ROBIN HOBB

Kat and I are safely home from International Comic Con, held every year in San Diego. We both had a good time. The weather was fine to a 'bit too hot' for us.  Highlights included discovering a fascinating artist studio on one of our walks, a story telling security guard outside a bank, and a late evening ride in a very swift Pedicab with the theme to Star Wars blasting as we zipped through the streets of San Diego.

For me, conventions are about connecting with friends, old and new.  I signed books at the Del Rey booth and reconnected with Anne and David.  When I signed at Dark Horse, Jody Houser was alongside me, and Brett Israel was our support.  In between, we went to panels we thought would be interesting, such as Tim Powers spotlight.  It was fun to introduce Kat to Tom Taylor and Neo Edmund and spend time with newer friends  Shanna and Jenn.  I met Jessica Brawner just as she was vacating the chair I would occupy for a signing.  Due to Chris Paolini being unfortunately unable to attend, I filled in for him on a panel about dragons and had a very enjoyable time.

Mysterious Galaxy  in San Diego was the book seller for the signing floor, and before I left, I signed a lot of books that will become part of their store stock.  So if you didn't attend the con, but would still like an autographed book, check out what they have.  I was not the only writer siging stock for them.

It was a great pleasure to know that Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo won an Eisner for their work on Nightwing #105.  And to see Tim Powers with an Inkpot Award from International Comic Con.  

And we met readers.  At every signing I did, readers came, and often we had time to chat for a bit.  Kat and I had decided that when I did my signing in the Sails Pavilion, we would take the opportunity to give back thanks to readers. So many of them had followed Fitz through the years and years, reading the entire span of Elderling books. No keychains or stickers.  We decided on sensory gifts. So, for the first 100 readers, we offered a choice of either a Sees Lollipop or a bar of scented soap.  I know, a bit strange, but it made sense to me, so we went with it.  Readers seemed to enjoy it as much as we did, so we will (Packing space allowing!) repeat it at Rose City Comic Con and Dragon Steel Con.

I am now going to stay home for a time and focus on finally finishing some long delayed projects.  Kat, however, will be off to Worldcon in Glasgow and maybe she will pitch her new book while she is there.  (Yes, Kat, I am revealing that you have a novel that I believe is truly excellent, even beyond being related to you!)  I am still daring myself to go to World Fantasy Con in September in Niagara Falls.  I am still leery of long airline flights and crowded airports.

For SDCC, Kat and I both masked for the flight, and for walking around the crowded merchandise hall and in the packed halls.  We used a large quantity of hand sanitizer.  So far (fingers crossed) neither of us have come down with any form of Con Crud, Covid or otherwise. Unfortunately, I have heard from several fellow attendees that they were not so fortunate.  So, as the old saying goes, A word to the wise is sufficient.  

So.  That is my very short SDCC report.  I met so many wonderful people.  If you didn't make it there, perhaps I will see you at another convention.

As I always do the night before I embark to a convention, my introvert self suddenly wonders, "Why am I doing this?"  

But the answer is a simple one. It's because I enjoy meeting readers.  And I love connecting with friends I haven't seen, sometimes, for years!  So, despite dragging a suitcase through a crowded airport, and sitting in a cramped airplane seat to get there, I am looking forward to the convention.

Belatedly, I am going to let you know where to find me if you happen to be at International Comic Con in Sand Diego and want to connect.  Bear in mind that while I do not charge for autographs, some of the places I'll be signing have rules about how many things I can sign, and what you must do to line up.  I'll try to cover those.

Thursday  July 25

This has become my busy day at the convention!

12:30 PM -   1  Table 1 at PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/BOOK WORLD – Booth #1514/#1515/#1623. Giveaway of the first in the Farseer series, ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE.  

 BUT  For all signings in the booth, distribution of tickets will begin at 10am at Table 1 and move to the checkout area at 10:45am. For signings that require a book purchase, tickets will be distributed at the time of the book purchase while supplies last.  I do not require a book purchase!

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM DARK HORSE COMICS - Booth 2615. Signing of Dark Horse Comics 's ASSASIN APPRENTICE (graphic novel) with author Jody E Houser.

There will be wonderful Swag given away at the Thursday signing at the Dark Horse Comics booth. You can get a free print signed by Jody Houser and me.

But You will need a wristband! WRISTBAND INFO: Some signings require a wristband for entry, as noted on the schedule. Drawings for wristbands for these events will begin when the exhibit hall opens to the public the day before and the day of each signing and will end when all allotted wristbands have been given out. Come to the Dark Horse booth early (9:30 am is when the exhibit hall opens!) for the wristband drawings and for the best chance to attend these events.

Friday  July 26

2:30 to 7   Sails Pavilion  AA14  In addition to signing what you present to me, Kat and I have planned to have a token gift for readers.  As far as I can tell, no wristbands or early sign up required. So come on by, say hello, and I can sign a program or whatever book you bring. Mysterious Galaxy will be selling books at Booth 1119.   I promise I will stay until 7 PM, so if the line is long at first, come by a bit later.  

Saturday  July 27   

This is my 'fun for me' day.  No time committments except some meet ups with writer friends.  But if you see Kat and I wandering about, don't hesitate to say hello!

And Sunday is my fly home day.  

That's it!  Hope to see you there!

Do you want your life to be better 5 or even 10 years from now?

Then vote.

Regardless of your political stance on anything, the only way you will get closer to whatever goal you hope for is to vote.  

And vote in ALL the races.  Not just for President or Governor.  Look at your state Senators and Representatives.  Look at your county Executive, your Assessor, your Sheriff.  Vote for the judges in your state Supreme Court and your County Superior Court.  Look at your state Treasurer, your Superintendant of Public Instruction, and of course your Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Vote for all the 'less important' government posts.  Because the candidates who win those posts are on their way up the political ladder.  You are going to see the names of the winners again, over and over, in the next decade.  

The best way to eliminate extremists and wackos is at the lower levels of the elections.  It's like pulling weeds in a garden.  Cull them while they are small, and they don't overshadow your plants and spread seed.  

Watch the 'little' politcal posts in your local elections.  Who is running for school board and what do they stand for?  The kids who are ten years old now and in school will be voting in eight more years, and they will vote based on what they've been allowed to learn.  Even if you don't have kids of your own in school, the kids who grow up to be voters are going to have a big effect on your life. 

Find out who is on your local Council for the Arts, and other volunteer organizations serving your community.

Vote for the people who share your values. Push them up the ladder.

And the ones who are already in power?  Make your voices heard,  Write an email when your representative or senator does something good.  Write letters when they do something stupid.  They do  care about your vote.  Make them earn your support.

Make things better for yourself in the future.