rules. If you want me to sign your book, you need to include:
- The book. (duh)
- Seven dollars for return postage and packaging materials.
- A return address and instructions as to how you’d like me to sign it. (Be specific, I work well under direction.)
- Something cool. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about check out the blog I linked to above.)
Lastly and most importantly, I would like to encourage you to pack your books carefully. Perhaps even obsessively. Padding is important, but the true key to keeping the book safe is to make sure it can’t move around inside the package itself.
If you have any doubts about your packing job, think to yourself: “If I threw this package across the room, into the wall, would the book get hurt?” If the answer is, “yes” then you need to pack it more carefully. These things get really knocked around sometimes. And if your book shows up damaged, I’ll have no real choice but to shed a single tear, sign it, and send it back in its crippled state….
Later,
pat
P.S. Remember, I’m going to be making an appearance over near Minneapolis this Friday (the 21st) from 6-8 at a local store called Back to Books in Hudson. Festivities include signing of books, chatting, and answering of questions. For more details, check out the tour schedule page.
