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

[Echo Looper]

I was blessed to see Stephen King speak in Jersey City on his End of Watch book tour. That was enough for me as a fan, but the fact that I got a copy of his new book was even better. My wife came with me and she was lucky enough to get a signed book (they were randomly scattered in with the regular copies). She knows I have a collection and now the signed copy proudly sits in my hardcover collection.

Now I know there are bigger problems in the word and this might be a ridiculous topic to discuss but I personally think that if you are an autograph hunter for profit it is kind of scummy. I'm all for people hustling to make a buck but Stephen mentioned in Jersey City and in a recent Rolling Stone interview that he can't really go outside of his hotels for the last 30 years because of these people. Again, a 1st word problem, but still...I feel bad only because there are plenty of us out there that genuinely respect his space.

I was also personally thrilled to get an autograph via an event that I attended. It is a book and a memory that I'll pass down to my kids or any youngster in my family that loves King. I see these books going for $500-$800 on Ebay and it's all good if you need the cash or are willing to pay top dollar to complete your collections. But there has to be a level of respect and self-respect somewhere. Basically...(and you have every right to disagree with me), I think it's wrong to come to these events for the purpose of making a buck. There are too many real fans out there that just want to express their thanks and make a memory of meeting/seeing their favorite artist/author.

 

[kingricefan]

If only everybody felt as you do. I have been lucky to get many signed King books for my collection. Some I have found thru places like Betts Books, one I even found at a small town Goodwill north of Seattle (and I've always wondered how this mint condition hardback of Insomnia made it all the way there!). I know of one collector who goes to these events and tries to score two signed copies of the book- one he keeps for his own collection and the other he sells to pay the costs of his trip to the event.

 

[roseannebarr]

I never sold a signed book yet. but if bills need to get paid or a trip to SK can be had and another collector gets something their missing it is a win win in my book. 16 books sold on ebay so far out of 2800 to me that means alot of fans are keeping his books!

Thank You STEPHEN KING for coming to IOWA and letting get a chance to hear you speak again and complete my flatsigned collection of the Mercedes trilogy.

PS MY favorite of the 3 is FINDERS KEEPERS. I loved that book!

 

[RichardX]

I have never sold a signed copy of any book I've gotten, but won't pass judgement on others for doing so. There are likely many people who can't attend these events for legitimate reasons (e.g. work, family, distance). I don't have any problem with someone selling their book on ebay. Certainly no more problem than King selling books for profit. Of the many folks at these events, there are probably a handful who are looking to turn a profit by attending. The odds of getting a signed copy are fairly low. It costs over $30 for a ticket. It wouldn't make a lot of sense. More likely you have some fans who probably are not book collectors, get a book by chance, and decide to sell it. Nothing scummy or disrespectful about that in my opinion. Most authors would like to have that problem instead of seeing their books in the discount bin.

 

[Echo Looper]

I'm not passing judgement on the true fans but I am on the hunters. Again, a 1st world problem for King but this is the excerpt from the recent Rolling Stone interview from King:

"These autograph people always show up in front of the hotel and I can't go out and get a sandwich. I can't go out to a movie without brushing these people off. It makes you feel like you’re on stage, when you don't want to be on stage.

The selfies must be annoying too.
Yeah. Selfies are not good. Everybody has a cellphone now. But the autograph people will say, please sign this poster from Firestarter for my sick grandmother who is going to die in two years. You know damn well it's something they’re going to sell on eBay. I love that I'm able to entertain people and a lot of folks read my books. I'm just saying that the ideal thing would be if nobody knew who the **** I was. I'd like that. [Pause] You know, a lot of people are going to probably read this and roll their eyes and say, "I wish I had such problems." I understand that. At the same time, after 25 to 30 years, it gets a little old."

 

[Thing Of Evil]

I was very fortunate to attend the Nashville event. It was literally the best night of my life. I entered the line to receive my book and wasn't expecting anything. I was just blessed to hear him speak. My husband and I did not receive a signed copy. The only thing that upset me is I heard a man say to his wife that he was selling his because they both got signed copies. I wouldn't give him a penny! To sell something so many people wanted that night makes me feel sick! It was a wonderful night that I will cherish forever. I have to admit that I spent the first 10 minutes crying tears of joy.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....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"......

 

[Thing Of Evil]

.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"......

