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Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb


Last Updated: 11/22/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Married
Age: 57
Sign: Pisces

City: TACOMA
State: Washington
Country: US
Signup Date: 3/5/2007

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Monday, November 23, 2009 

Category: Writing and Poetry
The copy edits of Dragon Haven  are safely back with the US editors now.

And now I'm back to work on the story collection. That will be a mixture of Hobb and Lindholm tales from the past and present.  As might be expected, I'm having a little trouble finding the end of the new Hobb tale that's to be included.  It just keeps getting longer . . . I wish I could say 'better' but I'm not sure that's so.

Still I'm feeling very good about where I am in the process.

I survived my grand-daughter's birthday party. 

Now we are steaming ahead to first Thanksgiving at my son's house, and then off to Orycon I go.  I'm really looking forward to that, especially to taking over hospitality for a couple of hours on Saturday.

I hope to see some of you at Orycon, and, if not, at some of my book tour stops come January.

Robin
5:36 AM 
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Saturday, November 14, 2009 

Current mood:Concise
Category: Writing and Poetry
So, a brief entry tonight before I put my nose back on the pages.

A little more than 200 pages to go, out of close to 600.  I really want to finish this tonight.

So far, I have encountered a computer 'spell checker' type error in which one of my characters has been re-named Latrines.  Only when I used the possessive form of his name, and luckily my copy editor already caught it.

In another place  I changed a character's name sometime between Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven.  Minor character, but still!  What has become of my brain?

Back to work.

What a task to be doing on Friday the 13th!
4:47 AM 
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Thursday, November 05, 2009 

Well, October and Halloween are behind us here. Meant to get this out November 1st, but here it is the 4th already.  I hope everyone in the US found their ways to the polls and voted

 

By the way, this myspace Robin Hobb  http://www.myspace.com/robinhobb1991

is not me. Sorry to disappoint anyone.  J

 

Book and Publication News

Italian rights to Shaman’s Crossing have been sold to Fanucci Publishing.  The paperback edition of Fool’s Fate  is out and about by now.
 

Indonesian Rights to The Farseer Trilogy have been sold to Matahati Publishing.

 

In Mainland China, The Soldier Son Trilogy will be coming out soon from China Woman publishing.

 

 

 

Upcoming Stuff

 

I just did an on-line interview with Randolph Carter of http://grindingtovalhalla.wordpress.com/  Visit his site to read it.  If you enjoy gaming in any of its multitudinous forms, or reading in-depth author interviews, don’t delay in visiting the site.  He asks good questions!

 

 

Look for Eos Books to bring out theUS hardback edition of Dragon Keeper, book one of The Rain Wilds Chronicles in January of 2010.  And here you may see the cover.

http://harpercollins.com/books/9780061561627/Dragon_Keeper/index.aspx

 

In early January, visit Coffee Time Books (http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/) for an advance review of the US edition of Dragon Keeper.  (I’ll ..ke..ep putting this reminder up until it’s actually there!

 

In January, Seattle and Tacoma University Book Stores will celebrate the 110th anniversary of their founding. They were created as a student co-op to get textbooks.  Pretty cool!  In honor of the anniversary, they have invited some authors to submit 110-word stories.  The stories will be published in a booklet entitled 1-10-110.  People purchasing a volume by one of the contributing authors will receive a copy for free.  Celebrate in January 2010 with University Book Store.

 

Personal Appearances

 

OryCon 31

Portland DoubleTree Hotel at Lloyd Center

Portland, Oregon 97232

November 27-29

 

The writer guest of honor is

Patricia Briggs!

 

You are running out of time if you want to buy your membership online.  You can still get a great deal ($60) until November 15. The hotel block closes November 6, however.

 

Below is the schedule for the panels I will be on. I hope to see some of you there.

 

Friday, November 27   12 to 1 PM.   Madison Room

“I Have a Story Idea. Where do I Start?”

Beginnings, middles and endings. Characters and situations. What is required to translate your great idea into a real story.

Panelists: David D. Levine, Mary Robinette Kowal, Mary Rosenblum/Mary Freeman, Robin Hobb

 

Friday, Nov. 27  ..3 to 4 PM..             Multnomah Room

“Alternate History Fantasy”

Fantasy is often written in a pseudo-medieval society. Some authors bring freshness to the setting by traveling the world, while others go backward, or forward, in time or just adopt technology or lack thereof on a secondary world. Lace and blade, prehistoric, and other choices in fantasy, and how magic fits in, if it even has to at all.

