The Upcoming London Reading (and my growing pigeon obsession.)

It’s 4:30 AM here in Paris. Sarah has been asleep for hours. And I’m exhausted from a long day of fighting the urge to try catching a pigeon with my bare hands.

I’m fairly certain I could do this. What I don’t understand is *why* I want to do this. I know I shouldn’t for good reasons: ethical and social, not to mention my own health and safety. Nevertheless, this is a growing desire in me, and it takes more energy to fight the impulse every day. I don’t know how much longer I can resist…

I said I’d post up a picture of the Amsterdam reading – So here you are:

We had a great turnout, and they were a great audience. Thanks for coming everyone.

Oh my god. Sarah just oinked in her sleep. It was like a tiny little snore that she closed her mouth in the middle of. It sounded just like a tiny little piggie, “oink.” It was the cutest thing.

Okay, she can’t know that I told you about it. It will be our little secret.

I’ve already mentioned my London signing. That’s at Forbidden Planet and everyone is welcome to come.

There will also be a reading afterwards, unfortunately, it will only have about 50 seats available. It will be on Thursday May 21st at 7:30 PM right after the signing at Forbidden Planet.

Since there probably won’t be enough seats for everyone interested, there’s going to be a drawing to see who gets to come. If you’d like to be one of the chosen few, send the answer to this question to the address listed below:

“Kvothe is the main character in the fabulous The Name of the Wind, but what is his name when we first meet him?”

Now, do I have to state the obvious here? You should only send in the answer if you’re interested AND AVAILABLE TO ATTEND THE LONDON READING. This means if you work on Thursday night, don’t e-mail my UK publisher with the answer. Because then they might draw your name and it might screw someone else out of the chance to go to the reading. Similarly, if you’re in jail, don’t e-mail my UK publisher with the answer. If you live somewhere like, say, Montana, don’t e-mail my UK publisher with the answer.

The last one doesn’t have anything to do with you being too far away to go to the reading. I just don’t like folks from Montana.

Okay. We clear on the basic principles here? Don’t you embarrass me in front of my British publisher. I swear I will pull this blog right over….

You can mail them at: gollancz.feedback [squiggly at sign thinger] orionbooks.co.uk.

Lastly, thanks to the kindness of several fans who have offered to drive my worthless right-side-of-the-road American ass around, I WILL be doing the signing in Taunton on the 26th. I don’t have all the details yet, such as address, exact start time, etc. But I’m figuring it will be in the evening.

Just giving y’all as much advance warning as possible, and I’ll post the specifics as soon as they become available.

More soon,

pat

This entry was posted in foreign happenings, Sarah, signing booksBy Pat51 Responses

51 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 2:42 AM | Permalink

    Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat. It isn’t about people who come from Montana – its about people who continue to live there. People who come from Montana have at least figured out how screwed the state is and have moved to another state. People who continue to live there are clearly in denial.

  2. LaShawn
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 2:43 AM | Permalink

    Okay, what is <>with<> you and birds? First the duck, now this. I swear, if your next book starts off with Canadian geese, we’ll have to get you committed.

  3. Pat
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 2:48 AM | Permalink

    Don’t you know about the bird?

  4. Pat
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 2:49 AM | Permalink

    Everybody’s heard….

  5. Jonathan
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 2:51 AM | Permalink

    I have actually given in to the urge and grabbed a french pigeon. I have no regrets. It was in front of Notre Dame after the sparrow man let me feed the sparrows out of my hand. One close encounter led to the other.

  6. Vasko
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 3:26 AM | Permalink

    The bird bird bird, the bird is the word?

    Back to having a boy, and help in naming him Kvothe?

  7. Anonymous
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 4:09 AM | Permalink

    You should get some carrier pigeons when you get back to the states.

  8. Amanda
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 4:19 AM | Permalink

    Why do you have such sexy readers? If I were a major author of some sort, I’m convinced I’d be jealous of you and your hot fans.

