First, I should explain something. While I've been a writer for a long time. I've been a *PUBLISHED* writer for a very short time. As of right now, my novel has only been out for a little more than four months.
This means that I'm still a total geek about most things. I still get a glowy, warm feeling whenever someone likes the book enough to post up another five star review on Amazon. I keep looking back at the Amazon page to see my sales rank is. And when someone tells me they like the book, I feel like a mom must feel when someone compliments her baby.
I still read all my fanmail, and I respond to all of it, too. (Though right now I'm really behind, and I apologise to everyone who hasn't received a response yet. Sorry.)
The other thing I did for a couple of months, was agree to sign any books that people wanted to send me. It was just cool for me that anyone would buy my book, let alone care enough to want my signature. So whenever asked me this question, I gave them my address. Then when the books showed up, I signed them and sent them back.
After a few months, a couple things started to change my feelings on the matter.
First, the number of people asking for me to sign their books has been slowly increasing. This is a problem because it probably takes me around half an hour to unwrap, sign, repackage and drop the book off at the post office. While I love the thought of making a fan happy, that's time I could be spending working on book two, or doing the dishes, or kissing girls. There's only so many hours in the day, and I've been very, VERY busy lately.
Second, I became aware that some of the people who wanted me to sign their books weren't fans, but book collectors. Or rather, signed book re-sellers. Imagine my surprise when I found copies of my book out there selling for hundreds of dollars.
At first I was stunned. Then I was flattered. Then I started to realize that I might be getting hustled a little. I don't mind taking twenty minutes out of my day to get someone a signed copy of my book if they're geeking out over it. I'm less thrilled about spending that time so that someone else can make 100 bucks off the deal.
Now I'm not implying that all those people out there selling my books screwed me. Many of them approached me honestly and asked for signed copies specifically to sell. Some of them were even generous enough to cut me in on a piece of the action.
But a few people did hustle me. That and my busy schedule made me think I should give a firm, polite "NO" to this question once and for all. I even made a humorous flow chart to soften the blow of this news to hopeful folks out there:
(If you click on the picture, you'll be able to read it.)
As you can see, the best possible result is that I end up eating tacos. And honestly, I can do that whether or not you send me a book to sign.
This was all about a month ago. I was ready to pack it all in when I got the following e-mail.
Pat,
I managed to pick up an Advanced Copy of NOTW at a small used bookstore. I felt a bit guilty about buying a book that clearly states "Not for Sale" on every surface of the binding... but I've purchased four legit copies so far (attempt at justification), and have distributed them to those I deem worthy (coupled with altruism)... And I know that you're a bang up guy (flattery), and would likely not hold this against me.
So the favor is this: If I pack the book up in a self addressed, postage paid box and send it to you, would you be willing to sign it and drop it in the post?
I would make sure it was carefully packed in bags of high-quality Ethiopian coffee (I assume whole bean is acceptable), and safely wrapped with other "recyclable" material. Interested? ; )
Thanks, Pat -- I know you're a busy guy, so don't feel obligated to reply if you don't have the time. I completely understand-
This letter was not only flattering and funny, but the guy was smart enough to realize that I didn't make any money off the him buying an ARC of the book. What's more, he recognised that I was a busy guy, and that signing the book would take time out of my schedule. So he agreed to send me a present to make it up to me.
So I e-mailed him back with my address and gave him the thumbs up, then forgot about it. A week or so later, I get this in the mail:
In the middle is the ARC copy of the book. The rest of the stuff is the "packing material." Chocolatey sugar-bomb cereal, coffee, candy, and a Powell's Bookstore T-shirt. It was like Santa wanted my autograph.
Then, again, just a few days ago I got a bottle of wine in the mail as a thank you present from someone who asked me to signing a few books a month ago.
This made me re-re-consider my position on the book signing. Not just because I was getting swag. But because it made it clear to me that for some people, getting a signed book was a really big deal. I know that feeling. I've had it myself in the past.
So here's what I've decided. If you want me to sign your book, I will. But here's the price.
1. You need to send the book. (Contact me for the address.)
2. You need to send me the Return Address and an explanation of exactly what you'd like written in the book(s).
3. You need to send a check for seven bucks per book to cover postage and the cost of good packing materials to keep the book safe when I send it back to you.
4. Lastly, you need to send me something cool.
It doesn't need to be expensive, or big, or edible, or rare. (The guy who sent me the ARC clearly went overboard.) It just needs to be something that I'll pull out of the package and think, "Hey, that's pretty cool."
Then I'll eat it, play with it, wear it, or put it on a shelf. And when I'm signing your book, packing it back up, and walking to the post office, I'll feel happy. Because the coolness of your gift will convince me that getting a signed book is kind-of important to you. Then, even if you decide to sell the book on e-bay, I won't really mind because you took the time to send me a present as a way to say thank you.
