… we also packed some books for you to read on the plane … Talking without Puns to People For Dummies … How to Call for an Uber For Dummies … and for that one book you might sign, How to Write in Cursive for Dummies.
I have exactly one signed book. Gnomes written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet. Originally published in Dutch in 1976 as Leven en werken van de kabouter (lit. ’Life and work of the gnomes), then released in English in 1977. I couldn’t afford one unsigned when I first became aware of it. The one I found and bought used still has the original jacket and it is an original Dutch printing.
I’m sure the whole town will be there… the whole 14 of them! Dan and his family would never miss the most exciting event in town since Columbus :DI’m kidding, of course. I’m sure it’s a beautiful place to live. I wonder why are they letting Pastis in… :D
My kid was a big PBS fan. We went to see him yap in DC a number of years ago; the kid brought along three PBS books for Pastis to sign. It was a good thing ~ the bookstore ran out. Every seat was full; we had to stand with the crowd in the back. The signing line snaked through and out of the bookstore. He signs each book with a doodle of whatever character you wish.
Pastis is correct. People just don’t come to book signings, anymore. It’s rarely worth the expense. Romance authors would often bring a famous cover model with them just to up the attendance.
strange that he would be in Danville CA, population of 42,000 mostly rich wasps. I assume most of the people coming will be from Dublin, Concord, or other surrounding towns. I planned on going to a book signing in Santa Rosa, but couldn’t even get in the door. If you go, go early, very early.
we have a very old discard book signed by a librarian in indiana. The house at pooh corner, first printing. a gift to my wife from my father 40 years ago, she treasures it.
Well I thnk it’s shocking, if not disgraceful, that this Pastis fellow is using his comic to shamelessly flout his signings.….Or is it ‘flaunt’? No.. it’s.. umm.. Hee hee. Just kidding. Mostly.I came to his signing in Portland OR here a number of years ago. Come to think of it.. it was at a CHILDREN’s Bookstore! Whoa, that tells you something!Actually I think it was to promote a children’s book.
BE THIS GUY 7 months ago
Make sure the bookstore employees take their name tags off when they pretend to be customers.
BasilBruce 7 months ago
Stephan, prove that you’re smarter than a rat—don’t phone and drive!
ronaldspence 7 months ago
Rat is always encouraging
Gent 7 months ago
Me is never get what do me does with signed book. Do me get it for discount that way?
sirbadger 7 months ago
Those metal things you are supposed to take apart are good fidget toys, but they can make you look stupid in front of customers.
ArcticFox Premium Member 7 months ago
Pastis gets pasted.
B UTTONS 7 months ago
… we also packed some books for you to read on the plane … Talking without Puns to People For Dummies … How to Call for an Uber For Dummies … and for that one book you might sign, How to Write in Cursive for Dummies.
Concretionist 7 months ago
Zing. As for me, I’d plan to have plenty to read. And caffeinated beverage of choice. And a table near the restrooms.
Sir Davecelot 7 months ago
What can one do with a signed book anyways?
win.45mag 7 months ago
Rat looks like he’s standing on the Jolly Green Giant’s butt.
Yakety Sax 7 months ago
I have exactly one signed book. Gnomes written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet. Originally published in Dutch in 1976 as Leven en werken van de kabouter (lit. ’Life and work of the gnomes), then released in English in 1977. I couldn’t afford one unsigned when I first became aware of it. The one I found and bought used still has the original jacket and it is an original Dutch printing.
blunebottle 7 months ago
Aw, Rat does care for Steph!
Cornelius Noodleman 7 months ago
Sorry, I need to leave, my pen ran out of ink.
Imagine 7 months ago
I din’t know books could sign things.
TampaFanatic1 7 months ago
Steve needs to change his cell phone number or block Rat if he is using Whatsapp or Line.
iggyman 7 months ago
The Rat is back to himself again!
Huckleberry Hiroshima 7 months ago
The place is full of books. He can read.
James Wolfenstein 7 months ago
I’m sure the whole town will be there… the whole 14 of them! Dan and his family would never miss the most exciting event in town since Columbus :DI’m kidding, of course. I’m sure it’s a beautiful place to live. I wonder why are they letting Pastis in… :D
kittygatos 7 months ago
“Seven days without a pun…. makes one weak”.
Ellis97 7 months ago
I’ll be attending the event.
Stephen Runnels Premium Member 7 months ago
That’s because you killed off the Crocs. People love the Crocs.
Cameron1988 Premium Member 7 months ago
Rat if people didn’t come to Steph’s book signings, this strip would’ve cancelled decades ago, and you’d no longer exist
thelordthygod666 7 months ago
The usual comment I wrote above my signature at these things on the flyleaf was “thanks for your help”…it gave them something to show off.
