One-time answers to Frequently-Asked Questions (real people have actually asked me all of these.)

Where do you get all those marvelous peni–umm… I mean ideas?
To quote the amazing Charlaine Harris: “I have a great imagination!” Or you can read the slightly more serious answer on an old blog entry on that topic

Will you read/blurb/edit/advise me on my manuscript?
I’m sorry to say this but, no. For both legal reasons and because of time constraints, I cannot agree to read or blurb books and manuscripts unless they come to me through an agent, editor, or publishing professional. Please have your editor or agent get in touch with me or my agent for blurbs. My agent’s contact information is on my Press Kit page.

Who is your agent/editor and will you introduce me?
My primary editor for the Greywalker series is Anne Sowards at Penguin Group US. My agent is Joshua Bilmes of JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York. No, sorry, I won’t introduce you–I had to introduce myself the first time and a dose of knee-shaking fear is good for you. But Joshua’s contact info is on my Press Kit page.

Can I get a signed copy of my favorite Kat Richardson book?
Sure! I love to sign my books for people. There are four ways to get a signed book:

1. Find me at an event and ask me to sign your copy (when appropriate obviously).
2. Send me your book(s) with proper return postage/packaging and I’ll sign and return it/them to you as soon as I can. Just drop me an e-mail for the shipping address via the contact form.
3. Order a book from either the Seattle Mystery Bookshop or the University Book Store in Seattle* and leave specific instructions for which book you want, how it’s to be signed, and where to send it (along with the appropriate shipping and purchase information of course.) They’ll call me and we’ll get it done and in the mail to you as soon as we can.
4. Order a signed book online through The Signed Page (Labyrinth only right now).

*When you make a request for signed books at the U Book Store using the form linked above, send it to “General Books” and be sure to include “Attn: Duane Wilkins” and the information that you are making a special signing request for one of my books, in addition to the other info and your phone number. Duane is the SF manager and he or his minions will call you back to confirm your order and make the arrangements. If you don’t do this, the book will not be processed correctly.

Why don’t you have “buy” links on this site? Don’t you want me to buy your books?
I do, I do! But with the number of different foreign and domestic editions now available, there just isn’t room for all the links I’d have to put up. Not only for each title and edition in every country, but also for every store chain and independent bookstore that contacts me and asks. I just can’t do it: the site would be wall-to-wall “buy” links and no one really wants that. Using the ISBN numbers provided on the individual book pages, you can order exactly the edition you want from exactly the store you want to patronize.

Will you speak at/teach at/be a guest of my event/do an interview with me?
That depends. Send me or my publicist specific information about your event, organization, or publication and what you expect me to do and provide. If it sounds like fun, I’ll get in touch to schedule something.

When will there be a Greywalker movie/TV show? Who would you cast?
Alas, all of that’s out of my control. I do have film/TV agents working on those questions, but right now, there’s no other answer than “ummm… I dunno.”

Why did you do X to your covers/audio/translation?
Unfortunately, those are also things over which I have no control.

Did you really write The Bat?
Heck no! I haven’t the foggiest notion where that idea came from. The Bat was written by Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1926. I wasn’t even the gleam of a gleam’s gleam yet.

Okay, then, Miss Smarty-pants, what about The Glove? You’re listed on IMDb for that one.
Yes, I did and yes, I am. Or to be more precise I wrote the screenplay based on someone else’s story, with their permission, of course. That rare, and very goofy short film, is listed on IMDb as “The Glove” (2003). If you really must see it, I think you can still download it from File Planet.

What happened to the Dangerous Days graphic novel project?
The same thing that happens to a lot of love-child projects: real life got in the way. Ken George and I continue to discuss it, but for now, it’s taking a long nap until we have a lot more free time to spend with it.

Don’t you live in Texas?
No, I’ve never lived in Texas. There are several other Kat Richardsons in the world and, yes, at least two are in Texas. We haven’t met. Yet.

“California Ferret Legalization”? Is that for real?
Yes, it is. If you want to know more about the issue, read this article from SFGate.

Now that you’re a bestselling author, you must be rich. How much money do you make?
(Honest: people do ask this–I wish I was making this up.) No, not really. I think I grossed about $60,000 in 2008 (no, I won’t go look up my 1040s for you, you’ll have to take my word). After self-employment taxes, regular taxes, and expenses, I netted about $32,000. Which is less than I made as an entry-level course editor in 1989.

Got a question you don’t see answered here? Send it to me via the contact form