ROBIN HOBB

I've been waiting to show this art for so long! Illumicrate is bringing out a special Edition of The Farseer Trilogy, illustrated by Sam Hogg   These are truly stunning editions.

Illumicrate is a book subscription service.  It has sites in both the US and UK, but these are coming out from the UK site.  Illumicrate offers subscriptions that are 'book only' or 'book plus treasures.'

I'm going to crib their descriptions from their post on X.

"Our Illumicrate Exclusive: Farseer Trilogy editions are Royal hardbacks and feature:
✨ Exclusive redesigned covers (art by@penglu_art ; design by@chattynora)
✨ Full colour art and foil on the hardback (by@Zephyri)

This set is priced at £90 + shipping (and VAT if applicable). It comes under our 'Special editions/Three book set' shipping category, and our shipping rates can be viewed at: http://illumicrate.com/pages/shipping-rates. It is expected to ship in July/August. To celebrate our anniversary projects with everyone, presale access for our 10th Anniversary Editions will be open to all Illumicrate subscriptions - this includes subscribers to Illumicrate, Afterlight, Evernight & Starbright. We will be holding a presale on 13 May for active subscribers. An email with presale details will be sent out on 7 May. "

I've been silently watching the process of creation of these extraordinary editions.  I suggest you zoom in on the images to truly enjoy the art Sam has created.
 

In my previous blog, I discussed how to get an autographed book from the University Book Store in Seattle.  And I warned everyone that today would be my last signing day.

Well, of course, things changed.  The book store ran out of stock on a few of the requested books.  The last thing we want to do is disappoint readers.

So, we have extended the date to order a signed book to March 21, a Friday.

Sometime toward the end of March, I will make my way up there and sign everything, and they will ship the books out.

Of course, if you want a 'free' signed hardback, you need to go back one blog and read what I'd like for my birthday month!

So, first the bad news.

For many years, once a month, I would drive up to University Book Store in Seattle.  I'd find Duane, a favorite book seller, and we'd go to the basement where there would be a couple of carts of special order books for me to sign, and sometimes another cart of store stock.  People could go to the book store's website, order a book and request an autograph and sometimes a dedication.  I'd sign, and the store would ship the book to the reader.  It was a wonderful system.  

But over time, with increasing traffic, the drive up grew longer, and inevitably the drive home through traffic was even worse.  I had to plan a whole day just to do it.  An accident could turn that drive into a marathon of three or four hours.  

I just can't do it anymore.  So this coming Tuesday, March 18, will be my last time.  You still have a few days to put in a special order if you want a signed book.  Follow the link above, select your book, and in the comments section of the order, as that it be autographed.  I'm sorry to end what was once a great chance to see bookstore friends and sign lots of books.

Ready for a bit of (i Hope) good news now?

March is my birthday month.  This year I am 73, another good reason not to make long, exhausting drives!

Now in past years, I've sometimes celebrated my bithday with readers in odd ways.  I've done Hobbit Birthdays, in which I sent out books to readers as a birthday gift.  One year I recruited reader friends all over the world to hide gift wrapped books and then post a riddle or clue for other readers to find them.  

This year, I'm going to give away signed hardbacks, but with a catch.  First, it's only for the US.  Second, you have to give something to get something.  I will be asking you to donate $20 at least to Doctors without Borders.  I support what they are doing in Ukraine, but I don't require that you choose Ukraine.  So many of us have ties to countries where Doctors without Borders are helping people.  Choose as you wish, or just send them some money and let them decide.  

So.  Here are the EXACT rules to get a signed hardback.  Please be precise.

1. US only.

2. Make your donation of at least $20 to Doctors Without Borders.

3. Copy that receipt.  Blot out your financial info except for the $20 but leave your name and complete address.

4. PRINT IT OUT.  PUT IT IN AN ENVELOPE.  Mail it to:

  Robin Hobb

7102 Harts Lake Road South

Roy, WA 98580

5.  NOTE #4 carefully.  No emails!  NO, NO,NO!  Only a paper copy in a envelope with a stamp on it.  I'm serious.  Email will be discarded.

6.  Include a card or piece of paper with your name and address PRINTED IN CAPITAL LETTERS on it as if on an envelope.  I will be  using that as a mailing label to ship a book back to you.  So PRINT LEGIBLY. Like this:   

NAME

STREET ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP CODE

7.  If you want me to keep that information for future newsletters (as in real mail from me to you) you must give me permission.  Otherwise I discard that information after sending you a signed hardback.

Please note I will sending the books by Book Rate via the US Postal Service.  Not fast, but they will get there if  you have given me a good clear name and address.

I know this may seem obsessively specific, but I have lost count of the times when mail has been returned to me because the address was wrong.

And again, very sorry, but this is US readers only.

Many thanks in advance to readers who choose to do this.  This offer good through April 15, 2025