End of Watch Book Signing?

[DiO'Bolic]

LOL.

Over the weekend, my father-in-law took out a massive burning bush and two beautiful azaleas in the front of our house with his car. My next door neighbor brought over his woodchipper when he saw me cutting them up. The first thing I asked him was “You don’t have any relatives in Maine, do you?”

 

[Out of Order]

LOL.

Over the weekend, my father-in-law took out a massive burning bush and two beautiful azaleas in the front of our house with his car. My next door neighbor brought over his woodchipper when he saw me cutting them up. The first thing I asked him was “You don’t have any relatives in Maine, do you?”

Wouldn't it have been better to call a gardener to remove the unwanted shrubbery?

 

[DiO'Bolic]

Wouldn't it have been better to call a gardener to remove the unwanted shrubbery?

My wife would have killed me if I had done it. But it was her dad who did it... so no big deal. Go figure.

 

[Moderator]

If it was in the book store I work at we would fight to have it in store. We would trade our first born young to have it in the store. The sales that would be generated would be like the biggest Black Friday Sale ever in the known universe of Black Friday Sales. Just OMG we would.

I admit I don't understand it. A couple of the venues are selling over 2,000 copies of EOW because they hosted off-site so not like they're going to be losing any money even taking into consideration the output for renting the venue site. I guess it would be good for sales of the other books you're trying to sell but since he's going there to sell his new book (his reason for being there) feels a little like it would be taking advantage of his appearance. It sounds like for some of the fans, too, it was about getting to see him not just a chance for the signed book and they would have been happy to buy a book for their admission.

 

[Spideyman]

Slightly off topic- but with all this craziness from Mother Nature-- floods, hail, tornadoes, heat waves, *snow, and lightning-- just sending out tons of positive vibes for safe flights, safe landings, and funtastic times at each venue. To all who attend, be kind to SK. This is a jam packed tour.

 

[Patricia A]

I admit I don't understand it. A couple of the venues are selling over 2,000 copies of EOW because they hosted off-site so not like they're going to be losing any money even taking into consideration the output for renting the venue site. I guess it would be good for sales of the other books you're trying to sell but since he's going there to sell his new book (his reason for being there) feels a little like it would be taking advantage of his appearance. It sounds like for some of the fans, too, it was about getting to see him not just a chance for the signed book and they would have been happy to buy a book for their admission.

It would be like Armageddon crowd control wise at our little store, but Stephen King being there would generate sales all over the store. Not only we would sell his new book, and make a fortune but we would sell tons of other stuff. I think the powers that be would love that. Taking advantage of an author is not something the company would feel is beneath their dignity.
I would for sure be freaking out and over the moon with happiness, not because of the money we would make but over being able to be a part of it. Part of my job at the store is to set up displays for promotions and such and I would die of happiness to set that up and even cleaning up and putting everything back together when it was over would be a joy.
We had a signing for a self help author last winter that I had to move everything (very heavy stuff) around for, that was fun but it's not something I'd like to do all of the time, but for Stephen King I'd do it everyday.
I hate the money grubbing aspect of it, as I respect Mr. King and would hate to feel like he was being taken advantage of. That's just me though.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

As someone who works in retail, my opinion is that if the option to have an appearance in-store is available and a store takes advantage of it by selling other items, it is fair game. After all, part of the reason a store has such an event is to attract customers in general. Yes, they want to sell the book by the author in question, but I doubt there is one retailer in all the US (especially among the indie booksellers) who does not relish having such an in-store event because it brings customers to the store who may have never crossed its threshold and it generates sales across the board. I really don't think it is "taking advantage" of an author's appearance as the publisher behind the author is doing just the same thing; they are hoping to generate book sales of said author's back catalog by putting the author in the spotlight. As I have said many, many times on this site, it's all about the bottom line. Book publishing (especially with the major publishers) is first and foremost a big business beholden to its stock holders.

 

[Chris P]

That is absolutely not true. I have been personally involved along with my associate at Scribner in the planning for the book tour from the beginning. We were surprised that they said they wanted to hold it at the book store instead of an off-site venue but at every event we left it up to the bookstore sponsor to decide where they would like to host it. It's being held at the bookstore because that's the location they chose.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm just reporting what I was told. I thought it was rather odd myself.

 

[Moderator]

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm just reporting what I was told. I thought it was rather odd myself.

No problem--I understood you were just relaying what they'd told you.

 

[kingricefan]

LOL.

Over the weekend, my father-in-law took out a massive burning bush and two beautiful azaleas in the front of our house with his car. My next door neighbor brought over his woodchipper when he saw me cutting them up. The first thing I asked him was “You don’t have any relatives in Maine, do you?”

