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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

Thom DeSimone

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Everything posted by Thom DeSimone

  1. The Citadel College in Charleston, South Carolina—yes, the very place that helped shape the legendary Robert Jordan (aka James Oliver Rigney Jr.)—is hosting a virtual auction for the Ages. Imagine this: rare, one-of-a-kind editions of The Wheel of Time books straight from Robert Jordan's personal collection are up for grabs. This means fans can bid on items like advanced reader copies, uncorrected, rare, impossible-to-find leather bound editions, and much much more! It’s like we’ve stumbled upon a treasure trove within a stasis box! If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a piece of the series that shaped so many lives, and even some other authors’ first forays into writing (“some other authors” like Brandon Sanderson or Michael Livingston), this is the moment to channel your inner ta’veren luck, listen to those dice, and dive into the bidding war of a lifetime! And, even better, it’s all for a good cause. Much of the proceeds from the sale of the items will go to supporting underprivileged youth in securing tuition assistance to attend the Citadel itself! The Legacy of Robert Jordan at The Citadel For those unfamiliar with the connection between The Citadel and The Wheel of Time, it’s important to know that Jordan was an alumnus of the school. His time there helped shape the discipline, precision, and depth of thought that is so evident throughout his sprawling fantasy epic. For years, The Citadel has been an unofficial guardian of his legacy, and the college’s archives are home to an extensive collection of his manuscripts, letters, personal items, and notes. Now, The Citadel is giving us, the fans, a chance to own a part of that legacy. A Collector’s Dream: The Auction Details This virtual auction feels like something pulled from the Age of Legends. The collection includes first editions, signed copies, and even some personal, annotated volumes that Jordan himself held in his hands. For any Wheel of Time aficionado, this is more than just an auction—it’s a pilgrimage. For example, fans can bid on a copy of The Shadow Rising, the book in which The Wheel of Time began to broaden in scope, with the introduction of the Aiel and deeper dives into the history of the Forsaken. To hold Jordan’s own copy of this book is to be in touch with the Creator’s process. It’s not just a physical object—it’s a thread from the Pattern itself. More Than Just Books In addition to signed leatherbounds, auction-goers can bid on advance reader copies, uncorrected proofs, New Spring graphic novels, exclusive editions, paperbacks, foreign language editions, and even the personal desk and bookcase from Jordan’s home. These are the kind of treasures that we, as fans of the series, would be honored to display in our homes—items that speak to the depth and care that went into creating one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever written. Picture this: you bid on and win a signed edition of A Crown of Swords. It arrives on your doorstep in all its hardcover glory. You carefully turn the pages, knowing that the man who brought Rand al’Thor, Egwene al’Vere, and Mat Cauthon to life touched these very pages. There’s magic in that. How to Participate The auction will be hosted online and in person by Embassy Auction International in cooperation with the Citadel College on Thursday, September 26. Online bidding starts at 10am ET, but the items are already listed here, along with information about the location of the in-person auction. If you have a way to make it to the auction in person, you can peruse the items during the two days prior to the auction and maybe connect with some other Wheel of Time fans there (#AuctionCon, anyone?). But since most of us can’t make it to Kinzers, Pennsylvania, the virtual option will make the auction accessible to Wheel of Time fans across the globe. As you step through your sword forms and the bidding wars unfold, fans from all over the world will be united in their shared love for this series. It’s as if the White Tower, the Seanchan, and the Dragon’s armies are coming together not for battle, but for a celebration of Robert Jordan’s legacy. So, prepare your wallets, fellow Wheel of Time lovers. The Citadel is offering us a chance to be stewards of these rare and precious artifacts. May the Light shine upon your bids, and may the Creator guide the auctioneers’ hammers as they bring these books to new homes. And remember, like the weaves of the Pattern, this opportunity may never come again.
  2. When I think about what makes our Wheel of Time (WoT) community "statistically the best," people like Jordan Rannells come to mind. Having been a part of the WoT community for over 20 years, I've witnessed first-hand the incredible creations born from the joy and love we all share for the world that James Oliver Rigney, better known as Robert Jordan, has given us. Our community's creativity knows no bounds. From fun ribbons, games, ajah-colored bracelets, stickers, tiny knitted horns hidden around conventions, to fan websites that have been running for nearly three decades, we thrive on our love for WoT, despite the scarcity of official merchandise (looking at you, Sony & Amazon). The lack of merchandise has only driven us to be more inventive! This brings us to the latest exciting new beginning: the 'Soundscapes' created by Jordan Rannells. After his successful project for Lord of the Rings, he initially thought he wouldn't have the time or energy for another. Thankfully, he was wrong. We are now on the brink of experiencing this incredible new addition to The Wheel of Time literary universe. Don’t just take my word for it- Michael Kramer & Kate Reading, our beloved audiobook narrators, are all about it! Jordan Rannell's passion project features professional voice acting and original scores, immersing listeners in the WoT story in an unprecedented way. I've had the privilege of listening to several samples at various stages of completion, along with those available online, and they are simply astounding. Imagine the rhythmic sound of hammers ringing against steel, lightning sizzling into Shadowspawn, or tanning on the beaches of Tanchico alongside the crashes waves- all while our favorite narrators breathe life into the pages, bringing the weaves of The Wheel of Time to life in a captivating new way. Now, to the point! This Kickstarter project is not yet fully funded and needs our support. Even a donation of $1 can make a significant impact if enough of us contribute, and there are plenty of us. Let’s show our love for passionate creators like Jordan and help fund this amazing project! The most exciting aspect of these Kickstarter rewards is that not only can you enjoy immersive soundscapes to accompany your audiobooks, but Jordan is also providing unique opportunities to actively participate in bringing this world to life. YOU can help decide what saidin sounds like or even lend your voice to one of the countless creatures and characters that populate these lands. This level of involvement offers a rare chance to influence and be a part of the rich, dynamic universe you love. Anyone who backs the project or increases their pledge between the posting of this article and August 11th, 2024, will have a chance to win numerous fabulous prizes submitted by Dragonmount, along with a Grand Prize from Jordan Rannells himself! Prizes will be announced Monday, August 5th during Dragonmount’s weekly Live #reWoTch stream. The drawing will take place the following Monday, August 12th, also during #reWoTch. Let’s gooo, #TwitterofTime, and best of luck to all who contribute! The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills!
  3. Hey Marlene! There are many Sci-fi Fantasy Lit cons that have virtual Tickets and quite a few are TWoT themed! SpoilerCon is one WoTCon is another as well as MalkieriCon on the other side of the pond for our Euro friends! JordanCon also is another and I believe they sometimes do virtual content but not 100% sure on that.
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