So the official George and his publisher approved World of Ice and Fire app is available. I can attest to the fact that he personally worked on this project, because I sat and took notes as we went over hundreds of questions on random Ice and Fire arcana. No, it didn’t delay Winds of Winter. I made him do it while he ate lunch. Yes, he complains when I make him work during lunch.

The most iPhone literate person in our office had this to say after playing with the app for a while:

“Have you ever forgotten who killed who, or who’s who’s parents while having a conversation at a coffee shop or between novels on the bus? Well now that The new official WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE app is available you can fact check any and all things Ice and fire anywhere you find yourself. The app is on sale for the iPad, iPhone, and Nook, a limited free version of the app is up and ready for fans to download with additional info pack available as well. It features profiles of more than 540 characters, 380 places, and major houses, along with interactive world maps. This exclusive guide to all things Ice and Fire is easy to navigate featuring beautiful art, and easy touch access to any query you may have on your journey through Westerous. You can read new text specially written for the app by Elio M. Garcia and Jr. and Linda Antonsson all about your favorite characters and their histories. So go and download yours today and get access to the World of Ice and Fire at your fingertips.”

Sounds like a ringing endorsement to me. Ordering links are included below:

Six InfoPacks to Choose From !“ Buy Once and Get Free Updates

A Game of Thrones – $1.99
A Clash of Kings – $.99
A Storm of Swords – $.99
A Feast For Crows – $.99
A Dance With Dragons – $.99
Five Novel InfoPack !“ Get all five InfoPacks for only $4.99

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/george-r.-r.-martins-world/id570015223?mt=8

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/george-r-r-martins-a-world-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-guide-random-house-digital-inc/1113865902?ean=2940043934550

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… says THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/stephenie-meyer-el-james-gillian-393669/group/Items%201-10

Who knew?

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George has, in the past, been happy to sign books or memorabilia for fans who were willing to ship them to him. Unfortunately, in recent months, primarily due to the success of the HBO show, the volume of incoming items has gotten too high. This is primarily due to resellers who want to get George’s signature on things they then sell on eBay or through other channels.

To put a stop to this so that it doesn’t take up so much time, I’m implementing the following policy for signatures:

* Any package sent to this office that has not been pre-arranged with our office administrator at grrmbooks@gmail.com will be refused and returned unopened.

* Items unrelated to George’s work will not be signed (yes, I’m talking to you guy who sent us a giant box of baseballs to be signed)

* All signature requests must include the name of the person for whom the item is being signed, and will be personalized at George’s discretion. No sending us 20 books “just signatures please”

* If you are a book dealer looking for signatures for your store, contact the office administrator at the above email address and we’ll see if we can help you.

If you’re a legitimate fan that wants a book signed, please contact us and we’ll help you arrange that. If you want George to sign a hundred book plates so you can sell them on eBay for grossly inflated prices, sorry, you’re out of luck.

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Is selling on Amazon right now for $90 off the list price. Looks like it’s available at that price for about ten more hours.

http://www.amazon.com/Inside-HBOs-Game-Thrones-Collectors/dp/1612185738/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352842549&sr=1-3&keywords=bryan+cogman

Amazon description: “This spectacular collector’s edition includes a lavishly illustrated book on the making of the show, scrolled maps, plus an artist’s portfolio featuring never-before-seen storyboards, all housed in a handsome gold-stamped case.

The book reveals how the best-selling fantasy series was translated into a series that has captivated millions of viewers. It includes hundreds of unpublished set photos, production and costume designs, plus family trees, a dissection of the Dothraki language, and histories of the realms. Interviews with actors and crew members, as well as a foreword by George R.R. Martin, make this an exclusive window into the show.

The storyboards portfolio shows how comic book artist Will Simpson singlehandedly storyboarded seasons one and two and features deleted scenes and alternate scenes. Storyboards are seldom made public, so this collection is as rare as it is fascinating.

Completing the package are maps of Westeros and Esos. Fans will recognize the maps from the HBO Go bonus material for Season 2. Printed on archival, acid-free paper, and ready for framing, these maps bring the world of Game of Thrones to life.”

We have one here at the office, and it’s beautiful. Bryan Cogman did a fabulous job putting together this insider’s look at the production of the show, and the extras that come with this special edition are top notch.

If you’ve been coveting one of these but the price tag scared you off, then this is your chance to pick it up for less than half the sticker price.

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A long night. I must admit, I was worried. The polls all said Obama would be reelected, but I’ve never been able to put my faith in polls. (They looked pretty good for Al Gore and John Kerry too). Maybe the pollsters are getting better. My hat’s off to Nate Silver and his team at 538.

It was a great night for Obama, for the Democrats… and, in the long run, for the country. Yes, even for all you folks who hate Obama (which I will never understand), and voted against him. All of the accomplishments of his first term would have been endangered if he had lost… economic recovery, peace in Iraq, gay rights, Wall Street regulation, tax reform, women’s reproductive freedoms, and… especially… health care. Now we know that “Obamacare” will finally be able to kick in fully, and the United States will finally have a health care system worthy of a country as great and rich as ours.

Besides Obama’s victory, I was especially glad to see the worst of the far right candidates go down to defeat. I am looking at you, Akin and Mourdock. I just hope the GOP takes the right lesson from these defeats, and moves away from the Tea Party and the far right, to become once more the party of Dwight Eisenhower, Nelson Rockefeller, Everett Dirksen, and Theodore Roosevelt.

After his first election, Obama made huge efforts to reach across the aisle and work with the “loyal opposition” on some bipartisan solutions to our country’s problems, but met only with obstructionism, attack, and a record number of filibusters. This time, I can only hope he will find a few Republicans of good conscience willing to work with him. It takes two to tango… and bridges are best built from both sides.

But there will be time enough for that later. This is a night for celebration.

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Tomorrow, back to work…

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