What draws a crowd for a book signing?
The Carter Presidential Library and Museum theater was full last night. People were sitting on the floor, leaning against the walls and filing into the overflow area, good-natured all through the night.
Owen's book.
All this for a discussion about books,”Green Metropolis” and “Confessions of a Radical Industrialist,” for a local public radio show.
I know why I was there — because my first order of business upon moving to Atlanta was getting a library card, because my great disappointment with the Kindle is that there’s no good place for an author to sign, because new books smell yummy, etc.
But why the draw? Even author David Owen mentioned that he has led book events where nobody showed up. I’ve been to readings where it’s me, a book seller, an author, a plate of butter cookies and a stack of unopened books.
I see a few possibilities.
1) Knowing that you could be there for a taping of WABE’s “Between the Lines.” All the thrill of being a public radio audience, none of the expense of “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” tickets. (Worth it! Section C, Row S, Seat 132. Come say hi.)
2) Spending time at the fancy new Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, which is far prettier and more entertaining than the words “presidential library and museum” suggest. To the fellow deliberating over the selection of ties in the gift shop: I know you weren’t just there for the books.
Anderson's book.
3) Listening to David Owen, author of “Green Metropolis,” and Ray C. Anderson, the Georgia Tech grad, Interface founder and author of “Confessions of a Radical Industrialist,” while they dished on sustainability and made playful jabs about whose book is more green. The fleet of Toyota Priuses (Priusi?) filling the parking lot was not there by coincidence.
Whatever the reason, I’m thrilled.
Missed it? This episode of “Between the Lines” airs at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 on 90.1, WABE.
Want to go? The next Carter Presidential Library and Museum book event features author Michael Rosen, who will discuss and sign “What Else But Home: Seven Boys and an American Journey Between the Projects and the Penthouse.” 7 p.m. Nov. 23. Free. Carters Presidential Library Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/events.
For instant updates, follow @insideaccess on Twitter.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12 comments Add your comment
AH
November 13th, 2009
9:47 am
Wait till Palin goes on her book tour. You’ll be seeing a lot of packed book signings.
Jamie Gumbrecht
November 13th, 2009
10:06 am
AH, based simply on how long her book has topped Amazon.com’s bestselling lists, I’m sure you’re right. I just saw this L.A. Times blog post — http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/sarah-palin-going-rogue-book-tour-schedule.html — which shows they picked a lot of tour stops off the usual route. At this point, it looks like Birmingham is the closest she gets to Atlanta.
ATL Bookworm
November 13th, 2009
10:20 am
What will draw a crowd to a book signing in law-abiding communities?
- Sarah Palin
- No panhandlers outside the bookstore
- No graffiti on the outside of the bookstore
- No Obama Supporters at or near the book signing (also, see above)
- An author who isn’t an elitist or snob who bashes America, capitalism or freedom is the book (also, see above)
- Free, well-lit parking outside the bookstore.
- NOT having to take MARTA to get to the bookstore
- Not “alternative” bookstore employees who suddenly become drunk with power use the momentary empowerment to treat people standing in line like children and/or simpletons (see Barnes & Noble’s Buckhead location)
- Off-Retail discounts on the book being signed
- Having the book signing publicized well beyond just a neon paper printout taped to front door the week before the signing
the fair librarian
November 13th, 2009
10:31 am
@ATLBookworm
I swear, anyone who sneers at another person for the lowliness of their job, class, religion, race, who they vote for and where they live, needs to have their garbage and sewage service cut off for five years. After being forced to live in their own filth for a while, they will learn to be quiet instead of exposing their hypocrisy. And FYI people will show up if your friend Carrie Prejean has copies of her video tape.
Avoid Hags in Libraries. Download eBooks Online!
November 13th, 2009
10:49 am
@ the “fair” librarian
“Fair” Librarian,
You sound like one of the I’m-better-and-smarter-than-you snobs who think they so much more “enlightened” than the rest of us.
I don’t think you will have to worry about being at any CROWDED book signings, as (thankfully) most people in society don’t have the same tastes or hate-filled hearts as you obviously do.
