So, Terry Pratchett is coming to the Tattered Cover in Denver this week. I’m am as giddy as a school girl, but need some advice.
I’m wondering which book(s) I should take to get signed. I have first edittions of Strata, The Light Fantastic, and The Colour of Magic, as well as Pyramids, Moving Pictures and the compilation Rincwind, the Magician.
I have many of the others in the series, but these would be the ones I would consider taking.
Any thoughts? Ideas, I know Terry doesn’t like to sign more than one or two books. I keep jumping back between titles I want to take…
I hate you too. I am so envious of you. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
I’d bring Making Money, isn’t that the latest one and probably why he’s doing the tour? Or I might bring my favorite book (mine being probably Night Watch or Guards! Guards!) What’s your favorite?
One thing I wanted to do when Rbt. Jordan was still alive was to ask him to sign his books as if he were giving an autograph to one of his characters.
So might I suggest something along the lines of:
“For Rincewind,
Best wishes,
Terry Pratchett”
Of course, having one signed to yourself makes it more special, I just thought it’d be neat.
Take Colour and Light. But if you have him do Money or one of the recent ones, you might get a little drawing as well. Compilations have next to zero worth as collectibles, so get something signed that will enhance its value.
I went over to the fan site L Space Web and they had a nice section on book signing etiquette. I’m going to bring The Colour of Magic, and Making Money, which I’ll buy there. I may bring along my first edition of Good Omens and if the line isn’t too bad I’ll break it out. I don’t want to be THAT guy, with his entire library, but he comes around so rarely, I don’t want to miss out.
I got Pterry to sign Monstrous Regiment, which I bought at the B&N hosting him. I’d recommend buying Making Money at the bookstore, and taking your favorite, only one.
The signing was supposed to be a discussion, but so many people showed up it became a signing only. If he’s as popular there as he is in San Jose, you’ll see why he only signs a few.
I’ll warn you to get there VERY early. Pratchett draws a bigger than expected crowd and he’s a chatty guy. When I got my Colour of Magic signed earlier this year I was trying to rush through so that the massive line could move fast and he still drew me into a conversation.
Bring as many books as you can carry. I’ve been to many, many book signings. Most of them didn’t have any limit on the number of books to be signed. If they do have a limit, they will say so.
I’ve found the best way to get him to sign a book is to have him as a guest on whatever show I’m working on at the time.
Especially if I get another guest on who is a huge Terry Pratchett fan, who can explain to the world why Pterry is such a cool guy and why everyone in the audience should run out and buy everything he’s ever written.
That’s how I got my copies of Mort and Guards! Guards! signed, at any rate
He signed my copy of Making Money, and also my first editions of The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic.
Awesome.
It was great to hear him talk as well. He got there early, and signed for about an hour, then spoke for about 45 minutes and then signed some more. Completely charming and generous of everyone’s time.
The was one guy, though. ONE GUY, who drove all the way in from Mississippi (The State, not the street.)and had almost every book in the canon for him to sign. He was first in line, and it took about 15 minutes to get through them all. If I see those on ebay anytime soon, I will personally drive down to Mississippi and slap that man. Most folks had one or two. Maybe three.
Some news from the evening…
They are currently filming a tv version of The Colour and Light, with Sean Astin as Twoflower. the audience kind of groaned at that, but Terry said although he had reservations with the casting at first, he is completely convinced that Sean can pull it off. He said the part of the Patrician is a secret, but thateveryone will be pleased and amazed. Also, Christopher Lee is now the voice of DEATH.
Evidently, ION, which I guess is a station in the states, has bought Hogfather, so we will be able to see it soon.
And there will be a full blown Discworld Convention in Phoenix AZ, Labor Day of 2009.
That is about it. If I remember any more, I’ll post it.
