Going to meet an author/book signing

[CharityLynn]

Ok so I've never been to one and I am huge reader. I am just curious as to what to expect. It is taking place at a bookstore about a hour away. I will have my children with me (11 and 7 years old) I think I'm going to have them bring their Nintendo Ds's. The author is MaryJanice Davidson probably my 2nd favorite author of all time

I am rather excited. Do you suggest getting there early? What should I really expect? Any advice is appreciated.

Charity

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Is she the one that writes the kinda funny vampire books? Anyway, it depends on if it is a reading or just a signing. A reading is usually first with signings afterward. Otherwise, for just a signing, usually people line up a bit early, but the line moves pretty quickly.

 

[~disneydiva~]

Ok so I've never been to one and I am huge reader. I am just curious as to what to expect. It is taking place at a bookstore about a hour away. I will have my children with me (11 and 7 years old) I think I'm going to have them bring their Nintendo Ds's. The author is MaryJanice Davidson probably my 2nd favorite author of all time

I am rather excited. Do you suggest getting there early? What should I really expect? Any advice is appreciated.

Charity

I"ve been to a couple of Nicholas Sparks book signings. I usually try to get there early, there has always been a line/crowd. One I went to was a smaller Barnes and Noble, so everyone was sitting on the floor or standing. He stood at the table and talked about being an author, his family, and answered questions. Another one I went to was at a larger store. The line was pretty much weaving through out the aisles. He talked about the book and upcoming projects. Have fun!!

 

[CharityLynn]

Yes the funny vampire books! The Undead Series, Betsy the Vampire Queen. If you enoy vampire/werewolves, etc try her out she has several series actually Vampire, Werewolf, Cyborg, Mermaid, Dragon...she is hilarious too.

 

[~disneydiva~]

Hmm..I'll have to check out her books!

 

[dizluvah]

I have not been to an author signing but I would think you will get 30 seconds to a minute of facetime with the author- long enough for them to scrawl their name on your book purchase...and maybe personalize it for you.

I will say I love her books! Let us know how it goes for you....

 

[wdw_girl_18]

When I go to book signings at borders they hand out wristbands that are different colors at 7 am. Then you can come back right before the signing starts (usually 6 or 7 pm). This makes it so you don't have to wait there all day. I'd call the bookstore and find out what their procedure will be, so you don't miss out if they are handing out wristbands.

The last one I went to was Julie Andrews and it was amazing! Have fun!!

 

[~disneydiva~]

I have not been to an author signing but I would think you will get 30 seconds to a minute of facetime with the author- long enough for them to scrawl their name on your book purchase...and maybe personalize it for you.

I will say I love her books! Let us know how it goes for you....

I guess it depends on the author and how much time they have. I've been able to have my picture take with Nicholas Sparks each time. He also personalized my books.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Bring entertainment for the kids and don't forget your camera. They might not allow pictures but if they do, you'd certainly want to have it with you.

Also, call ahead and make sure that they are allowing you to bring your book with you to be signed. Sometimes, the store will only allow for signings of what you buy there that day. And sometimes the author will ignore what the store says and will sign anything.

 

[java]

Go early. Our little local place does book signings. The most recent one I went to was for a Sandra Lee cookbook. She was amazing! She made snacks for all of us- and drinks for the adults! She spent more time than others I have seen. Most are quick sign and thank you. She took photos- chatted us up. Asked if her breath stunk like liquor She really was funny and nice and I like her even more after meeting her.

It doesn't always go that way. Hope you have a great time!

 

[kwelch10377]

I have gone to Jennifer Weiner book reading/twice and Jodi Picoult one. I would get there early. Jennifer Weiner just did some general talking, she is very funny and it felt like a standup act. She then read a little from her book and took some questions. As for the signing part they took everyone by row and had someone who worked there go through the line and put your name on a post it note so she saw it when she signed the book and personalized it. Each person was able to take a picture with her and some chatted for a minute or so.

With Jodi Picoult it was pretty much the same, but she read more from her book and didn't talk as much before hand and there were ALOT of questions asked by the audience which got really boring after awhile. It was at a local high school and alot of students were there. I am pretty sure students got extra credit for attending and asking a question. Most students would just go up to the mic and say how much they loved her as an author, it was a little ridiculous after awhile. When they finally ended the questions portion they did the same thing with the signing.

 

[landshark]

Depending on the size of the store/popularity of the author, there could easily be a long line--I would get there as early as possible and be prepared to wait (bring snacks and entertainment for yourselves). Also call ahead to find out what the process is at your store.