    You realize that now, you are probably going to be sent a pigeon for a pet in the near future. You’ll come back to Point and find it sitting in your mailbox, slightly ruffled and extremely perturbed at being ignored for an extended period of time and it’ll probably claw your fingers as you attempt to grab it, thus driving out your extreme urge to grab a pigeon.

    Just so you know.

  9. Skyler H.
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 6:35 AM | Permalink

    I think the pigeon obsession is a natural phenomenon developed from being in a state of broke-college-student for any period of time. The body cultures this reflex on the most instinctual level in order to prepare for the eventuality of avoiding starvation. Also applicable to persons of a “homeless” status.

  10. SirKelsalot
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 8:14 AM | Permalink

    Sodding heck.
    The reading. It’s on my birthday.
    And I can’t go!! *flails at being a penniless northerner*

    Glad that the Amsterdam reading went well though, and best of luck with London! :D

    There are plenty of pigeons in London that you can catch, if Paris didn’t work out. In fact, why just stop at one? You could be just a little more epic and catch two! At once! All you need is some food as bait…

    Ehem. Not that I’m an expert on hunting/catching pigeons! *shifty eyes* :)

  11. TauntonianLurker
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 9:16 AM | Permalink

    Well that’s it, you’ve finally done it. Forced me from my hole of self imposed silence, breaking into the reverie brought on by watching the happenings here through the aperture of said hole (ooh err)..

    I for one am happy to hear that you WILL be coming to Taunton for in that case I shall see you there. In fact i know of another person that shall see you there as yes even my mother will be there as I insisted she read your book based upon the sheer unadulterated awesomeness of your use of the written word…and maybe the beard.

    Now do you see what happens when I’m struck by the urge to comment, it just goes on and on.

    Now, the brightness hurts my eyes.

    Adieu

  12. Moteth
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 9:20 AM | Permalink

    Aww,

    You can tell by the photo that the Amsterdam fans all have a crush on you!

    There are coy smiles, downcast eyes, attentive postures – look – the girl at the back-left is even hidding behind her copy.

    Do you often make rooms of people fall in love with you? Thats power.

  13. Anonymous
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 9:38 AM | Permalink

    i don’t know about pigeons….grabbed a squirrel once though…bit and scratched my hands….
    anyhow, whats up with edinburgh? you still coming or what?
    still awaiting you and growing more impatient everyday

  14. KMack
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM | Permalink

    I have just e-mailed your publisher. I am very over-excited about thursday, already, and am not expecting to win. However, I just wanted you to know that I answered correctly without using the internet, while I am in Cardiff and my book is in London. (Don’t worry, I will be in London on thursday, so I won’t waste a seat.) Looking forward to meeting you, still haven’t thought of anything cool to say. Kaylie

  15. Luuk
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 10:42 AM | Permalink

    Yeah this is cool….
    I’m standing on the foto in Amsterdam!
    Thanks Pat, it was so great…
    pigeon?

  16. Jambo
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 12:20 PM | Permalink

    I’ve entered the draw!

    If I win a place, would you like me to bring a pigeon?

    I’m pretty sure I could hide several of them about my person, like a magician does with doves.

    Really looking forward to Thursday.

    Enjoy the Eurostar.

  17. Alex
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM | Permalink

    I’ve been lurking here rather than posting, but that pigeon comment means I have to tell a story.

    My mother is a prim woman in her 60s, armed with a refined sense of propriety that she uses to great passive-aggressive effect. One winter, my wife and parents went on vacation to Hawaii and were all eating outside at a restaurant. Pigeons were thick underfoot, looking for fallen scraps underneath the tables. My mother was fascinated by these birds and started dangling her hand underneath the table. I grumbled at her to stop harassing them. Partway through our meal, she raised her hand above the table in triumph, clutching a spasming, flabbergasted pigeon in her bare hand. She declared proudly, “Look! I got one!” People at nearby tables stared, and we were all completely mortified. We whispered frantically for her to put the bird down.
    Ever since, I can always tease her about this wackiness whenever she starts going off on how I should wear nicer shirts or advance my career. It’s wonderful.

    So Pat…just dangle your hand non-threateningly. Perhaps with a bit of food, but definitely with an abundance of patience. You may grab your very own pigeon, too!

