Pre-signed books

Dalboz

Really quick question here:
Neil Gaiman is doing a reading at a location only a few blocks from where I live to promote The Graveyard Book. It's free and open to the public, but they also mention that they will have pre-signed copies of the book available for purchase. Does anyone know how much these cost? Is it just retail price, or are they usually more? I need to know how much money to take with me.

If this is the case, I'm also assuming he's not doing a signing or anything like that, unless I'm wrong, in which case I'm taking my copy of American Gods with me just in case. I've never been to a reading before. Anyone know if I'm wrong?

Trowizilla

You could probably just call the location (a bookstore?) up and ask.

Szechuanosaurus

I've bought signed copies of books after the event from bookstores before and they were just normal price. But this was like, days after the appearance of the author, I'm not sure if they'd be more mercenary on the actual night and slap a premium tag on them.

Really though, these readings, signings etc. are to promote the book and sell copies of them. It doesn't cost them any extra to have the author sign some, it's just another marketing method to make people feel compelled to buy a copy on the night.

I'd still say bring your book along with you. The Neil Gaiman readings are limited ticket events so there's only going to be so many people there trying to get him to sign stuff. Heck, we accidentally discovered Ian Rankin in a WH Smiths one day all alone, doe eyed, hoping someone, anyone would spare him the humility of sitting in the corner of the store being studiously ignored by commuters buying copies of Hello! and strolled up, had a little conversation and got him to sign a copy of his latest book for my wife. Authors aren't typically as swamped as TV and Rock stars. They're usually pretty glad someone actually turned up.

Grislo

You should probably expect a fair bit of attention, I doubt it'll be anything like the Rankin situation.

If you go to http://www.neilgaiman.com/ (http://www.neilgaiman.com/where/) you can see details of his appearances and probably find out whether there'll be an official signing.

Even if there isn't, it couldn't hurt to bring a copy of something you want signed. If he has time I'm sure he'd love to, but he might be on a schedule.

No idea what they'll be charging for a pre-signed copy, but I doubt it's anything too outragous.

Dalboz

It was Neil Gaiman's blog where I found out that he was going to be near me doing the reading, so it didn't have that info. It's actually at a school, not bookstore, although it's being sponsored by Barnes & Noble, so in that case I'm not sure who I would call. And this one is actually free and open to the public, so no tickets.

Szechuanosaurus

Call the school. It'll likely be managed by one of the local B&N stores, so either call the school and ask which one or just call around the local stores and enquire.

YamiNoSenshi

I'm pretty sure the books will cost just the same as they normally do. I was at the B&N in Union Square, NYC when I discovered that a) There was a new Terry Pratchett book and b) He had been there signing copies the day before. They sold me a signed copy at no additional price.

RUNN1NGMAN

Yeah, like others have said, they're normal price. It's just a little something extra to move more copies out the door. It's also kind of a gimmick on the part of the publisher, because if the author sits down and signs 100 books, that's 100 books that the book store can't remainder (bookstores can send remainders back to the publisher for full refunds, but not if the book has been "defaced").