I agree. This was my first time being in the presence of my hero and just hearing him speak and making us laugh was enough for me. My hubby asked me if I was disappointed about not getting a signed book. He could hear people screaming and crying with joy. I told him that I was honestly happy for them and seeing the man himself was a joy to me.I didn't expect him to be so funny. He had us rolling!

 

[RichardX]

Someone on the Dark Tower site has been tracking ebay sales. They indicate there have been 26 EOW books listed from the over 3000 signed copies handed out at events to this point. Less than one percent.

 

[Rockabilly]

I am one who would love to get an autograph to keep. I attended one of the events with my wife, both of us were unlucky on a signed copy. And I do not make the kind of money to just drop down $500 on ebay for one.

I wish there was another way to obtain an autographed book.

 

[Dana Jean]

I am not the collector that gets autographs to sell. When I get a book that is nice, it's for me.

 

[Thing Of Evil]

I am one who would love to get an autograph to keep. I attended one of the events with my wife, both of us were unlucky on a signed copy. And I do not make the kind of money to just drop down $500 on ebay for one.

I wish there was another way to obtain an autographed book.

I wish the same thing Rockabilly! I can't spend the money and I would feel bad buying King's signature knowing how he feels about it. Mabye I can travel to another event in the future and get lucky. In the mean time, I'm enjoying EOW so much and I'm so thankful that he's still writing.

 

[Echo Looper]

Someone on the Dark Tower site has been tracking ebay sales. They indicate there have been 26 EOW books listed from the over 3000 signed copies handed out at events to this point. Less than one percent.

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.

 

[notebookgirl]

I admit, I accidentally yelped when I saw my book was signed. I felt bad about it afterwards as I know others would open their book and not see a signature. It was an unexpected surprise and just an added bonus that I would never sell. People who knew I was going really didn't understand the impact of a book event like this. I can hardly describe it. We were just lucky he is doing them. I wish more well-known authors would do this, actually and as often as Mr. King does. (Well, the ones I admire such as J.K. Rowling, that would a good one!)

 

[AchtungBaby]

I am not the collector that gets autographs to sell. When I get a book that is nice, it's for me.

Same here. When I preorder two signed copies of any McCammon novel, it's not to sell.....it's because yours truly is a crazy person.

Nah, one is for reading and the other is to look pretty on my shelf.

 

[Thing Of Evil]

I admit, I accidentally yelped when I saw my book was signed. I felt bad about it afterwards as I know others would open their book and not see a signature. It was an unexpected surprise and just an added bonus that I would never sell. People who knew I was going really didn't understand the impact of a book event like this. I can hardly describe it. We were just lucky he is doing them. I wish more well-known authors would do this, actually and as often as Mr. King does. (Well, the ones I admire such as J.K. Rowling, that would a good one!)

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.

 

[notebookgirl]

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.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....check Bett's Books.....these are authentic signatures from a long time King Dealer, and a trusted one...it won't be cheap-but at least you know you're getting the real McKing....

 

[Echo Looper]

Again, I reiterate - if you love the stories, the man, the books then it's all GOOD. I went internally crazy when my wife found a signature in her copy of End of Watch ( I knew she had the luck )....but at the same time I felt kind of weird because I know SK isn't getting any younger and he probably values his time with his family and art more than anything else on the planet. And for that I'm equally grateful. As a relatively new fan (within the last 5 years) and having some fans of my own through my music I understand that what really matters is the legit connection between the art and the receiver. I just want him to know that his signature just solidifies a memory between my wife and me. We will never sell it. We cherish it. We will grow old together (hopefully) and hold sacred him and the other humans on this planet that made this life incredible and inspiring to us.

 

[roseannebarr]

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.

My brother (not a KING fan, but a great traveling companion, he does the driving because I am old) loved watching people open their books in IOWA. He got a kick out of people screaming. People can see my excitement when I get to see KING. I only saw him 18 times so far, but its still exciting!! Amazing and FUN. I love seeing the excitement of people getting to meet/see King for the first time!

It was sad to see a family of four, wait all day and not get a signed copy. I brought extra revival signed copies to trade (in case I came up empty handed). After getting my EOW, I was so excited I ended up giving away both my copies of Revival --- one to the family of 4 and another to a couple I met at the Joe Hill event. They both offered $$, but that would of cheapened my experience. I wish KING could see the happiness he brings to all of us Constant Readers!!! He always sneaks out the back door.