September 7

Next update September 21 

It’s been a rough couple weeks since my last update, both for me personally and for the entire city of Austin. So I’m going to get a little preachy. 

My family has gone through a difficult time of loss, but I don’t really feel like discussing it here. All I can say is that I’m lucky to be part of a family that cares strongly for each other and pulls together when times are tough; I know not everybody has that. 

As for Austin, many of you may have heard about the central Texas wildfires on the news. My wife and I haven’t been directly affected, but we know people who had to evacuate, and it’s almost impossible to live in the Austin area and not be impacted on some level by what’s happened. 

This morning as I lay in bed teetering on the edge of sleep, I heard the a distant siren and snapped awake instantly. My sleep-addled brain was convinced it was a fire engine responding to a blaze very close to where I live, and there were a few brief seconds of true panic before I figure out it was actually just a cop pulling a motorist over for speeding on a nearby road. 

I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way right now: sirens are a scary, scary sound in Austin. Of course I realize other regions of the country are suffering, too. I feel bad hearing about the devastation caused by earthquakes and hurricanes on the east coast, but it’s human nature to react more strongly when something is closer to home. 

So before I get to my regular update, I’m going to ask you to help out in your own backyard. I’m sure wherever you live, there are people in need. Do something to help them: donate, volunteer… whatever. There are so many worthy causes out there that it’s easy to have them all blend together. It’s tempting to look at all that’s wrong in society and say, “I can’t solve the world’s problems”, so we do nothing. I get that; it’s human nature. 

But we don’t have to save the world all at once. Just pick something you care about – anything – and do something small to make a difference. All those little acts add up. Plus, you’ll feel good about yourself. (And you can act all superior to your friends who don’t help anyone out. That’s totally the best part.) 

Okay, end of the sermon. Back to my regular not-so-subtle self-promotion. 

I have some details on my New York Comic Con schedule. So far the only thing confirmed is my particpation in a Star Wars book panel on Sunday. I don’t have too many details yet, but time and place are confirmed (though subject to change): 

Del Rey Star Wars Books Panel
Sunday, October 16
Room #: 1A24
2:45PM – 3:45PM

I’ll probably be also doing some book signings, and I may be involved in some BioWare panels as well. Have to see how this all shakes out.

Speaking of BioWare, we had a huge showing at PAX and GamesCom – just click on the links for the highlights.

Okay, I guess that’s all for this update. Next time I’ll talk about why my books are shorter than so many other fantasy/sci-fi works out there. (And it’s not just because I’m lazy.)

Drew