  18. Vae
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 1:01 PM | Permalink

    pigeons huh? and haven’t you heard? Why everybody’s heard that the bird is the word….

    oh and just out of curiosity, am I to assume that the name you are referring to for the little contest thingy is NOT the name that bast calls him?

  19. Jennifer
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 3:14 PM | Permalink

    Oh yes, the pigeons of Paris. Somewhere around here is a picture of me, sitting on the steps of Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a crumbled up granola bar in my hand, and about a dozen pigeons eathier around me or on me. I just wanted to feed a couple and they swarmed. My husband had to take a picture of me, once he stopped laughing. One of the great memories of our honeymoon there.

    On another note…the audiobook I ordered finally came in! I’m going to load it up on my iPod and then go to the park and knit. I know, my life is so exciting.

  20. Sarah
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 4:54 PM | Permalink

    My husband and I just got back from London, and I wanted to kick a pigeon. Not that I wanted to hurt it, but I just got the feeling that the pigeon wouldn’t have bothered to move out of the way if I tried. Weird.

    By the way congratulations on finishing up the book.

  21. Steve
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 6:06 PM | Permalink

    London is not going to do anything to help your pigeon obsession at all, I’m afraid…

  22. Malikelm
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 6:38 PM | Permalink

    I want to meet you so bad Sir Rothfuss, so suspiciously bad…

  23. DonQuixote
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 7:39 PM | Permalink

    Pat, I have a perfectly good reason for the pidgeon experience…actually, Tom Lehrer has…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-DHBiYnrc

  24. Tesse
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 7:44 PM | Permalink

    Ok enough about the birds, everyone!

    About the reading…..you englishmen are in for some nice time with Pat :). We in holland had a great time listening to him, and I also greatly respect his signing books for about 2 hours giving everyone a personalized signing.

    Thanks for drawing my hippo Mr. Rothfuss.

  25. Tyson
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM | Permalink

    The pigeon thing is a subconscious reaction to reading Arya Stark’s efforts in Martin’s Game of Thrones. You want to see if you can do it for yourself.

  26. Sarah
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM | Permalink

    Pat, the place to catch pigeons with your bare hands is outside of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. I know there was a certain one footed pigeon affectionally called Stumpy when I was there around New Years.

  27. Tina
    Posted May 19, 2009 at 11:23 PM | Permalink

    I’ve had this ordered since last year!! :'(

    Hello from Amazon.ca.

    We’re sorry to report the release of the following item has been cancelled:

    Patrick Rothfuss (Author) “Wise Mans Fear”

    Although we’d expected to be able to send this item to you, we’ve since found it won’t be released after all. Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience we’ve caused you.

    We’ve cancelled this item from your order.

    Your credit card will not be charged for this item, because you only pay for items when we ship them to you.

    Your order is now closed.

    Please note: This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.

    Thanks for shopping at Amazon.ca – we hope to see you again!

  28. Kate
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 1:23 AM | Permalink

    My friends have called me *answer to your question* for years! Moreover it was my birthday on Monday when you wrote this. Just a couple of the reasons that chance/your publisher if uscrupulous should pick me for a place at the reading :)

    Fingers crossed!

  29. fozmeadows
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 3:39 AM | Permalink

    Firstly: If you really want to catch a pigeon, may I suggest laying a trail of crumbs on the ground in a bird-heavy, relatively pedestrian-free area and sitting down at one end of it? This technique worked when I was a kid, although admittedly, once I had hold of the pigeon, I wasn’t quite sure what to do except let it go.

    Secondly: Pigeons are not dirty. Tamora Pierce said so. http://tammypierce.livejournal.com/25977.html

  30. marky
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 11:39 AM | Permalink

    Firstly Pat, I’d like to apologise for the ineptitude and lethargy of the bookstores in Scotland. It’s a disgrace that will live with us longer than deep fried mars bars.

    And secondly, it might be a good thing that you’ve got no signings here. It means you can explore places like Iona, Inverness, Orkney, Sky, Arran and many more cool wee places.

