Richard A. Knaak, other authors will be signing at BlizzCon
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 23rd 2009 at 9:00PM
Part of the fun of BlizzCon is that beyond all of the dev panels and crazy mainstage stuff going on, there's also the big convention hall full of things to see and do. All of Blizzard's licensing partners usually show up, so Upper Deck usually has games going on, FigurePrints shows off their wares, and all of the computer companies usually have some fun rigs on display. And now we've learned that, as usual, Pocket Books and TokyoPop will have booths set up, along with their usual stable of authors and artists. Richard A. Knaak has confirmed on his website that he'll be there, so if you're going, be sure to bring along your copy of War of the Ancients, and maybe you can get it signed.Our staff is hoping for a Christie Golden appearance as well, and while she doesn't have anything about BlizzCon on the website yet (she is at ComiCon this week, though), we're presuming that she'll be there. Medievaldragon of Blizzplanet is apparently also presuming it: he's included her with Knaak in his headline about the show (see update). So hopefully she'll be around, and Ziebart and Whitcomb can take their treasured copies of Arthas over and do some fanboy groveling.
Should be excellent. We'll be doing our best to get some interviews with these folks here on the site as well, so even if you're not with us in Anaheim, you'll still get a chance to hear from some of your favorite Warcraft authors. BlizzCon ahoy!
Update: Medievaldragon has gotten back to us, and he says that he's heard from Golden herself that she'll be at BlizzCon. Get those books ready for some signin'!
BlizzCon 2009 is coming up on August 21st and 22nd! We've got all the latest news and information. At BlizzCon, you can play the latest games, meet your guildmates, and ask the developers your questions. Plus, there are some great looking costumes.Filed under: Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Lore, BlizzCon
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
soatari Jul 23rd 2009 9:27PM
He should lose that creepy mustache.
Saint Jul 24th 2009 6:38AM
Indeed. High school guidance counselor anyone?
Deadly. Off. Topic. Jul 24th 2009 11:32AM
He should gain some skill in writing first.
joerendous Jul 23rd 2009 9:31PM
for the sake of those going, i hope Ms Golden attends. if she does i'll be very envious!
Draykin Jul 23rd 2009 10:05PM
I actually have a signed copy of Warcraft Legends 4. I'm not quite sure how but I was browsing through the bookstore for it and my girlfriend actually pulled out a copy with a big "autographed edition" sticker on the front. I must say he has a weird signature.
Jamesisgreat Jul 23rd 2009 10:27PM
From what I hear about Knaak, him signing your book will probably lower its value...
MechChef Jul 24th 2009 8:52AM
Yeah...My first thoughts: "Knaak? No thanks."
Badger Jul 23rd 2009 10:37PM
I have never liked the official "Warcraft" fiction. The stories very rarely break new ground, instead choosing to retread the history behind the setting over and over again. The novels are often focused almost exclusively on action, rather than striking any balance with description and character development. The comics are also poorly drawn, in my experience, but I'm simply not a huge fan of Manga. (Note: Not referring to the comics about Wrynn and his allies. I don't know enough about those, but the art style does seem a bit busy to me.)
Perhaps most frustrating is the common assumption that anyone reading the official fiction is already intimately familiar with every detail of "Warcraft" history. Some folks might get hooked on something entirely new if the writing were more open to those who haven't already played a "Warcraft" game.
Admittedly, however, I often approach publications like these on the assumption that they're meant to be nothing more than marketing tie-ins. I'm a writer myself so I'm probably biased toward extreme cynicism.
stephen2553 Jul 24th 2009 8:13AM
I've read Arthas and reading The first book in war of the ancients, i liked them but I have to agree with a lot of this. I find it hard to figure out what the hell is being described until somone mentions its a Doomguard or Mal'ganas. If you know enough about warcraft its only a small inconvience but if you just like fantasy books and are trying warcraft you wont have any idea whats going on
snowleopard233 Jul 24th 2009 9:45AM
I agree with this. I don’t understand why Arthas was as celebrated as it was. There was little there that you wouldn’t know about if you had played Warcraft 3 and there was little that you would have been able to understand had you not. The whole thing just felt like a more-fleshed out retelling of the original storyline but without any of the suspense from wondering what was going to happen.
I’ve read a lot of the submissions for the writing contests including the winning ones and most of them are far more interesting than anything I’ve seen Blizz churn out. Why? The writers take risks. They explore new territory and create new characters with storylines that are fresh and interesting. Most are unwilling to tamper with the core canon, so they instead create stories that explore the often considered mundane aspects of the universe; like a peon’s life, a Tauren’s battle in Alterac, or Blood Elf politics in the wake of Kael’thas’ betrayal.
I’d like to see more risky stuff like this but on a larger scale. Let’s see some more stories that concern relatable, vulnerable characters rather than just retelling the same tired stories about outlandish heroes that drop-kick everything in site (I’m looking at you, Knaak).
aelador Jul 23rd 2009 10:44PM
I have to say it... I didn't like Arthas at all I thought it felt way to scripted and the fights were horrible every fight in the book went like this "Arthas meets bad guy, Arthas talks to bad guy, Arthas swings sword bad guy falls down" I liked 'Vampire of the mists' by Golden, Alot one of my favroite books 'Arthas rise of the lich king' just couldn't compare and I hate how people act like it was such a good book. Knaak on the other hand I think tells a great story with epic battles I am looking forward to any future books he may be writing in the warcraft universe.
clankoh_site Jul 23rd 2009 11:02PM
Medievaldragon here. I forgot to write anything about Christie Golden going to Blizzcon in that newspost, but I interviewed her on June 18 at the Book Revue bookstore in Huntington, New York, and she gave me a ride back to Manhattan.
We talked a lot of things about the books, and of course asked her if she was going to Blizzcon. She confirmed she is going to BlizzCon, and Jaime Costas from Simon & Schuster, Inc. (Pocket Star Books) will be there too.
Thanks for following my reports, Mike. ^_^
soatari Jul 23rd 2009 11:25PM
That's definitely good news.
Tridus Jul 24th 2009 6:01AM
Someone please slap him with one of his books instead of getting him to sign it. Night of the Dragon was so terrible that it's an insult to the Printing Press.
perderedeus Jul 24th 2009 9:26AM
Knaak... eh, well, he's a bit of a hack. I hate to say that about any published author but it's true. Golden is a lot better, but even she failed to impress me with 'Arthas.' 'Lord of the Clans' was much more enjoyable and I'll be sure to get a copy of it signed by her.