Zebrastripes 7 months ago
I can vouch for Stephan! Love his books!
Goat from PBS 7 months ago
People need a sense of humor like this. The ability to laugh at themselves without getting uptight.
txmystic 7 months ago
What is this “bookstore” of which he speaks? Does he mean those shops that now sell as many tchotchkes, Godiva chocolates, toys, and puzzles as books?
I miss Borders…
Meg: All Seriousness Aside 7 months ago
My kid was a big PBS fan. We went to see him yap in DC a number of years ago; the kid brought along three PBS books for Pastis to sign. It was a good thing ~ the bookstore ran out. Every seat was full; we had to stand with the crowd in the back. The signing line snaked through and out of the bookstore. He signs each book with a doodle of whatever character you wish.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member 7 months ago
Hey Stephen, if you come to Seattle I’ll come to your book signing. I don’t like have to buy your book though do I ?
Radish the wordsmith 7 months ago
I have/had relatives in Danville.
Linguist 7 months ago
Judging by Steph’s itinerary, he’s visiting every bookstore that’s still open in the United States.
Katje 7 months ago
Sure. People want you to sign checks for them… :)
marilynnbyerly 7 months ago
Pastis is correct. People just don’t come to book signings, anymore. It’s rarely worth the expense. Romance authors would often bring a famous cover model with them just to up the attendance.
paulscon Premium Member 7 months ago
strange that he would be in Danville CA, population of 42,000 mostly rich wasps. I assume most of the people coming will be from Dublin, Concord, or other surrounding towns. I planned on going to a book signing in Santa Rosa, but couldn’t even get in the door. If you go, go early, very early.
Mike Baldwin creator 7 months ago
Ha! I always hire an insecurity team to protect me at book signings. Gives me somebody to talk to.
The Brooklyn Accent 7 months ago
I expect his signing in Brooklyn will have a line out the door and halfway down the block.
rasputin's horoscope 7 months ago
Good bookstores also have puzzles, Rat.
d_odds 7 months ago
I’m hoping to be able to attend the Brooklyn, NY signing this Wednesday. Hope Rat is right, I don’t like long lines.
SNVBD 7 months ago
don’t call and drive, Stephan. And if you do need to call, use a headset or handsfree kit.
Jingles 7 months ago
we have a very old discard book signed by a librarian in indiana. The house at pooh corner, first printing. a gift to my wife from my father 40 years ago, she treasures it.
AwelCruiz 7 months ago
“Steph” is short for Stephanie.
Bilan 7 months ago
Just don’t work on the puzzles while you’re driving.
sperry532 7 months ago
Any thoughts as to how many pieces rat removed from each puzzle?
unfair.de 7 months ago
Do you know how often accidents happen by drivers who are using the phone or an in an instable emotional state?
bookworm0812 7 months ago
Hey, if he’s working on a jigsaw puzzle, I’ll come to his book signing and help him put the puzzle together!
asrialfeeple 7 months ago
When you’re in Danville, say “Hi” to Candace for me.
elgrecousa Premium Member 7 months ago
For Pete’s sake, the strip is about how much respect Rat has for Stephan not about the value of a signed book.
pamela welch Premium Member 7 months ago
Great punchline, as usual; I love your work ♥ and expect you will do quite well on your book tour. You’re very talented :-)
zeexenon 7 months ago
When we visited my aunt and uncle and cousins in Danville, there were no direct flites to that great metropolis. ’Had to settle with San Francisco.
pokeystick 7 months ago
Well I thnk it’s shocking, if not disgraceful, that this Pastis fellow is using his comic to shamelessly flout his signings.….Or is it ‘flaunt’? No.. it’s.. umm.. Hee hee. Just kidding. Mostly.I came to his signing in Portland OR here a number of years ago. Come to think of it.. it was at a CHILDREN’s Bookstore! Whoa, that tells you something!Actually I think it was to promote a children’s book.
Sisyphos 7 months ago
Don’t let Rat rain on your (book signing) parade, Cartoon-Boy!
(Although I might worry that most bookstores nowadays don’t have many employees….)
John Jorgensen 7 months ago
Thoughtful of Rat
Swirls Before Pine 7 months ago
What about the ones that are not at book stores?
Swirls Before Pine 7 months ago
There is a good chance you’ll meet me, Steph. It’s only an hour away and two busses.
Legalgirl 7 months ago
I am the proud owner of a book signed by Mr. Pastis himself, and I treasure it! It meant more because I got to meet him.
love2cook 7 months ago
LMFAO