I have little time today to wax poetically on the topic at hand because the Princess Puddinette is performing in her First Official Spring Dance Recital shortly. So, I’ll get to the point.
I went to the Cincinnati Joseph-Beth last night to see John Scalzi read, answer questions, and sign copies of his new book, Redshirts. Honestly, it was much more the John Scalzi Variety Show than that, and if you ever have a chance to see him at something like that, I recommend you make time. Also, read his blog and books. He’s an awesome writer.
I’m trying not to be too much of a fanboy, but the truth is, he’s one of my role models and influences as a writer. So, you know, just FYI.
Anyway, so I went to the signing last night, which required explaining to the Puddinette why I wanted to attend the signing. And then it occurred to me: not everybody does that kind of thing, do they? In fact, my mother, who has a book collection that would rival most libraries has never, to my knowledge, gotten a book signed or attended that sort of thing.
So, maybe some people just aren’t into it?
Thus was born today’s Saturday Debate…
Book Signings: Totally Awesome or Completely Pointless?
Have you any thoughts on the matter? Drop a comment below!
As always, the Saturday Debate includes a handy (and largely useless) poll. Enjoy!
Pud’n
PS: For what it’s worth, as I am technically a writer, I suppose I might find myself on the opposite side of the signing. In which case, I just want to say: I like my feet as they are, thank you very much. Please keep your sledges to yourselves.
Jason A. Rust: Author 
You’re right, I have never been to a book signing. Don’t know why exactly ….. I probably would if I knew that say, Nora Roberts, or Sandra Brown or Harlen Coben was going to be somewhere I could get to …. I guess it boils down to the fact that I was busy raising you guys, and I don’t drive, and I worked and oh maybe now if I took the time to check authors’ websites and knew where they were going to be I might do that …. But then again, I still don’t drive, and my ability to get on a bus has diminished, obviously, so I’ll let you know if I hear that Nora Roberts (who also writes as J. D. Robb) is coming to Cincinnati! I’ll stop now, as I would like to read a few pages of J. D. Robb before calling it a night!!! 🙂
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Actually, I’ve never been to a book signing but I’ve gone to lectures/discussions by historians who were actually interesting ( of course, they are as scarce as hen’s teeth). Thomas Clark told even better stories in person 🙂
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