“A storm is coming.”

We’re less than a month away from the world-wide release of THE GATHERING STORM. Here’s a summary of (we think) everything you need to know to get ready for it.

The Basics
First and foremost, THE GATHERING STORM (“TGS”) will be released on Tuesday, October 27th. Please note that this is one week earlier than the original announced release date. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com and support Dragonmount.

Our main info page for the Gathering Storm is http://www.dragonmount.com/Books/Gathering_Storm/

You can read our review of THE GATHERING STORM here. To date, it is the only review online, although you may see a few more appear as we get closer to the launch date.

Signed Copies
If you would like an autographed copy of the book, there are multiple ways. First, you can attend one of the book signings below. If you do this, keep in mind that most book stores would prefer that you buy your copy from them rather than from an online vendor like Amazon. They are going to great efforts to throw some big WoT parties. Please support them by purchasing your copy at their retail locations.

Another option for getting a signed copy is that you can order an autographed book (at no extra charge) from Signedpage.com. Supplies are limited. Also, if you live in the U.S and are near the a book tour event, please go to the event if possible. The spirit of offering these signed copies online is for those overseas or in other locations that cannot get to an event.

Finally, check out Brandon Sanderson’s blog post about the book tour for some other options for getting a signed copy of the book.

Preview Chapters
The prologue, “What the Storm Means”, is available for purchase for $2.99.

Chapter 1, “Tears from Steel”, is available for FREE on Tor.com. (Registration required) You can also get it directly from Amazon as a PDF file.

Chapter 2, “The Nature of Pain”, is available for FREE on Tor.com in audio format only. (Registration required)

Catching up on the story
If you need a quick-and-easy recap of what’s been happening in the WoT story leading up to this book, then download our printable re-cap. Yup, it was that easy. You’re welcome.

If you would like an intense chapter-by chapter summary and commentary of the series, you can head over to Tor.com where our pal Leigh Butler is doing exactly that.

The Thirteenth Depository has a very well crafted analysis and discussion going about THE GATHERING STORM. Be sure to check it out, and join their growing community.

Check out our GATHERING STORM discussion forum to talk with other fans about this new book.

If you prefer WoT discussion on an iPod (or in your car, or web browser, etc), check out our “4th Age” Podcast. You can find it on iTunes as well. Some of the recent notable episodes are:

1. Interview with Leigh Butler
2. Discussing the first GATHERING STORM review
3. Interview with Jason Denzel (aka, “me”) about the GATHERING STORM review

Yes, those are actual copies of the book from Brandon’s office

Book Tour
Brandon Sanderson and Harriet will be going on tour across the United States beginning Oct 27th. Brandon will be at every event listed below, and Harriet will be at the ones marked. Please note: two more events have been added since the tour was originally announced. (One is in Atlanta and the other is in Clayton, CA in the San Francisco East Bay)

IMPORTANT: You should still call or visit the bookstore to confirm the event or to see if there are any changes or updates. If you plan to attend one of these events, keep an eye out for our “STORM LEADER” related announcements. In a few days we’ll announce who the Storm Leaders are, and they will eventually provide you with updates and info related to the signing.

BYU Bookstore, Provo, UT
Tuesday, October 27th: Midnight
Wilkinson Student Center (WSC)
Brigham Young University
University Hill,
Provo, Utah 84602
(801) 422-2400
Doors will open at 10:00 PM, but the line starts whenever people get there. Please wait outside the doors indicated above until 10:00 PM. Please read Brandon’s blog post about this midnight event

Barnes & Noble, Charleston, SC
Harriet to attend
Tuesday, October 27th: 7:00 PM
7620 Rivers Ave
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 572-2322

Borders, Chicago, IL
Wednesday, October 28th: 7:30 PM
1500 16th Street, Suite D
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 574-0800
Colored wristbands will be used to organize the signing line. Wristbands will be given out, starting at 9 AM day of when the store opens.

Books-a-Million, Baltimore, MD
Harriet to attend
Thursday, October 29th: 7:00 PM
7000 Arundel Mills Cir
Hanover, MD 21076-1282
(443) 755-0210
Three (3) books signed per person per time through the line; one of those books must be The Gathering Storm.

Barnes & Noble, Minneapolis, MN
Friday, October 30th: 7:00 PM
HarHar Mall
2100 North Snelling Ave
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 639-9256
Some form of numbered tickets may be used. Check with the store or Storm Leaders beforehand.

