So there’s one day left on the kickstarter, and among the many stretch goals we’ve unlocked while bringing Digger back into print, was one where I said folks would get a sneak peek of the foreword.
So I’m going to throw that up here today.
But first, I want to show you the graphic that I made with Julia on the livestream a couple days ago, that shows nice mockups of the books and gives details about them, including all the upgrades we’ve been able to include.
And you know what? I’m going to do you one better than that.
Right now the kickstarter is at $339,827. But I’m going to show you the graphic we have ready for when we hit $350K because that’s kinda the final big goal for us.
Because at $350,000 every Softcover and Hardcover book people get through the kickstarter will include a special bookplate with new, original art by Ursula Vernon.
Here it is.
(Woo!)
Here’s the thing: I know everyone jumping into the kickstarter would like a signed book. But there’s just no way we can do that. The books are *way* too big, and shipping them to Ursula would take a truck, then a crew of people to unload, unbox, present, re-box, and re-load. Pallets of books. Shipping cost both ways. Plus the books get damaged boxing and unboxing. Plus the time. And hassle. And extra money.
Even a bookplate is tricky. It ads more art design. We still have to do a proofing process, pay to get things printed and shipped to Ursula, then shipped back. And god help us if we lose a box…
But the kickstarter has done well enough that we can manage it. And Ursula has been gracious enough to agree to sign *all* of them.
So that means everyone can get their book signed, after a fashion.
But anyway. Here’s the promo graphic I was talking about…
(Click to Embiggen)
That was a ton of fun to make with Julia and the folks on the stream. I’m trying to do my best on this project, because I love Ursula’s book. But I do my best work when I don’t take things *too* seriously.
And now, without further ado, here’s my rambling mess of a foreword. (Forgive the occasional error, this is the raw text, not the nicely trimmed and copy-edited version that exists in the book itself.)
* * *
Hello there. My name is Patrick Rothfuss. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
That’s the gist of it right there. You have permission to skip this whole foreword and get straight to the good stuff. I don’t know what you might be expecting from a forward, but odds are you won’t find it here. This is, at best, going to be an odd, maundering aggregation of anecdotes and elegy.
So go on. Get in there. Read it.
* * *
Okay. I warned you.
Once, years and miles away, I stumbled onto a comic called Digger.
I was on a book tour, which meant I needed something to read in airports and hotel rooms. I found this comic in the store after I was done with my signing. I looked it over. Good blurbs. Playful tone. Hold on, Phil Foglio wrote the foreword? I’ve loved his work for ages, especially Girl Genius.
But luggage space was limited, and this book was beefy. Thick as a cinderblock. I wasn’t sure I had space for it…
I flipped a couple pages to look at the art and suddenly there was a full splash page showing Ganesha.
That was enough for me. I rolled the dice, bought it, and ended up having to throw away two t-shirts so I could fit it in my bag.
Every once in a while, apparently, I make a good decision.
* * *
Whenever I write a foreword or introduction, I feel the need to explain that I don’t like introductions. That I don’t read introductions. I find the entire concept baffling at best. More often I think of them as belonging in the same circle of hell as spoilers, paid endorsements, and people who talk in the theatre.
Simply said, I don’t want to tell you about this book. I believe a story should stand on its own, and that the first time you experience it is precious. Sacrosanct.
If my job here is to introduce you to the book… shouldn’t I do it in the same way I introduce people? “Hello there, Reader. I hear you like Books.” I turn to face Digger with an expansive gesture. “What a fortunate happenstance, my good friend Book! I suspect the two of you will form a delightful acquaintance.”
And then I should leave. I shouldn’t stand around, hands in my pockets, eyeballing you intently while rocking back onto my heels, like I’m expecting the two of you to immediately kiss.
So. Reader, meet Book. Book, Reader.
* * *
Giving people books is my love language. And these days, my older son bears the brunt of the impulse. The only thing that keeps me from burying him in books is the fact that I only want to bring him truly good things to read.
Also? He’s 12, and I’ve tried to keep the worst of the world from poisoning him. As a result, he’s crushingly literate with a tender heart and has a real distaste for what he refers to as “Dead Dog Books.” Which is to say, books where there’s needless tragedy, cruelty, violence, etc.
