Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for October 07, 2023

Make sure the bookstore employees take their name tags off when they pretend to be customers.

Stephan, prove that you’re smarter than a rat—don’t phone and drive!

Rat is always encouraging

Me is never get what do me does with signed book. Do me get it for discount that way?

Those metal things you are supposed to take apart are good fidget toys, but they can make you look stupid in front of customers.

Pastis gets pasted.

… we also packed some books for you to read on the plane … Talking without Puns to People For Dummies … How to Call for an Uber For Dummies … and for that one book you might sign, How to Write in Cursive for Dummies.

Zing. As for me, I’d plan to have plenty to read. And caffeinated beverage of choice. And a table near the restrooms.

What can one do with a signed book anyways?

Rat looks like he’s standing on the Jolly Green Giant’s butt.

I have exactly one signed book. Gnomes written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet. Originally published in Dutch in 1976 as Leven en werken van de kabouter (lit. ’Life and work of the gnomes), then released in English in 1977. I couldn’t afford one unsigned when I first became aware of it. The one I found and bought used still has the original jacket and it is an original Dutch printing.

Aw, Rat does care for Steph!

Sorry, I need to leave, my pen ran out of ink.

I din’t know books could sign things.

Steve needs to change his cell phone number or block Rat if he is using Whatsapp or Line.

The Rat is back to himself again!

The place is full of books. He can read.

I’m sure the whole town will be there… the whole 14 of them! Dan and his family would never miss the most exciting event in town since Columbus :DI’m kidding, of course. I’m sure it’s a beautiful place to live. I wonder why are they letting Pastis in… :D

“Seven days without a pun…. makes one weak”.

I’ll be attending the event.

That’s because you killed off the Crocs. People love the Crocs.

Rat if people didn’t come to Steph’s book signings, this strip would’ve cancelled decades ago, and you’d no longer exist

The usual comment I wrote above my signature at these things on the flyleaf was “thanks for your help”…it gave them something to show off.

I can vouch for Stephan! Love his books!

People need a sense of humor like this. The ability to laugh at themselves without getting uptight.

What is this “bookstore” of which he speaks? Does he mean those shops that now sell as many tchotchkes, Godiva chocolates, toys, and puzzles as books?

I miss Borders…

My kid was a big PBS fan. We went to see him yap in DC a number of years ago; the kid brought along three PBS books for Pastis to sign. It was a good thing ~ the bookstore ran out. Every seat was full; we had to stand with the crowd in the back. The signing line snaked through and out of the bookstore. He signs each book with a doodle of whatever character you wish.

Hey Stephen, if you come to Seattle I’ll come to your book signing. I don’t like have to buy your book though do I ?

I have/had relatives in Danville.

Judging by Steph’s itinerary, he’s visiting every bookstore that’s still open in the United States.

Sure. People want you to sign checks for them… :)

Pastis is correct. People just don’t come to book signings, anymore. It’s rarely worth the expense. Romance authors would often bring a famous cover model with them just to up the attendance.

strange that he would be in Danville CA, population of 42,000 mostly rich wasps. I assume most of the people coming will be from Dublin, Concord, or other surrounding towns. I planned on going to a book signing in Santa Rosa, but couldn’t even get in the door. If you go, go early, very early.

Ha! I always hire an insecurity team to protect me at book signings. Gives me somebody to talk to.

I expect his signing in Brooklyn will have a line out the door and halfway down the block.

Good bookstores also have puzzles, Rat.

I’m hoping to be able to attend the Brooklyn, NY signing this Wednesday. Hope Rat is right, I don’t like long lines.

don’t call and drive, Stephan. And if you do need to call, use a headset or handsfree kit.

we have a very old discard book signed by a librarian in indiana. The house at pooh corner, first printing. a gift to my wife from my father 40 years ago, she treasures it.

“Steph” is short for Stephanie.

Just don’t work on the puzzles while you’re driving.

Any thoughts as to how many pieces rat removed from each puzzle?

Do you know how often accidents happen by drivers who are using the phone or an in an instable emotional state?

Hey, if he’s working on a jigsaw puzzle, I’ll come to his book signing and help him put the puzzle together!

When you’re in Danville, say “Hi” to Candace for me.

For Pete’s sake, the strip is about how much respect Rat has for Stephan not about the value of a signed book.

Great punchline, as usual; I love your work ♥ and expect you will do quite well on your book tour. You’re very talented :-)

When we visited my aunt and uncle and cousins in Danville, there were no direct flites to that great metropolis. ’Had to settle with San Francisco.

Well I thnk it’s shocking, if not disgraceful, that this Pastis fellow is using his comic to shamelessly flout his signings.….Or is it ‘flaunt’? No.. it’s.. umm.. Hee hee. Just kidding. Mostly.I came to his signing in Portland OR here a number of years ago. Come to think of it.. it was at a CHILDREN’s Bookstore! Whoa, that tells you something!Actually I think it was to promote a children’s book.

Don’t let Rat rain on your (book signing) parade, Cartoon-Boy!

(Although I might worry that most bookstores nowadays don’t have many employees….)

Thoughtful of Rat

What about the ones that are not at book stores?

There is a good chance you’ll meet me, Steph. It’s only an hour away and two busses.

I am the proud owner of a book signed by Mr. Pastis himself, and I treasure it! It meant more because I got to meet him.

LMFAO