Signings, Readings and Launches, Oh My

[Prof. Sky Alton]

Even in the age of e-books signings and author events are still a major part of the publicity for a book. Parties for book launches are as well as they’re really the first chance people outside of the process get to find out about the new arrival on the scene.

I attended my first signing two years ago when Garth Nix did a reading and signing at a city near enough for me, my mum, a friend and two guide dogs to decamp to. It was utterly incredible. I’d been nervous that meeting someone so important to me would be a let-down but he was genuinely one of the friendliest, politest and most considerate people I’ve met (and he loved our dogs).

As for a launch, I’ll be attending my first a month tomorrow. It’s actually for my own book (an anthology I co-wrote with a group of other new writers), so that’s a little surreal. I’ve no idea what to expect but fingers crossed it goes smoothly. I’ve yet to work out exactly how I’m going to sign books (Braille, maybe?) but I’m sure I’ll find a way.

How about you guys, have you ever been to a book signing? Or even a launch party for a book? Were the author and experience what you hoped they’d be?

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Sky! You are going to a book launch of YOUR OWN BOOK? (Yes, that is caps! SqueeeEEEE.) Congratulations. What is the name of the book? Give details!

As for your signing them .. maybe you could get a stamp made of your signature, or a 'something' which indicates it is you -- like a sword. Then, it could be easy to put stamp to book and press down - voila - something that you have as your own signature or sigil. Or what about a stamp which does braille?

As for me, no, I've nev... oh. I've not been to an official book signing but I've met some authors who signed their books for me. Does that count? Probably not really, as there isn't the intense excitement of a gathering of folks and sheer energy of that book signing. (I've not even been to a HP 'first night' when a book was released. )

I remember you showed me pictures of Garth Nix at that signing -- what a delightful person!

[Shadow Gaunt]

Sky that is awesome that you’re having a sighning of your own book! Congratulations!

I agree with Tarma on the stamp, it is an easy and fast method.

Personally, I’ve been to one book sighning before. I was very little and we went to a children’s author book sighning in a town nearby. I don’t remember much, but I do remember a dog was somehow involved with the sighning.