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Tell us your best story about getting an author to
sign a book for you.
Boeldesuet@aol.com
In
1958, while I was a graduate student at the University of Texas
at Austin, Katherine Ann Porter spoke in one of the campuses auditorium.
I took her book The Flowering Judas and Other Stories to a tea where
I could meet her.
When
I presented to her a copy of my book for her
signature, she asked me what did I want her to write. I said, "Oh,
your name." She responded, "Oh, I always write my name,
the date, and the place." She then wrote after her name, March
20, 1958, and Austin, Texas.
Since
then I have become a librarian. I go to author signings. When I
see an author just write his name, I say, "May I please have
you write the date and place. Katherine Ann Porter told me to always
ask people to record these with their autograph." I got an
autograph like this even from Ginger Rogers while she was in Dallas
promoting her autobiography from a wheelchair.
Alpquest307@cs.com
One of my favorite students in 1991 was a lamb in the classroom
and a demon in the hallways of our high school. His pugilistic tendencies
earned him an "appointment" in our night school program
for the remainder of the spring term. I attended an IRA conference
in Florida and qued for an autographed copy of The Contender by
Robert Lipsyte. I knew my feisty student would enjoy the novel and
appreciate his own autographed copy. When I told Lipsyte to inscribe
the copy to Delawrence *** he heartily agreed and added "keep
on punchin, Robert Lipsyte". I smiled to myself, as I knew
this is precisely what got D. into hot water and a hefty suspension.
DCSUTTON90@aol.com
Jennifer Hawthorne and Marci Schimoff were doing a book signing
for us. It was a mob scene and we ran out of books! Marci had a
couple of cases in her garage and my husband drove to her house
to get more books!
debbiek@winco.net
I belong to an online book club. We have an author that belongs
as well and participates in our discussions. I read a book of hers
that I really enjoyed. In the middle of December, our moderator
asked us to compile a top 10 books of the year list. I added this
author's book as one of my top 10. The author sent me a personal
email telling me how much she appreciated seeing her book on my
list. I replied that I had really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to
read her newest book, but had not been able to find it in our small
town library and couldn't buy myself a gift so close to Christmas.
She responded that she wanted to send me a copy as an early Christmas
present! I was so surprised and pleased. I sent her my address and
told her if she would like to autograph it, I would donate the copy
to my local library after I read it. What a wonderful lady!
dolorisv@aol.com
When my son was five years old, we stood in line to have Robert
Fulghum sign our copy of Everything I Need to Know I learned in
Kindergarten. After an hour of waiting, I showed my son Mr. Flughum's
photo on the inside cover of the book.
"See
this man? He is sitting at the table up there. He's going to sign
his name in the front of my book."
"What
is his name?" asked my son.
Turning
to the front cover, I pointed out Mr. Fulghum's name in bold letters.
My
son looked me square in the eyes and with disgust at having waited
in line for this said "Well if you already know his name, why
are we waiting to have him write it in the book?"
The
story is more precious to me now than the autograph. (Sorry Mr.
Fulghum)
elisem@total.net
I was on line with my boss to have our books signed by Timothy Findley.
As we waited my boss ranted on about authors who sign silly things
to complete strangers e.g. "To my dearest friend".
When
we go to Findley, my boss offered his copy and added, "Just
a straight Timothy Findley, please."
Without batting an eye, Findley replied, "That, you'll never
get!"
JeanF@ascp.org
Several years ago, I saw a small notice in the Chicago Tribune that
Madeline L'Engle would be giving a talk in a nearby suburb, in a
church. Unfamiliar with the area, I called to ask for directions
and the pastor invited me to a pre-talk picnic. Once there, I joined
a short line of people eating their dinner outside and waiting to
talk to Ms. L'Engle. Within a few minutes, she had signed two of
my books and then chatted with me for several more minutes. I asked
her if she had a list of books she recommended. She had her assistant
take my address so she could send me a syllabus she had prepared
for a class (I soon received it from her!) She was a lovely and
gracious person; I'm honored to have spoken with her.
When
I went inside the church, it was packed! I managed to squeeze into
a seat up front and thoroughly enjoyed the talk. Afterwards, a HUGE
line formed and people only got a few minutes to speak with her
and a pre-autographed sticker to place in their books. I felt so
lucky!
Joan2014@aol.com
I had a book signed by John Galbraith. What was so amusing about
the experience was he told me that I had chosen a book that was
not one of his best. He was very nice and self-effacing.
ladyguin@aol.com
Several years ago, a friend of mine arranged a writer's conference
at Bay Shore High School. Frank McCourt was the keynote speaker.
He had one the Pulitzer Prize for Angela's Ashes that week and yet
still honored his commitment to address a student body on Long Island.
He was sincere and honest; he told us of winning the prize and of
walking on air since. I will always treasure his autograph because
I think of him not only as a wonderful writer and eloquent speaker,
but also as a man who never forgets his love of students and need
to inspire them.
cgmyers@webtv.net
I wrote to Jeffrey Deaver's publisher to tell them how much I enjoyed
his books. A few weeks later, the publisher called, saying Jeffrey
was going to California on a signing tour but wanted to detour to
Dallas, for a thank you and a book signing.
I
was thrilled; he came to the bookstore I manage and signed everything,
both personal and in the store. He was a very nice person and obviously
believed in the power of the hand-sell.
skippress@earthlink.net
In 1978, I was in New York, doing research for a screenplay. A friend
of mine lived in the same building as Tennessee Williams and I took
the opportunity to knock on his door and to ask for an interview
for a Los Angeles theatre magazine. He answered the door himself
and made an appointment.
Unfortunately,
I had believed a friend who had told me he thought Williams was
a blood relation of Shakespeare. When I mentioned it the playwright
guffawed.
"Crazy!
Who in the hell told you something like that ?!"
The evening set off on a light note and the interview went very
well. As I prepared to leave, he grabbed a copy of his autobiography
and inscribed it me adding "Press on!"
Sgoldst946@aol.com
October 1992, we were on vacation in The Bahamas. We approached
a bookstore and saw that Robert Ludlum would be there to sign copies
of his book The Road to Omaha. My husband was the first in line
and had his book signed. Then Mr. Ludlum looked up and asked what
the correct date was. It seemed the book he had just signed had
the wrong date. We will always remember that small store.
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