* Have you ever met one of your favorite authors? Gotten their autograph?
* How about an author you felt only so-so about, but got their autograph anyway? Like, say, at a book-signing a friend dragged you to?
* How about stumbling across a book signing or reading and being so captivated, you bought the book?
I met Laurie Halse Anderson at a book signing for Speak, and later met up with her again at an event at my old high school that we were both presenting at. If she ever comes to your area, go see what she has to say, especially if you are in high school or college. She’s a great speaker, very natural and warm and honest. I also got Madeleine L’Engle’s signature on my copy of A Wrinkle in Time, and I once waited in line for 2 hours for Don Henley to sign some stupid book he edited about the environment. I wasn’t even that into Don Henley, nor at that point did I care much about the environment. But I was intrigued by the idea of seeing a Real! Live! Celebrity! in person. I don’t have the book anymore; I think I sold it on eBay back in 1999.
I don’t stumble across many book signings or readings, but I know I have done this… just can’t think of a specific example. I don’t need much convincing to buy a book.
Yesterday’s work read was a lackluster book about a college girl’s first year in New York City. It bore no resemblance to my first year in New York City (I was just out of college).
We’ve stood in line to have books signed by Michael Chabon and the poet B.H. Fairchild – not on the same night – at the 92nd Street Y.
And I’ve no doubt we’ll get our copies of Gilead and Housekeeping signed by Marilynne Robinson when she’s there in December!
Was very sad that we didn’t bring books for Lorrie Moore & Jeffrey Eugenides the other night. D’oh.
I am yet to stand in line for an autograph by anyone. Let alone an author!
Ooh–Marilynne Robinson! I will be in new-baby haze otherwise I’d totally be there.