The Farseer Trilogy in Hardback, Uniform Editions

Well, here we are mid-July.  Worldcon is on my horizon in August.  I'm battling heat and no rain to try to keep my garden alive.  And I'm still trying to finish up sending the books I promised back in March and April.

Several people have contacted me to say that they did donate to Doctors Without Borders and did send me a note about it, but they never received a book.  Of course I am correcthing that as fast as I can.  Letters do go astray, either in the posting process or (ahem) in my custody.  I do apologize and will get those sent as quickly as I am told about them.

But sad to say, sometimes it's more difficult for me to fix.  This book is for Daniel B.  He lives in New York.  Zip 10028.  On 109th.   That's as much of his personal information as I want to share here.  I am hoping he sees this post and realizes that I'm still trying to get his book to him.  The post office says that the address sticker he sent me has 'insufficient address, unable to forward.'  So I don't know if he made a typo in his own address, or if he moved and left no forwarding.  This package will sit on the corner of my desk and wait.  I hope to hear from him.  And to cover all bases, I will send him a post card, addressed the same way, to see if the Post Office made an error.  That does happen.

If I missed you, do contact me.  Again, PLEASE.   Your address should look like this.

Your Name

Street number and street

Apartment # if you have one

City   STATE   Zip code

Include a copy of the donation receipt (Email is fine this time.)

And let me know how you want the book signed:  To Josephine?  To Jo,, to Joe, to J  ?   I don't want to guess wrong!  Let's get this all finished!

And now I am off to drag hoses to water my bedraggled gardens, to fill my bird feeders, to buy a new push broom and try to find a small AC unit for my sister's apartment in Assisted Living.  And it's time to separate the meat chickens from the laying hens for slaughter.  I need to get the car washed.  At 11 AM, I will meet up with Andrew at the Writers Refuge and we will do two hours of ignoring each other while we type.  Then I'll pay some utility bills, and make a dump run with all the stuff that doesn't fit in a standard garbage can. The broken plastic bins, the old tire, the tent that the mice destroyed.  All that stuff I let pile up will go away today.  Then maybe something pleasant, like thin apples from the apple tree and see if they are possibly good for a pie or applesauce.

Yup.  The elegant life of a writer!

In keeping with my resolution to update this blog more frequently, I'm going to say that not a lot is going on here.

Today I mailed out the last 8 books for the hardback giveaway.  Thank you again to everyone who donated to Doctors without Borders.  We raised over $5000.   It was a much bigger response than I had expected, and I am much slower to get things done these days.  But every book has now been mailed.  If after two weeks, you have not received a book and you should have, please do drop me an email at Robinhobb@robinhobb.com and we will see what we can do.

It's a hot day here.   I should be weeding tomatoes, sprinking fertilizer and then watering it in. We have a surplus of bunnies this year and they have mowed the green beans nearly flat.  I put up some chicken wire to see if it will stop them.  The geese, my own geese, keep breaking past the barriers to eat the cabbage, lettuce and broccoli.  Meanwhile, the moles have been tunneling up from below the raised beds to eat the carrots and disrupt other growing plants.  So.  The garden is a challenge this year, but it's too hot to work on it today. Instead I am hiding in the house with the air conditioning on and virtuously answering emails and updating the website.

Most annoying thing:  A neighbor's dog keeps escaping and coming to my gate.  Of course I let him in.  He's standing by a busy road.  He plays with Molly, they do some zooms, he jumps in the duck pond and then finds out he's not allowed into the house.  Just dog stuff.  He's done it so often I have the neighbor's number and I text her when he arrived.  Eventually someone comes to pick him up.  Hours later, but it's okay, he's a really nice dog and Molly likes the play.  But now the owner has told me, twice, it's my fault.  Because if it's feeding time and I'm feeding my dogs, I give him some dog food.  The best way to start a dog fight, even with nice dogs, is to feed some dogs and leave one out.  So everyone gets something, even if it's just half a cup of dry kibble.  But evidently that is why he keeps breaking out and coming to my yard.  So, be proud of me.  I have not said anything mean back.  And this last time, I fed my dogs inside and left the visiting dog outside with no kibble.  That is hard for me to do.  It's not canine polite. So.  Hm.

The next most annoying thing, because it's my own fault, is I have misplaced my little brown notebook that has my to do list and everything else I have to remember in it.  It will turn up.  Eventually.  Meanwhile, I am catching up on things like, well, writing this.

