I hope Stevie knows not all of us seek a signature for Ebay.

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

RichardX

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2006
1,737
4,434
As I said, I'm not against those that try to make a buck these days...I just hope they realize how lame it is. I stand by my criticism even if it's to a small percentage. And if you want to drop $500 bucks on an autograph to complete your collection the more power to you. I just hope Stephen knows most of us are there because we love his work and respect his time and space. That's all.

I think that presents a false distinction between being a true fan who enjoys King's books and selling a signed copy obtained at an event. Plenty of people are both King fans and book collectors who buy and sell books. King himself sells his books for profit (quite a bit over the years). His net worth is something like $400 million. Some of the recent limited signed books he has authorized sell for well over $3,000 from the publisher. He has earned every penny of his money. I don't see any reason to single out a few instances (less than one percent on the current tour) and without even knowing who or why these individuals decide to sell their books on ebay suggest they are lame or scummy for doing so. Maybe they need the money to pay for the trip to the event.
 

Thing Of Evil

Member
May 17, 2016
20
130
49
South
Roseannebarr, wow! When I read what you wrote it made me feel blessed that there are people in the world like you. I wasn't able to see Mr King on his Revival tour. I saw him for the first time Saturday night and it's hard to put into words what I felt. Thank you for being so kind and generous.
 

roseannebarr

Well-Known Member
Aug 17, 2011
164
802
Roseannebarr, wow! When I read what you wrote it made me feel blessed that there are people in the world like you. I wasn't able to see Mr King on his Revival tour. I saw him for the first time Saturday night and it's hard to put into words what I felt. Thank you for being so kind and generous.

It was fun! the lady was such a huge fan and we sat in 90 degree weather all day together! and all 4 opened their books so excited and yet they did not appear to be too disappointed when they turned up empty. I hope she was happy when they left!

People always confuse me for staff at these events, because i have answers and i visit with people in line and talked KING all day long.
 

Echo Looper

Well-Known Member
Apr 2, 2014
54
364
NY/NJ
I think that presents a false distinction between being a true fan who enjoys King's books and selling a signed copy obtained at an event. Plenty of people are both King fans and book collectors who buy and sell books. King himself sells his books for profit (quite a bit over the years). His net worth is something like $400 million. Some of the recent limited signed books he has authorized sell for well over $3,000 from the publisher. He has earned every penny of his money. I don't see any reason to single out a few instances (less than one percent on the current tour) and without even knowing who or why these individuals decide to sell their books on ebay suggest they are lame or scummy for doing so. Maybe they need the money to pay for the trip to the event.
Well something seems to irk Stephen about the hunters and it would piss me off too. Fame is great until it's not. Again, 1st world problem - but it keeps coming up in his discussions and interviews. I stand by my opinion of the "<1%". And yes you are right - 99% of the fans are amazing and respectful.
 

Robert Gray

Well-Known Member
I feel the same way. I don't believe in autograph hunting for cash. Books that I have gotten signed by a great author are family heirlooms. In some rare instances, I might make a gift of one to someone special. That being said, I live in the real world. If it came down to an emergency where I needed medicine for my wife or some other equally crushing situation, I would have to man up and part with one of my treasures. Outside of that, I just don't see it happening. I have, in my book hunting, come across several signed books by accident. If said books are not authors I care for, I would sell them as they would have no value to me. I expect they would have sentimental value to someone that likes that author. I'm not going to sit on said book like a miser just because.

