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Booksigning event faq.
Reviewed or added to on 10/08/08.

Happy to hear from you if you have questions. Within reason, all pertinent (in my opinion!) questions will be answered either here or by email.

What is the best way to get a book signed at an author event?
Can I get other things signed at an author event? Photos, baseballs, etc.?
Can I have my picture taken with the author?
Can I save seats/places in line?
Can I get twenty copies of Saddam Hussein's (well, whoever) book at his next event?
Got any tips on what to do before the event starts?
Where do I have the author sign the book? (revised)
What kind of pen should I use?
I thought you would be so much younger!
Why do some events not allow photographs at all?
What about personalization?
Where do you find out about all these events?
Will bookstores save me/send me a signed book?
Pope Benedict XI signed his new book at Borders last week. How come you didn't list it on your site?
Your website is FANTASTIC (super, excellent, etc., etc., etc. DO go on!)!  How can I support the site?
What about authors who will only sign a book if they inscribe it to someone?
The signing I want to go to requires tickets and they are sold out. What should I do?
How do I prove that my book was, in fact, signed by the author?
I saw you at a very popular author's event that you didn't list on your site. What's up? Saving them for yourself or what?
Why don't you list poetry events?
Why don't you list the 92nd St. Y events or the NY Public Library events?
Why don't you start a blog?
Why do you sometimes go for days without updating the site?
Are there other good places to get books signed?
What about used copies of books on the web?
Why did you stop listing everything and now list only art, architecture, design and photography book events?
Any other tips?

Any other tips?

Yes. Be able to recognize your signer by sight. Google Images or other sources. You may be able to catch them on the way into the event.

Why did you stop listing everything and now list only art, architecture, design and photography book events?

So I could have time for other things (like eating, sleeping, etc.). This has always been my favorite field so, short of closing down, that was what I decided to do.

What about used copies of books on the web?

My two favorite sites are Half.com (a part of Ebay) and ABE Books (a part of Amazon.com). Half.com focuses on price and books without ISBN numbers and quasi-books such as catalogs of exhibitions or auction sales, aren't able to be listed. Many times, the condition of the book is graded too high. ABE Books, on the other hand, seems to have just about everything that has ever been printed (haven't checked for a Gutenberg Bible, though). Over-grading is less common but still happens. Excellent place to judge the market for a particular author's signature. IF you can bring in books to an event, these are both good sites.

Are there other good places to get books signed?

Oh, yes! We are so fortunate here in NYC to have such access to so many people who are stars in there field. All of the art museums have talks and other events by renowned artists (Richard Serra comes to mind). Trade shows have events by high-profile figures in the field featured in the show and in related fields, e. g. architect Richard Meier at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Likewise photographers at exhibits of their work. Granted there may be limited access but these people have to go into the building and out of the building. Likewise the network morning shows which often have authors and always have big names, again entering and leaving. Kitchen stores have chefs, department stores have fashion figures (Barney's, Simon Doonan). Anyway, no matter where you live, all of this applies. You get the picture, I'm sure. Be creative! How about the front door of the UN or the Peninsula Hotel? Always a good idea to go on the web and make sure you know what your author looks like.

Why do you sometimes go for days without updating the site?

Well, I guess because my life (wife, family, friends, etc.)  keeps getting in the way of my website. Give me some slack, please. I update every chance I get. Some information comes in long before the event, some day of. If the event hasn't started, I will list it. I am marking the newly entered material with an *. I try, sometimes more, sometimes less successfully, to post things as soon as I get them but, like you, I have a life and am not always in front of this fershlugginer computer.

Why don't you start a blog?

Blogs are sequential by their nature and updating these listings is random access. Same with RSS feeds. I have begun to identify all new event information with asterisks (these things: *,*). Hope it helps.

Why don't you list the 92nd St. Y events or the NY Public Library events?

Many of their events involve people who are authors of books. Their printed schedules and their web info and their staff do not or can not or will not identify those events which have signings.

Why don't you list poetry events?

It is all I can do (and then some) to keep up with book-type books. I do list my favorites (Philip Levine, for one) when I see them.

I saw you at a very popular author's event that you didn't list on your site. What's up? Saving them for yourself or what?

I post everything I hear about unless specifically asked by the folks holding the event that it not be listed. Even then, only if the event does not appear on the web or other mass medium or is simply not open to the public (although I may try and get in myself; this IS New York, after all). If you don't want to see it here, don't tell me about it.

How do I prove that my book was, in fact, signed by the author?

You can't. At least, not until they begin serially numbering books (but note that at a J. K. Rowling event, a hologram with the date of the event was placed on the title page of each book signed). What you can do is to keep all of the things which show that you and the author were in the same place at the same time. This includes the dated receipt plus a copy of the event listing, a list of guidelines (limits on the number of books, photos not allowed, etc.) for the event which identify the author, photo of the author or, even better, you and the author in the same photo, and anything else which might be event-specific or author-specific that you pick up or see such as a wrist band (or piece thereof), if they don't cut it off as you leave, or a photo of the event poster with a "Today!" sign attached, or whatever. Forget Certificates of Authenticity (COA's); you just are not (in most cases) big enough to be a certifying authority.

