Signed Lies

The flash kinda muted out the actual signature.

Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is a prolific writer probably best known for her Farseer trilogy. She has also written the Live Ships trilogy and the Tawny Man trilogy set in the same world. She is currently working on the Soldier's Son series. She also wrtes contemporary fantasy under the name of Meagan Lindholm.

I got the chance to meet Ms. Hobb last year during a reading at Dreamhaven books. She was very nice and engaging. To this point I've only had the chance to read the Farseer books, but the other Hobb books are in my collection, and I'm looking forward to getting a chance to get to them finally.

John M. Ford

Ford is, I believe, a criminally under known author. The Dragon Waiting won him the World Fantasy Award. He has also written amongst other Heat and Fusion and Stories a collection of short stories, and The Last Hot Time, which is simply an amazing contemporay fantasy. I met Mr. Ford at this year's Boskone. He is also a local Minnesota resident like a slew of other talented fantasy authors. If you are looking for something new to read, you could dop far worse than picking up some of Mr. Ford's work.

The Bronze Canticles

A big thanks to Pat at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist and the folks at Warner Books for the signed copies of the Bronze Canticles, by Tracy and Laura Hickman. Pat is generous enought to work with publishers and offer periodic giveaway contests.

More Neil

American Gods won the Hugo, Nebula, Stoker, and Locus awards for best novel on 2002.

Neil Gaiman

Neil, who lives near the Twin Cities, had a signing at Dreamhaven this past winter. My Friend Ro and I attended this event. I would say that over 200 people showed up. It was quite a turnout. Neil read an exceprt from his novel Anansi Boys. He was very friendly, and outgoing, and even after spending several hours signing for people, he was extremely nice and courteous whenmy turn came.

The item pictured is his hugo winning short story, A Study in Emerald, published in poster form. Its a very neat piece, and I have it framed and hanging on my library wall.

Charles Stross

Charles Stross is relatively new to the speculative fiction scene. But boy is he prolific, and has he made his prescence known. In just a few short years, he has become the darling of the Hugos. He won Best novella in 2005 for The Concrete Jungle, and he is nominated this year for Accelerando, which is near the top of my to be read pile. I have however read the two novels so far released in The Merchant Princes series. The series takes 2 parts Zelazny and one part Puzo and combines them in a delightful and entertaining amalgam. The Merchant Princes consists so far of The Family Trade, The Hidden Family, and the soon to be released, The Clan Corporate

I got the pleasure of meeting Mr. Stross at this year's Boskone. Unfortunately I didn't arrive in time to stand him up for drinks like the rest of my friends. perhaps the next con.

George R.R. Martin

Martin is my favorite author, and A Storm of Swords is my favorite book. I got George to sign this for me at Conquest 2005 in Kansas City. A whole group of his fans who name themselves the Brotherhood without Banners, usually turns up at any convention that George appears at, and Conquest had a bumper crop. I got to meet many of the people I had talked with online from the ASOIAF message board. One traditon of the BwB, usually reserved for worldcons, is that George Knights them. But first he sends them on a quest. Our quest in KC was to bring back burnt ends. Normally not a difficult propostion in the BBQ capital of the midwest, but we did not receive the quest until 1AM, when all reputable BBQ joints were closed. The stay out of dumpster comment was a jab at part of our attempt to find burnt ends.

Harlan Ellison & John Picacio

Last Sunday Dreamhaven had in Ellison and Picacio for a signing. I took the opportunity to get my copy of Dangerous Visions signed by both of them. John, was an incredibly nice guy, and Harlan... well he was entertaining. Glad I got the chance to meet both of them.