Conventions, Forwards, and Jetlag.

So right now I’m in LA. I’m in the eye of the storm, schedule-wise. I was at Worldcon last weekend, and I’ll be at GenCon in a couple of days. Right now I’m helping out a little bit with the Writers of the Future workshop.

And when I say, “a bit” I mean just that. The workshop is run by Tim Powers, who (whom?) I’ve mentioned before on the blog, albeit briefly. He’s one of my favorite authors. And not only does he have an amazing grip on the craft of writing, but he’s a great teacher to boot. That means, for the most part, I feel my best contribution to the workshop is to nod and occasionally chime in with an emphatic “hell yes.”

Worldcon was cool. I sat on some panels talked about writing, and generally avoided making too much of an ass of myself. That’s about as much as I can hope for, overally.

I got about 30 people for my reading, which was nice. I read some poetry, a couple humor columns, including one of my old favorites about guinea pigs, and a tiny piece of book two. Not even hardly a taste, just a tease.

I also had my first experience of randomly seeing someone reading my book in public. Unfortunately, it was at a convention, so it only counts for half points, but it was still pretty cool.

I think I freaked out the woman who was reading it though. I walked up to her and said, “That’s my book!” She looked up at me with mingled surprise and horror. Understandable really, that’s how I’d feel if I looked up and saw some freakish hobo-muppet crossbreed grinning down at me.

Next weekend I’ll be at Gencon, doing all manner of panels, readings, and signings. I’ll also be making appearance at the local library, accompanied by the awesome costumers who won the photo contest. A good time will be had by all.

And in related news, I’ve written my first-ever introduction. It’s for the new Order of the Stick collection.

Gech. Stupid hotel computer. I can’t make it display the cover of the book. You’ll just have to follow the link, I guess.

If the comic sounds familiar, it should. Rich Burlew was the cartoonist who did the lovely tribute to Gary Gygax that I linked to a while back.

It was fun writing the forward for the book, as I really love the comic. Plus Rich drew a comic version of me which is pretty dead on. If you’re interested, the book will be available for sale at Gencon, and can be ordered off Rich’s website.

That’s all for now folks,

Pat

This entry was posted in conventions, hodgelany, recommendations, side projectsBy Pat34 Responses

34 Comments

  1. Jim C. Hines
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 7:08 PM | Permalink

    Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!And dude, you got to write an OotS intro? In my envy, I may have to re-declare war on you! (Do you know if Burlew is going to be at GenCon by any chance?)

  2. Anonymous
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 7:48 PM | Permalink

    Did you sign the ladies book or did she run away?

  3. Adam B. Shaeffer
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:03 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, while you’re out here in L.A., are you doing any signings or making any appearances outside of Writers of the Future? I’ve been hoping for the past year and a half that you’d make it out to my neck of the woods, and here you are! It would be awesome to meet you, hear you read a little something, get an autograph, or whatever.But you may not be out here much longer if you’re heading off to GenCon soon . . .

  4. Pentagathus
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:08 PM | Permalink

    Are hobos and muppets bred?I do hope you shouted at her in a voice that resembles that of brian blessed since you look a little bit like identical twins.I also hope you didn’t just shout at her and walk off, that would be even scarier for her.

  5. Kalligenia
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:12 PM | Permalink

    I’m excited to see you this weekend at GenCon and listening to you on some panels. I just hope I can manage to speak when I ask you to sign my book!

  6. Robert Crandall
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:16 PM | Permalink

    So…meeting someone who was reading your book? It didn’t end like in Californication? I guess that would be a different story altogether…

  7. greg
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:20 PM | Permalink

    OotS is awesome. I’m friends with the guy who does the art for Erfworld, the other comic on the site that hosts OotS.

  8. Melanie
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 8:38 PM | Permalink

    I was at Pat’s Worldcon reading! He announced the name of book 3, which was a neat surprise.But I didnt get my book signed, so I’ll have to do that at V-con.

