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Friday, April 30, 2004

The author of that article poses an interesting question: "Why, I sometimes wonder, does anybody want a book signed? I have a whole wall of books by friends, and it never occurs to me to ask them to sign them."

For true fans of an author's work, I don't think it's the signature that truly matters. It's that brief moment, while the author is signing the book to them, when the fan has an opportunity to say how much the author's work has affected their life, that really matters. They can later look at that signature in the book and have tangible proof that for one shining moment they were able to communicate with someone who has impacted them.

Celebrities (and yes, some authors can be considered celebrities), sometimes forget the impact that they have on the lives of millions of people. I can understand why they'd be upset at someone who wanted their autograph just so they could turn around and sell it; but, I think, for every person who does that, there are at least ten true fans who will prize that autograph and never even dream of selling it.

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