Wednesday 18 May 2016

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Is There Etiquette for Book Signings?

I've been thinking about book signings recently, as there are a few book events coming up that I'm going to, and because of reading Gracie of Almost Amazing Grace's post on book signings and signed books. Specifically, I've been wondering if there's some kind of etiquette when it comes to signing.

I've never really thought about if there's a problem bringing proofs to events to be signed. But I went to an event last year, and the author made it very clear that she wasn't impressed that I had brought proof copies to be signed, and not finished copies. It had never occured to me previously that authors might not like this.

I can understand how it might seem; they have written books they hope people will buy, and I've arrived with books I've not paid for, wanting them signed. But at the same time, I simply cannot afford to buy finished copies of every single book I've enjoyed. Yet, when I really love a book, I rave about it to everyone who'll listen, and, although it's nor part of being a book blogger, I also hand sell it at work. But still, it made me really nervous about the upcoming events where I have proofs of the books by the authors. I'm having financial difficulties right now, and I can't buy the finished copies before the event. Will I be insulting the authors if I ask to have the proofs signed?

I asked online what authors thought about fans bringing proofs to be signed.









I asked bloggers to chime in too.






I guess for most it's not a problem, which is reasuring! Maybe it was just that one author.

Also, I've been thinking about asking for photos with authors. Again, this isn't something I ever really thought about, until someone shared a photo on Twitter of them with an author, saying they don't normally ask for photos, but they had to for this particular author. I don't really tend to think about my age when it comes to things like this. When there are people you admire and are in awe of - possibly even star-struck by (shh, it happens to me) - it can be really exciting to get your photo taken with this person you admire so much. But then I started thinking, am I perhaps too old to be asking for photos with authors? Being a fan of YA, it's YA events I tend to go to, and so a number of the authors' fans will be teenagers, and so I guess they're kind of used to being asked for their photo to be taken with them. When I asked on Twitter, the authors who replied didn't have a problem.



But what about authors of adult books? I've never been to an adult book event before - and the two I have coming up are for adult non-fic books that focus on sexism. Would it be weird to ask for photos from them? Especially as they're there to talk about serious topics, would it seem a little frivolous? Would I seem weird? There's one writer in particular I am super excited to see, and I would love to get a photo with her, but I don't know how she would react to that. I don't really know what's best in this case, so I guess I'm asking?

What do you think? Have you ever had a bad experience with get proofs signed, or have they all been positive? And have you ever had your photo taken with an author of adult books? What

13 comments:

  1. I've never been to aNY kind of signing. SO I HAVE NO IDEA. I would be paralysed with fear over wondering if I was breaking kinds of etiquette!! I think asking for a photo is fine though. xD Like I see bloggers doing that aaaall the time and they're not teens anymore.
    But one thing I don't get is when a reader comes with a gazillion books (and doubles) to be signed. 0_0 Like I said, I've never been to a signing, but it just strikes me as...too much? Like an author is signing a ton of people's stuff, so is it hogging their time to want them to sign stacks and stacks of books? Hmm. I PONDER.

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    1. I try to bring a limit of 3 books except if the author never signs because they usually tour far away. If it's the only time I'll see them, I'll bring more. I do think it's rude to bring huge stacks of books to be signed.

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    2. Oh my god, I've been the person with a huge stack of books! >.> This never occurred to me! But normally it's because the author is from the US and they're only here so often, and this might be my only chance to get things signed! God, I feel awful now. I'll change this in future.

      But Cait, I hope you get to go to a signing at some point, they are actually really awesome! :)

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  2. I've been to tons of signings and I haven't had anyone complain of the books I brought. I went to a Charlie Huston signing where I brought an ARC and then bought a book there. I was nervous about it and mentioned it directly, but he said that it wasn't necessary. I guess it depends on the author, but I would have a negative opinion of them if they complained about it.

    I know that money is tight for a lot of us, but the more important thing is supporting the store while you're there. Bookstores won't have signings if they don't make money, so I always buy something (no matter how small) to keep them inviting authors.

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    1. It's so great hearing that authors really don't mind ARCs!

      The signings we have tend to be at big major chains over here, like Waterstones, so there's no way they won't make money. But I guess you're right and I should be getting something. But god, they can be so expensive. Non-book items, even. But I'll try to do this more often. :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I ask for pictures of me next to all authors I've been lucky enough to meet! Adult, YA, erotica... ALL the authors for the win :D And I think they actually enjoy that I'm starstruck - even if I'm in my forties, they are totally my rockstars, you know?
    And I have actually never brought a book with me to a signing - I've only been to RT and to BEA, and part of wanting to go there was the possibility to either receive ARCs or buy books right there.
    Great post, and I'm glad most authors don't actually mind signing proofs instead of finished copies.
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. That's so awesome to hear! I'm going to pretty much ask everyone for a photo from now on, haha! :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I've never really thought about this before. Most of the book events that I've been to were either something huge like BEA or RT (where you don't really bring your own books) or at our local indie bookstore, where a purchase is required for the signing line, so I don't know about having ARCs signed, but I wouldn't have really thought it was a big issue until you said this. Oh, and pictures are always good - unless the event is crazy busy and they say they don't have time, no author has ever seemed to think it was weird that I've wanted pictures with them. (And I'm in my 40s.)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. So awesome that authors are happy to take photos with readers! Alas, we only have YALC here, and I've yet to go, because they announce the panel schedules too late, and I'm more interested in the discussions than the authors, normally (I'm more a fan of US authors, and not many come).

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I was wondering about this the other day! I was thinking about taking an ARC to be signed and was wondering whether the author thought that I was trying to rip them off? Would they think that I was just trying to avoid paying for books? They turned out the be fine with it :) Brilliant post!

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    1. Thank you! Isn't it awesome to hear they really don't mind? I am so relieved! :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. I've never been at the book signing either, so I have no idea if there are any rules about it. But if I were an author, I'd be okay if someone brought a proof copy for me. At least they're actually reading my book! But I do understand why some of them might not be too excited about that. Also, I think it's okay if an adult want to take a picture with me, it means that my book reaches everyone, regardless of age! :D

    Tasya // The Literary Huntress

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    1. Yeah, it looks like they don't mind for ARCs or photos! Hurrah for awesome authors! :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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