even the second-most famous living author in the world gets no respect...

[lagilman]

In case you ever wondered* how much chutzpah it takes to walk into a bookstore and sign stock, the answer is, "a lot." And with good reason.

from galleycat:

"This BBC story shows that if it can happen to Stephen King, it can - and does - happen to anyone. It turns out King was mistaken for a vandal when he started signing books during an unannounced visit to a shop in Australia. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said staff at the Alice Springs book store did not initially realise the writer was autographing his own novels.

Bookshop manager Bev Ellis said: "When you see someone writing in one of your books you get a bit toey [nervous]. We immediately ran to the books and lo and behold, there was the signature." Ellis later approached the author at a nearby supermarket and said he was "very nice, charming". Though the part where she claims to tell King "if I knew you were coming we would have baked you a cake" seems more like a song plug than real quote, so make of it what you will.... "



* since I'm just off a two month 'deface the book' tour, I've been thinking a lot about this. If there's interest, I'll elaborate on the process, the neurosis, and the reasons why we do it (or don't, as the case may be). sing out if you're interested.

Comments

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

I'm getting ready to do my first deface the books and talk about them semi-tour and I'm vaguely nauseous whenever I allow myself to think about it. There's just so much more happening for this book than for the first one. It's... unnerving.

[lagilman]

you know increased activity is a good thing, yes?

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

I know, I know, and I know I'm being an utter weenie, but I'm still more than a little freaked.

[isabeau.livejournal.com]

If there's interest, I'll elaborate on the process, the neurosis, and the reasons why we do it (or don't, as the case may be). sing out if you're interested.

*raises hand*

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

There's an urban legend in the SF Bay area that a newly published author stopped at a number of bookstores to sign copies of his own book. While he was at it, he thought he'd do his friends a favor by signing their names to their own books and putting autographed copy stickers on them.

He'd been by shortly before my own visit and I was shocked to have to present photo ID to sign my books until I was told why.

[lagilman]

*blinks*

oh, and also, dear.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

I hate asking to sign stock.

And I've been told "No" a couple of times that I've done it, too.

[lagilman]

you...were told no?

when? By whom? why?

Sometimes they're clueless or care less, but I've never had a bookstore person tell me I couldnt sign!

*is boggled*

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

I've been told no before too-- one of the Big Box chains is actually fairly consistent about being clueless, caring less, and because they just can't be bothered, saying no. At least, that seems to be the trend in Florida because I've been to the chain in other states and they've been very nice. Go figure.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

By the store manager. She didn't want to sell marked-up books.

Seriously.

I think she was new at the book business.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

And to think, the docents used to talk wistfully at the Brandywine about the times that the artists would come in and randomly autograph their books...

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

When I first had books to deface, I'd always ask permission first. After a while, I noticed that no clerks ever asked for proof of ID. It became a joke with my wife and me. One time, she came up while I was signing and asked the clerk how she knew I was who I said I was. The clerk just said that they trusted people. And still didn't ask for proof of ID.

The only time I was asked for ID was at my local Borders. The one I go into all the time.

We did joke that once my books were pulled, I would just go in, claim to be a random midlist author and sign their stock...not that I ever would.

[neko-san.livejournal.com]

Please forgive me from being totally off topic - but have you seen this widget?

http://lol.ianloic.com/lj/suricattus

Some of them just break me.

*goes back to lurking*

[lagilman]

*dies*

the "new news" one is perfect

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I love those pictures!

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

Back when I worked at Waldenbooks, I had an older gentleman come up to the register to make a purchase. Then he told me that while he was back there, he signed a few of his books for us. So naturally, I asked which books, and he's like "Magic Street..."

I eyed him, and exclaimed, "You're Orson Scott Card!"
Then I grabbed a copy of Ender's Game and made him sign it for me.
Alas, that was the only time he dropped by at random.

Saw a few other authors in my time there, but no one else of his name recognition, except for Kim Harrison, and we invited her. :>

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaaa. What? You said to sing out if we were interested!

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

I agree. You just never know, when you introduce yourself, if you're going to get the big welcoming suprised smile, or that dead fish "who the hell are you?" look. I do think it's a bit much, even for SK, to sign books without saying anything to the staff.