We’re still working on the whole t-shirt thing over here. We got around three or four hundred submissions, and it’s taking a while to winnow them down and tweak some of the designs.
Looking through the submissions has been a lot of fun for me. The only thing that keeps it from being pure joy is knowing that I have to cut several hundred designs down to 10 or 15 we can vote on. It’s hard to choose.
So while I’m making those decisions, here’s a few designs that cracked me up. I wanted to share them even though they probably won’t make the final cut.
You’ll probably need to embiggen this one a little too…
I didn’t get this one until someone pointed out that it was “Lyre Lyre. Pat’s on fire.”
I hear they make a sounder.
Technically speaking, I’m teaching this class right now.
From now on, when people ask what the book is about. I’ll show them this picture.
Enjoy,
pat
71 Comments
So, the book is about.. nothing? It’s Seinfeld?
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Fixed it.
Oh I need me a Pat’s on Fire shirt…
Unlikely Maths for the win!
Its black, its got the face, and what more does it need?
yay unlikely maths please. How on earth could you want to choose anything else but this one!
Yes, unlikely maths is pretty darn awesome!
A lot of people seem to like that one. I think we’ll include it in the voting.
… I need the Unlikely Maths shirt. Surely I can’t afford it, but I’ll be willing to go without food for a week for it. And I say this as a college student majoring in math.
Hooray for T-shirts ! Gotta love the unlikely maths one. His Beardedness is looking good on textiles…
im getting excited about the shirts. cant wait to vote n buy.
Y’know, I’d like the “PEGS” shirt better if the text was “C’mere y’counts!”
I laughed so hard when I figured that one out :p
I’m still trying to figure it out. My wife doesn’t get it either. So we’re feeling about as sharp as bowling balls.
Jay
I think Shakespeare would do best to explain…without getting me banned or something.
” HAMLET
Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
OPHELIA
No, my lord.
HAMLET
I mean, my head upon your lap?
OPHELIA
Ay, my lord.
HAMLET
Do you think I meant country matters?
OPHELIA
I think nothing, my lord.
HAMLET
That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs.”
-Hamlet, Act III Scene II
And, they said high school, AP English wasn’t interesting.
-End Scene-
Well, I know country matters refers to sexual activity. But I still don’t get PEGS.
Wow at the standard of the entries! They are all really cool and smart (2 words that don’t always go in the same sentance!). I love the top one – though i think it would be better as a poster than a T-shirt.
Can’t wait to vote on the ones you narrow it down to!
Some of these would make great posters!
I like the Draccus with the lollipops!
Until this very moment (when I was trying to remember the correct way to spell ‘Draccus’ i had no idea there was a whole wiki dedicated to TNoTW)
Long time lurker, first time commenter.
Originally when you announced the T-shirt contest I thought “Cool idea, but I’m still poor” so I didn’t put my name down in the original post. However, after seeing that Draccus I really, desperately, want one.
I shall call him Squishy, and he shall be mine.
He shall be my Squishy.
Although possibly a grey monochrome version; I don’t look too hot in beach blue.
I don’t usually wear shirts with pictures on them. But I would totally make an exception for Unlikely Maths. Nice artwork on all of ’em!
i really love the drawing on the first one, though the dialogue could be better. and the sweets-sweets-shirt ist totally awesome =)
if these are the rejects, I can’t wait to see the finalists.
Me too
I think the first 4 at the bottom would sell well. I’d like the pig one just to see the looks on people’s faces if I wear it.
I also think one with the cover from your books would sell well too.
I really love the Draccus one! And, the Pegs is pretty good too. If these are this good, and they’re out of the running, I can’t wait to see what comes next!
I know you said these “probably” won’t make the cut but the unlikely math shirt has to be a strong canidate. I would buy one.
That Draccus shirt cracks me up. Good stuff all around.
LOL, the Draccus shirt is funny and the last one is so cute (and girly). I didn’t get the LYRE, LYRE Pat’s on fire, even though there were two pictures of two lyres… I just thought it meant you were er…rocking.
Definitely like the Draccus one. Gotta say, I love the last one too. Thought bubbles FTW!
I think I’d buy any of them, if they were available, they’re all great!
I laughed out loud, kind of excessively, when I saw the “unlikely maths” one. I would wear that.