West Charleston Library, Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, Oct 31st: 2:00 PM
6301 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 507-3940
Books will be sold at this event

Tattered Cover, Denver, CO
Sunday, Nov. 1st: 2:00 PM
1628 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 436-1070
Buying a book from the store guarantees a ticket for the event (1 ticket per book). Books/ tickets will be on-sale at all three Tattered Cover locations beginning 9 AM on Oct. 27th. Their auditorium seats 275 people. (It will fill up so get there early!)

Sam Weller’s Bookstore, Salt Lake City, UT
Monday, Nov. 2nd: 6:30 PM
254 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 328-2586

Borders, Washington, D.C.
Harriet to attend
Wednesday, Nov. 4th: 7:30 PM
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Baileys Crossroads, VA 22041
(703) 998-0404

Harvard Coop, Boston, MA
Thursday, Nov. 5th: 7:00 PM
1400 Massachusetts Avenue
18 Palmer Street
Cambridge, MA 02238
(617)499-2000

Chester County Books, Philadelphia, PA
Friday, Nov. 6th: 7:00 PM
975 Paoli Pike
West Goshen Center
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 696-1661

Toadstool Book Shop, Milford, NH
Saturday, Nov. 7th: 2:00 PM
586 Nashua St.
Lorden Plaza
Milford, NH 03055
(603) 673-1734

Barnes & Noble (Union Square), NYC
Harriet to attend
Monday, Nov. 9th: 7:00 PM
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-0810

Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington, KY
Harriet to attend
Tuesday, Nov. 10th: 7:00 PM
161 Lexington Green Cir # B
Lexington, KY 40503-3325
(859) 273-2911
Signing line will be organized in some sort of ticketed fashion. Check with the store or the Storm Leaders as we get closer.

Books & Co., Dayton, OH
Wednesday, Nov. 11th: 7:00 PM
at The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
(937) 429-2169
Customers must show their Books & Co receipt for The Gathering Storm to get an autograph line number. Line numbers are handed out one hour before the scheduled event at 6 PM.

NEW:Georgia Perimeter College / Clarkston Campus
Harriet possibly to attend (TBD)
Friday, Nov. 13th, 3:30 PM
555 N. Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, Georgia 30021-2396
678-891-3200
Books will be sold at this event

Norcross Cultural Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
Harriet to attend
Friday, Nov. 13th: 7:00 PM
10 College Street
Norcross, GA 30071
(678) 421-2025
Their auditorium holds 200 seats. Get there early! Books will be sold at this event

Borders, Dallas, TX
Harriet to attend
Saturday, Nov. 14th: 2:00 PM
10720 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 363-1977

Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA
Sunday, Nov. 15th: 2:00 PM
7051 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-4747
This is a numbered event. Priority numbers for the signing line are available with purchase of The Gathering Storm from Mysterious Galaxy. Contact staff for details. If you are planning to attend the event, please do not place on-line orders as all; such orders are processed for shipment or held for customers after the event.

Scottsdale Public Library, Phoenix, AZ
Monday, Nov. 16th: 7:00 PM
Civic Center Auditorium
3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 947-2974
Their auditorium holds 300 people. Get there early. Books will be sold at this event

Vroman’s Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, Nov. 17th: 7:00 PM
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 449-5320
Line tickets or some form of numbers to organize signing line may be used.

University Book Store, Seattle, WA
Wednesday, Nov. 18th: 7:00 PM
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 634-3400
Signing ticket free with purchase of book from University Book Store

Powell’s Books, Portland, OR
Thursday, Nov. 19th: 7:00 PM
Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 228-4651

Bay Book Company, Half Moon Bay, CA
Harriet to attend
Friday, Nov. 20th: 7:00 PM
80 North Cabrillo Hwy, Suite F
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-3488

NEW:Clayton Books
Saturday, Nov. 21st: 11:00 AM
5433 D Clayton Road
Clayton, CA 94517
(925) 673-3325
http://www.claytonbookshop.com/
Signing Only

Barnes & Noble, San Jose, CA
Harriet to attend
Saturday, Nov. 21st: 2:00 PM
2200 Eastridge Loop
San Jose, CA 95122
(408) 270-9470

Storm Leaders
At most of the book signing event listed above, there will be 4-6 “Storm Leaders” present. You will recognize them by their distinctive black t-shirts. They will be there to hand out promo materials, take pictures, and document the event. Within a few days of their event, their reports and photos will be posted on Dragonmount for you to enjoy.

We accepted over 500 Storm Leader applications. Those selected for the job will be notified in a very short time. (There’s a lot going on, and lots of applications to go through, so bear with us!)

If you see a Storm Leader at an event, please feel free to introduce yourself, or ask questions. They’re official representatives of both Dragonmount and Tor Books. (Uh, but don’t give them a hard time. Contact us if you need to complain)

Promo Videos

Whew… That should be it. … For now.