  9. Brandy
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 9:49 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, please bring your guinea pig humor column to CONvergence; I love guinea pigs.Happy busy schedule.

  10. logankstewart
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 9:57 PM | Permalink

    hobo-muppet crossbreed…hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

  11. matt
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 10:42 PM | Permalink

    As for the lady reading your book… Taken out of context, she might have thought you were mugging her. “Hey, that’s my book!” sounds a lot like “Give back my book or I’ll pummel you with my man-fists!”

  12. Todd Moses
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 11:20 PM | Permalink

    He gave out the title of the third book???Share! (Please? :-) )

  13. Mary J.
    Posted August 12, 2008 at 11:49 PM | Permalink

    There’s a working title listed here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_RothfussOMG, Pat! That picture makes you look mean and scary.See you Thursday!

  14. Amanda
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 2:06 AM | Permalink

    I was just about to comment to you on how you haven’t been writing much lately, and how I hoped it was due to excessive amounts of writing.Turns out you just have a life. But I’m gonna keep hoping.

  15. Jennifer
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 6:51 AM | Permalink

    Well, my husband and I were going to go to GenCon, but then we were supposed to be moving. Now the moving plans are scrapped and we can’t get time off work. It sucks. However, one of my co-workers is running a LARP at GenCon and I’m bribing him with cookies to take my book for you to sign, Pat. Should I have him share the cookie bribe?

  16. marky
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 8:06 AM | Permalink

    Mmmm. L.A. The beach. The Babes. The running very slow with a red swimsuit on. You lucky bugger. What a great life writers must have. Swaning about from town to town, giving people the chat. I am extremely envious. Although if I was going to be a writer I think I would write romance novels. I’d only have lady fans and I would wear a cravat and speak of the love.Mary. Your so right. That is a well scary picture of Pat. He looks like somebody’s stood on his favourite toy.

  17. Jeff
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 9:36 AM | Permalink

    Seeing the picture of you at the WorldCon, I can totally imagine the reaction of that poor lady.By the way,is the working title any different from the actual title?I hope you have fun at the Gencon,Jeff

  18. Captain Joe
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM | Permalink

    “That’s my book!” roared Reverend Rothfuss, his excitement mistaken for attempted robbery.“Ahhhh…” screamed a terrfied young woman. “A freakish hobo-muppet crossbreed, and he’s grinning.”Her can of mace appeared as if by magic. Too late to realise her mistake, she delivered a world of hazy pain upon the God of the Written Word. Thankfully, the eye-burning spray was deflected by a high-powered laser-field-shield generated by the brushing of bristles within the mighty beard.Armageddon was averted.Afterwards, there was cake.And it was good.*~*~*~*I was missing a blog update, Pat, I surely was. Sounds like you’re having worlds of fun – awesome!~Cap’n Joe

  19. Llyralei
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 3:04 PM | Permalink

    You went all the way to LA when Baltimore was hundreds of miles closer and Peter S. Beagle was there? D:lol I’m glad you seem to be having a great deal of fun, though. :] I got back from Otakon on Sunday (where I saw Mr. Beagle, and many people who looked curiously like you). Hopefully one year you can squeeze Otakon in your schedule. :D You like anime, right? xD;Anyway, I think I’m rambling, but maybe when I come into some money I’ll buy the OotS comic. It seems wonderful. :D

  20. LiquidWeird
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 6:25 PM | Permalink

    Pat Rothfuss + OoTS = so much awesome amassed in one place that even light cannot escape. Great. Now I have to buy the book as soon as it’s available. I have all the other OoTS books, so obviously I’d have gotten it, but now I’ve got twice the reason to read it.I wanna see the Beard (GBUI)done stick-style.