And when I saw the sweet-eating draccus. I’d take that one as a poster, or a shirt, or a plushie. Imagine that thing as a stuffed animal, it’d be AMAZING.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see what you’ve got it narrowed down to when the time finally comes. It’s going to be doubleplus good.
The last one is wonderful. It encapsulates the book delightfully.
I’m going to say that the unlikely maths one is just epic.
Oh my GOD unlikely maths. It’s easily the coolest named class from the book, plus you’ve got Master Rothfuss staring at you with a… disturbing intensity from the shadows of wherever he’d hiding. Simply amazing.
I just registered for the blog expressly to say that I would buy at least one if not several Unlikely Maths shirts, for myself and others, if they were to actually be created… I really hope that design makes it into the final 10-15.
Haha! I love the sweet-eating draccus. :)
And that first one made me giggle. Please pick one of them. Please.
I don’t care who wins, just please make the unlikely maths shirt.
Very nice T-Shirt Ideas. i can’t wait to see those that make your final cut.
I don’t know if this is the place for this, but I have a couple of questions.
I’ve scoured your blog, but can’t find these answers.
1. Do know of any free sources (i.e. something on the internets) for historical medical treatments of diseases that are now ‘cured’?
I want to give one of my character’s Tetanus (I know I’m horrible). His father is a Physician, and he needs to try and treat him. But after Googling for hours I haven’t found anything. It appears that in olden-days, when people got Tetanus they just died. Sad.
2. A question about style. I’m re-reading your book, trying to learn lessons from it about creating tension. Some of the scenes with Kovthe struggling with poverty and trying to get into the University are extremely gripping (this is purely a compliment and has nothing to do with my question–though if you could point me toward some good references on building that kind of tension, I would love it). My actual question is as follows:
I struggle with expressing the details of my character’s moods, expressions, and reactions, for example: “would you like a pickle?” he said, a mischievous smile crossing his lips. (no I’m not writing erotica, that was just a random thought that popped into my mind).
When I write a sentence like this, I feel like I am cheating. I feel like I am taking an expository short cut, and then I spend valuable time trying to craft it in a way ‘shows’ the ‘mischievous smile’ rather than telling it. But then i read a sentence from your book:
“And why is that, Bast?” Kote asked, amusement touching the edges of his voice. and I think, am I just being too hard on myself? I am being overly pretentious? Can’t I just use adjectives? I mean if Patrick Rothfuss does it, can’t I?
Okay… This wound up being much longer than I thought it would be. Perhaps you will answer. If not, know that I love the book and the blog.
Luck with the perfect t-shirt.
Ick… the paragraph tags didn’t work. Can’t edit it either. Curses.
No creation will ever top the unlikely maths one. Patrick, you are covered in shame.
I agree. Unlikely Maths cannot be beaten.
so pat, this questions been eating away at me since I finished the book a few months ago. does kvothe play his lyre like the traditional guitar, or is it played, as i always assumed, held sort of like a cello?
Lute. Kvothe plays a Lute, not a Lyre.
my badsies
Oh man, I would love to enroll in Unlikely Maths. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that Elodin is by far my favorite of the masters. I’m looking forward to seeing how his future lessons with Kvothe go.
I was reading an old blog of Pats a few weeks ago and he mentioned re reading a scene that he wrote and had forgotten about that had elodian taking kvothe to a brothel to teach him about how delicate the art of naming is. I can only hope that it is in Wise mans fear.
I reeeeeally wish more than just one design could turn into shirts. I like the idea of the Unlikely Maths shirt well enough, but I don’t really think I’d buy it, and it looks like that’s one of the more popular ones right now.
I love the sweet eating draccus and pegs though. I would totally wear them. Also epically excited to see the final cut, and kind of wishing I’d put some more effort into my entries now.
I NEED NEED NEED an unlikely maths shirt! Extra bonus points for your picture on the front!
BTW, received my copy of The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle. Love it. Love the gold sticker as well. Seriously!
Wow. If these are the honorable mentions, the competition must be really tough. I don’t envy you having to make these decisions, Pat. (this chicka votes for Unlikely Maths and Pegs!)