Panelists: M.K. Hobson, Alma Alexander, Michael Ehart, Robin Hobb, John P. Alexander

 

Saturday, Nov. 28  

“Building a Balanced Mythos”

How to balance the mortal, immortal, mythical, legendary and cultural elements when world building

Panelists: Lou Anders, Mary Robinette Kowal, Alma Alexander, Rebecca Neason, Robin Hobb

 

Sunday, Nov. 29   12 to 1 PM          Roosevelt Room

“Theme”

What is theme? How do you develop theme in your writing, or should you even try? For the sake of future graduate students studying your brilliant prose, learn about this often-neglected aspect of storytelling

Panelists: Robin Hobb, Marilyn Holt, A.M. Dellamonica, Bill Johnson, Kristin Landon, Karen L. Azinger

 

Sunday, Nov. 29   1 to 2 PM    Idaho Room

“That’s Gotta Hurt”

Why wounding, maiming and torturing your characters is good, why it should be done often.

Panelists: Robin Hobb, Pat MacEwen, Judith R. Conly, Rhea Rose, Phoebe Kitanidis
 

Not on this schedule is my secret plot to take over Hospitality (the free food room at Orycon) from 2 to 4 on Saturday. Ben Dobyns owner of Zoe, a Seattle based production company will also be on hand, as well as the ever gracious Askable Kat.  You may recognize Ben Dobyn’s name from Dead Gentlemen (http://deadgentlemen.com/) producers of the cult hit movie The Gamers and Dorkness Rising.  Visit http://www.myspace.com/deadgentlemen for a free sample.  And if you plan on attending Orycon, do drop in on Saturday to say hi, look at our film stuff, and have some tea with us! 

 

I’ll also be contributing a nice shopping tote of books and things for the convention auction. Every year, Orycon puts on the Susan C. Petrey Auction to raise funds for Clarion scholarships. Read about it here: http://www.osfci.org/petrey/

What is Clarion?  A wonderful workshop for would be writers of SF.  http://www.clarionwest.org/

 For six weeks, aspiring writers live away from home in a writing intense atmosphere. Each week is taught by a different instructor drawn from the SF/ fantasy professionals. 

 

 

Miscellaneous Bits

I will be attending Rustycon 27 on January 15, 16, and 17, at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel. Guest of Honor is James P. Blaylock.  This is the same hotel that was used for SteamCon, and once again, the convention will have a Steam Punk theme.  I’m looking forward to those gorgeous hall costumes again. http://www.rustycon.com/

You can still buy a $45 membership until November 29th! That’s a very good deal!  If you hurry, you may still be able to get a room at the convention hotel, too.

When I know my panel schedule, I’ll put it in a newsletter.

 

And, of course, in conjunction with the January publication of Dragon Keeper I will be doing a localized book tour.  Here’s the s..ke..leton list.  I’ll fill it out with details as the dates get closer.

 

 January 26    7PM The Release of DRAGON KEEPER in the US!  The party is at University Bookstore in the Seattle University District.


January 29  7PM Powell's Books in Beaverton, Oregon. 


January 30  2PM  Barnes and Noble on Black La..ke.. Blvd. in Olympia Washington has invited me to come by and sign some books.

Feb. 6 Noon.  For the first time ever, I get to sign on Fort Lewis!  I'll be at Building 528 on Pendleton Avenue.

Far distant future department:

Tentatively, I’ll be at Imaginales in Epinal France in 2011.  :)  It's our tenth anniversary, so I'm looking forward to getting back to my French hometown and see all my friends again!

My Current Read

Boneshaker  by Cherie Priest

Concise Review:  Still reading.  Big YES so far.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7:23 AM 
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Thursday, October 29, 2009 

Current mood:  adventurous
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Orycon this year, in Portland Oregon, will occur on the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving.  We will be at the Portland Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd Center.  If you want to come, and to stay at the hotel, you should act soon, as the hotel block closes on November 6! (After that, you might get a room, but not such a good deal on it!)

I'm going to have a number of chances to meet with readers and friends old and new.

Here is my panel schedule for the convention:

Friday, Nov. 27   Noon
"I have a story idea.  Where do I start?"
David Levine, Mary Robinette Kowal, Mary Rosenblum/Mary Freeman and me.

Friday, Nov. 27 3 PM
"Alternate History Fantasy"
M.K. Hobson, Alma Alexander(!), Michael Ehart, John P. Alexander.  And me.

Friday Nov. 27 8 PM
"Proofreading, Smoofreading: Copy Editors Untie"
Deb Taber, A.M. Dellamonica, Kristin Landon.  And me again!

Saturday, Nov. 28  Noon
"Theme"  (Theme?  What's a theme?)
Marilyn Holt, A.M. Dellamonica, Bill Johnson, Kristin Landon, Karen L Azinger.  And, uhm, yes, me.