The signing I want to go to requires tickets and they are sold out. What should I do?

No event is EVER sold out really. I would go early, tell the ticket people that you want a ticket if someone doesn't show up. Stay in a place where you can be seen by them. Check several times. While you are waiting, ask the people with tickets (in line or as they come in) if they have an extra ticket. Works frequently but not always. Applies also to any other event that requires tickets. Which is why I list events which may already say that they are sold out. Come on, people! This is New York!

What about authors who will only sign a book if they inscribe it to someone?

They are a low-budget bunch which includes Michael Crichton and Peter Max. The idea is to make the books less desirable to someone else and therefore weed out the dealers or anyone else who may eventually (for example, when the book is part of their estate) want to sell the book. Of course, they only do three book events in the whole country so if you want one of their books, you had better live in New York, Los Angeles or Washington, or know someone who does. The idea is ludicrous and small-minded. In my humble opinion, of course.

Your website is FANTASTIC (super, excellent, etc., etc., etc. DO go on!)! How can I support the site?

Why, thanks. Kind of you to say so. Best way to help is to DONATE large (or small) sums of money every month (or whenever)(click the "donate" button on any page). Also, click through to your favorite independent bookstore from stilljohn.com. There are services that will tell the stores where their visitors come from. Big-box stores have too many visitors to notice but you can ask them if they send their listings to stilljohn.com.

Pope Benedict XIII (or whoever) signed his new book at Borders last week. How come you didn't list it on your site?

There are simply too many events here for me to find out about them all. Call the store that had the event and tell them you missed it because they didn't send the information to stilljohn.com. That will help. Also, I have just discovered that there may be book events that I won't list because the author is a despicable butcher. That seems to be a moot question now.

Will bookstores save me/send me a signed book?

Most of the independents, no matter where in the country they are, will save or send you a signed book if you pay for it in advance. The big-box stores often will, but not reliably. Depends on the person you talk to. In addition, the high profile authors will not usually sign extra copies for the stores since all their time (and then some) is taken signing books for people in line. Never hurts to ask, though.

Where do you find out about all these events?

Mostly on the websites of the bookstores. Bookstores and publicists send me their calendars, too. Also from newspapers, publishers, friends in the business, loyal readers, authors, etc.

What about personalization?

Sometimes allowed, sometimes staff says no. Usually has to do with the number of people in the line. No matter what, if you want your book personalized, when you get to the author, ask him/her something like 'could you make it out to Murgatroid with Love.' Not much more than that. Many times they will do it. DO NOT ask the staff if personalization is allowed. Do people pay more for signed books that are not personalized? For the most part, yes. That may be irrelevant to you if it is more significant to have the book inscribed to you or to a giftee. Inscriptions have also been used to authenticate the signature (Elvis's comes to mind).

Why do some events not allow photographs at all?

In most cases, the staff feels that taking pictures takes up too much time. The press is given a certain amount of time to shoot, but not you. Rarely, an author will decline to be photographed at all (doesn't want 'candid' shots to show up in the tabloids) or with flash (because of an eye condition). Take your camera, use ASA 400 or 800 film or a digital with like sensitivity and no flash. Take a key-chain camera. DO NOT ask if taking photos is OK.

I thought you would be so much younger! (Better dressed! Richer! More handsome! Taller! Less arrogant! Humble! Have better hearing! Remember my name!)

Actually, I am most of those things. I used to spend a lot of time in Rock 'n Roll bars. The music affected my hearing, the bourbon affected everything else, esp. my short-term recall, sanity and a few other amends-requiring issues.

What kind of pen should I use?

As anyone knows who has ever gotten it on her shirt knows, blue ball point pen ink is as permanent as it gets. Use blue rather than black to remove most doubt about the possibility of a mechanical signature (made with an autopen) or a preprinted signature. I have been told that a medium point blue BIC pen is the standard for sports memorabilia. Gel pens with 'archival' blue ink work well, too. Allow the signature to dry and don't rub it, it will smear. Use a silver Sharpie for dark-colored or black title pages. Allow the signature to dry. Use a Sharpie for slick surfaces such as glossy photos, CD covers and so forth. Allow the signature to dry and don't rub it, it will smear. The author doesn't have one? Ask him or her to use your pen (you brought one, right?). Most authors are happy to. Let him/her have the pen, too, if they want it.

Where do I have the author sign the book?