This was more than two years ago, so he was only 10, and even though I loved Digger, I didn’t know if I should share it. Violence, but it’s not gratuitous. Big feelings, but nothing overwhelming. Complex story and relationships, Non-western philosophy but presented with care and clarity…
I rolled the dice again and gave him the book.
He read the whole thing. Then he read it again. On his third time through, he read big chunks of it to his younger brother.
When I asked him what he thought of it, he lit up and said, “It’s almost as good as Bone!”
Trust me, this is stunning praise. I gave him my Omnibus edition of Bone back when he was 7. He’s read it dozens of times. The thing is in absolute tatters. This isn’t him giving Digger second place, he’s saying he loves it infinity –1.
Here’s the hard truth: I’m biased toward digger. You can’t trust me to be impartial about Digger. Hell, I’m publishing it. It’s kinda my job to say nice things.
But my kid? He’s better than me. You can trust him.
* * *
Fast forward. I’m still brimful of New Relationship Energy toward Digger. So I take it on a trip and give it to a friend who lives a thousand miles away.
Again, giving books is one of my purest joys. I get to share something I love with someone I love. And when I replace it, buying a new copy supports the author, publisher, and bookstore.
But it turns out my local bookstore can’t order it. Neither can Room of One’s Own in Madison. Neither can Barnes and Noble…
It isn’t anywhere. Eventually I find a copy for $600 on a rare book site, but that’s it. How could this be out of print? It’s an amazing story. It won a Hugo….
So, using all my vast publishing-world clout, I ping Ursula Vernon on Twitter to ask her what was up. She directed me to Sofa Wolf Press and I learn the harsh truth: The omnibus is, as I mentioned, a *really* big book. They simply couldn’t afford to bring it back with the cost of paper being what it is these days.
I asked if I could help. I have a little experience bringing books back. When my weird picture book went out of print, we brought it back and sold it through the Worldbuilders store, making a *lot* of money for charity while accidentally scarring an entire generation of geek children.
Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that bringing Digger back was going to be harder. For one, Digger was a thousand pages long. For another, Covid was ruining everything. There were paper shortages, printers I’d worked with in the past had gone out of business…
So I called Shawn Speakman, cool guy, experienced book-doer, and founder of Grim Oak Press. We talked. Made plans. One thing led to another, and I ended up finally pulling the trigger on a project I’ve daydreamed of for over a decade: Starting my own publishing imprint.
(I’ll never get tired of showing off the logo.)
As I’ve already said, sharing books is one of my favorite things. I do it so much that I buy my favorite books in bulk, so I always have a copy I can hand to someone. Bringing a book back into print is pretty much the same thing, just on a vaster scale.
Thanks for taking a risk on us. This is the first flight of Underthing Press. I hope it goes well. I hope you enjoy the books I want to share.
* * *
When I was 8, while walking through the woods with my father, he asked me to wait a moment, then rolled up his sleeves and casually pushed over a huge, fully-grown tree.
Later in life, I realized the tree had been long dead. Nevertheless, the effect was that young Pat thought of his father as the strongest man in the world, immeasurably cool.
Earlier today, I told my boys I’d be working on this foreword for the same reason my father pushed over that tree: a desperate desire to look cool in front of my kids. It worked pretty well, because, as I’ve said, my kids love Digger.
On a whim, I asked what they would say if someone asked them for a promotional blurb. (They know what this is because daddy’s an author.)
My 8-year old immediately stomped out with: “It’s wonderfully story-rich!”
My 12 year old said he wanted to think about it a bit, then a couple hours later he came back and said: “Digger is a beautiful story that rambles, but in a good way.”
So there you go. If anyone knows rambling stories, it’s my kids.
And I’m guessing if you’ve made it all the way to the end of this foreword, you might be one of the folks who enjoy that sort of thing as well….
* * *
So… yeah.
If that seems like something you might be interested in, you’ve got about 24 hours left to jump in and back it over here.
