Home again, home again….

… jiggedy jig.

After about two solid weeks on the road, I’m back at home.

I really didn’t plan on doing so many signings on this trip. But I seem to have a knack for starting things that I think will be small and having them spiral rapidly out of control.

Still, now I know I can do a reading/signing a day and not burn out. It was actually a lot of fun. In fact, if I hadn’t been driving about six hours a day on top of that, it would have been downright relaxing.

The upshot is that it’s much more likely I’ll try to do a bit of a tour when book two comes out…

All the signings went remarkably well, by which I mean nobody threw anything at me or left the room crying halfway through. We got about a hundred people at each store, (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less) which really surprised me, as we kinda threw this whole thing together at the last minute. I’m still more than a little baffled by the fact that some people are willing to drive 2-3 hours to come see me read and get their book signed.

What were the signings like? About what you’d expect:

(Click to Embiggen)

More details in a day or so. Right now I’m still catching up on my sleep and wading through the last of my accumulated e-mail…

pat

This entry was posted in appearances, fan coolness, my beardBy Pat64 Responses

64 Comments

  1. Karl Ruben
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 11:21 AM | Permalink

    That radiant Rothfuss should give me associations to religious imagery, but instead, the picture – and the many stern expressions in it – made me think of those George Perez-y superhero group shots. "Ultra-Beard and His Legion of Apposite Acolytes", perhaps"? I had to click away before I spent hours assigning powers and alter egos to all the fans.
    Good to hear that the tour didn't wear you out, and I'm looking forward to the full recap.

  2. Juhan
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

    Wow, that is one seriously gray beam-beard… :D

    I hope you enjoyed the signings!

    P. S. On Suvudu, Kvothe is about to fight Jaime Lannister – what are your thoughts? The Kingkiller vs. The Kingslayer!

  3. DK
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 11:50 AM | Permalink

    Pat, loved the picture. It quite literally made me laugh out loud (not a small feat before 8 in the morning). I'm quite sad you weren't able to come to South Carolina, I totally would have been there.

  4. Todd Moses
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 12:04 PM | Permalink

    I sure hope that beard is not sparkling like Twilight vampires…

  5. ColdForged
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 1:32 PM | Permalink

    I had big plans for making it to your stop in Virginia Beach. It was perfectly planned! I was driving there that day to run a marathon on the following day. There's no way it could fail! Except that it did, with other things taking up the time. Thanks for setting up all them and hopefully I'll catch you next time.

  6. Jason
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 1:44 PM | Permalink

    Seeing you in person was awesome, and, for the record, totally worth the couple of hours we drove.

    Perhaps in time you'll be less surprised by the lengths even your sane fans go to (I imagine/hope the insane ones will always be a surprise).

  7. Amanda
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 1:57 PM | Permalink

    And the LORD spake, saying "There shall be Rothfuss in radiant glory, and he shall haveth a fandom, and on the day the Rothfuss arriveth, lo, there will be much rejoicing."
    Amen

    Glad you had fun :D

  8. franti
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 2:20 PM | Permalink

    quite a lot of good looking ladies at that signing. Just something I noticed as a hetero male, is all.

  9. Anonymous
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 3:01 PM | Permalink

    Was fun seeing you up in Ohio – Love the quote you wrote for me, still excited for book 2 ;).

  10. M
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 3:23 PM | Permalink

    Have you had your beard checked recently? It seems to radiate some kind of energy.

  11. Anonymous
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 3:38 PM | Permalink

    Anyone that went, can you share any WMF nuggets?

  12. Michael
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 3:47 PM | Permalink

    I'd love to have a signed copy of your book, but the only copy I own is a Kindle copy… do you have a digital signature? ;)

  13. Darb07
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 4:22 PM | Permalink

    "I like to be here when i can . . . ." – pinkfloyd. Was that a reference in the posting title pat? :) LOVE that album!

  14. roseneko
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 4:49 PM | Permalink

    It appears that Pat's beard may be an important source of alternative energy. He should submit a proposal to the science department of his university to study it, and possibly obtain a grant.