Sunday, Nov. 29 1PM
"That's Gotta Hurt!"   (about why maiming and torturing characters is Good!)
Pat MacEwen, Judith R. Conly, Rhea Rose, Phoebe Kitanidis. And me, wearing a black hood with eye holes.


In addition to the panels, I hope to take over the Hospitality room for an hour or two on Saturday (time is still being decided.)  Kat and I will be there, along with Ben Dobyns, one of the forces behind the movie The Gamers (produced by Dead Gentlemen).  Ben and I will be offering food, drink, and glimpses into future books and productions.  As soon as I know a definite time, I'll post it here!

So, it looks like it will be a busy convention for me, and that makes me happy.  Those are the ones where I have the most fun.

I'll hope to see a lot of you there!

Robin
4:07 PM 
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Sunday, October 25, 2009 

Current mood:  bouncy
Category: Travel and Places
This convention has been absolutely wonderful!
I didn't take my camera, but I'm sure there will be lots of photos of the convention elsewhere online.  In terms of universal costuming by attendees, I think this has been the most extravagant, elegant and over the top convention I've ever been to.  Men in top hats with walking sticks and carefully curled moustaches.  Ladies in bustles and corsets and lovely hats. And that is before we even get to the fantastic elements of gears, sprockets, lovely weapons fashioned from brass and glass, and all manner of gears and gadgets.
Yesterday, I had a lovely dinner with Tim and Serena Powers, Duane Wilkins, Kat the Assistant, Erik my Tech Guy, and Jay Lake and  Shannon Page.  Earlier I did my two panels, one with Tim, and learned far more about the history of steam punk and its ramifications than I was able to share! 
Today, I viewed a couple of episodes of The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne. Then I attended a reading by Jay Lake (Baby Killers, not available for a year, and he didn't finish reading the whole novella!  Lots of 'close your eyes and see it' descriptions, some shuddersome) and then one by Cat Rambo (I'd already read her tale in this weeks Realms of Fantasy, but as always, enjoyed hearing the author read it.)
Then I listened to a panel on Steam punk influences on Video Games, (moderated by Cherie Priest--I'm in the middle of her Boneshaker novel)  and then wandered through the gaming room to take a look at how Steam Punk tranlates to table top games. Very well indeed.
One of the most wonderful influences at the convention is the artist guest of honor.  Kat loaded up on wonderful prints from Paul Guinan's Boilerplate, an extremely convincing work of art history documenting the travels of that wonderful mechanical man!  Do visit that link I've posted.  No description can really do it justice. Go see.
There were also various and sundry musicians to be sampled, and dashing young crewmen of various dirigibles wandering the hall, intrepid adventurers and befuddled inventors. A dealer room to end all dealer rooms, and a truly dazzling art show.
One of the most exciting things about Steamcon for me was that it was a different pool of fandom than I've seen at other conventions. I was very happy to see a wider range of ages than I've seen at most of the major conventions lately, and the resulting boost in energy that younger readers and fans bring to any event.
So. An excellent con weekend.  Hope I have the 'steam' to get up early and go back to the convention tomorrow.  I predict that this is a convention that is just going to grow.  And I expect that Rustycon is going to be extraordinary this year, as this 'dress rehearsal' for a dazzling steam punk convention can only lead to wondrous things!
Robin
5:01 AM 
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Sunday, October 25, 2009 
http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-amnesia-girl-identified,0,7222968.story

I'm so glad to post this here!  The NYC girl has been identified.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

Robin
4:21 AM 
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Friday, October 23, 2009 

Category: Life
Serious post.

This link goes to a news article about an amnesiac girl in New York City.  Please read it.  To sum it up quickly, she is using the name Amber and can quote a passage from Fool's Fate, but does not recall who she is.  She is between 14 and 19.  She is also quoted as saying that she's writing a story that features a character called Rian “who’s been raised by the commander of the guard post on the edge of a fantasy kingdom.”

Given these details, I think it's possible that she may belong to an online community that shares an interest in Robin Hobb or writing.  I've already checked all my friends here at Myspace and on Live Journal, looking for females using the screen name Amber. 

If you know "Amber" please contact the New York City police.  If her photo looks similar to any  online friends who share an interest in my work, or if her story line and character name from her writing sound familiar to anyone, please let the police know. 

Some of the comments following the newstories on this that I've seen have been pretty snide and skeptical.  I'd prefer to offer help even if I'm later shown to have been gullible.
5:54 PM 
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009 

Current mood:  happy
I was sure I posted this here!

I think there must be some sort of gremlin in my modem who eats posts to Myspace.

Let's try it again!

Over the next few months, I'm very much looking forward to getting out of my basement office and seeing daylight.  And readers!  So here is a brief listing of where you might run into me.  For book signings, please be aware the times are tentative, and may be changed when we're a bit closer.  So please do check back here or at www.robinhobb.com for an update before you hop in your car.