BTW, those criminals making certain parts of our city cesspools who live in their own filth are losers because they have excercised their freedom in this country (provided by our military veterans) to CHOOSE to be that way by:
A) Avoiding hard work
B) Being dishonest
C) Not taking advantage of the same public school system as everyone else
D) Wallowing in ignorance like pigs in mud
E) Avoiding books
Jamie Gumbrecht
November 13th, 2009
10:56 am
Hey folks, we’re talking about books and book signings. There are plenty of other places to have a conversation about the state of the city and what you like or don’t like about it. Please stay on topic, treat each other with respect and keep the conversation moving forward.
terri
November 13th, 2009
11:30 am
jamie, i must admit i am much *less* likely to go to a book signing if i suspect there will be a large crowd there. i do not like crowds, no matter how much I may admire an author and want to meet him/her. i would very much like to meet sarah palin, of whom at least one person on here seems very jealous and resentful due to her good looks and intelligence, but i don’t think i would be willing to fight the mob scene just to meet her, get her autograph and possibly a picture with her.
in all fairness, wasn’t the topic of this blog “what draws a crowd for a book signing?” for me, it would be the *absence* of a crowd that would draw this gal there.
is there any chance you could use your press influence at the ajc to get sarah palin’s book tour to come to atlanta, jamie?
do you know if we can buy autographed copies of her book online instead of having to go wait *in* line?
Jamie Gumbrecht
November 13th, 2009
11:49 am
That’s an interesting point, too, Terri. There’s a Stephen King book signing at the Barnes & Noble in Buckhead tonight, and I’m betting it will be packed. Although it’s fun to see big-name authors, those events don’t allow for real conversation. I’ve really enjoyed the size of some of the events at local libraries, especially in downtown Atlanta and in Decatur.
I don’t think I have actual influence on anybody’s programming decisions, and even if I did, I wouldn’t be allowed to use it.
I haven’t seen anything about autographed copies of her books online. I sometimes see those types of things on abebooks.com, but they’re rarely new books, and almost never something that’s getting so much attention as Sarah Palin’s. I would keep an eye out on her tour schedule, though, if you’re feeling like you want to venture into that crowd. I’m sure more dates will be added, and there are a lot of organizations in the metro area that bring book tours to town.
Buckhead BARNES & NOBLE = Pathetic
November 13th, 2009
2:53 pm
FYI: For those people going to the Stephen King book signing at the BARNES & NOBLE in Buckhead this evening, please be forewarned this store has T H E dumbest, most self-righteous, condescending, on-a-power-trip staff you have ever had the misfortune of experiencing a book signing.
It is NOT worth putting up with them and how they treat people patiently waiting in line for an signed copy of a book by a celebrity.
Calling them “rude” would be a gross understatement.
Book Buyers, Beware!
Chris
November 16th, 2009
1:54 am
Well, I attended the Stephen King signing at the Buckhead B&N, and I have to say the staff was anything but “rude.” Yes, we were moved through quickly, but everything was very organized, and whenever I or those around me asked the staff a question, we were treated with patience – even though I’m sure they were asked the same questions multiple times. There were more than 500 people there, and the whole thing seemed to go off smooth as glass. Congrats to the staff, and thanks for making the experience a good one.
Saul
November 16th, 2009
9:48 am
I must say I have NEVER had a good experience at a book signing at the B&N @ Buckhead. The least few times I went there, the staff [ahem] managing the book signing crowd were clearly all man-hating hags with SERIOUS issues against men. Unless it is an author I am just dying to meet, I will not return there.
Barf
November 16th, 2009
10:56 am
LMAO…man hating hags. Nice. I went to the King signing on Friday too. While there was a crowd of 300+ there when it started, the line moved so quickly that it wasn’t long before it dwindled to about 30. King was a fast signer and the B&N folks kept it moving. It was well organized, I think. I was surprised there were not more people there. Lots of extra wristbands appear to have gone unused. I saw a number of people go through twice with no wait.
My only complaint had to do with the attitudes of the cops that were there. It was a book signing for God sakes, not a meeting of world leaders. Lighten up and let us orderly book nerds enjoy the evening without you harassing us over meaningless stuff.