  15. Jon
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 4:49 PM | Permalink

    @Michael

    I've heard of two approaches to signing e-book copies.
    1) Ask the author to sign your Kindle case. This presumes you have purchased a case.

    2) Buy a dead-tree copy of the book, just for the purposes of bearing the treasured signature.

    If you won't do at least one of these, can you really call yourself a fan? ^_^

  16. Anonymous
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:13 PM | Permalink

    If you have time, could you do another suvudu cage match post? Kvothe is losing pretty badly right now in the semi-finals, so we really need you to rally the troops to beat out Jaime Lannister (I am a huge martin fan as well as a huge fan of you but come one, a one handed thoughtless brute against one of the sharpest minds who also uses magic? Jaime shouldn't have made it past Cthulhu let alone Temeraire.).

    http://www.suvudu.com/2010/03/cage-match-2010-round-4-14-kvothe-versus-15-jaime-lannister.html

  17. Chris
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:20 PM | Permalink

    I don't care if do a writeup or not, but could you at least put up a blog/facebook about it so that your minions are aware? I know GRRM is doing the same.

  18. Chris
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:24 PM | Permalink

    @Jon and Michael,

    I also own a Kindle, which is where I originally bought the book. I then bought 2 more copies, one to loan out (I would NEVER loan out my precious Kindle) and another that is to sent to the very kind Mr. Pat to lovingly adorn with his signiture.

  19. Jarvis
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:28 PM | Permalink

    @Chris

    There have been two blog posts concerning the Suvudu battle. The minions are surely aware.

    snarf

  20. jblazier
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:52 PM | Permalink

    Thanks again for coming to Cincy. It was a short stop, but I got way more than I expected with the reading and Q&A. You even remembered me sending you a picture with my Heifer loot, which surprised and delighted me enormously. Thanks again for being so accessible, I can imagine it can feel overwhelming at times. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to the book 2 tour.

  21. Alicia
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 5:57 PM | Permalink

    I can tell you why people travel 2-3 hours to get their book signed. It involves math, so you know I'm serious…. :)

    How much does the book cost (varies greatly depending on local currency – supply your own numbers)?
    How long did it take you to read? Again, supply own numbers.

    My numbers tell me that my first read gave me an entertainment cost of less than £2 per hour. My second read brought that down to less than £1 per hour. I've read the book entirely about 4 times and flicked through it for the extra special good bits on a regular basis. Basically, I got several hours of damn near free entertainment from you, and I'm only going to get moe with the other books in the trilogy plus the storybook (which I am waiting for).

    Travelling 2-3 hours – even each way – to let you know how much I appreciate it only barely begins to repay the entertainment time. And frankly, the travel time for me to the Manchester signing was taken up with more reading (I was on a train) and lots of nervous excitement (I find that sensation quite entertaining, it's fairly rare for me) and then added joy on the way home gushing about the experience with my husband.

    In short, you'll get people doing all kinds of crazy things when they enter what can only be described as a cycle of pleasure, however much I wish I could label it as something less innuendo ridden.

    -A-

  22. Anonymous
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 6:44 PM | Permalink

    Unrelated but important; Kvothe v Lannister over at the cage matches…
    I've read me my Ice and Fire and liked the heck out of it but Lannister is running away with this one. People need to hop over there and set the record straight.

  23. Desert Rat
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 6:47 PM | Permalink

    <>

    I don't always embiggen photos for closer examination, but for some reason this one looked curious…and I was rewarded with a big laugh.

    You must come to the desert so we can see your glowing beard in person.

  24. Brett Graham
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 7:03 PM | Permalink

    Everyone quick go vote at SUDUVU.COM for kvothe against Jaime Lannister. We cannot allow some lowbrow swordsman to beat a True namer and Magician!

  25. franti
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 7:08 PM | Permalink

    This suvudu vote is the hardest for me. I think Kvothe might have to edge Jaime out on this one, though. I even made a post on the facebook asoiaf page for people to vote for Kvothe… talk about conflicting loyalties.

  26. Jennifer
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 8:17 PM | Permalink

    Pat,
    Don't forget about the cage matches on Suvudu!!! Kingkiller vs. Kingslayer! It's been exciting so far. Kvoth is so close to winning!

