By Gerald Warfield | Special to the Index
You would think that a book signed by a writer would not hold up in value to one signed by a celebrity.
For instance, Ronald Reagan’s “An American Life,” signed by Reagan, is now going for $1,700 from Autographed Books, a company that specializes in author-inscribed publications. But Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” leaves that book in the dust. A signed first edition of King’s second blockbuster (the one after “Carrie”) is listed at Abe Books for a whopping $12,500.
But it’s not a sure thing. John Updike’s “Rabbit Run” – a signed limited edition hard cover but not first edition—is marked for just $20 opening bid on eBay.
People will wait in long lines to get books autographed, mostly out of respect for an author they like. Others do it as an investment. At the awards banquet for the World Fantasy Conference in San Diego, Calif., last year I sat next to a man who came to conferences just to get his books autographed.
If you get a book signed by the author, here’s some advice. Have it personalized, not only for the monetary value, but for your own enjoyment. It will mean more to you if the author inscribes it to you specifically. Anything that indicates a time or place, like a conference or specific event, may increase the value.
The ideal inscription from my upcoming book signing would be: “To Jane Doe from Gerald Warfield, at the Barnes & Noble in the Hulen Shopping center, Aug. 18, 2012.”
Of course, any mention of substance is gold. Usually, the author will ask how you want it signed. If you have a name that is hard to spell or for which there are variant spellings, write it out along with the inscription you’d like on a piece of paper so that you can show it when your turn comes at the signing table. The author will appreciate it.
Closer to home, the Booksatchel has its own collection of autographed books. “Life in the Saddle” by Frank Collinson, a writer of the old west, is listed at $100. “The Brazos Broncbuster’s Scrapbook” signed by author Jack H. Hittson is $75, although there is also a signed proof copy for just $15.
Rumor has it that if you browse the shelves of the Booksatchel you are likely to find any number of signed books, especially of local authors like romance writer Betty Brooks and old west writer Jim Dillard.
Gerald Warfield is an award-winning writer of fantasy and science fiction. See his website at http://www.geraldwarfield.com.
Writers' Corner
Related Photos
-
Local author Gerald Warfield signs books at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Courtesy
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.
Book signings: big money – sometimes
- Writers' Corner
-
-
Writer’s Corner
More poets have lived in Palo Pinto County than you might suppose. Chief among them was Dorothy Lee Hansen whose great-great-uncle was the fam ed cattleman Charlie Goodnight. She published three books of poetry and eventually became poet Laureate of Napa Valley, CA. Her house, just off North Oak in Mineral Wells, was called “Hill Cove.” Dorothy passed away in February of 2010.
-
What If We Stop Reading?
Are people reading less, and does it matter? The National Endowment for the Arts said that readership among young people in 2002 had fallen 20 percent since 1982 causing great concern among educators. But in 2008 they reported that readership among the same group had risen a healthy 21 percent.
-
You’ve gotta know how to read out loud
If you’re like most of us, there’ll come a time when you’ll be asked to read something you’ve written. That’s right, read aloud to an audience.
-
The secret of writers’ conferences
If you’ve written a story or a few poems or have a novel sitting in a drawer, you might want to consider going to a writers’ conference. They can provide inspiration, motivation, and lots of information.
-
Perhaps you should write a memoir
Have you ever wished you had known your grandparents better, a favorite aunt, or even your parents? Wouldn’t it be nice to sit down and have them speak to you? Tell it to you like it really was?
-
Book signings: big money – sometimes
You would think that a book signed by a writer would not hold up in value to one signed by a celebrity.
-
Do you think you might be a writer?
Do you like to write?
-
Warfield to receive worldwide writing contest award
HOLLYWOOD — Twelve winning writers and 12 illustrators from around the globe – including Gerald Warfield of Mineral Wells—will be honored during Sunday’s 28th Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards at the famed Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
-
Is science fiction preparing us for the future?
Remember Dick Tracy’s two-way wrist radio?
-
The Writers’ Corner: The value of critiquing
Criticizing someone’s writing is called critiquing.
- More Writers' Corner Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
