I'm attending a book signing for the Fourth Bear on the 7th (book released on the 3rd).

Are there any book signing rules?

Signing limits?

I seem to recall that getting a special stamp in the book only happens if you have your name dedicated in said book?

Are the special post cards handed out one per person, or per book signed?

Will Mr. Fforde sign other memorabilia, or just the books?

Any policy on taking pictures?

I'm so excited there is a local signing this year. Can't wait!



Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. --- Edgar Allan Poe

Well, in case anybody else is interested in the answers to these questions, I'll post my findings. Keep in mind different bookstores may have different policies. Actually, I hope they do, as I wasn't really thrilled with how it was handled at Vroman's.

1. Were there any book signing rules?
Not really. If you hunted down the one employee that had signing tickets, you just waited for them to call your number and then got up and stood in line.

2. Were there any signing limits?
No. Some people had huge stacks of books and had them all signed on their one and only trip through the line.
I've been to events at other places where they will request only up to three items per pass through the line. This is more fair for people who only have one or two things to get signed, everybody gets through the line quicker. People who have multiple items are allowed to get back in line at the end if they want more signatures. But they didn't do that at this signing.

3. Is there a special stamp in the book if you have your name dedicated in said book?
Yes, you can have a stamp in your book if you have it personalized. No stamp for just a signature.

4. Were the special post cards handed out one per person, or per book signed?
Many of the people who wrangled early signing numbers would have large quantities of books signed and were given multiple post cards. The people towards the back were given only one postcard per person, even if they had multiple books signed. The people at the end didn't receive postcards at all. Out of the five people in my group, I was the only one that received a postcard from Mr. Fforde.

5. Does Mr. Fforde sign other memorabilia, or just the books?
He signed a copy off his website, a Thursday Next puzzle, and a Swindon programme for me.

6. What is the policy on taking pictures?
He smiled nicely for the camera and posed with fans.

I really enjoyed hearing Mr. Fforde's reading, and thoroughly revelled in listening to him talking about his writing. I dragged several friends and family with me, one that I had forced to read Eyre Affair and then they willingly read two more JF books, one that is now going to read the books after laughing plenty at the reading. My teenage son is also now very interested in reading the Nursery Crime books.
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Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. --- Edgar Allan Poe

If anyone else will be at the Dayton Book signing this week (August 16), well, perhaps we can create a Fforum cheering section in the audience :-). Any takers?



If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would
ever get done.

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ffran - how did it go? Did you have a cheering section of one, or larger? Hope you had a fun time either way.

I'm still reading the book so am reluctant to read other threads on this forum.
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Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. --- Edgar Allan Poe

Well, there was certainly a crowd, but no one identified him/herself as a Fforum-ite...

It was a great deal of fun, you know...Jasper’s a very nice, truly genuine, fellow, and very, very funny. Here’s the thing: I’ve been to other book signings/author talks with other authors, and there often seems to be a bit of a disconnect between author and reader. Not at all here, though...nothing stand-offish about Jasper.

I’m afraid I took up a bit more than my share of his time, so I’ll apologize to those who were in line behind me (but the guy in front of me had at least 10 books, so I don’t feel all that bad about it!)....it was all quite a treat, actually.

Ffran



If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would
ever get done.

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

I'm new to this forum. Where do you find the list of the places/times when Mr. Fforde does book signings? I totally missed the one he had here last year at Murder by the Book. I had not read his books yet at the time and just had the delightful surprise of finding that bookstore that day anyway.

Amy

Hi Amy,

You can find Jasper's list of book signing times on his appearances page: http://www.jasperfforde.com/appearances.html

Welcome to the Fforum.

---

'Who looks after the animals?'

Is it obsessive, if he's doing three appearances in Sydney, to go to all three?

No. It's not obsessive in the least.
It's called stalking.

not unless they changed the dictionary and obsessive now means "an excellent way to spend your time."
If it wasn't for my dang*d boss I would have gone to the signing in LA as well as Pasadena. The impertinence of the man, expecting me to work!

Three book signings in Sydney, 3 in Brisbane, Perth for goodness sake - it's @#$%& to fly to Hong Kong and they have better shopping... I know Canberra isn't a terribly exciting place, but I would argue it is at least as exciting as Reading (and with MORE Beaurocrats). We have bookshops. People read here. We have hotels.

Ween,

take a day off work; take the M5; go to a talk (or three); get your books signed; go home.

What I don't understand is, why isn't there any book signings in Canada? There are some Canadian fans too! *cough*me*cough*

I know how you all feel. I live in Massachusetts and Mr Fforde didn't come here either.

He was however in two different Barnes and Noble Stores is Manahattan (where my sister lives), but she was out of town that week. Ugg! I'm still not speaking to her! How dare she have a life that doesn't revolve around mine.

To make myself feel better, I ordered a signed book from Goliath Corporation. I also bought my wretched sister a copy of "The Eyre Affaire" for her birthday and now she's REALLY sorry she missed the book signing.

Sweet revenge.

*sighs*

Kenny,

I'm bummed. My Puritanic company has blocked the URL for your link. That's what I get for living in Massachusetts, USA

Another fellow person who wants Fforde to come to Canada. I understand there are some fans in the states and in Massecheuttes (I spelt that wrong didn't I?) and if he reads this then he'll know what is going on and perhaps he might go to these places.

aria Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kenny,
>
> I'm bummed. My Puritanic company has blocked the
> URL for your link. That's what I get for living
> in Massachusetts, USA


Very few companies world-wide will let you look at on-line porn.

Spam like that dross is the bane of decent sites (such as this one.)

Poor Kenny, do you think he is obsessive/compulsive as indicated by repeating the same phrase X times?
Is he making a statement or searching for replies?
Personally, I think the multiple pleading posts are a cry for help and overcompensation for having a small, um, keyboard.

Yes, we should all strive to feel compassion for poor Kenny...

... but mostly I just feel irritated by him, though.

Thank you!
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