 

[Patricia A]

After giving it some thought.
It may come as a surprise to some of you on the "Right Wing" side of issues with whom I chat in the hot topics threads, that I am a Capitalist. I don't value making money over honor and I think you can make money and be moral. Look at Stephen King for example.
I would be pleased as punch to get all of our stacks out of the back because a popular author was going to be afoot. I'd be bragging about it to all who inquire and thanking that author from the bottom of my heart for a record sales day... or even freaking week... or more. I certainly wouldn't expect them to take the heat for my decisions though, wise and profitable or not.
So if it's all above board and well considered then I'd say, be a gracious host to both the artist and the customers, load up the carts, haul out the stacks kids, we are earning our profit based bonuses tonight.
That bookstore lady should have been more honest to you about it Chris P . I don't know a bookstore lady who wouldn't sell a kidney to sponsor a Stephen King book signing Chris P . But I would never say it was the author in question's request if it wasn't. That's hinky.

Now if we could get Uncle Steve to take a register shift that would be freaking gold.

 

[Moderator]

After giving it some thought.
It may come as a surprise to some of you on the "Right Wing" side of issues with whom I chat in the hot topics threads, that I am a Capitalist. I don't value making money over honor and I think you can make money and be moral. Look at Stephen King for example.
I would be pleased as punch to get all of our stacks out of the back because a popular author was going to be afoot. I'd be bragging about it to all who inquire and thanking that author from the bottom of my heart for a record sales day... or even freaking week... or more. I certainly wouldn't expect them to take the heat for my decisions though, wise and profitable or not.
So if it's all above board and well considered then I'd say, be a gracious host to both the artist and the customers, load up the carts, haul out the stacks kids, we are earning our profit based bonuses tonight.
That bookstore lady should have been more honest to you about it Chris P . I don't know a bookstore lady who wouldn't sell a kidney to sponsor a Stephen King book signing Chris P . But I would never say it was the author in question's request if it wasn't. That's hinky.

Now if we could get Uncle Steve to take a register shift that would be freaking gold.

Putting the blame on him for the event not being hosted at an outside venue so more people could attend didn't set right with me either. It is possible that with an organization that big, that's the message that had filtered down to the person who gave out that information but since it was brought up here I had the opportunity to set the facts straight.

I do get what you're saying about store sales although it doesn't make me feel any different about it taking advantage of the author who is the reason for the event. It's probably because I see the effect from this side and how much it takes out of Steve to do these book tours. Not that the bookstores don't put a lot of effort into it, too, but they're also benefiting from his appearance no matter where it's held.

 

[Chris P]

So can you elaborate on your perspective on if SK enjoys doing the book tours or not? Curious. I am thrilled to be able to see him, but I'd hate to think that he's not really enjoying himself and this is just part of the job.

 

[Moderator]

So can you elaborate on your perspective on if SK enjoys doing the book tours or not? Curious. I am thrilled to be able to see him, but I'd hate to think that he's not really enjoying himself and this is just part of the job.

As with anything, there are parts that are more enjoyable than others. The travel is the hardest part but he does enjoy the time he's on stage sharing with his fans.

 

[Out of Order]

As with anything, there are parts that are more enjoyable than others. The travel is the hardest part but he does enjoy the time he's on stage sharing with his fans.

He also enjoys the shampoos, conditioners, soaps, laundry bags, irons, towels, notepads/pens, pillows and the odd pair of complimentary slippers he brings home from the various hotels he stays at.

 

[Moderator]

He also enjoys the shampoos, conditioners, soaps, laundry bags, irons, towels, notepads/pens, pillows and the odd pair of complimentary slippers he brings home from the various hotels he stays at.

I thought we agreed we would never mention this.

 

[Out of Order]

I thought we agreed we would never mention this.

I should start a thread about what goodies you've taken from a hotel..........

 

[Patricia A]

As with anything, there are parts that are more enjoyable than others. The travel is the hardest part but he does enjoy the time he's on stage sharing with his fans.

He is beyond a doubt the best public speaker I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I can't imagine anyone that good could be doing anything else but having a ball.

 

[notebookgirl]

As with anything, there are parts that are more enjoyable than others. The travel is the hardest part but he does enjoy the time he's on stage sharing with his fans.

I would imagine too, he would rather be writing (or reading), correct? He enjoys seeing the fans, but the travel takes time away from all the stories buzzing around in his head. Just a guess from all the things I read from his interviews.

 

[Moderator]

I would imagine too, he would rather be writing (or reading), correct? He enjoys seeing the fans, but the travel takes time away from all the stories buzzing around in his head. Just a guess from all the things I read from his interviews.

That's it in a nutshell. Plus it's a long time away from Tabby.