Fan coolness indeed. I’m totally enjoying these submissions so far – makes me anxious to see the finalists. I too hope to see multiple winners out of this contest, ’cause I’d really appreciate having several options for shirt awesomeness.
With the amount of fanfare these honorable mentions have stirred up, and fifteen more presumably awesome designs coming up soon, might you consider selling more than one design? Perhaps the top two?
(Incidentally, I would be infinitely proud to wear the lollipop draccus shirt. It is absolute cuteness.)
The last one! Awesome! I love it. I would totally hang it on my wall as a poster right next to the one I have of the NOTW map! Actually, if the artists would allow, you could post high-def versions of the art so people could get their own posters printed. I know Office Max does stuff like that.. Just a thought..
seconding. i really dig that last one. even more than one t-shirt design would be awesome.
a super cute, sweet eating draccus is fine too. i like the unlikely maths reference but pat is looking a bit too… crazy eyed in the picture for my liking.
I can’t wait to see the finalists if these are just the honorable mentions. there really is some talented people floating about these parts.
Draccus with lollipops for the win! It is both extra cool if you know what the books are about but not so weird that people judge/lynch you in the street if they don’t get it.
Kinda what I would want if I were to get one.
Something which is cool for others who know the books, but doesn’t make people think I’m only into niche fantasy novels when I first meet them.
Loo!!!!! Pegs!!
Im feeling rather dumb…..pegs? please some one explain for us dim readers!!!
it’s from the book you silly. Remember the guy with the funny accent? He called his pigs “pegs”.
THANK YOU! it would have taken me forever to remember that one! and thanks for not poking fun absurdmike!
what about a shirt like this one…
http://www.imagebam.com/image/1a505789060285
i suck at paint…
xD …
…
…
…
I love them all! Can’t wait to see the final few (if you post them). The sweets and the bottom one are my favorites.
Hi Pat… Long Time Reader first time poster here.
I have to say that I’ve been following your blog ever since the first time I read your book. It’s always kept me in good spirits. Especially your quick wit and nifty little things that are off-beat, like ‘Click to Embiggen’. These are really things that I have come to cherish.
I’m writing this not to apply to be your new e-stalker but to let you know that as I sit here in Mosul, Iraq feeling a little bummed about missing my family and all the real world stuff; I’m glad that I can come here and get a few chuckles, some snickers, and the occasional belly laugh.
So in short, Thanks! I’m glad you do what you do.
Also, “Lyre, Lyre, Pat’s on Fire” is definitely my fave.
Thanks again
Personally, the shirt I like most is the Unlikely Mathematics one. The text is witty and pertains to the book all the while having a real-life meaning.
That being said, I would not buy the shirt. Simply put, I’m not fond of shirts with other people’s faces on them – that’ just screams “fanboy” (complete with all the negative connotations). Don’t be mistaken, I am a fan of your work, but I’d still rather not parade around with someone else’s face on my chest. I’m sure that’s a sentiment you understand. With that removed, the shirt becomes more sophisticated while still pertaining to The Name of the Wind, and for me, and I’m sure for many others with my mindset, an instant buy.
Thanks
Unlikely Maths….
Just to toot my own horn.
I want the Drakus one……
The last one is amazing.
I just registered to say that it’s a bit cutesy but that “Speech Bubbles” one is my pick of those listed.
Sweets!!!! I love the Draccus one!
So full of win!
I’d buy many of those!
Lyre Lyre, Pat’s on Fire… Finally got that. I was actually so proud that i got that this moment is what finally pushed me to make an account. I’ve always wanted to post on here or respond to other comments but i’ve always been too lazy >.>… Anyway, these are some awesome shirts even though i believe there are a lot more “Elodin Moments” that could be made into shirts.
Please keep the ‘unlikely maths’ shirt!!!
I just read the section where Elodin takes Kvothe to the Rookery out loud to my friends and I’m pretty sure we would all buy that shirt now of we could! (we would also all take that course if we could, but sadly Elodin is difficult to come by!)
I would wear a shirt with that last image on it. :D
I’m not sure if there’s a way to edit/delete posts, so sorry for the double post. >_<
Maybe at the end of this thing would there be a way to get permission to use the artist's designs to make a shirt of our own? Cause seriously, I really do like that last one.
I really like the first one, it’s cute! xD
I want the Unlikely Maths shirt :D