Boy is my hand sore (well, shoulder actually). Over the past week, night after night for a total of more than 16 hours, I autographed six thousand signature sheets for THE WINDS OF DUNE. Brian Herbert had already finished them and shipped two big boxes to me. Tor will be binding the signature pages (with Stephen Youll artwork) into “signed first edition” copies of the book, to be released in August. These signed books (which should have a sticker on the cover) will be distributed around bookstores and sold at no extra charge.

Since Brian and I can’t go everywhere on our booksigning tour, this gives other fans a chance for an autograph, even if they aren’t in the vicinity of one of our appearances. Look for a copy in stores, starting August 4.

Here is the book description on the US jacket:

“Paul has walked off into the sand, blind, and is presumed dead. Jessica and Gurney are on Caladan; Alia is trying to hold the Imperial government together with Duncan; Mohiam is dead at the hands of Stilgar; Irulan remains imprisoned. Paul’s former friend Bronso of Ix now seems to be leading the opposition against House Atreides. Herbert and Anderson’s newest book in this landmark series concentrates on these characters as well as the growing battle between Jessica and her daughter, Alia.”

“This vital link between the first two books of the Dune saga begins immediately after the close of Dune…This is good reading…standing well enough on its own for Dune novices, it goes without saying that it’s must-reading for established fans.” — Booklist on PAUL OF DUNE

“The kind of intricate plotting and philosophical musings that would make the elder Herbert proud.” — Library Journal (starred review) on PAUL OF DUNE.