# Book Signing Etiquette Question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-signing-etiquette-question/397777>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 28, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-signing-etiquette-question/397777 "2007-03-28T02:13:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2007, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-signing-etiquette-question/397777/21 "2007-03-29T23:37:10Z")

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[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy]  
You can also go direct to the source, at least with some authors. I have a hardbound copy of “The Past Through Tomorrow” signed, with a short note, by Robert Heinlein. I’d written to him a fan letter with an inquiry whether he’d be willing to autograph a book for me. He graciously replied yes, I mailed it to him (with stamped return envelope), and he did it.

Unless the author is the shy and retiring type, you should be able to get a mailing address from their publisher.  
[/QUOTE]

Seconded. Mr. S and I sent an admiring letter to an author along with a copy of her book and a stamped return envelope, and a few weeks later got our book back with a lovely whimsical inscription and a very sweet and charming letter that is now framed and hanging in our living room, over the inscribed book on its special easel. 😃

We sent it in care of her agent. You’re a lovely lady, Jean Merrill!

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-signing-etiquette-question/397777/22 "2007-03-29T23:45:58Z")

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As they sign, be sure to say “Wow, as soon as you’re dead, that sucker’s goin’ right on eBay.”

They love that sort of thing.

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**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-signing-etiquette-question/397777/23 "2007-03-30T00:40:29Z")

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[QUOTE=kittenblue]  
This is being held at a Joseph-Beth in the ritzy “lifestyle center” on the east side of town. I really can’t afford to buy a book right now, though I would like to go and hear her speak, if she’s going to give a short talk or do a Q & A session like Earlene Fowler did.  
[/QUOTE]

When I went to the pTerry signing at the San Jose B&N, they were supposed to have a Q&A, but it was so crowded he only signed. I bought the book (Monstrous Regiment) not having gotten it yet, but it didn’t seem to be required.

Cons are a good place to get autographs. I got Isaac Asimov to sign a Galaxy with “The Martian Way” in it, with his name spelled wrong. He was still pissed at Horace Gold.

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