  27. Angela
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 10:12 PM | Permalink

    For the love of all things sacred, go forth and vote for Kvothe, people! We're losing to a guy with ONE HAND!!!

    Suvudu Cage Match: Kvothe vs. Jaime Lannister

  28. Anonymous
    Posted March 30, 2010 at 10:18 PM | Permalink

    I didn't think it was Rothfuss that was glowing, but rather his beard. I honestly think that Rothfuss doesn't write the book at all. He just falls asleep at the keyboard and his -beard- is what writes the story in his sleep. It's why he is so picky with who cuts it, I mean.. you wouldn't want -your- magical money making beard shaved or treated badly would you?

    On another unrelated note, Kvothe is losing rather badly to Jaime in the cage match at Suvudu.. rally the troops and all that if we want to try and save him.

  29. Fernanda
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 12:17 AM | Permalink

    I would love to be there..I live in Brazil :| Man!! I loved The Name of the Wind and I'm really excited to read book two! You can took a long time to finish but you write sooo good that compensates the wait. The best for you Pat!!

  30. fefeled
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 12:17 AM | Permalink

    I would love to be there..I live in Brazil :| Man!! I loved The Name of the Wind and I’m really excited to read book two! You can took a long time to finish but you write sooo good that compensates the wait. The best for you Pat!!

  31. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 12:55 AM | Permalink
  32. Jordan
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 1:42 AM | Permalink

    so your back just in time to recuperate and head over to suvudo to help kvothe out in the semi final match with a little display of his swordsmenship against jaime. its not looking too good so far but its early and i have hope

  33. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 1:53 AM | Permalink

    Seriously, when is the next book ??? Dying here !

  34. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 2:13 AM | Permalink

    Pat, your so fat. Making us wait for book 2 is so whack. If I could I'd give you a smack. It must be done and your just trying to give the hype a jack. And lastly pat, go eat a whole bag of dicks tyty!

  35. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 2:28 AM | Permalink

    Anyone actually looked carefully at that picture of pat's beard? Nearly everyone looks grim/stony/angry except that one guy on the right with his copy of NotW held prominently… what did you do to these people to make them line up for that shot, Pat? Blackmail? Intimidation? Beardbeating? :-\

  36. skittlesaremydrug
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 3:00 AM | Permalink

    Let's put it this way. If you came anywhere near my neck of the woods (and I'm not even limiting myself to my country) I would "fly" to a signing (and I know a few others who would as well).

  37. animeshon
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 3:00 AM | Permalink

    Let’s put it this way. If you came anywhere near my neck of the woods (and I’m not even limiting myself to my country) I would “fly” to a signing (and I know a few others who would as well).

  38. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 3:00 AM | Permalink

    I'm in that picture, third from the right, second row from the top.

    Pat told us all to be stony faced. We took a bunch of different pictures, I think in one we had to flash gang signs.

  39. Tyler W
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 3:54 AM | Permalink

    I sometimes think that you trip was a curse on me from god, a divine punishment, an emotional kamikaze. You come to within a hour walk of my house, but its at 3. Which is a slap in my face since I wouldn't make it. Then when I contemplated skipping school I realized I'm on thin ice with attendance and they swore I would spend up to two weeks in jail.

    I feel I’m entitled to some compensation for you actions, I mean my psychology bills cause the torment of the decision has left me scarred for life. When I grow up to be a street tough(also you fault) I’m going to have a deep seeded resentment toward all fantasy writers. The only solution I see is you come back to the Joseph Beth in Cincinnati in the near future or perhaps a few million under the table.

    I jest(not really, I‘m socially crippled now. I‘ll probably get a few tattoos and start riding a Harley soon) I’m just glad you’ll back and hopefully blogging regularly again.

    PS Emotional kamizame ftw

  40. Furrymoose
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 4:22 AM | Permalink

    Well, I was gonna leave you a comment asking about the cage match and how you were gonna rally the troops, but it seems that there have been quite a few others. Ah, well. I'll say it anyway. For the first time, Kvothe is indeed losing, and by a reasonable margin (though hes coming back!). We need all the help we can get here, and a lot of people would be swayed by a kick-butt story. Though they should be swayed simply by the fact that Kvothe would totally own Lannister, it seems like they aren't.

