I’ve never been all that interested in going to author signings and meeting authors and so on. I suppose this partly comes from my penchant for reading dead authors, but it also comes from the fact that writing a book doesn’t necessarily make a person interesting. Plus, I often feel like readings and signings are just big sales pitches for books I may or may not want to own, and I can easily get caught up in the crowd’s enthusiasm and end up buying something that would rather have gotten from the library or not read at all.
Every now and then, however, I fall in love with a book and enjoy the opportunity to hear what the author has to say about it. And it is a pleasure to own signed copies of my very favorite books. (My signed copies of Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King will not leave my collection.) Unfortunately, even though lots of my favorite authors have come to the DC area, the timing hardly ever works out so that I can go. So I was very happy this week when I managed to drive across town to Politics and Prose to see Mary Doria Russell, the author of the fabulous novel, The Sparrow (which was tucked in my purse to be signed).
Mary Doria Russell
Although The Sparrow is one of my favorite books, I’ve not actually gotten around to reading any of her others (you know how it goes), but I am interested in her new novel, Doc, which she was there to promote.
Russell talked a bit about her tendency to jump from genre to genre (science fiction, historical fiction, and now westerns/mysteries) and about how often her books are hard to describe in a single, appealing phrase. She joked that not many people are going to leap at the chance to read about Jesuits in space. I told her afterward that the Jesuits in space premise was precisely what appealed to me about The Sparrow, which as she pointed out, this says a lot about me. As it happens, the book has wowed readers who would never pick it up on the basis of that premise.
The main topic of the night was Doc, a fictional life of John Henry “Doc” Holliday. Russell spoke of the popular ideas most people have about Doc, frequently drawn from films such as Tombstone, which featured Russell’s own favorite film version of Doc, played by Val Kilmer. As you might expect, none of the film versions capture the full story of Doc, and that’s what Russell wanted to do with her novel. She covers his whole life and reveals that he was far more cultured and accomplished as a young man than popular depictions might suggest. In fact, there’s reason to suspect that Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler in his cousin Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind were inspired at least a bit by Doc Holliday.
If author appearances are in fact sales pitches, Russell’s talk worked on me. I did decide to purchase a copy of Doc to have signed along with my treasured paperback of The Sparrow. (Only the latter was personalized, just in case Doc doesn’t turn out to be a keeper.) The evening was really nice—I even enjoyed talking to people while waiting in line for the signing. I’m glad I went.
It just so happened that on the day I saw Mary Doria Russell, there was some chatter online about whether independent bookstores should start charging or requiring a book purchase at author events. (See the New York Times article that started the conversation.) I can certainly understand why some bookstores would want to do this. If people are coming to their events and then buying books on discount elsewhere, hosting would readings would seem like too much trouble. Then again, free events might draw people into the stores or pique their interest in authors they wouldn’t consider.
As for me, I wouldn’t mind paying $5 to see an author I liked already, especially if that cost went toward the purchase of the book, but I wouldn’t pay for someone new. But as I said before, I’m not inclined to go to many author events for authors whose books I don’t already love. I had such fun at P&P this week, however, that I might change my mind—even though the imagined pressure to buy is still there. I was pleased that P&P just let people know the books were available and didn’t push. It was easy to leave without buying, although I’d want to buy something while I was there if I hadn’t decided to get a copy of Doc. I’d feel bad not buying anything, even though my bookshelves are bursting! (Yes, if there’s something to feel guilty about, I will feel it.)
With all that in mind, the model I as a customer would like is a “tip jar” model so that readers who want to support the store and help defray the cost of hosting events could contribute, but those who can’t afford it wouldn’t have to. As a reader who might enjoy these events from time to time but who is also cutting back on purchasing books I’ve not read already (and who generally prefers paperbacks), I’d like the chance to support the stores that invite authors in without adding to my physical TBR pile. Then again, the authors and publishers are looking to gain something from these appearances, too, and I’m not sure how these approaches would help them, other than to generate good will among readers. That’s not a small thing, but it doesn’t necessarily fill the purse.
What do you think? Do you go to many author events? Do you feel obligated to buy something when you’re there? Would you pay to go?
>>the fact that writing a book doesn’t necessarily make a person interesting.
LOL, yes!