If you don't want to go through all the trouble and delay, you can catch me in person by keeping an eye on my tour dates page here on the website. Or you could just buy a signed copy from any number of online places, such as Dreamhaven, Adventures Underground, or any of a number of other places online....
Edit: Here's the address where you can mail your packages, if you are interested:
If you're sending it through the post office, use this address:
Patrick Rothfuss
English Department
UW-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
If you're sending it UPS or FED-EX, use this address:
Patrick Rothfuss
English Department
486 CCC
UW-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Lastly and most importantly: I would like to encourage you to pack your books carefully. Perhaps even obsessively. Padding is important, but the true key to keeping the book safe is to make sure your it can't move around inside the package itself. I also strongly recommend that you take the book jacket off the book and keep it at your house, as it's the most easily damaged part of the book.
If you have any doubts about your packing job, think to yourself: "If I threw this package across the room, into the wall, would the book get hurt?" If the answer is, "yes" then you need to pack it more carefully. These things get really knocked around sometimes. And if your book shows up damaged, I'll have no real choice but to shed a single tear, sign it, and send it back in its crippled state....
That's all for now, folks. I've got to go get some sleep.
pat
Labels: fan coolness, signing books
posted by Pat at 12:29 AM
38 Comments:
I have a two headed pig fetus preserved in formaldehyde.
Would that be worth a signed copy, or just be considered vaguely threatening?
SW
Pat, you're the most awesome guy on the planet for this. You really are, I don't know of any other authors who are willing to have books mailed to their home so that they can sign them for a fan.
Most of 'em just laugh as you die of scurvy
Despite there being a hint of extortion, I love this idea. I've used e-signings many times and it feels so informal. But by sending you something "special" I feel like I have a connection. Before your edict, I had thought about sending you my book, but never felt motivated.
Now I want you to sign my book. Hmmmm, what to send, what to send......
I soooo need to write a massively popular novel so I can recieve random swag from fans merely for a signature. This is just plain awesome. I will seriously have to start thinking out wha I got that I could barter for a signature in my book.
Its good to hear that your still willing to sign, and I might just have to come up with a cool bribe for the pleasure. I have a special spot for cool things myself, so maybe I'll hit the sweet spot.
I also just wanted you to know that I have begun my campaign of conversion from that "other wizard" of my sister. She was raving about that other book on the phone last week, so I jumped on Amazon and Name of the Wind arrived in her hands last Thursday. Lets hope for a successful brain washing!
Seeing those books selling for 85 bucks or whatever makes me slightly more annoyed that my brother got chocolate all over my own copy. As if despoiling my book wasn't enough, now I can't get it signed and use it as my entire retirement plan.
Pat,
It appears that you received not just any whole bean coffee, but rather two bags of Portland, OR's own Stumptown. God luck ever drinking anything else from now on. Muhahaha.
It is pretty awesome coffee....
I'll send you a can of "Frobozz Magic Grue Repellent" if you'll sign my copy.
Oh man. I'd love some grue repellant.... then I could finally get through those caves after I swim across the lake....
Love the flowchart- it's a fascinating glimpse into your daily processes. ;-D
You realize that some joker is probably going to send you a bushel of lemons now to ward off your impending scurvy.
Hmmm. The question for me is not, "What is cool enough to send him?" But rather, "Would I rather send my book through a questionable postage service with a gift that Pat may or may not like, only to have my (hopefully) signed book sent back through said questionable postage service and possibly be ruined? Or should I wait for a possible visit to the South and get to meet him in person, no questionable postage included?"
Of course, this is in a perfect world where I can go to any signing you have that's close to my home, and that I manage to make some type of impression other than being another person in a long line. And then there's always the chance that you'll like whatever my convoulted brain thinks to give you, and then you'll have whatever it is sitting in your house, which is pretty cool. I don't know. I need to think about this.
I just realized how rambly I am. I really need to fix that. But maybe I'm just in a rambly mood... Alright. I need to stop, before I go off on something else. I hope you get some good swag!
do you still accept rupees, or did coco pebbles up the ante?
Watch out for spy cameras. Because if I was a bastard with devious plans (which I’m not for the record) than I would implant a spy cam in my insanely cool swag and gradually steal book 2! Or at least read it before anyone else. In fact I could probably make some money with www.houseo'rothfuss.com. Wait did I say I, I meant they. Anyway, be careful.
now you have to send all your swag to me...just to safe.
Hehe.. When you described "something cool," it brought to mind the gifts that Kvothe and Auri would give eachother.
Yes. That's it exactly. If Auri would give it to Kvothe. It's cool.
Sure, it's fine now, but I bet in a year or two you'll have to stop. It's only going to get more frequent from here on in...