Later space cowboys,
pat
[Edit: 2:33 PM – We’ve hit $350K, so it’s official. Everyone gets one of the cool new signed bookplates. We also added another 50 Limited editions, as they sold out again.Also, Shawnposted an update announcing an add-on that folks requested in one of our early brainstorm session, and we’ve been working on for a couple of weeks. Specifically, it’s a way for those of you who love books (and libraries) to add a discounted copy of digger to your order and then we at Underthing Press will donate those books to underserved libraries around the country where they can get the love and attention they deserve.)
59 Comments
OK, Pat – the reviews from your kids got me pulled in. I went ahead and ordered. Thanks!
They’re much more trustworthy than I am…
Oh, the irony…
For the first time in all your fundraising, I wasn’t planning to donate. I’m sure it’s a worthy cause and I love sending you support. To be honest, it’s nothing personal – it’s me. Right now I’m just not feeling upbeat about anything.
And then I read this blog. It made me smile. It made me laugh. Hearing about your beautiful boys just makes my day.
And just like that, I’ve got a little spark of… something kindled back in my insides.
So I just jumped over to the Kickstarter page and made sure to get signed up for a softcover copy of this book. I can’t wait to read it.
So thank you, Pat and boys.
Hell Betsy, I’m sorry. I know that feeling all too well, and it sucks. I live there way too much these days…
But yeah. The boys do that for me too. I’m glad some of it is transferable.
I keep finding happiness in little bits like a magpie, and catching you and Ursula talking the other day was just delightful.
Thanks so much. I can’t wait to read this. Another trinket to make me smile.
CyNova (twitch)
Lis
John Green signed a quarter million copies of “Anthropocene Reviewed”. Rather than ship him that many books, the publisher shipped him the ?fly sheets?, which he signed and returned, and they were then bound in during the printing process.
In case it ever comes up again, that’s a different option.
Yup. That’s what’s being done with the Limited editions. They’re called tip-in sheets.
But even that is still a big process. They have to be printed separately from the rest of the book, shipped twice, boxed and unboxed, signed, sent, sorted and then it also adds another step to the binding process.
It’s a lot of failure points. That’s why we’re only doing it with the Limited Edition….
And I bet Ursula does not weigh as much as all these big books. It might be easier to ship her over…
As an Australian who loves Ursula Vernon wombats, comics and Grim Oak Press Books I’m so amazingly excited to get my limited edition!
You’re the platonic embodiment of our demographic…
(1) I got a copy for my partner, who loves wombats. Good on Ursula Vernon is getting recognition; I’d not heard of her before.
(2) I hope this isn’t weird to say, but your kids sound a lot like how I’d like to raise mine, if I ever have any. Parenting book when?
(3) Michael Chabon (a fan of yours, I might add) wrote a good essay on introductions I think you might find worth the read. Makes me wonder what kind of foreword I’d write for The Name of the Wind. Tempted to try my hand at one now and pick up the Elric books he (and Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman) wrote prefaces for, too.
*Forewords for.
So glad that my e-book isn’t coming with asbestos!
(sidenote: for the last couple of photos where it has said to “click to embiggen”, clicking does not embiggen for me :/)
The true embiggen was the friends we made along the way….
Friends don’t lie to their fans.
I like this forward more than some books I’ve read. It is its own story, rambling, and incidental, irrelevant, and whimsical. Thanks for that. Introductions are stupid ways to put a famous name on a book that is less famous on its own to the skimmer. “What’s this, Rothfuss, I know that name, he’s that bearded vagabond that tells tales under the bridge, I’ll have to check this out.” And in this instance, you’ve done good to tell a little ditty and get Digger back into publication and use your immeasurable clout to convince someone to read Digger. That’s a fair amount of positive karma coming your way.
P.S. I still play a Rabid Wombat MTG deck, how could I not be happy.
My Rabid Wombat decks are long gone with all my other MTG cards but fondly remembered (by me at least, I’m not sure what my opponents thought, other than the one guy who totally couldn’t believe any deck would ever run Blue Ward, hehe). But I do still occasionally play my Rabid Wombat inspired City of Heroes character (I went through a whole phase of making characters themed on Magic cards, he’s one of the few that stuck).