I've often wanted to take a trip to England to try and meet Richard Adams and get my copy of Watership Down signed. That is a kind of wishlist thing. At his age, I doubt they would let me anywhere near him. It is unlikely I will get that opportunity. Just the same, I'm certain I would buy a copy signed by him if I could get my hands on it. I wish I could have gotten my copy of A Wrinkle In Time signed by Madeleine L'Engle, but sadly she has reached the clearing at the end of the path and that isn't in the cards. There is something special about books that are signed by the author because their words, or as King calls it... the color of their thoughts, have touched you. There is some old magic in contagion, the notion that they have touched the physical object. You are touching the author indirectly both spiritually and physically. Turning that into a profit business just sounds alien to me. I liken it to raising lambs and then somehow being able to slaughter them for food. Some people can do it, but not I.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I was happy to get a signed copy, but I just want to read the book :) My daughter about had a heart attack when she saw me open mine and sit down to read--yanked it out of my hand, handed me her unsigned copy, and scolded me :D Apparently reading a signed book is not a done thing? Who knew?
 

Robert Gray

Well-Known Member
I was happy to get a signed copy, but I just want to read the book :) My daughter about had a heart attack when she saw me open mine and sit down to read--yanked it out of my hand, handed me her unsigned copy, and scolded me :D Apparently reading a signed book is not a done thing? Who knew?

Heh. I understand her point of view, although I can't get to that point. I read my signed books, but I allow it only once in a great while and do it gingerly. For the most part, paperbacks are for reading, while hardbacks are for reading on special occasions. That means I own battered paperback copies of almost every book in my collection.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Heh. I understand her point of view, although I can't get to that point. I read my signed books, but I allow it only once in a great while and do it gingerly. For the most part, paperbacks are for reading, while hardbacks are for reading on special occasions. That means I own battered paperback copies of almost every book in my collection.
I prefer hardbacks, so mine get read :) The only SK PB I own (aside from the first 4 DT TPBs) is a copy of The Stand with the original cover; I keep it as a fond memory of the 5 copies I owned that fell apart from reading before I finally got a HB copy--lol. I'm not an abusive book owner, but HBs are sturdier, particularly modern ones. New PBs fall apart much more easily than old ones. I just, for the first time, had to tape the cover on my nearly 30 year old copy of The Drawing of the Three (it's 30 next year), yet new books my kids buy start falling apart within weeks.
 

Owenk

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2014
351
2,060
62
See collecting things to sell strikes me as the perfect illustration of "knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing."

I couldn't personally get excited about a signed books(nopthing wrong if you do though), but the things that are dear to my heart, certain pictures, an old deceased friend's fishing rod, I can't imagine selling regadless of what they would fetch except maybe in the case of raise some money or starve.
 
Last edited:

shaitan

Meat popsicle
Dec 26, 2014
962
4,203
47
NY
Oh no, don't feel bad about yelping at all! I loved hearing people get so excited about seeing sai King's signature. There was a lady standing next to me and when she opened her book and saw his signature, she cried. She let me touch it. HA HA. It made the night more magical to hear the joy and love.

When I opened my book and saw the signature, I couldn't believe it at first. I ran my fingers over it to feel the indentations from the pen. Still have that grin on my face 2 weeks later.
 

Echo Looper

Well-Known Member
Apr 2, 2014
54
364
NY/NJ
Heh. I understand her point of view, although I can't get to that point. I read my signed books, but I allow it only once in a great while and do it gingerly. For the most part, paperbacks are for reading, while hardbacks are for reading on special occasions. That means I own battered paperback copies of almost every book in my collection.
Yes! After I started collecting old hard covers I realized that I wanted the old paperbacks (and new ones) to read on the subway or airplane....just kinda throw em in my bag and not worry about the condition. It's not that I want to ever sell my hardbacks...and I guess its a bit nerdy but I'd like to look at my library someday when I'm old and pass it down to a youngster that would appreciate it.
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
....I have an autograph from the man, I wouldn't part with for love or money....that type of activity just illustrates the crass underbelly of certain "humans"......

GNT, out of curiosity, where did you get this autograph? At an event?

As for selling autographs, the weird thing is, for someone like King, since I am an admirer of his work, I wouldn't want to buy one. I don't mind capitalism, certainly, but I just don't see why someone would want to buy one since getting it is the fun part...it is to memorialize a rare meeting with someone whose product you like. It's an odd marketplace, in that there should be hardly a market for celebrity autographs.