October 23-25   is Steamcon!  This is the first venture of this Steam Punk convention.  It's close to home for me, at the Marriott Hotel at Seatac. And Tim Powers is the guest of honor. I think I've weaseled my way onto a couple of panels on Friday. I always think that's the best time to do panels, at the beginning of a con, because you start meeting new people right away.  I think you'll have to take a chance on getting a membership at the door now but it's a chance worth taking.
EDIT:  Actually, I may be taking part in a couple of the Friday panels early in the con!  I will confirm that when it is confirmed with me!

November 27-29 is Orycon, at the Doubletree at Lloyd center in Portland, Oregon.  Guest of Honor is Patricia Briggs!  I'm looking forward to coffee with old friends there, and meeting new friends.

January 15-17, 2010  is an old favorite con of mine, Rustycon!  James Blaylock is the Guest of Honor, and again we have a Steam Punk theme. Should be a good time.  Again, it's not far from my home at the Mariott Hotel at Seatac. 

Then . . . .

January 26  EDIT:   7PM The Release of DRAGON KEEPER in the US!  The party is at Duane's, sometimes known as University Bookstore in the Seattle University District. There will be balloons, hotdogs and clowns.  Okay, well, maybe not those things, but I'll be there to read and sign books. Please note this has been edited to correct the time to 7PM

January 29  7PM Down to Oregon again, for a visit to Powell's Books in Beaverton.  With their famous dancing beaver . . . okay, that's another lie.  But I will be there, to read and sign and look for coffee with friends afterwards.  Please note this has been edited to the correct time of 7PM

January 30  2PM  Barnes and Noble on Black Lake Blvd. in Olympia Washington has invited me to come by and sign some books.

Feb. 6 Noon.  For the first time ever, I get to sign on Fort Lewis!  I'll be at Building 528 on Pendleton Avenue.

Now, I'm also  starting a rumor that I'll also be at Imaginales in Epinal France in 2011.  :)  It's our tenth anniversary, so I'm looking forward to getting back to my French hometown and see all my friends again!

Robin
10:30 PM 
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009 

Category: Parties and Nightlife
And Happy Birthday, dear Mr. Bilbo.  And you, too, Frodo.

I will never be able to tell you how much your friendship and companionship has meant to me over all the years.

Upon the hearth, the fire is red,
Beneath the roof, there is a bed . . .

Many happy returns of the day!
5:20 AM 
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009 

Current mood:  breezy
Category: Writing and Poetry
I am discovering that writing one book, making it into two, and then keeping two publishing schedules can bend the mind in some interesting ways.

The Dragon Keeper was released in the UK in July of 2009.  I had the great pleasure of traveling to England and making a number of visits for signing books.  Then I came home and according to my usual schedule, I settled back into writing the next book. 

But now I am doing the preparation for the US launch of Dragon Keeper in January of 2010.  We have already lined up some wonderful and welcoming bookstores that will allow me to come in and sign.  I'll post the dates and times here as soon as they are finalized.  But for now, it's fairly definite that I'll be launching from The University Book Storein Seattle, and visiting Powell's in Beaverton, and that I'll be signing somewhere on Fort Lewis as well.  I'm already really looking foward to those stops. Two are old favorites, and the military base will be a new experience for me.

As some of you may know, I have an assistant now.  When Kat isn't being one of the Hell-Bound Homewreckers for Tacoma's Dockyard Derby Dames roller derby team, she actually nags me about getting things done around the office.  One of the things she has come up with is that signings are more fun when there is loot involved.  So, at her bidding and largely due to her efforts, there will be at least one gift basket/door prize at each signing, and some lesser loot to be passed out in general.  Actually, I think she just likes any excuse for a party!

For those who are curious, yes, we are still hammering out the final manuscript of Dragon Haven.  That is the second half of The Rain Wilds Chronicles. In the UK, we are looking at a March release date, and in the US, possibly May.  Take a look here for a peek at yet another gorgeous Jackie Morris dragon cover. 

If I haven't mentioned it yet, The Rain Wilds Chronicles will also be available in audio book format.  I know that through the years, I've had a lot of queries about my works in commuter friendly form.  These recordings will solve that, I think! 

Other projects still continue, of course.  I'm at work on a story collection that will feature works by my other by-line, Megan Lindholm, as well as stories by Robin Hobb.  I'm trying to gather together a fairly diverse collection of works, some old and some new, which I hope will appeal to readers of both personae.  We'll see how well I succeed!

Well, that should bring everyone up to speed on what I'm doing!  I'm sorry not to have posted here in so long, but I think the above shows that I've been putting the words into stories instead.
4:49 AM 
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