  21. Pete
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 9:48 PM | Permalink

    Everyone seems too scared to actually say the name of the third book, so I’ll just spoil it for everyone. The 3rd book is “Kvothe and the Magic Cookies”There, now there’s nothing left to spoil. (the cookies are the true form of the chandrian btw)

  22. Sienged
    Posted August 13, 2008 at 11:43 PM | Permalink

    Well, maybe from now on you’ll pick your words more carefully. “I wrote that.” maybe or maybe not. hahaThanX Mary J. for telling us where to find the potential title but not posting it. In all honesty I want to wait until I’ve read the WMF before i learn it.Pete, I can guarantee that Kvothe will not be in the title.As for the Chandrian true form being cookies??, that would sure explain a lot. Like the absence of milk.

  23. potsofclay
    Posted August 14, 2008 at 12:08 AM | Permalink

    I’ve recommended your book on my newly created blog http://potsofclay.wordpress.com/. I hope I can get some people to pick it up and read it as it is brilliant! I can’t wait for book 2.

  24. Anonymous
    Posted August 14, 2008 at 12:32 AM | Permalink

    Just re-read your Gygax post. Who the hell _is_ Brett Farve? He seems to have been in the news a lot lately.

  25. Todd Moses
    Posted August 14, 2008 at 5:26 PM | Permalink

    How about “Kvothe vs. The Hobo-Muppet Crossbreeds”?

  26. Pete
    Posted August 15, 2008 at 3:37 AM | Permalink

    anyonymous:you don’t know brett favre?….? wow?

  27. Anonymous
    Posted August 15, 2008 at 4:17 AM | Permalink

    ummm…how many people think that Pat should include a map of the arcanum in the upcoming book?? wouldn’t that be sweet??

  28. Jennifer
    Posted August 15, 2008 at 11:29 AM | Permalink

    It was awesome to meet you last night at the library in Indianapolis, Pat! I was the girl in the Beatles shirt who was going to bring you handmade socks. I’ll probably have to mail them now. Pat is even more awesome in person. He read us poems. He drew me a picture in my book! And he also gave me permission to beat my customers into submission until they buy his book. :)It was a wonderful talk. I think everyone had a great time and it was well worth driving down from Lafayette. Thanks again, Pat!

  29. Kip, The DM
    Posted August 15, 2008 at 6:25 PM | Permalink

    hmm, I’m just hoping to get the town where “Kote”‘s Inn is added to the map, so I can see it in relation to things. A map of the arcanum would fill me with the jolly-wobbles, whatever those are.Pat, While my current D&D buddies are off at college, I plan on writting my own campaign setting, would you like to be in it? If so what would you like to be? if you want I can just email you. I’m going to try to incorporate sympathy into it (my ongoing brain sucking project). But I will most likely fail knowing the unweildiness of the d20 system.Good to hear you are having fun-ish.

  30. Pat
    Posted August 15, 2008 at 11:53 PM | Permalink

    Good lord. That picture on my Wikipedia page makes me look like a serial killer. And an ugly serial killer at that…. Anyone know how to change one of those? Kip: I’m flattered to be included, you should probably make me some puckish-but-surly-but-sexy fae creature.

  31. James
    Posted August 16, 2008 at 12:22 AM | Permalink

    It was wonderfull to see you at Worldcon, thanks for being so friendly and cool.

  32. Kip the tired
    Posted August 18, 2008 at 12:32 PM | Permalink

    hmmmmm…..thinking…….It can be done.

  33. Laura
    Posted August 19, 2008 at 2:46 PM | Permalink

    /checks wiki link//laughs aloud at photo//encounters working title of third/Ha! Another little tidbit to support my predictions. Feeling quite arrogantly confident now.When you makes us wait this long, our brains work overtime….

  34. nomadic homemaker
    Posted August 19, 2008 at 10:31 PM | Permalink

    Patrick,You ARE coming to DragonCon in Atlanta, right? Please, please do!And where can I find a schedule of your public appearances? DragonCon’s site just mentions that you’ll be there but it’s a big place…I want to hear your reading, even if it’s just a teaser ;)Tatyana

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • RSS info

  • Visit Worldbuilders!

  • Our Store

  • Previous Posts

  • Archives



  • Bookmark this Blog!

    (IE and Firefox users only - Safari users, click Command-D)