I’ve never been to an author event, so I can’t speak to your questions. But I’m planning on going to the TX Book Festival this year, which is free!
The DC Book Festival is free too, and there are lots of signings and talks, but they don’t always have authors I’m interested in. They’re expanding to two days, so we’ll see!
I attend the Sydney Writer’s Festival – which is held once a year. Other than I rarely attend book talks as many don’t fit into my schedule. When attending the writer’s festival I only go to talks that I actually pay for, even though there are many free events offered. I do this so I know I have a seat. The Sydney event has gotten so popular that I am not interested in turning up for a talk and standing in a great long line and not get a seat at the end of the wait! I also like knowing my money is going to support the event and it carries on in the future. As the events are so well attended there is not so much pressure on buying the books. Being a bookaholic though I set myself a limit so I won’t buy too many. This year I only purchased one book which was a record for me – my tbr pile is weighing heavily on my shoulders :-)
I feel for small bookshops – they really are competing against some behemoths and I like a cheap book as much as the next person but I do try and buy full priced books by Australian authors and publishers at Australian bookshops.
The lack of seats is a problem at the DC Festival too, and sometimes you wait in a long line for a signing and it ends before you get to the front. But there’s zero pressure to buy books. There’s a tent there, but it seems like it’s there just so people can buy books for signings if they want.
I don’t believe I’ve ever been to an author signing, but I’ve always assumed that it was required that any books you wanted the author to sign had to have been purchased at the store on the day of the author’s appearance. Perhaps I’ve been wrong about that.
Judging from the comments here, it seems like that’s the policy at some stores but not others. No one was checking at Politics and Prose, and several people had brought their own.
I don’t go to author events unless I’ve actually read the author and like the author, so requiring me to buy a book I probably already have would be sufficient to deter me from attending. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind kicking in $5 or whatever. But whenever I’ve been to an author event, it seems to me that just being in the bookstore and being happy about seeing the speaker induces many people to buy things even unrelated to the speaker. Personally, I think bookshops could reasonably view the author as a “loss leader” to get people into the store and shopping.
I’d rather kick in a little cash than be required to buy a book, that’s for sure, especially since, like you, I prefer to see authors I’m familiar with and own their books. Judging from the NYT article, stores once did see the events as “loss leaders” but are finding that people are coming for the event and browsing and then buying cheaper online.
I wouldn’t mind paying a few bucks for an author event, of which I (of course) go to way more now that I live in New York. However, if I were required to buy the book, there’s a lot of events I wouldn’t go to. I buy books pretty rarely — a function of money and reading time and, particularly, bookshelf space.
Same here. Plus, I don’t really care about getting books signed unless I already adore them and want them in my permanent collection, which means I probably already own them. (Case in point, I had my copy of The Sparrow personalized, but not my copy of Doc, because it may not be a keeper.)
We have a marvelous mystery bookstore here in Houston, Murder by the Book, which hosts a lot of author talks/signings, at least 2 a week. The signings are free, but to get books signed, you have to have bought the tour book at MBTB – then you can bring in older books to be signed as well. I find that reasonable. I would probably be willing to pay something to go to the talks. As it is, I only go those of authors I know, and I’ve enjoyed all of them, except one, who talked mainly about writing to make money, how much money she wanted to make writing, and how much money a film version of her books might bring in – I couldn’t believe how blatant she was. The other authors I’ve met aren’t pretending that the money isn’t important, but they talk more about the pains & pleasures of research, writing and publishing, and I enjoy their talks. Generally, someone will ask what they like to read, and I’ve been introduced to new authors that way (Laurie King talked about Sarah Smith’s three-book series, starting with The Vanished Child, which were just as good as she said they were).
I can see why stores would have that policy, but it’s not one I’d like. I really wanted my copy of The Sparrow signed, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to buy Doc at all until I heard her talk about it. It’s unusual for me to buy hardcovers, so I’d hate to have to to get a favorite signed.
I do love hearing about what my favorite authors like to read and about their research and all.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live, there are lots of author events that you must buy a ticket to see. These raise money for various groups like Public Radio and the Friends of the Library. I’ve never seen a bookstore require a purchase to get a book signed, but I’ve no problem with that.