    Wherever you end up, I hope you enjoy the rest of yer holly-bags.

  31. Soreya
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 12:58 PM | Permalink

    Patrick,

    I just want to use this little comment to thank you and my runes of magic friend Luhaine (I own you one, thx mate)(who I haven’t even met in real life) and your coöperation that will result into me getting a signed version of your book.

    I knew you couldn’t come to Belgium and I felt a bit sad when that was confirmed by you, but at least you mentioned Belgium and I appreciated you took your time to explain why you couldn’t make it. But then I started thinking … Those other signings aren’t that far away. I had to work so wasn’t able to make it. So next step: if I couldn’t make it, why not someone else? I asked my guild on game(rom) to help me out and Luhaine instantly offered to help me and get an autograph for me at the Amsterdam signing. He even got me a dutch version of the book (I hadn’t bought it yet since I couldn’t decide which version I was going to buy). At the moment the book is shipping to Belgium. Wow I just can’t wait to see the quote you wrote in it. Luhaine and Patrick you make an excellent team :)
    Thanks again guys.

    PS.
    At work we finally got rid off the pigeons, the climax being my boss nearly killing one with a mop stick, but that’s a story for an other time.

  32. Jamie
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 2:11 PM | Permalink

    Sweet, Gillian Redfearn just sent me an invite to the reading!

    See you there…

  33. Anonymous
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 5:03 PM | Permalink

    Geez, I worry that I ‘get’ the bird thing. Thank you for the laugh today. I should say ‘laughs’, as I also loved the oink. You are good at 4:30 am

  34. Alicia
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 6:57 PM | Permalink

    Penniless Northerner! He’s going to Manchester on 28th! I too am a penniless northerner, but I will get there if I have to …. I don’t know how I’d limit myself there really. If I have to forge my way there using only my teeth, I may have a problem :S

    Pat; it’s gonna be awesome. :) So looking forward to this!

    Also, pigeons are surprisingly sharp. Like rabbits. They look fairly fluffy, then they kick you with thwacking great talons and you regret it all :(

    -A-

  35. Natasja
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 10:23 PM | Permalink

    Loved the reading in Amsterdam! It’s funny how when you read a book you create an image of the author in your head, and you always turn out to be so wrong. Well after the ABC event i’ve come to a more real and yet slightly disturbing view of mr. Rothfuss; that is a recreational shoplifter (with a heart!) with a strange fascination with pickpockets and apparently… birds. But who is, of course, a fantastic storyteller!

    Thanks a lot for reading/signing and hopefully we can welcome you back in a couple of years! We have pigeons too you know.

    PS: I’m in the picture too, whooo!!

  36. Avala
    Posted May 20, 2009 at 10:53 PM | Permalink

    Pat, how can you not like people from Montana!? And you first Anonymous guy, what do you mean by “it isn’t about people who come from Montana – its about people who continue to live there.”? What’s wrong with you people?!!! Pat, I think I agree with Sara here, don’t grab the pigeons. Lay off the Montanans!

  37. Anonymous
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 2:19 AM | Permalink

    Please have mercy!
    And don’t post such stuff about pigeons or other weird urges anymore (like having to look around because you’re sure someone is doing something behind your back).
    I have to admit that I feel a similar urge when I see those birds and they just walk by, pretending to be totally unconcerned. But now, everytime I see a pigeon I burst out laughing in the middle of the street – I can see it coming that I will have to read book two in the confinement of a nice padded cell similar to the ones in the rookery…
    By the way, if I were Sarah, I would take my sweet revenge by posting a nice picture of you when you are asleep and drooling!
    Great that the Amsterdam reading was such a success and you made so many people happy! Enjoy the rest of your tour and trip, which will be much easier as you won’t have any more problems ordering a coffee!

  38. HEARTFELT
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 5:47 AM | Permalink

    Hi Pat,
    I shall be abandoning my two toddler’s with my mum and make my way across London just to see you!
    I shall not miss this opportunity! I have already purchased a signed copy online, last year (for an extortionate sum!!)but shall bring it along all the same.
    I hope you enjoy your tour eneough to return next year!