The Writers Refuge slowly acquires members.  We are located at 35617 State Route 507 in McKenna Washington.  The building is open from 6-8 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Everyone is weclome to come in, grab a cup of coffee and a cookie or two and sit down and write.  It's mostly silent when we are all there, and we get lots of writing done.

I hardly ever do this, but I put a new app on my phone.  It's called Merlin, from Cornell University.  You go outside, turn it on, and it starts identifying birds by their calls.  Even when there are 6 or 8 birds in my yard, all yelling at the same time.  It's astonishing.  It pops up images, so I am starting to know the names and sounds of all the birds that hang out here.

WARNING:  POLITICS

Well, not really,  but if you followe me on X, then you know I've been acting like th Lorax and shouting that we should not sell off millions of acres of public lands.  Am I totally opposed to the sale of public lands? No.  But mechanisms in our government already exist to allow for that to be done judiciously and transparently.  Enough voters shouted about this that the senators dropped it from the Big Bill.   The Big Bill is still wallowiong through the Senate and the House of Representatves.  it has some stuff in there I really don't like, but I'm not going to talk about that here.  I'm just going to remind any US citizen that the representatives and the senators you elected are supposed to vote the way you want them to.  But they can only do that if you tell them what you want.

So here are two phone numbers:  For your state representatives:   (202)225-3121.    For Senators, almost the same:  (202)224-3121

If you call one of those numbers, it's not complicated.  You give your zipcode or state and you get the voice mail of the government servant you want to reach.   And they you simply (and I hope courteously) inform them of your wishes.  I keep it short, with a single issue message.  In my case, I simply said "I'm a voter and I oppose the sales of our public lands via the Big Bill.:  That was it, and I hung up knowing that would be tallied and my public servant would know where I stand.

The most wonderful thing I've seen in a long time was that this worked. A wildly diverse group of voters objected and the sale of public land was dropped from the Big Bill.  All because so many peope let our public servants know they didn't want it. And that we were watching them.

So.  There are the numbers.  You know what you want or don't want, and you don't have to agree with me.  But pick up the phone and lift your voice.  It does work.

And now it's just about time to feed my dogs and then get ready to go write at the Writers Refuge.

Jul 06, 2025 10:51 AM PDT

Have you ever had any interest in having your books converted to movies. Im dying to see them fleshed out 🖤

Jul 15, 2025 12:34 PM PDT

My father, who is also reticent to add new apps to his phone, loves Merlin. What a fantastic app!

GEM1J Jul 15, 2025 9:31 PM PDT

You've already added so much to my life, and now you've added a birdcall app as well. Not what I expected, coming here, but I appreciate it!

Vivimord

The first part, I will keep short.  Rose X of Texas, there is a typo in  your address.  The hardback I tried to send you bounced back to me as undeliverable.  Please send a note to robinhobb@robinhobb.com so we can fix this!  And if you are NOT Rose X, please don't respond to this part.

Second part is a question about Writer events.  Many years ago, an agent (I forget who) said to a writer (again, forgotten)  something like, "When people come to get a book signed, they want to see Amanda Artsy-Fartsy, not Molly Mundane."   Really?

I understand, dress the part.  Fantastic garb for fantasy writers.  Or lovely dresses for romance writer, and maybe some flowers in your hair.  Mystery writers, hm, carry a magnifying glass and wear a deerstalker hat?

Seriously, though.  Most of the men who write fantasy can show up in a black t-shirt and some black jeans.  But what about the women, espcially older woman like me?  Do  you hope to see me in a cloak with, perhaps, a holstered wand or short sword?  Or can I show up in my best clean jeans and a nice shirt, with a good pen.

Oh, pens, lets talk about pens!  Some writers treasure their lovely fountain pens. I get mine in the school supply section of my local grocery store.  I want a Pilot G-2 07.  Minimal effort to push it across the paper and a nice black line.

Jewellery?  My hands hurt enough without lots of rings.  But I do love seeing all the sparkly stuff on my fellow authors.

What do I look like when I write?  Well, I'm sitting here in my old black jeans, slightly damp sneakers from feeding the chickens on a moist Washington day, and a blue Carhartt T-shirt.  No rings, no makeup.  If I'm writing at night, I'll be in my PJ's and probably the short red dressing gown with the cats on it that my grand-daughter gave me.

So, does my appearnance and dress matter to you at an author's event?  Let me know.

And a final reminder for local to me writers.  The "Writers' Refuge" in McKenna Washington will welcome you on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 8 PM for the rest of June.  Saturdays are from 11AM to 1 PM.  Come in, have a cup of tea or coffee and a few cookies, say hello, chat a bit and then settle down and write in a quiet setting.  Email me for address. Right next to the river park.