I had no idea City of Heroes was still going! But that’s neat none the less. When I was very young, and very stupid, I traded all my MTG cards for a Playstation (1)… I don’t actively play anymore, but the second time I got in the game I swore I’d never lose my cards so stupidly again, so they sit in my closet in a big old box that gets dusted off every other year or so for a couple games with my brother.
Perhaps you’ve answered this elsewhere, but will there be a way to purchase Digger for those of us who have missed the Kickstarter? I’m always on the lookout for books to enjoy and then pass on to my (nearly) eleven-year-old. (Thanks for doing good-book work!)
Stay tuned for details.
I stayed tuned Pat. I’m still waiting.
We are also waiting. Time horizon: late 2040, maybe early 2052.
Kinda off topic, but why so coy about your Masters? Will giving it away be a spoiler or something?
I’m so incredibly pleased to receive my limited edition as an American who adores Ursula Vernon wombats, comics, and Grim Oak Press books.
I’m sure it will be run past an editor before publication, but just to let you know you have ‘forward’ instead of foreword once, and also Digger dropped the capital once. Best of luck.
You should buy a boat
the book will NEVER be out or published simply because there’s none !
Instead we have a Wombat LOL
I might suggest you to read the upcoming novel of a promising author : The First Binding by R.R. Virdi
Love the Underthing Press logo.
Trump is being investigated ! Do you think that has anything to do with Doors of stone release ?
Trump is being looked into! Do you believe that had anything to do with the publication of Doors of Stone?
Kinda off topic, but why so coy about your Masters? Will giving it away be a spoiler or something?
where is the chapter promised back in february following the charity goal stretch ?
Thanks Pat! Digger sounds fantastic! But I think I have missed the kickstarter, would the book be available in conventional ways? Would you or the original publishers bring it back?
Pat, I’ve a confession. I have at times been very critical of you with the delays for book 3. After seeing a comment posted here yesterday, it made me realize how crappy people can be. I hope you can look past the way some of these people behave.
You’re my favorite author and I believe you created something that will go down as one of the most important and brilliant works in fantasy literature of all time. You’ve made something that people are still clamoring for more than 10 years after the fact. I’m sure you know that the vitriol these people give is just a testament to how important your work is to them, however misguided these few folks are.
You are and always will be my inspiration for writing. Thank you for that. I know when book 3 does come out, it’s going to absolutely kill it. Never stop writing Pat, there are so so many of us who absolutely love you.
Hey man. Just wanted to say that we love you. The bird of inspiration will sing to you when it will and book three will come when it’s ready. Don’t let the toxic fans get you down :)
thanks for sharing this
Hi Pat,
You probably won’t read this, but just in case.
I noticed you haven’t posted on social media for a few weeks. That is of course, undoubtably healthy and totally your choice. I just hope you and your family are doing okay. You’re probably just busy.
Love your work, miss hearing your calming voice on Twitch.
Regards,
Ray Dahlia
SO TRUE
I’m exited about how succesful the kickstarter got, cheers! :D
And the Collector’s Edition looks awesome, just the leather keeps me from wanting to have one. Is there a chance you raise awareness on speciesism in the future, like you are already impressively doing with sexism, racism, homophobia etc.?
Thanks for your great work and sharing so many of your thoughts and feeldings with us!
Kind of unrelated topic, but could you please explain your reticence in discussing your Master’s degree? Is there a danger of spoiling the story if I provide the answer?
I’ve already mentioned that one of my favorite things is to share books. I do it so frequently that I buy bulk copies of my favourite novels so I always have some on hand. Reprinting a book is essentially the same thing as doing so, just on a much larger scale.
@Pat
Hope you are ok, worries me a bit not to have heard from you, even though the end of the year fundraising time has already come. My best thoughts and wishes to your health and happiness.
I and many people around me, still love and forever will love your books, finished or not.
@people writing angry comments:
Did any of you ever realize that it is just not helpful to write angry comments to someone who needs more time to write the more pressure is put on him, no matter how justified it feels to you?
