So this time, at WorldCon 2013, which was back in San Antonio where I
first attended WorldCon, I got the chance to get him to sign his Mars books. I wasn’t about to waste the chance.
I stood in line about 30 minutes. He signed. I told him about my first WorldCon and not knowing
better. He smiled. I told him I was looking forward to seeing in
him Dallas in just a few days. He smiled
again.
A few days later he was at the B&N in Dallas. The crowd was light. I sat through the
reading of his new book, Shaman. He answered
a few questions and then signing began.
Again I waited about 30 minutes. I mentioned I saw him at WorldCon. He smiled.
He asked if I enjoyed hearing a different passage read this time. I admitted
I didn’t get to see him in any panels. He
smiled.
I picked up my book and left.
When I got home, Kae, the wife asked about the signing. It was the usually innocuous questions: Who,
what, where, when. She remembered the name. She asked if I got his signature at WorldCon. I smiled. I confirmed I did. She then repeated my rule of not getting the
same person twice. Chagrined, I admitted
that didn’t always apply to sci fi authors. She smiled.
The silence wasn’t deafening but something had to be said…Hi,
I’m AH, and I collect Autographs…
Dutifully, she said: Hi AH…
AH – collecting is my drug of choice