At sports conventions major athletes charge 20.00 and up per signature and their fans line right up for them. I don’t think many, maybe any, authors could get away with that, but insisting on a book purchase is not too much to ask in my view.
I’d love to hear from a bookseller or two about this.
My main issue with a “must buy” policy for a signing is that I’m trying to cut back on my book buying. I’d much rather kick in a little cash. But I can understand the reasons for it. If a purchase is required, I’d like backlist titles to be an option.
There was a lot of bookseller chatter on Twitter about that article, but there didn’t seem to be a consensus. (I couldn’t follow it closely as I was at work and spotted the conversation during the lunch.)
I’ve never been to an author event that I would have paid to see. The exception might have been Douglas Adams reading from his own work in the 80s, but that was sponsored by a university. The ones I’ve been to haven’t been that well-attended, and I’m pretty sure that requiring people to pay or buy the book would have made a serious dent in the number of people who did show up.
I imagine it would make something of a dent, but how much would depend on the area, the author, and the amount charged, I would think. And if a large percentage of the people coming are not buying, would it be a problem to lose them? But I like a donation model, like at some museums, precisely because people could still come without paying.
I’ve paid to go to author readings, but pretty rarely. More often I’ve simply found myself in my local bookstore when an author reading happens to be taking place, and sometimes I’ve stuck around to listen. Since I very rarely manage to escape a trip to Powell’s without buying anything, the bookstore itself is definitely making money on me being present for author readings…even if the books I end up buying are not the ones being read from. (I vastly prefer paperbacks to hardcovers so usually don’t buy the newest book when the author is promoting it. Sometimes I will buy a paperback from their back list, though.)
I’ve never had that happen, but that may speak to how rarely I go to the bookstore–or to bookstores that have readings. I think a few people at the talk the other night just happened to be there.
I had thought about buying one of Russell’s backlist titles if it had been required (they had them all on display and may have offered a member discount on them all), but her new book really did sound like the best one, so I paid for the hardcover. I’d be grumpy if a purchase of the hardcover were required to get anything signed, but I wouldn’t mind so much if you could get any of their titles.
I have never been to an author event, but the same discussion is going on when it comes to band signings etc. Overall, I think I would be likely to want to buy a book if there’s an author event. And I would buy it in the shop due to respect that they were organising the event. However, that changes when I know the book could be bought somewhere for 5 euro while they are charging 15-20 euro in the shop. (Trust me, that regularly occurs over here). I actually think making the prize something in between, especially for the event, would work best. As for making visitors obliged to buy a book: I don’t believe in that policy. It often happens with band signings. First, if someone tells me you have to do something, I feel more unwilling to do so, and bookbuys should be enjoyasble spontaneous buys that make you feel good, not obligatory ones. And then there’s also the one big problem where authors should be happy to support their biggest fans. And let’s face it, those fans probably already own the books by the time the event comes around. So it feels very weird to charge them extra, make them buy the book for a second time, just to be able to see their favourite author.
It’s not uncommon here either for there to be a big difference between the bookstore price and the online price, mostly because Amazon can undercut the bookstores because of their huge volume. And I tend to agree with you about the obligation to buy the book, for the same reasons. I might get beyond it if at least I could choose a paperback version instead of the expensive hardcover being promoted.
I don’t go to many author events, for a lot of the reasons you mentioned above. I read that NYT article and since I’m not a big author event person, I probably wouldn’t go if I just had to pay. But, if the “entry fee” was to buy a giftcard for the store, I’d be happy to do that.
I really like the buying a gift card idea. I’d do that without hesitation.
I love author events – as distinct from just signings. In the UK, it is quite usual for them to be charged and ticketed. But for authors I’m interested in, I’m happy to pay to hear them talk.
My local indie bookshop manages to lure some really great authors to our town. They charge for tickets – usually around £5, but there’s always a glass of something offered, plus a discount on the author’s new book included in the price. The authors talk and read from their books, take questions, sign books and are happy to chat in general so I love that format. They couldn’t afford to run these author events without having to charge a little.
With the exception of Philip Pullman, who I paid loads to see at the Oxford Lit Fest last year, usually I won’t go to these big and expensive events. Keeping it local though, I’m supporting a local small business and having a nice evening!