  39. thiRSa.. .
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 12:16 PM | Permalink

    Thank you sooooo much for taking the time in your holiday to do the reading/signing in Amsterdam.
    It was lovely (and funny).
    And my siser-in-law (Yukiko) really liked the drawing ;o)
    greetings thiRSa.. .

    ps: i’m advertising your book to everyone i know. (although most people seem to ignore me when i start talking about books, so strange?)

  40. thiRSa.. .
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 12:19 PM | Permalink

    i ment sister, not siser :o(
    (i can speak english ;)

  41. enjai
    Posted May 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM | Permalink

    Hi Patrick.
    Thanks a lot for signing my copy and failing to think of anything “witty” to add to it :)

    It’s always great to meet authors who are willing to have a quick chat with fans whilst signing a book and not look weary when we ask you the same questions. Hope you enjoy your visit in the UK – you picked a good week for the london weather at least.

  42. Anonymous
    Posted May 22, 2009 at 3:08 PM | Permalink

    Who’s that girl? Front, left, with the trench and jeans, long, dark hair cascading about her shoulders. Wow! You have some fine lookin’ fans Mr. P-Roth!

  43. Trand
    Posted May 25, 2009 at 5:21 AM | Permalink

    Aye, I live in montana thank you very much and the only people who are screwed up are the 25% on meth, the people from california and the whole east side (which we up here in the NW like to call West Dakota). But considering that 25% works into the whole and West Dakota makes up 65% of the state that leaves a solid average of 15% that is quite enjoyable. Yes, we are literate. But alas, Pat, if you dont put out that 2nd book soon I may have to stick my bears on you.

  44. barentanz
    Posted June 4, 2009 at 3:40 PM | Permalink

    Hey, I’m from Montana, and I’m a huge fan (of the state and your books). Why so mean? Just becasue about everyone’s a republican? (I’m not, btw) Not enough people? That’s why most of us love this state. We’re a bunch of red-necks? for the most part that’s true. We don’t have enough people to make a signing worth it on your part? Agreed. I might add that there’s a good chance your ground beef comes from Montana.

  45. Furious George
    Posted June 6, 2009 at 4:17 AM | Permalink

    when we first meet our main character his name is still Kvothe.
    He is called Kote. Kote is who he is being, Kvothe is who he is. Am I right?

  46. Anonymous
    Posted June 8, 2009 at 6:59 PM | Permalink

    My sister tried that pigeon thing in Paris several years back. She grabbed it but missed and pulled all the tail feathers out, rather funny.

  47. Sorcha
    Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM | Permalink

    Hi Pat,
    It feels weird ‘talking’ to you when I’ve never met you but I’m sure I’ll get over that. Just wondering, could you PLEASE come and sign somewhere in Ireland? Please? Anywhere, you name it! I really don’t want to sound like some crazed fan but I’d really love to see you in person (and possibly ask you to sign my much-battered and well-thumbed copy of TNOW ;) ). Thanks for the many happy hours spent engrossed in the book, it’s in my all-time top 5!
    Sorcha.

  48. Z_in_MT
    Posted June 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM | Permalink

    It saddens me that one of my favorite authors could be so hateful of my home, but then again I don’t like your beard so I guess that about makes us even!

    Seriously though, come to Montana sometime for a signing and I’ll show you a million reasons it is a wonderful place. Crazy people, rednecks, and all that aside it’s a pretty nice place.

    P.S. Ok, I can’t lie, I love the beard. I’m just jealous that mine can’t compare :-(

  49. Anonymous
    Posted June 23, 2009 at 9:08 AM | Permalink

    WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO DALLAS?!!!

  50. Colter
    Posted June 26, 2009 at 11:18 PM | Permalink

    *Big teary eyes*

    But I’ve been preaching your awesomeness and earning you sales in Montana all this time!

    He he he, it’s true.

  51. Sahi
    Posted November 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM | Permalink

    And as usual some of my friends have found seats in the front row. I’m still jealous of them, because I had to do a silly thing like painting all the woodwork of our house and couldn’t attend.

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