If you watch cable you’ve probably seen him.
If you read the newspaper, or skim your splash screen from time to time, you’ve probably heard of him.
I, of course, hadn’t.
Now I have.
A few weeks ago my friend, Vickie, shot me an email asking if I could help at this man’s signing. I agreed. I mean, why not? I love books, I love readers, and a chance to be around both for a few hours sounded like fun.
And it was.
It just so happens it provided me with something else, too—some serious food for thought.
Let me back track for just a moment to the part about me not knowing who this guy was…
In all fairness, I don’t watch much television. Never have. Just about the only shows I watch on a consistent basis are LOST and SURVIVOR. So, it’s really no surprise that I wouldn’t know who he was. What was a surprise was how many people DID.
Hundreds and hundreds of them.
Five hundred to be exact.
Yup, this guy shows up for his signing at this small independent book store and sells through 500 books in little over an hour. People literally lined the sidewalks outside this shop waiting for an opportunity to see this guy up close and personal. They plunked down $27.87 without blinking an eye and waited, book in hand, in nearly hundred degree temps for a whopping two second face-to-face.
Two seconds.
That’s it.
Those two seconds were comprised of the customer holding the book outward as the author signed his nickname in a silvery type marker. And then out the back door they went.
Two seconds.
One couple I spoke to during my crowd-control duties drove nine hours (one-way) just to see this guy.
Nine hours. For two seconds.
And they were thrilled.
Kids were yanked from their air conditioned first week of school to stand in the heat just to see this guy sign his name in a book. Elderly people cooled themselves with makeshift fans as they waited, patiently, for their turn to see him up close.
When the last of the five hundred books had been signed, he packed up his stuff and headed out to his next gig…this one in an arena type facility. A place I’m sure was packed solid as Vickie wiped noseprints from her shop’s front door–remnants from the people who waited but weren’t lucky enough to snag a book before the store ran out. The ones who simply caught a glance from the wrong side of a locked door.
Now, fast forward with me to this past Sunday…
As many of you know I was in New York for a few days to attend my cousin’s wedding. Since I was in striking range of my childhood home, I decided to scheduled a signing at the Borders in Danbury, Connecticut for the following day. I sent out postcards to people I knew in the area, and was fortunate enough to score a nearly half-page news feature in the Danbury News Times.
At 2 p.m. I took my place behind the small table they had set aside for me, several stacks of books just waiting and hoping to be signed. My first reader was there at 2:01 with a book for me to sign. I signed it, then handed it to her while engaging her in a short conversation about books in general. By the time we were done, I had a line (yup, an honest-to-goodness line) that stretched from my table all the way down the center aisle and over to the front door.
I was thrilled. THRILLED, I tell you.
Many of the people were there from my postcard marketing. Quite a few came off the news article they’d read in the paper. All of them came to get a book signed and to meet the author who wrote it.
Me.
Humor me for a moment. I need to type that one more time because it’s preferable to pinching myself.
They lined up for me.
Ahhhhh.
What?
Oh. Sorry. 
Anyhoo, the store brought in thirty books. I sold all thirty (and directed nine more disappointed readers to the customer counter to order more copies) in one hour. I signed all thirty… Personalized notes with a full signature.
In the time span I ran through thirty copies, author X signed five hundred.
Depressing, huh?
Actually, I don’t think so. As neat as the idea of THAT kind of line is—I can picture the faces of virtually all thirty people I met on Sunday. I can remember the woman who returned to my table at the very end to talk about favorite books. I remember the teenager who smiled from ear to ear as I wrote an encouraging note in his book because he, too, wants to be a writer some day.
And I remember that flutter I felt in my heart when I looked up after each person and noticed the line had grown even longer.
I wonder if Author X remembers anything beyond a blur.
Sure, he sold more books. And he’s definately making a helluva lot more money than I am. He had people holding numbers to get a chance to meet him!!
Yet, somehow, I suspect I’ll remember my signing more than he will remember his.
Why? Because he was moving people through during his hour, I was meeting people during mine.
Don’t get me wrong. I admire the following he has, the books he sells, the excitement he’s created with his celebrity.
But being where I am isn’t so bad either.
Which brings me to a few questions for you. Readers—what do you want from an author when you attend a signing? Authors—how do you do your signings and why? Do you like to simply sign? Do you like to stop and talk? Do you think writers owe their readers anything beyond a signature at one of these events?
Hugs,
~Laura
**I will sign (and send) a copy of Marked by Fate to the first person to correctly guess who Author X was. And, once he is revealed, I’m curious as to people’s feelings about assembly line signings. Buy. Wait. Signature. Leave. Rinse and repeat.