Hehe, Pat, do you own or have a friend that will loan you a Pickup truck? Every scheduled book store signing you do now, you're going to need one, to haul home the Cocoa Puffs, Fuzzy Stuffed Grue's, doily's " My Mom made just for you!!", and everything else you're going to be getting. Hope the new place has lots of storage space!
If signed copies of your book are selling for such great prices, then why not sell a few books yourself?
You know what's great? I haven't seen a copy of NotW come up online signed by you AND signed by the map artist. I guess there are probably only 60 or so out there, right?
Hope you are well, Patrick! Have fun at the convention! Just sent my heavily revised book back to Matt. I managed to knock off 7% while increasing the dialogue. Thank you again for the writing lessons in red ink.
I am *so* doing this! Need to finish reading my copy first, though.
Just read about your new book on Amazon. I have a 13 year old who has read LOTR at least 3 times. Is your series young adult friendly? Anything you can tell me about the struggle between good and evil in your trilogy and the moral content? My son trusts me when I recommend books to him, and I need to know more before I recommend yours.
Oh that I could read for a living. You and your ilk would keep me in easy mac and ramen noodles and I would be content to escape reality into other worlds while the rest of the world passed me by. Alas, there are bills piling up in the post box, and the demons of debt are but a paycheck away, awaiting the moment that I choose to toss reason to the wind, tell the real world to sod off, and refuse to put your book down until the final page has turned beneath my swiss roll covered fingers.
Aren't you afraid that fantasy authors that have had worse critics than you will conspire against you, send you the book for you to autograph, with a poisoned cup-cake?!
You gotta be careful Mr.Rothfuss, or you'll get yourself killed! :P
Ah man. Yet another reason to be worried...
It is wonderful that you are willing to sign your book for everyone. Not to mention you get free presents!
We'll send you a lot of neat stuff instead of food then. And if you're sent food you can conduct some sort of chemical experiment on it to detect any poisons. Or, you could just eat it, and have a nahlroot available (just in case)
Sorry Pat, didn't mean to make you worry. You'll just have to take careful nibbles of the food people send.
Meanwhile I'll think of something awesome to send you for when I need my book signed.
I wasn't going to send you a book to sign, but now I really just want to send you something, the book is just a bonus.
You need to post what kind of things you like, or would like. That way at least you won't get a "empty bottle with a wish in it", or a "box with the wind from the ocean",(something Auri would give Kvothe) or something crazy like that.
Put in the blog and I'll send you something awsome that YOU want.
Even though I haven't quite finished NOTW yet (Page 600) I have to admit that this is one of the best books I have ever read if not the best.
I'm planning on sending it to you and having it signed as long as you're still cool with that. I just have to think of something to send you with it. :-)
Expect to hear from me soon in the form of a package with a book in it. :-)
Oh, and that flow chart was amazing.
-Joe
This book is one of the best books I have ever read.
Kvothe's 'voice' is a lot like the narrator's voice in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
You are the best new author whose book I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
I didn't especially want it signed but now that I know the rules I find myself wondering what to send to you.
If I ever figure it out, I'll send my book to you.
Also, when is the next book due out? I have a craving for more of Kvothe's tale.
very nice flow chart. can you say me what software did you use to create it?
I found a demo piece of software on the net. I think it was called Smart Draw.
Thank you. I try to use the soft the way you have made it on about a books. I use Ubuntu Linux, so I was not sure, wich soft it can be. Google did not help me in that, your chart was esteticaly the best in what I saw I mean.
Hello Pat, I have a small situation. I started reading your blog yesterday, beginning with this post. Today, I immediatley mailed my copy of The Name Of The Wind to the University address. Tonight, I finished reading the blog--yes the entire blog, and I read you are not teaching this semester. Does that mean my book will sit in a pile of undeliverable mail for months and months until someone throws it away? I can't bear to live with the thought. (Also, there are Hostess mini-chocolate donuts in there--that could be bad.)
Don't worry, the university address is still good.
Pat,
in trying not to sound like a suck up, i just have to tell you that this is by far one of the best books i have ever read, and you now hold the rather worthless title of my favorite author. Noone has posted for about a month, so i feel like i should ask and check if you are still signing books that are mailed in? If so, how do you feel about country music as that "someting cool"? Sorry for the probably too long post, and i hope to get a response soon. Thanks
I read about 300 pages of your book so far this morning. I should have been sleeping some before work tonight. Still, I am happy. I can tell already this book will go on my favorite things shelf when I get done reading it (after my wife reads it too) where I will admire it and feel good about what I have found to enjoy so far. I bought it because people on Amazon said it was good and because I like fantasy books. I can't think of any books I have read or movies I have watched that I like better.
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