  41. Ry
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 5:08 AM | Permalink

    Pat, we really, really need a write up for the Cage Match! All those Martin fans are thinking the write up is worthwhile! Pleaseeeee tell me you're working on one and it'll be up before Martin's!

  42. Sean
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 6:09 AM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, nice to hear that you enjoyed the big tour you did. also just a question: are you going to do a write up on the Suvudu match between Kvothe and Jaime Lannister ?. so far the votes show Kvothe behind!. we cant have our Kvothe dieing without making it to the finals!!

  43. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 6:42 AM | Permalink

    About suvudu,

    sorry to say, but I'm for Jaime. Because at this point he is more 3-dimensional character and I know better what he can do and what he cannot. Kvothe's abilities and weaknesses are more… you know, told about, not demonstrated.

    But a write-up might change my mind… just saying ;)

  44. Chris
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 1:18 PM | Permalink

    Tyler W said…
    "I sometimes think that you trip was a curse on me from god, a divine punishment, an emotional kamikaze. You come to within a hour walk of my house, but its at 3. Which is a slap in my face since I wouldn't make it. Then when I contemplated skipping school I realized I'm on thin ice with attendance and they swore I would spend up to two weeks in jail.

    I feel I’m entitled to some compensation for you actions, I mean my psychology bills cause the torment of the decision has left me scarred for life. When I grow up to be a street tough(also you fault) I’m going to have a deep seeded resentment toward all fantasy writers. The only solution I see is you come back to the Joseph Beth in Cincinnati in the near future or perhaps a few million under the table.

    I jest(not really, I‘m socially crippled now. I‘ll probably get a few tattoos and start riding a Harley soon) I’m just glad you’ll back and hopefully blogging regularly again.

    PS Emotional kamizame ftw"

    After reading your post, I think you were best served by going to school. Good lord boy, learn how to write!

  45. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 2:16 PM | Permalink

    Vote for kvothe!!! In the suduvu cage match!!! He's losing, he must not lose!!! hahaha

  46. David de
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 2:37 PM | Permalink

    Pat, enhorabuena por tu trabajo. No sé si entiendes español, pero prefiero escribir en un correcto español que en un desastroso e incompleto inglés.
    Desde que descubrí tu libro el gusanillo de la lectura volvio a crecer en mi después de años hibernando. Me fascinan tus personajes, historias y lugares y por ello queria felicitarte. Y también a la fantastica traducción. No me imagino lo dificil que ha de ser no perder el significado de detalles en otro idioma. Lo dicho. Un saludo desde Madrid y espero verte por qui firmando la segunda entrega!

  47. Jason
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 4:18 PM | Permalink

    Wow… it's amazing how many people feel that the suvudu cage matches are a matter of dire consequence, rather than silly randomness. Like Pat needs to help Kvothe make it to another round of "competition" with Rand al-Thor rather than getting, say, enough sleep, and dealing with things that stacked up during his whirlwind tour. Relax, people. If it weren't already enough of a joke, Ged got knocked out last round, and the guys at Suvudu have no idea what to do with Kvothe besides "Kvothe tries using someone's True Name". The last round is bound to be anticlimactic and enraging.

  48. Jack Lancaster
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 4:33 PM | Permalink

    Damn it all!!! Kvothe is NOT allowed to lose here!!!

    Also, did anybody see the Rand vs. Drizzt wrote up? Laughed my ass off.

    Also… why do I have an image in my head of Pat going Super Saiyan, but just he beard turning blond and crackling with energy??

  49. Baldsilver
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 5:01 PM | Permalink

    heyo, am now on break having a fantastic time skiing in Italy but i just wanted to commend the bit you wrote on the Aslan fight. It was very original…uhhhh nothing else. Oh, and yea, dunno why people kill themselves for readings. I'd only go if I had a question about the book that had really been bugging me, so I could ask and have a verbal response. But I guess it makes you feel good about yourself so congrats, l8r

  50. PeterWilliam
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 5:17 PM | Permalink

    Just got my vote for Kvothe in. Also saw Pat at the Lexington, KY reading/signing. The re-cap of the evening is up at Speculative Book Review.