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Sounds like an awesome signing, Laura! Congrats.
I know who Author X is, so I won’t guess, though you know I love free stuff.
Personally, I’d love to sell 500 books, but I’d like to think I’d “meet” all my readers at the same time… I know it can be done. I went to a Famous Author’s signing once and though she didn’t personalize the books, she did take time to chat and take pictures with everyone. A good balance, I think.
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I’m going to guess Author X was Dusty Rhoades.
As for signings, I like talking to people who have forked out 20+ bucks for my book. I can see how you couldn’t possibly do that for 500 people, but what a nice problem to have.
Kids and old people lining up to catch a glimpse? Yeah, definitely Dusty.
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I went to an “Elizabeth Peters” signing a few years ago, an author who did take time to talk to each person for just under thirty seconds.
But the most fun was talking with all the other fans in line (probably about 60-100 fans there). We had something in common already and they were a great bunch of gals (with a few great guys thrown in).
And the store served us cookies in line. Love that.
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As for Author X, I’ll guess Harlan Coben.
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Oh, and congrats on *your* great signing!!!! And the paper write-up - great happenings both!
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Congrats on a bonzo signing! I’ll recuse myself from the drawing. Dang it. ;o)
I’m still waiting for the day when I can sign my books for people. I expect I’ll have loads of fun until my hands cramp and then I’ll do the best I can. I wonder how tacky it would be to use a pre-made signature stamp to save my hands. I mean, I need those wrists to write. Right?
Thanks for the story of the booksignings, Laura. They were both fun and encouraging. =oD
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I already have a signed copy of that fantastic novel, “Marked By Fate” AND I know the answer. Soooo, like Heather, I’ll bow out.
Since I’ve never signed, yet, I’ll look at it from the person waiting in line. I’d like to at least get a sense of what type of person I’m reading. So a little chat and a smile would be nice.
I just got back from Chicago and I talked to a lady at the Borders on State and Randolf about holding a signing when my book is released. Monday at 11 AM and the place was packed.
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I once went to an Anne MacCaffrey signing. Very gracious woman who took the time to talk briefly with everyone.
I’ll take a guess that Author X is Jonathan Kellerman.
And major congratulations, Laura! I can’t wait for you to come to Indianapolis!
by Becky
on August 28th, 2007 at 8:31 am
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Either Tony Dungy or Elian Gonzalez. Theo will go with Coach Dungy, even though the Colts were a fluke.
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500. My god. I think my head would explode. Hell, I think my head would explode at 30.
The fact that you had an opportunity to actually speak with people instead of at them, and have an interaction with your fans is wonderful. I like that idea a lot more than running folks through like cattle.
Of course, with my luck, the 30 people waiting to meet me would be all be Federal agents.
As to Author X is, I have no idea. I don’t watch much television, either.
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No clue on Author X’s identity, but whoo-hoo to you Laura for setting up such a great signing!
And, as a reader, I love having a chance to talk with the author. The two “biggest” authors I met at signings (before I was published) were Tim O’Brien and Elizabeth Berg. Both were charming and took a few moments to chat with me. I never felt liek I was part of an assembly line. Now, as a writer, I usually have to keep myself from hugging the person for having bought my book! I feel I owe it to the reader to talk a little bit, and show my appreciation for them having come out to the signing.
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I was a regular attendee, years back, of an event called Marcon, held in Columbus, Ohio. A three-day weekend for sci-fi/fantasy fans, it started, primarily as an art con, but always had several authors there. I got up the nerve, after missing a chance to meet the illustrator, Michael Whelan, to talk to author, Barbara Hambly, to thank her for the Star Trek tie-in book she’d written (Ishmael), which I had loved so much. She was so friendly and chatted with me for at least fifteen minutes, listening to me blather on about how cool I thought her story was. The next year I met and chatted for a while with illustrator/author, Todd Cameron Hamilton, having him sign the Illustrated Guide to Xanth and a limited edition print of the Vole (from Vale of the Vole). It was because of this meeting with him that I grabbed up his book, The Guardsman, a couple years later. I have also read all of Barbara Hambly’s Benjamin Janvier stories, and recommend her highly to any and all.
I haven’t been to a con (of any kind) since ‘91, but the time I got to spend with those authors (and a few others), were very special to me. The people who went to Mr. X’s signing, while they might consider themselves big fans, probably won’t really remember much, and if it matters to them in 20 years, I’d be very surprised (it was that long ago that I met Ms. Hambly, and I remember the space in the hall, the lighting in the room, the table I sat at, and exactly how she looked, and how nice she was). Laura, I’m sure many of the people you spoke with will remember and enjoy that memory for a long time - ’cause you’re a nice person, which matters more than selling 500 books and never really even looking at, let alone meeting, a fan.
by Kate Hathway
on August 28th, 2007 at 11:43 am
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I’m going to say Neil Gaiman.