I am lucky in that I was able to get an autograph through the mail; these were the early days when King could still do that. I received an autograph on a 3 x 5 card, and I even have a signed letter addressed to me denying my request for an interview for a fanzine a friend and I put out. I also was able to get a book signed through the mail (The Tommyknockers).
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
GNT, out of curiosity, where did you get this autograph? At an event?

As for selling autographs, the weird thing is, for someone like King, since I am an admirer of his work, I wouldn't want to buy one. I don't mind capitalism, certainly, but I just don't see why someone would want to buy one since getting it is the fun part...it is to memorialize a rare meeting with someone whose product you like. It's an odd marketplace, in that there should be hardly a market for celebrity autographs.

I am lucky in that I was able to get an autograph through the mail; these were the early days when King could still do that. I received an autograph on a 3 x 5 card, and I even have a signed letter addressed to me denying my request for an interview for a fanzine a friend and I put out. I also was able to get a book signed through the mail (The Tommyknockers).
...I don't wish to be rude buddy, but I prefer to keep the source of my autograph personal....
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
733
2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
I have no problem with someone getting a book autographed. But it's the ones that bring a bunch of books. Same thing with athletes. In spring training baseball the players are very accessible and go out of their way to sign baseballs. It's a spring training tradition and the players know it. It's the guy with a fishnet full of baseball's trying to get 100 balls signed. Everyone knows it's just for profit. Some players are catching on and will sign 1 maybe two. But some do sign a lot. The poor kids are 5 deep hoping to get one ball signed and to meet their hero, then the guy leaves just when the kid gets close bc the player signed ten balls to one guy. Now their coming 3 or 4 strong trying to get 4 or 5 each so not so obvious. Just crazy.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I have no problem with someone getting a book autographed. But it's the ones that bring a bunch of books. Same thing with athletes. In spring training baseball the players are very accessible and go out of their way to sign baseballs. It's a spring training tradition and the players know it. It's the guy with a fishnet full of baseball's trying to get 100 balls signed. Everyone knows it's just for profit. Some players are catching on and will sign 1 maybe two. But some do sign a lot. The poor kids are 5 deep hoping to get one ball signed and to meet their hero, then the guy leaves just when the kid gets close bc the player signed ten balls to one guy. Now their coming 3 or 4 strong trying to get 4 or 5 each so not so obvious. Just crazy.
There have been occasions where I will bring my entire collection of an author's books to get signed. I will wait in line to get the title signed that they are there promoting, have a few kind words with them and ask them if they would mind signing the rest of my (their) books if I step back to the end of the line and wait till everyone else has had the chance to meet them and get an autograph. All of them have been very gracious about this. Dan Simmons and I have a tradition- if I can make it to one of his signings in Seattle, I bring along my Dark Harvest edition of Carrion Comfort for him to sign/date. So far he has signed it six times! The last time we met he jokingly said 'When I become a famous author and die, this is going to be worth a h*ll of a lot of money!' ;-D
 

chief4db

When it doubt, run!
Feb 11, 2015
733
2,676
whatsamatteru. usa
There have been occasions where I will bring my entire collection of an author's books to get signed. I will wait in line to get the title signed that they are there promoting, have a few kind words with them and ask them if they would mind signing the rest of my (their) books if I step back to the end of the line and wait till everyone else has had the chance to meet them and get an autograph. All of them have been very gracious about this. Dan Simmons and I have a tradition- if I can make it to one of his signings in Seattle, I bring along my Dark Harvest edition of Carrion Comfort for him to sign/date. So far he has signed it six times! The last time we met he jokingly said 'When I become a famous author and die, this is going to be worth a h*ll of a lot of money!' ;-D
That is the way to do it. To ask, then to get them all signed at the end. Very different than holding up the line getting all signed at once. Plus when ur at a signing with a line and have to pay for an auto is a different animal than say the spring training atmosphere, where it's just positioning and every man for themselves