# Autographed by Author **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 13, 2000, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429 "2000-07-13T13:51:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/1 "2000-07-13T13:51:25Z")
I’ve been going around to bookstores in Boston, asking (begging) them to please consider ordering copies of my book “Medusa” ([www.MedusaMystery.com](http://www.MedusaMystery.com) ). A couple of days ago I went to the bookstore at Boston University and, in the middle of my halting spiel, was told that they already HAD two copies on the shelf. We went over to the Mythology section and, sure enough, there they were. I was amazed. For the first time it seemed real – the first time I’ve encountered the things out in the Real World. “Would you like to sign them?” they asked. Would I? I was in heaven. People usually ask me to stop writing in books at bookstores. After I signed them, they stuck those “Autographed by Author” stickers on the front covers. Then they ordered eight more copies. A totally unreal experience. I’m not an author, I think to myself. I’m a con man who snuck my manuscript through the system and haven’t been found out yet. Some day soon the Real Book Police will descend upon me and make me buy any copies sold back at cover price. But in the meantime this is a weird and wonderful experience. ---
**Author:** ![Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bottle_of_Smoke)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/2 "2000-07-13T16:17:52Z")
You’ve made it, baby! Wait a few years and those copies will show up on eBay with an exorbitant opening bid. Congrats on being a real damn published author! ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/3 "2000-07-13T16:24:48Z")
YAY! I sould get my copy today in the mail. If I send it to you, will you sign it for me and return it? ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/4 "2000-07-13T16:34:06Z")
I am a birder and I recently was asked to contribute a profile to “The Birdfinding Guide to Canada”. I did that and I recently received my payment for the profile (an authors copy of the book). The book has been published and it is receiving a wide distribution (it has been in every bookstore I’ve visited). When I’ve checked to see if they have the book I’ve had a compulsion to sign the article I worked on. So far, I’ve resisted the temptation. 😉 Cal congratulations on your publication. I hope the only reviews you’ll read will be estatic ones. Keith ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/5 "2000-07-13T17:33:35Z")
Cal, I’m so incredibly jealous my brown eyes are turning green. Way to go!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/6 "2000-07-13T21:18:20Z")
Get used to it, and congratulations! As a wannabe, nearlywuz, I’m incredibly jealous. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/7 "2000-07-13T21:31:02Z")
Thanks to all. I’m not looking for compliments, or bragging well, not bragging much). I just wanted to post my feelings about this – very unreal. I will certainly sign any books sent to me, if you really want it. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2000, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autographed-by-author/25429/8 "2000-07-13T21:34:03Z")
Many years ago, KMPC DJ Gary Owens invited listeners to write in and receive “an autographed picture of the Harbor Freeway.” 😃 😃 😃 😃