12 Comments

Comments

Jun 18, 2025 11:21 AM PDT

As someone who has to drive a couple hours to most signing events, sometimes with ferries involved, the most important thing to me is that I get to see authors and get my books signed. If it also includes a pre-signing discussion about the books/writing experiences/anything they want to talk about, even better. I would much rather have authors of any gender or age be physically and emotionally comfortable while they sign books and chat with readers. Nice jeans, nice top, that’s good enough for me.

Rachel Jun 18, 2025 7:21 PM PDT

I go there to meet the authors and people who feel comfortable are happier so I would say wear what makes you happy and at ease!

Sonia Jun 19, 2025 7:04 AM PDT

For me, how a writer dresses/presents themself is interesting to me when I go to an event, but its only interesting so far as it shows me something about the writer! Sure, we all have different sides, but some writers usually tend more toward the very theatrical and some are more focused on practicality and both are great. There's too much pressure on women to dress some way or another, I say just dress to feel good to yourself! Signings are really just a chance to have a brief conversation with someone who has made something you love.

Sara N Jun 19, 2025 12:31 PM PDT

Ms Lindholm,

LOL... I don't care what you wear... I just want to meet the writer of a "Wizard of Pigeons!" Hope to meet you at Worldcon.

Joseph Wheeler Jun 24, 2025 1:32 PM PDT

I have a really clear memory of meeting you at Worldcon in London once. I went to panels you were on and still remember what you talked about. I queued to have (one of my copies of) Ship of Magic signed and remember how lovely you were and how determined you seemed to get as many books as you could signed. But I have absolutely no memory of what you were wearing! I hope most people wouldn’t care and would just be as excited to meet you as I was.

Anna T Jun 24, 2025 2:46 PM PDT

I agree with the above posts. For the signings I have been to, I have been most excited to hear the author talk about the work, and get a chance to meet them and thank them for enriching my life. You do you. The first signing I went to, I was just excited to meet you. Now it is fun to just touch base again.

Chris May Jun 25, 2025 8:45 PM PDT

Huge fan!! I have got my wife, family members and even coworkers to listen to your Realm Of The Elderlings series. I was curious if you were done with that world... or will we know more about the skill river, and little Bee.
Thank you for your time.

Tevyn Mercer Jun 30, 2025 1:51 PM PDT

Molly Mundane any time! Because it's so much easier to talk to someone who looks like a regular person, instead of someone who'd never bow down to my level. It's nice to see famous people are in the end, just people too.

Eline Berg Jul 01, 2025 8:49 PM PDT

Lol who cares about appearances. You could show up in a chicken costume and I’d be delighted. You keep rocking what you are wearing. Your soul says it all.

I met you at DS24 and you were just so kind. People say don’t meet your hero because you might be disappointed…nope you were a really great gal with some grit and great stories. You treat your fans like gold. Thanks again for my awesome hardcover you sent out on your bday! I’m hoping to come see you in Nov at the comic convention to get some books signed.


Ps. I’m loving the updated blog about life on the property. It reminds me of our farm and the black dog that’s not mine that keeps visiting via doggy door and eating my yorkies soft food. But alas, I love animals.

Cheers,
Melissa from Priest Lake, Idaho

Melissa from north Idaho Jul 03, 2025 8:19 PM PDT

I definitely don't care what you're wearing at cons (or anywhere else, for that matter)! To paraphrase what Anna T said, I recall very well quite a few things that you *said* and talked about when I saw you at Phoenix Fan Fusion last year (and I distinctly recall an audience member prefacing their question at a panel with "Hello Robin Hobb, and everyone else", and I mean...kinda yeah :D ), but what you were wearing had no bearing on anything, and I could only vaguely describe that I think I recall a dress of some kind because I have looked at the selfie I took with you periodically ever since then. It was wonderful meeting you and I hope I will get to again in the future!

Boomer R Jul 12, 2025 1:27 PM PDT

First I need to thank you beyond words for the many hours of pleasure your books have given me. Not just the reading which was many thoroughly enjoyed. But the spur to my imagination while I filled notebooks full of my ideas of the towns, trade, interplay and pictures of the keepers as elderlings. (fun trying to make ethereal, graceful humanesque beings in brilliant colors with dangles, crests and lizard like features. And Lecter! an Angelic horn toad! Come on!! ).. thanks again. At 80 it's been very stimulating..

Suellengallagher