It may feel good to you to let that anger out, but it just causes so much needless damage.
Pat wrote openly about his mental health problems right here on the blog.
Please read those and then think about the way you behave.
Also you all didn’t exactly buy the chapter, you gave to a charity, with the chapter being a perk.
Try seeing the charity first in your mind, and foremost be happy to have made the world a little better. It’s a much happier and wholesome mindset, not just centered around you.
Received my book today, couldn’t be happier. Thanks to all.
The Mueller investigation led to multiple arrests, multiple individuals pleading guilty, and left a recommendation not to press charges against a sitting President.
It was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump committed numerous crimes soliciting aid from Russia as well having near constant dark money pushing into his account because he is/was broke.
The only thing the Mueller investigation couldn’t say is that Trump was aware he was committing crimes as him and most of his children were found to be accomplices.
It is funny to me that Repubtards will just make any insane claim with no basis in reality and act like it is some kind of proof they are presenting. Do you think we are stupid enough to listen to your verifiably false Fox News regurgitation, or are you too stupid to be able to distinguish absurdity from reality?
Hey Fati.
Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing
I hope you find happiness.
Damn, this AI Chat Bot is getting good.
Thank you for help me in this article, This is good to me ang many.
What’s up with the radio silence, dude? No update for your fans on anything? Not even on the chapter they paid money for that you promised them almost two years ago?
Another day of Pat deleting comments and refusing to update donors of a charity.
Anybody there anymore?
Name of the Wind was one of my top-recommended books back in the day. Around 5 years ago I stopped recommending them after hearing that Pat consistently would lash out at fans for literally no reason. That combined with the lack of book 3 after being drawn in by the promise of one a year, I let him fall off my radar.
When my sibling told me about the charity chapter, we lumped together to make a decent donation. It is a straight-up slap in the face after how Pat has acted over the years that he’d now cheat donors of charity without even making any official announcement.
Pat should have something, and he could at any time say something. He doesn’t need a year to post an excuse. His refusal to respond is in itself a response. It is intentionally disrespecting donors of his charity. He wants to write out a perfect blog with perfect excuses.
In the end, he will ramble about how he is a human, and how we are mean. Everyone is a human. Humans do bad things and being a human does not excuse your actions. Get used to being in a society Pat. One where we function based on keeping obligations to each other.
Any news on that chapter you promised to be read by an allstar cast, Pat? How about news on book 3? I would be stoked about the book on Bast if book 3 were a thing.
I first read Digger online years ago, then had relatives purchase me the huge print copy when it was released, and then I bought this updated edition as soon as I heard about it. Except for being in hardcover and having a forward written by someone whose name you somewhat recognize, there are no differences between this and the previous trade. However, you must continue to support the publisher in order for Digger to remain in print. In essence, we’re informed that even if the book is clever, fascinating, and heartwarming, it would be difficult to publish. (Digger would presumably object to such characterization.)
To who ever will have to answer my highly mundane question:
I got my copy of The Kingkiller Chronicle in hand nearly 15 years ago, and I raved about it to my father. We’re both huge fantasy fans, and ridiculously discriminating. We love good writing. Unfortunately, my father can’t read fantasy in English, it being our second language, because it’s too difficult for him to know which words are made up, and which are just ones he may not know.
I finally managed, after 15 years, to locate the two first books in Danish for him, in a library, and he fell in love before the first chapter was read, just as I knew he would.
So, my question is this.. Do you know if you will be publishing the entire Chronicle in other languages than English, perhaps in some sort of set? Do you know if it will be published in Danish? I would absolutely hate for him to miss the ending, not to mention The Slow Regard For Silent Things, as well as Bast’s story..
Great news about the novella, always nice to hear! I will put it for sure in my list, and buy it as soon as the part 3 of the main story is available! I cannot wait🫸🫷!!
Thank you for help me in this article, This is good to me ang many.
Your transparency about the process, the difficulties encountered and the efforts made to make it happen adds a personal touch to Kickstarter. It’s obvious how much passion and hard work you’ve poured into this, and it’s paying off very nicely. Congratulations on your success so far.