Signing in Montreal

[Curious]

I'm a great fan of Brandon Sanderson, and I've read everything he's published (except the Alcatraz series). I read his blog and listen to his WritingExcuses pod-casts, so I was extremely excited to hear that he's coming to Montreal. What I'm wondering is, what happens at these signings? How long do they last? Does anyone have any comments about any signings they've gone to? I normally don't go to these kinds of things but then again the first artist I've really become a major fan of is Mr S. Should I go?

[sortitus]

First, Brandon gets there, thanks people for coming and introduces himself. He then signs stuff, talks about his novels, reads at least one excerpt from his books, and signs stuff again. Then he has a Q&A, signs any books that haven't been signed, and leaves.

This was my experience with the two signings I've been to, so while it seemed pretty formulaic to me, two may not be enough to judge by.

Brandon was happy to chat with me after the signings both times, which made them a better experience for me. He obviously won't talk to you very long if other people are waiting to talk to him or if he needs to leave, but the more products you keep him busy with the more time you get with him.

If you have any questions that you want to ask him that you think of before you go, I'd recommend writing them down. I got too excited my first time and forgot the questions I wanted to ask. Have fun!

[Curious]

Thanks so much for the info and the advice! I see that it's worth going to and I'll make sure to bring all the Sanderson books I own if I want to talk to him longer. Hehehe I do think I might have some questions for him–thanks for suggesting to write them down because I could really see myself forgetting them–and I really hope he reads from something he hasn't published yet (because I heard that he read from The Way of Kings at one a public event, and I'm extremely excited for that book). How long does he read? Does the Q&A last long? Thanks so much, I was just kind of afraid of the unknown because I haven't done anything like this before. Oh, and most importantly, is there food?

[sortitus]

He read from Warbreaker my first time and read a character exploration scene from Way of Kings last time, as well as his most recent published work both times, so two for two on the unpublished for me.

He reads for 5-10 minutes per excerpt, but he will cut them short if he thinks that he doesn't have time.

The Q&A was 30-45 minutes at each event I attended, so about that many questions. Plus or minus some, depending on the complexity of the questions.

There is no food unless you bring it. Well, that may be inaccurate, but it has more to do with the people who are hosting the event than the author in most cases. I've been to signings where food is provided by the venue, but never to one where the author supplied it.

[Curious]

Now you've gone and gotten me really excited. I'm definitely going now. It seems like it will have a good enough length to feed the hungry fans (including me—and by feed I mean satisfy their interest, not food. ) Thanks again! By the way, I was kidding about the food (though I won't complain if there is some).

[firstRainbowRose]

He said at LTUE this year that he will always read from something that isn't published.  So he'll more then likely do the prolouge for WoK (what he's done for most of them.)

[Peter Ahlstrom]

He may not have time to read at his Gathering Storm signings later this year (depends how hectic those are), so this is one of the last chances to attend a normal signing and hear a reading before then.

And the prologue to WoK is pretty kick...butt...

[sortitus]

Yeah, the last signing I attended he hadn't written the WoK prologue yet. He read that character exploration thing, which may or may not have been from WoK. a

edit:spoiler-texted

[firstRainbowRose]

That's WoK.  When he did the signing up at borders the day after warbreaker came out, that's what he gave me as the prolouge.

[sortitus]

Dag, I may have just ruined that for Curious then. Brandon said that it probably wouldn't go into his book when he read it this March.

[firstRainbowRose]

So edit it out right now!!!  If he hasn't read it, then problem solved.  If so... well, then there's a problem.

[Ehran]

So is BS going to add an "Eh" to the end of each of his signatures to celebrate doing a canadian signing?

[Curious]

I may have convinced a friend to join me if she's not busy. We both discovered Mr S at the same time, me with Warbreaker and her with Elantris. We both loved his writing but couldn't talk about it for a while because we hadn't read any of the same stuff by him. I've resolved that I'm going no matter what, though, even if she doesn't come. I already missed seeing Kenneth Oppel when he was visiting my school and he's not even my favorite author.

To Ehran, I hope he does put an "Eh" on the end of each signature. I'll having him sign my hockey stick if I can make it through the ice storm on my pet moose. I hope that when/if he comes back to Canada he comes to the same place... Here in Montreal we're the first place to have oil-heated igloos (extracted from seal blubber) so his stays wouldn't be enjoyable anywhere else. We also have the best poutine.

By the way, what was that spoiler, sortitus? Actually, never mind. You've really done a good job getting me all hyped up for seeing Mr S. Even if he only reads for 5-10 minutes, it will be worth it. Have the Q&As been interesting?

Would it would be indecent to bring a bookplate for TGS when it comes out along with my copies of Elantris, MB3 and Warbreaker? If I'm going with just one it's going to be Warbreaker because I have it in hardback, it's the best-looking and also my favorite, although having a bookplate would be cool too for TSG. I was a fan of RJ before BS, even if BS is the first author I'm really a fan of.

[sortitus]

The Q&As are as interesting as the crowd makes it, and if the crowd isn't asking the right questions Brandon will steer it some place interesting.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

The last time I went to Montreal with Brandon and Dan, not one single person asked either of them to sign their books. You ungrateful Canadians—you should be grateful they didn't write off Canada for good. Show some respect! 







(It was November 2001. We met a guy named Moshe Feder. And ate Chinese Spaghetti.)