  51. Patrick
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 6:41 PM | Permalink

    PAT!!

    You have to save Kvothe from Jaime Lannister!! He's losing right now. Quick! Rally the troops and let's kick his ass. We have until April 2 to beat him, and he's down by 1,000 votes right now.

    — Patrick

  52. Benjamin Wyrick
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 7:09 PM | Permalink

    Hey, Pat!
    Thanks for coming to Frederick Maryland!
    I live three hours away, but was still willing to drive.
    It was well worth it.

    And I love that you wrote "Kvothe: The Bloodless" in my book. It would have been a great title.

  53. Anonymous
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 9:22 PM | Permalink

    I wish you would've quoted Pink Floyd's, "Time" for that title. It would've made things so much better. And hoorah! for all the signings and readings. (Especially the beard-shining. That must've been the best.)

  54. Vincent
    Posted March 31, 2010 at 10:04 PM | Permalink

    Who needs an aureole when you've got a beard? Has it been at CERN in Geneva lately? Pat Rothfuss, the man who makes having a beard cool again!

    Suvudu: will Kvothe become the Kingslayer-slayer?

  55. Michael
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 2:29 AM | Permalink

    I don't mean to sound like an asshole, but I find it slightly obnoxious that you continue to be so surprised by your following. We love your writing, so you needn't be so self-effacing! Eventually it'll start to sound like you're the humblest person EVER (that is, not at all). I don't mean to wag my finger, I guess I'd just appreciate my fanship to be received with gracious acceptance rather than baffled wonderment.

  56. Bremon
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 3:08 AM | Permalink

    oh my god! suvudu.com!…i already voted (for kvothe) (since it's the only thing i can vote on, since i'm not 18 yet…still touchy about that, there's a referendum coming up at my school and it's about a month before my birthday…and i don't want to get our *good* classes cut!)
    anyway…ranting aside,
    then i went on facebook and wrote a huge facebook status to the effect of – please vote kvothe because he rox – and got another friend to both vote and type facebook status.
    come on kvothe!
    @Jason….anyone who does the march madness tourneys knows that doing such things as *suvudu cage matches* make life better and is not random silliness. everyone knows that random silliness is what makes the world go 'round. in the case of march madness tourney…i'm a few games away from winning baked goods from my dad.
    go team!
    go kvothe!
    go patrick rothfuss!

    WV: cierigh…which sounds oddly gaelic and reminds me of cielidhs…now i want a bagpipe

  57. Anonymous
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 7:10 AM | Permalink

    Come on guys Kvothe is losing to jaime lannister he needs more votes.
    Voting closes Friday 2nd April.

  58. Madeline
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 7:26 AM | Permalink

    Out of interest, what does your shirt say?

    x

  59. Vae
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 1:39 PM | Permalink

    hey pat sounds awesome. love the rays of light pouring forth in all their glory from your epic form in the back. just terrific.

  60. Furrymoose
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 4:24 PM | Permalink

    Kvothe is catching up! Went from a 26% deficit to a being only 4% behind. C'mon people, we only need a few more votes to catch Jaime! (And by a few I mean 300. But that's not that many…)
    Oh, and as far as I can see, Pat's shirt in the picture says "THINK" with something written underneath. I dunno what that says.

  61. goldenbeloved
    Posted April 1, 2010 at 7:29 PM | Permalink

    I like how shiny you are.

  62. Machiavelli
    Posted April 2, 2010 at 4:38 AM | Permalink

    You need to visit Salt Lake City some time in the next three years. I'm stuck at university there, and it seems like all your travels take you east.

  63. VegHeadMoby
    Posted April 2, 2010 at 6:07 PM | Permalink

    Pat, are you able to post a link to the other pictures that were taken at that signing? Thanks!

  64. Sara McClung ♥
    Posted April 6, 2010 at 1:47 PM | Permalink

    Best reading/signing I've ever been to :-) AND I'm even in the picture!

    PS I'm still hoping you'll come to WISCON!!

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