ROBIN HOBB

On April 11, I attended the WLA Book Bash at the Tacoma Convention Center.  I have high hopes that this will be an annual event.

The WLA is the Washington Library Association.  This event gathered librarians from all over Washington state for various seminars, but I will speak to the part that included writers.

The WLA invited a number of writers to attend.  We were given the opportunity to give very short readings (3-5 minutes) and be available to speak to librarians and sign books.  A selection ofour books was made available by Grit City Book Store of Tacoma.  Perhaps the most enjoyable part for the writers is that we were all making new friends and renewing old friendships as we chatted and browsed each others books. I made several new writer friends, and renewed some acquaintances. 

Upcoming events that I will attend include Norwescon over Easter weekend.  I hope to be there for the Friday and Saturday, just wandering about and attending panels as a reader.  I am not scheduled to be on any panels.  I'm looking forward, again, to connecting with writer friends.  Kat and I are looking forward to connecting with Shanna Germain and Cat Valente and many other attending writers.

And finally, Steamy in Seattle is coming up in May.  This is a fund raising event for Clarion West, the well known writers' workshop. You can still get tickets for this lovely tea party.  This year its in the Nordic Museum!  It happens on May 10, and if you buy in at the VIP level, you get to keep your teacup!  With Ann Aguirre and Elizabeth Stephens, and Jasmina Silvera moderating.  Tea and Romance in a wonderful setting for a Fantastic event.  Visit their website for all the details.

Happy Fool's Day!  April Fool's Day!  But this is not a trick.

A couple of blogs ago, I made an offer.  US only, I am sad to say.

In a teacup, this is the summary.  Donate $20 or more to Doctors Without Borders.  Send me a copy (by SNAIL MAIL ONLY) of the receipt, with your financial info blacked out except for the amount.

I will mail you a free, autographed hardback.

Why?  Because last month was my birthday month, and I like hobbit birthdays, where I send out gifts.  And I think Doctors Without Borders is doing good stuff, and it's highly rated on Charity Navigator.  And it's Fool's Day, and we should celebrate.

This order will expire on April 15, so all envelopes have to be postmarked by April 15.  Then Kat and I will  meet at our Authors Retreat and have a big day of signing, packing and then mailing out books.  

The Very Important Stuff

1. NO.  NOT BY EMAIL!  Only Snail Mail.

2. Make sure your address is PRINTED very clearlly!  So many people have handwriting that is even worse than mine.  If I can't read your address, I can't send you a book.

3. If you want to be really kind, print your name and address on a 3X5 card or something similiar and enclose it.  I will use that as the mailing label.

4. All the books will be mailed out after April 15.  Probablly by book rate at the US post office.  They may not come in a flash but they will get there.

5. Send your envelope with the receipt and clear return address to:

             Robin Hobb

             7102 Harts Lake Road South

             Roy, WA   98580

And that's it!  Do that, and I will send you a signed hardback!

A final thing.  If you want me to save your address for a yet to be created newsletter that would come to your home by snail mail, you have to specificallly say: Save My Address.  If not, it goes in the shredder as I don't like spamming people.

That's it!  Now go play a classic April Fool joke on someone!