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