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I'm sure most of you have some experience in this, but are there any avenues other than contacting agencies or showing up at speaking engagements that you've found successful in getting a book signed by an author? I have a friend that digs the poet Mary Oliver, and I was looking to see if there was any way to get one of her collections signed for them for their birthday.
Hatrackers are super helpful and wise, so I figured if anybody would have an idea, it would be y'all. Thanks!
Posts: 193 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Have you tried contacting her directly? Her website has contact info - snail mail address, email address, and even a phone number. Maybe she'd be willing to have you ship it to her to have it signed.
ETA: Or maybe easier would be for her to just sign one she has there and send it to you.
Posts: 1080 | Registered: Apr 2006
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I have gotten a book signed by buying from a book store near the author and she went over and signed it there and then the local bookshelf shipped it to me.
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Sean - thanks for the website, but I think that is a different Mary Oliver. The Mary Oliver I am looking for was born in '35 and does specifically poetry, essays and the like. She lives in Provincetown, MA as far as I know.
I haven't been able to find any contact information for her personally. I called her agency and they said her only speaking engagements anytime soon are in Ohio and Arkansas, and I'm schooling it up in Minnesota right now.
Scholarette, I'll try calling some bookstores in Provincetown and see if they have any ideas. Thanks for the advice!
Posts: 193 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Akhockey, where in Ohio? If it's Dayton or Cincinnati I might be able to help you out, depending on when the speaking engagement is.
Posts: 1087 | Registered: Jul 1999
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I've gotten a book signed before by writing (snail mail) to an author to ask him. He said sure, to UPS him the book, which I did, and he sent it back to me (paid the shipping himself on the return) with a lovely note inside.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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My mom tried the same thing with Kathleen Woodliss because she named me after one of her books. It was supposed to be my present on 18th birthday. However, she sent it back unsigned.
Thankfully, most authors are awesome. We get alot of local authors in at my store doing various, informal signings. I can't remember a time when I've shipped a signed book across state lines for someone, but I've done it for people in nearby cities. A gracious and thanks-filled request will go a long way in winning favor with retail employees who put up with bad attitudes all day.
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Sean, not a problem my man. The effort was more than appreciated!
Jake, I'm not sure. I'll give the agency a call and ask, but that would be incredible if you could do that. I'll keep you posted on what they say, thanks for the offer!
Posts: 193 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I got ahold of a bookstore that was already looking to get some more books signed by her for national poetry month, so that might end up working out. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Posts: 193 | Registered: Jul 2005
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