Book signings - what is the done thing?

[tiggerlovestobounce]

I'm due to go to a talk and book signing, to be held at my local university.
Im not sure what the done thing is - the talk is to promote a book that I dont have yet, but will certainly want to buy.
Do you buy the book there and then get it signed (and can I count on that given that it isnt held in a bookshop), or should I get the book in advance and bring it along with me?
Sorry for the stupid question

[claudiaschiffer]

I have only been to one book signing before - Bill Bryson, Thunderbolt Kid (CRAP). The way they worked it was that there was a reading and questions first by Bill, then we all sauntered over to the bookshop where they flogged 1000s of his books and queued for ages and he then signed the book for us.

So bought the book there. People did try and get him to sign other books that they had either bought there or bought with them. I kind of think this was a bit frowned upon tho as the poor chap was probably getting repetitive strain injury from the number of Thunderbolt Kid (CRAP) books he was signing let alone any of his back catalogue.

Although i thought T-Kid was rubbish I do generally like his writing.

[claudiaschiffer]

Wierdly while waiting in the queue - note that this took place in a small country town in South Australia - I met someone who lived in the same street as me in Brighton, UK. Small world etc etc

[geminigirl]

If you are definately intending to buy the book, get it before you go. I'm sure there will be copies available but you wouldn't want to count on it.

[MrsBates]

Used to organise signings in days as a publishing PR - usually you should be able to buy the book and then get it signed - after all the signing is to boost sales. But if the signing isn't in a shop get it first in case they don't have enough there.

Spike Milligan once had a long chat to my brother at a book signing, then offered to sign the book he assumed my brother had with him. He didn't have the book - was just chatting, so Spike said 'Well f**k off then'. Which my bro found hilarious.

[ninedragons]

I took my own copy to a book-signing by Steven Pinker, but there were also copies there.

[twentypence]

Thunderbolt kid is a lot better if you get it out of the library. I wouldn't have wanted to pay money for it!

[claudiaschiffer]

Agreed twentypence. Mildly amusing at best - definitely not worth twenty odd quid for the hardback.

I do heart Bryson for his stance on the UK sinking under litter though, so can almost forgive him anything.

[tiggerlovestobounce]

So no-one will mind if I get the book beforehand then?
The signing is at the university, but organised by Waterstones, so I was worried that they might be miffed if I got the book elsewhere beforehand.

[peachsmuggler]

No it will be fine. Some people turn up to these things with the writer's full back catalogue to get signed!

[filthymindedvixen]

lovely Bill Bryson signed my friend's book, her entire back catalogue and wrote a special note and signature for me as I couldn't be there.

I heart him.

[justagirlfromedgware]

I always wait to buy at academic book signings as there's normally a hefty amount off (and it's nice for the poor author for whom this is probably their largest sale to see their book actually being bought)

[theauthor]

I'm doing a signing (well more of a Q&A/ meet the authors event) for my book next week and I'll just be delighted if someone actually turns up!!! I won't care if they bring their own books, buy it in advance, don't buy it, and I'm sure they'll feel happy to just have some people there!

[jette]

Tigger - is it David Sedaris?
I've never been to a book signing before because I think I'd find the whole thing a bit strange - what do you SAY to the author? 'Hi, I really like your work. Could you sign it to Jette, please?'

[theauthor]

Anything flattering will do me! I really wouldn't worry about it - they will have heard it all before and far worse.