On the title page. What did I say? All together now, ON THE TITLE PAGE! Any suggestion that the signature should be anywhere else should be resisted. Most common place suggested is the 'half-title' page, the one with only the title on it just before the title page. Staff will often want that page to be used because there is more room and therefore less care need be taken by the author who can then sign more quickly. Turns out not to be the case. Authors who have done more than a few events (e.g. the late, great Julia Child and Norman Mailer) have found that it is much more comfortable to write their name three or four hundred times if they are able to rest their entire hand on the book. This is most easily accomplished by requesting that fans turn their book to the "half-title" page, the page before the title page which also has the title of the book on it. Preferable to the author to signing awkwardly at the bottom of the title page (if that is the only alternative). In any event, tuck the jacket flap of each book jacket in at the title page. If it is moved to the half-title, put it back there it is likely to be at the request of the author. Use good judgment. If the title page is black, have the author use your silver Sharpie or other silver felt-tipped pen. You did bring your silver Sharpie didn't you? DO NOT ask the staff which page the author is signing. If there is any problem signing on the title page, they will certainly let you know.

Got any tips on what to do before the event?

Actually, yes. First, call before you go to make sure the event is still on at the place and time you are expecting. When you get there, look at your book. Is the jacket 'rubbed' (a kind of scuffing you can see with low angle light) or wrinkled at the top or bottom of the spine? Along the edges? Are the pages wrinkled inside? Check to see that your book is 1st printing if that is important to you. If it is not 1st printing, it is not a 'First Edition' no matter what else it may say. Printings are often mixed on the shelves. Thumb through the book to see any problems. If there are problems, go get another copy that is in better shape (unless you are trading a 1st printing for a later one). Switch the jackets with another book. Take it back to the counter and ask for a different copy. Go through the stack of books and pick out an unblemished copy if that is possible. Bring a pen, just in case. And say "Hi" to the person next to you in line.

Can I get twenty copies of Saddam Hussein's (well, not his, I guess, but whoever's) book at his next event?

Not much chance. Booksellers and event promoters want as many people as possible to get a chance to get a signed book when high-profile authors do an event. The money the author may be making on each book that is sold is irrelevant in this case. In addition, where large numbers of people attend, having the author sign multiple copies of the book means more time, more hours for security staff, maintenance staff, audio-visual staff, etc. Where the limit is more than one, you may be able to find other people in line who only have one book. They may be willing to carry one (or more) for you and get them signed. DO NOT ask about limits if no limit is mentioned.
That said (as they say on Bloomberg radio), at less well-attended events the author may be happy to sign multiple copies.

The Baroness Von Trapp and four of her children (do, re, mi and fa) are coming to visit. Can I save them a place in line/seats?

In general, if you get there three hours before the event and the Baroness arrives an hour later, that is, two hours before the event, there may not be a problem. Half an hour before the event and the folks behind you are likely to complain. Ten minutes before, the folks behind you may draw their weapons. Use your head. How would you feel? And don't be afraid to raise Cain if someone steps into the line in front of you. Some people have so much gall it could be divided into three parts. Or, be safe, be serene and don't worry about one more person among the 50 in front of you.

Can I have my picture taken with the author?

Sometimes the author's staff will designate someone to take your photo with the author with your own camera. That's pretty rare. Some events don't allow cameras (Madonna), some events allow photos of the author but no posed photos. Best way, I have found, to get your photo with the author is to give your camera to the person behind you (or better, someone you are there with) and ask them to do their best to get you and the author together while the author is signing. DO NOT ask the staff if photos are allowed.

Can I get other things signed at an author event? Photos, baseballs, etc.?

Well, yes and no. At celebrity events at the big-box chains, they will usually take great pains to prevent you from having extras signed. At smaller stores or for less crowded events at the larger stores, things may be less rigid or less well controlled. If asked, the staff will usually say, "No" and you then risk being tossed out without even getting today's book signed if you don't comply. Since ultimately, it is up to the author and NOT the staff what she will or will not sign, that is who I ask and no one else.
It helps if you look like George Clooney (for, say, Janet Evanovich or Carson Kressley) or Jessica Simpson (for, say, Mitch Albom or Ellen DeGeneres) or Meg Tilly (for, say, me) or if you have something so far out of the ordinary that they can't resist (like, say, a photo of you as a child sitting on the author's knee (I've seen it!)).

What is the best way to get a book signed at an author event?

Call the day before and make sure that a) the event has not been canceled or postponed and b) you know about any special arrangements for entry such as wristbands, pre-purchased books, etc. If the author is high-profile, it may pay to call much earlier than the day before For example, tickets to Bill Clinton's event at Hue-Man Bookstore became available two weeks before the event!

Coming early is usually an advantage. How early? Two hours is usually plenty. One hour is often enough. It is always dangerous to attempt to predict how many people will show up. If you are near the front of the line, you get a better signature and avoid problems with the author arising from schedule conflicts and many unpredictable things (like sudden death). For high-profile authors, two hours may not be enough (for example: For a Paul McCartney signing on Monday, people started lining up on Friday and all available slots were filled by Saturday.)

Buy the book from the people sponsoring the event. That's why they have booksignings. How many book events do they have at Costco?

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