When I met Alton Brown at a Borders downtown, the line was already huge by the time I got there and the signing hadn't started yet. I didn't know you needed a wristband so I hurried upstairs and had to turn around and go downstairs to wait in line at a register for one. Also didn't know they wanted you to have bought a book at the store to sign, but they gave me the wristband anyway. While they were very methodical about the whole process, it still took a long time. I wound up waiting in line for approximately 3 hours to get a quick signature and pic with him--nothing different than what anyone else got.

 

[Imzadi]

I would suggest you bring plenty for your kids to do. The wait could be long. You don't want them acting up, getting too impatient just as you are about to meet the author.

I've only been to a few book signings. The first was Jane Fonda. I expected her to be really aloof, give us the entitled, star diva treatment. She was actually warm, down to Earth, gracious & funny. She looked spectacular for her age.

Tyler Florence's book signing had a huge line. I think some people were waiting well over 2 1/2 hours. He was really warm & friendly. Stood up & took pictures with people.

Then there was Craig Ferguson. . .
I waited an hour & a half for Craig Ferguson's book signing of his first book. I had always thought he was so funny on his late night talk show. He turned out to be a dismissive S.O.B. Then about a month or two later on his show, he had on author, Lawrence Block. Block asked Ferguson how he liked the book signings and Ferguson said he HATED doing them, having to sit there and meet all the people. He said he wasn't going to do it again if he wrote another book.

I got rid of the book soon after that. After meeting him, what I had missed previously watching him on his show, (his arrogance,) became obviously clear to those know to look for it. He goes on ranting tirades all the time, especially about how Barry Manilow won the Emmy over him. (They were in the same Variety Entertainer category.) He loathes the Emmys now, like they OWE him an Emmy and he deserved to win over Manilow. He tries to make them sound like jokes, but they are not.

One time he went off into an Emmy tirade, and was so gone, he didn't remember who his guest was that night: Alec Baldwin, who had won about 3 already. Baldwin, later, good naturedly ribbed him about it, but even he knew Ferguson had been serious in his loathing of Emmys.

When Ferguson's second book came out, you bet I did not stand in line for it, or even read it. I have no intention of wasting my time on someone who doesn't appreciate us.

 

[hellokitty86]

When Ferguson's second book came out, you bet I did not stand in line for it, or even read it. I have no intention of wasting my time on someone who doesn't appreciate us.

That is sad to hear. I've always enjoyed his show.

OP, I've never met an author but I would love the chance to meet one of my favorites (specifically Wally Lamb or Fannie Flagg). Hope you had a good time!

 

[DarthKTrava]

I've met quite a few authors over the years. Mostly at sf conventions. Most have been really nice to both con staff and fans alike. Be prepared for a long line and they may limit how many books they'll sign based on time and how big the crowd is.

 

[Pixiedust34]

It's exciting you get to meet one of your favorite writers!

I've been to only 1 book signing, Laura Lippman's. There were not many people there, maybe between 20-30. She did a little talk, read from one of her books, and then answered a few questions. Afterward, she signed books. It was a fun experience for me!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I've been an author escort at a book festival, met a lot of nice people. I highly reccomend going to a book festival if you can find one. You can hear a bunch of authors speak and then get them to sign your books - all in one day! There are usually activities for the kids as well.

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

The one author I would stand in line for.... we usually go and her her talk and then hang out. her lines are long but she always has a smile and does the photo thing. She loves when people bring her food

 

[Mimi1965]

It's exciting you get to meet one of your favorite writers!

I've been to only 1 book signing, Laura Lippman's. There were not many people there, maybe between 20-30. She did a little talk, read from one of her books, and then answered a few questions. Afterward, she signed books. It was a fun experience for me!

I really like her books

 

[bigmerle1966]

I've been to 3 signings. The first was Mary Chapin Carpenter, she had written a children's book and had a new CD out. That was a LONG line and I was there for hours. She was really nice and thanked us for standing in line for so long to see her.

The 2nd my sister and I just went to see the person, not stand in line, was Richard Simmons. He was a trip, all over the place, going up and down the line, hugging people, listening to their stories and troubles, signing books.

The latest one was Paula Dean. She was at a Wegmans in VA near where my sister lives. A friend of hers got last minute tickets to see her and we ran up there about 15 minutes before they closed up. Paula's DH was with her and both of them were really nice although I didn't really get to say anything. They had to leave for the airport and they were trying to rush people through the line.

Afterwards we waited for them to leave and followed them to the limo.