Meant to add that ‘Doc’ is going straight to the top of my wishlist. At the moment I am loving Westerns.
Your local indie sounds wonderful. And £5 seems reasonable, especially if there are drinks available.
Ticketed events do happen here, but they’re not the norm. They tend to be for really big authors. Some require you to pay, some don’t.
Hope you enjoy Doc! I’m looking forward to getting to it someday.
Like Gaskella, I was interested to read this post, because in the UK the default position is to charge if there’s a talk or any kind of author interaction (if it’s just a signing, that’s normally free). Like she says, they are normally around £5 which, I think, as an evening’s entertainment goes, compares very well with the *insert ludicrous price here* it costs to say, go to the cinema. Since the smaller bookshops normally stay open later to put these on and therefore have to pay the staff etc, seems fair enough to me. But I do think it must be a lot easier to get the crowds in for a ‘name’ rather than a less well known author – unless they are local.
£5 seems fair for an evening’s entertainment to me. Certainly cheaper than most other forms of entertainment! It’s interesting that a small charge is routine over there but not over here. I wonder why.
Glad you enjoyed the event so much. Doc is definitely one I would love to add to my list. I love Val Kilmer’s portrayal of the character in Tombstone but never knew if it was in any way historically accurate. I rarely go to author events, mostly because they take place in San Francisco which is about an hour north of me. I don’t think I would mind paying for the event if the cost went towards my purchase of one of the author’s books but I do think it’s a shame that they can’t be free.
Free is definitely preferable, but I understand why shops may see the need to charge.
I got the impression from the talk that Kilmer’s version of Doc was the closest to the reality, but it still leaves out a lot. She apparently did a lot of research to try to get at the true story.
I just read The Sparrow a couple months ago and loved it! I’ve been looking forward to checking Doc out as well.
As far as author events go, I’ve been to quite a few. Some are great, such as David Sedaris reading from his work, hilarious John Green and the wonderful Neil Gaiman, Others are just mediocre because the author was clearly not comfortable being in a crowd. I’ve never had to pay for an event, but I’ve tried to buy one of the author’s books at each event as a way of showing my support.
I’m sure the quality varies a lot. I’ve just been to so few of these, and this may have been the first actually in a store that I attended. I doubt I’d leave a store event without buying something, but I wouldn’t want to feel obligated for it to be a book by that author, especially if I was going out of curiosity and not as a fan.
I am just envious that you got Mary Doria Russell to sign your copy of The Sparrow :-D.
I like your “tip jar” idea. I don’t really object in principle to a “cover charge” for author events, although I suspect it would make me VERY selective about the events I’d choose to go to (and I usually buy at least one book if they’re in bookstores anyway).
I’m so happy that I could get it signed. If the store hadn’t been allowing that, I would have been tempted to buy another copy because they had all her books on display.
I’m selective about the events I go to now, only because none of the stores that have them are super convenient for me. Most anyone I’d drive across town to see is someone I’d also pay $5 to see. But I’d also have a hard time leaving a bookstore without buying something, so they’d make money from me either way.
I don’t go to a lot of author events. Like you I only go to ones of authors I already know and like. I never feel obligated to buy anything at the events. I wouldn’t pay to go, but I do like your tip jar idea. I’d be happy to put a dollar or two in the jar as long as I wasn’t required to pay at the door.
I’d probably go to more if the stores that had them were closer to me–and as long as they’re free. It was a pretty good evening’s entertainment!
I read somewhere a while back that asking for contributions sometimes brings in more money than charging a fee would. So it seems like it would be worth a try for stores that are considering charging.
Great post; I’m sorry it’s taken me a few days to get back around to reading your take on this. I don’t mind paying a little but it does discourage me from attending some I’m on the fence about. So the only ones I end up paying for are favorites, which in the end I don’t mind. But it keeps me away too. I don’t feel obligated to buy a book but I will if I want to. That’s about all I can say! :-) Great take on this issue.
I think our views are pretty similar on this. As it stands right now, inconvenience is as likely to keep me away from authors I’m on the fence about as cost would be. But having to pay would make me even less likely to go.
[...] westerns, I couldn’t resist ordering this one from the US once I read Teresa’s post at Shelf Love on Russell and her new novel about Doc [...]