Because I love to say Neil Gaiman.
That’s a good name to say over and over.
by Eliza
on August 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
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Wow, guys, I spend a few hours away from the computer and come back to some great comments! Yay!
Heather, I think if I was a BIG author, your idea would be good. Maybe forgo the personalization in favor of chatting. Though, knowing me, I’d try to do both.
David, nope, not Dusty  . The demographic that showed up for this signing shocked me. I expected bikers and a smattering of flannel shirts. Reality was people across the board in age and occupation. Very intriguing.
**And yes, the expected demographic is a clue.
Regina, you know something? I noticed the folks in my line interacting with one another and having a good time. So that was a neat to see. As for your guess…nope. I’d smack Harlan if he filtered people through like that.
B.E., yes you should recuse!  As for the hand cramping–the biggest thing I need to do is have a piece of paper near me where I jot down the spellings of people’s names so I don’t mess it up in the book. There are a LOT of interesting spellings out there… Oh, and had I thought about it, I’d have paid attention better during cursive instruction in the the third grade. Ay yi yi.
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
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Will, early legwork is always good!!!
Becky, I bet Anne’s signing stands out to you BECAUSE of how nice she was. That’s worth more in the long run for an author’s success in my opinion. At least I hope it matters. As for Indianapolis, I come to Carmel sometimes… And no, not Jonathan Kellerman.
Theo, WRONG!
Stephen, my head remained intact with the thirty but I’ll admit I was noticeably giddy.
Judy, sometimes I DO hug! 
Kate, awwwww. I’ll take “nice person” any day of the week. Thanks.
LOL, Eliza. Nope, not Neil Gaiman.
C’mon people…keep trying!
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
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Laura, I think Author X is beyond guessing. I certainly would never have guessed it.
And hey, your dodn’t give me a hug when I stood in your line for an autograph. 
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Flannel shirts? Is it an Indigo Girl?
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Will, I most certainly did give you a hug. Didn’t I?!?!?!?! As for guessing, I have faith in this intelligent and quirky readership we have at GGKFM.
LOL, Theo. Nope.
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
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Is it the other Indigo Girl?
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Coming out of lurkdom to say how much I enjoy reading this blog, along with all the Good Girls’ works…& to take a guess that Author X was Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman.
by Lynn V.
on August 28th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
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Bill Bryson? The Pope?
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**Insert sound of thunderous applause**
**Imagine David and Stephen and Will and the rest of us doing the wave**
Ladies and Gentlemen (and Theo)…we HAVE a winner!
WooWooWooWooWooWooWoo
Way to go, Lynn V. Yes, it was Dog the Bounty Hunter (who signs his books: “The Dog”).
Lynn, send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get that book out to you! Send it here: laura@laurabradford.com
And to all our lurkers out there–see what happens when you come out of lurkdom?
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
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Are you sure? The Pope wears a lot of flannel.
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Considering the Catholic school kids who skipped school to get this guy’s autograph? nope.
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
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Was he wearing his Oakley Thumps?
I want a pair, but I’m afraid they won’t clash enough with my Devo hat and lemon-yellow jumpsuit.
by Keith
on August 28th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
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Woohoooo! I’m thrilled about winning Laura’s new book! This just made my day! 
Info sent, Laura. Thanks so much. Y’all are all so interesting, funny & inspring to read. I’m a bit on the shy side or I would have come out of lurkdom sooner & told you what a fan I am of the GG’s!:)
Off to make a jillion phone calls, for a bit of bragging on my good luck. Have a good one, all!
by Lynn V.
on August 28th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
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Hi there, Keith!!! How was your schindig on Saturday??? As for his Oakley Thumps, once I followed your link to know what they WERE–yes, he wore them. His wife or girlfriend or whomever she is, was there too. The crowd loved her.
Lynn, we’re glad you shed your shyness! Despite our photos, we’re pretty easy going. We only bring out the poison and death devices on special occasions. Or when David gets out of hand. Book will go out tomorrow! And again, welcome!
by Laura
on August 28th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
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Hooray for Lynn! Congratulations. And congrats for ditching the shyness. Nobody bites here. And least not that I’ve seen. ;o)
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The shindig was great!
I actually do want some Oakley Thumps for long cycling tours, but I’m afraid I’d feel too much like a complete *&%^ing moron.
by Keith
on August 28th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
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