QUESTION: HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN A BOOK SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR
A big yes to this one. If I see there’s a book signing at a bookshop I will usually (until the last 18 months) pop by and speak with the author. If they are famous I may leave it, but if there are only a few folks about I’ll give them some encouragement and buy a signed copy.
I met Liz Harris, author of The Road Back; Ben Hatch, author of Are we Nearly There and Adam Croft in different bookshops. I met Adam Croft, now a famous Indie author and prolific writer, in Ampthill bookshop. This was his very first mystery, well before he was well known, at the very beginning of his writing career. I actually bought two books and he quipped
“Will you sell them when I’m famous!’
Two of the books above were at author talks; that’s You, Me Always by Jill Mansell given at Kirkcaldy library and EAST of WEST, WEST of EAST by Hamish Brown at Kinghorn Library.
I met Victoria Howard at a stall when she was attending Glamis Castle Classic Car Show.
Why do I support indie and trad authors in this way?
- Because I enjoy meeting and encouraging other writers,
- Because I like to think the reading of the book will be much more insightful having met the author,
- and finally because I do book signings myself and appreciate the support of others too.
If you want to know more about Book Blogger Hop here’s a link.
If you would like a signed copy of Search for the Pearl Inside Yourself as a gift for a young adult who is struggling to know what to do next, send me an email on diana@dianamaryjackson.co.uk or dianariduna@yahoo.com and I’ll send you a free copy if you live in the UK. (5 copies to giveaway in August!)
Diana Jackson's Muse, Views and Reviews 
I have a few signed by the author.
One my Mom got for me as the signing was where she worked – “A World Of My Own” by Robin Knox Johnston – he was the first person to sail around the world non-stop single handed.
“Extra Extra” by the late Harry Fielder, who played minor roles in more movies and tv shows than I have had hot dinners.
“No Time For Geishas” by Geoffrey Adams. A tale of his being held prisoner by the Japanese. He was a friend of my Grandmother.
One of the “Sharpes” books by Bernard Cornwell. Bought it hardback off eBay last year and it happened to be signed. Nice surprise!
Hi Tony, yes they do feel a bit special when signed by the author. I knew a bookshop once which specialized in signed secondhand copies. I’m not sure if it survived.
I guess it’s not something for everyone, but for me it provides a stronger attachment to the book.