As I see it the only people who will come to a book signing are those who already read the book and would lik a signed copy, or those who are fans of the author and will read the book anyway. Why would a person who never read any of the author writings will come to have a book signed by someone he never heard of before. So who is it for? If it's just about a closer connection with the fans it's alright I guess but if no new readers will come of this, what's the economic purpose of those events?
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
What makes you think there are no new readers because of this?
I have gone into bookstores, not knowing there was an author signing going on, and went by out of curiousity to see who the person was and thumb through a book.
Signing tours are marketing/name-recognition things. Kind of like presidential campaign tours... Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
I'm betting that signings help a book sell more quickly in key locations, and affect the way a book is rated on bestseller lists.
Posted by DavidR (Member # 7473) on :
When I see an advertisement for a book signing at my local bookstore, I am usually curious enough to ask questions about who the author is or look the author up on the internet if I don't already know. I have sampled the works of a number of these authors because of these book signings even if I do not actually go to the book signing itself.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
It personalizes the author.
Suddenly they're more than letters on the book cover, they're a person. And if you meet them, and like them, then you have an investment in them and want them to do well.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
On the other hand, a personal appearance could just as easily work against them. Paolini, the author of Eragon, came to my local Hastings one day. He repelled me enough for me to irrationally avoid him. I still haven't read his books.
But this was only one of the dozens of book-signings I've been to. Usually I think that if an author is willing to go out and promote his/her book, they believe in the story enough to care about it. That's enough to make me consider reading the work.
Posted by TheClone (Member # 6141) on :
I'm just curious, as someone who has read Eragon twice, what about Paolini repelled you?
I mean, I had pretty much figured that he'd probably be on the odd side (having graduated high school when he was... fourteen. I have a neighbor who did the same thing. Nice enough kid, but definitely odd.) but I didn't think it'd be enough to repel anyone.
Posted by Youth ap Orem (Member # 5582) on :
Mr. Card should come to Hawaii, and then I can bring him all my books to sign. I'll even bring him a lei, and some coconuts.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
About my reaction to Paolini; I didn't like the first impression I got from him.
Visualize: oversized glasses, wearing a pointy wizard's hat (+ purple robe), advertising not his book but rather his artwork with various sketches. May have been my imagination, but Paolini seemed to also have an air of superiority about him that made me feel stupid to be a regular high-schooler (like, I've already graduated AND I've published a book, who are you?) Plus my knee-jerk reaction to things he couldn't help, such as the pitch of his voice and his acne.
But this is, of course, my own opinion/reaction. It was just the combination of appearance and attitude I took from him that weirded me out enough to avoid him. I'm sure I'll get around to reading his books eventually, but likely from a library.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Sadly, OSC is not coming to Dallas on his book tour.
Bruce Campbell, however, is. Tomorrow. Posted by Dog Walker (Member # 8301) on :
"Sadly, OSC is not coming to Dallas on his book tour." - katharina
I feel the same way. In an other thread we talked about how Mr. Card has not made it to Texas in a while. I wish he would come to dallas as well.
Posted by TheClone (Member # 6141) on :
Crash, at that point, you're typically supposed to stuff him into a locker.
And I dunno, him having the guts to wear a wizard hat/robe would send him up several points in my book.
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