27 replies to this topic

[zencat]

I'm wondering if there will be a Project X proof (aka Advance Reading Copy)? Fleming had proofs. Gardner had proofs. Benson has proofs. Higson had proofs. But there was no proof for DMC. Was Faulks an exception or the new rule? Will IFP keep the Deaver's Bond totally under wraps until release day? Are Deaver's other books released as proofs?

[godwulf]

I'm wondering if there will be a Project X proof (aka Advance Reading Copy)? Fleming had proofs. Gardner had proofs. Benson has proofs. Higson had proofs. But there was no proof for DMC. Was Faulks an exception or the new rule? Will IFP keep the Deaver's Bond totally under wraps until release day? Are Deaver's other books released as proofs?

Only our future eBay searches can say with any certainty.

On the subject of ARCs, I know of one author - Andrew Vachss - who absolutely refuses to sign them, and will go on at length about how their sale to collectors hurts writers by causing those who receive them not to read them, in order to keep them in "mint" condition for sale, etc. Have you heard of any other writer who expresses this view?

[terminus]

I can't see how someone not reading a book could harm an author?! I've got plenty of books I've not read yet that I've bought, I'm not sure how that's harming any of the authors.

[DAN LIGHTER]

There must be some proofs for the media so they can review it. Although having said that I think your quite right about DMC. The reviews as I remember it were written after the books release and not before.

(I hope Deaver just does, say, 1500 signed copies. Fleming would be proud. Higson on the other hand signs anything by the looks of things, as does Benson.)

[whiteskwirl]

There must be some proofs for the media so they can review it. Although having said that I think your quite right about DMC. The reviews as I remember it were written after the books release and not before.

Really? If that's so, then my review here may very well have been the first.

[DAN LIGHTER]

There must be some proofs for the media so they can review it. Although having said that I think your quite right about DMC. The reviews as I remember it were written after the books release and not before.

Really? If that's so, then my review here may very well have been the first.

No cancel that. A quick internet search proves me wrong, so proof copies were made available to the press etc for DMC.

[zencat]

Even at the big DMC launch party... The room was decorated with copies of the book. Except it wasn't the book. It was a different book with a DMC proof jacket. But no story info even on those. The flaps on the jacket just said, Top Secret. Really wish I would have asked if I could have taken one of those. I'm sure they were all just thrown out.

[whiteskwirl]

Maybe someone from the CBn team should request an ARC from IFP for reviewing, when the time comes. You never know, they might send one.

[zencat]

I have a thing that I like to read the actual book. But I like proofs as collectibles.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Even at the big DMC launch party... The room was decorated with copies of the book. Except it wasn't the book. It was a different book with a DMC proof jacket. But no story info even on those. The flaps on the jacket just said, Top Secret. Really wish I would have asked if I could have taken one of those. I'm sure they were all just thrown out.

I am not rude enough to ask how one attended the DMC launch party, I will just think about it quietly instead.

Never seen a proof DMC pop up on ebay. So X could be as secret. Adds to the mystery and peoples hunger......

[zencat]

Even at the big DMC launch party... The room was decorated with copies of the book. Except it wasn't the book. It was a different book with a DMC proof jacket. But no story info even on those. The flaps on the jacket just said, Top Secret. Really wish I would have asked if I could have taken one of those. I'm sure they were all just thrown out.

I am not rude enough to ask how one attended the DMC launch party, I will just think about it quietly instead.

I got an invite from IFP! It was really an honor be be invited and one of the great thrills of my Bond life. That whole trip to the UK for the Centenary was Bond geek nirvana. Even saw Daniel Craig at Pinewood.

I don't think Penguin put out proofs. Is is possible some press got early copies of the actual book. We did all get the book as a party favor (in a special DMC bag). That was the day before release.

[doublenoughtspy]

I've never heard of authors refusing to sign Advanced Reader Copies or proofs.

Here is Charlie Higson with my proof of Silverfin:



Where I can see an author getting upset about is the fact that proof "sales" from dealer to customer don't get them any royalties. But so few are printed that I can't imagine it even matters - and certainly not for someone like Vachss who has 20+ books in multiple markets to his credit.

Conceivably, if someone comes up to you with a proof, it means they are a fairly serious collector of your work, and I would think encouragement, rather than discouragement, would be in order.

[godwulf]

Here is what Vachss says about it on his website. (He talks mostly about galleys, but it's clear, from the context, that he's referrring to ARCs, as well).

"Please note: I will no longer sign galleys, page proofs, Advanced Reading Copies, etc. This material is produced for the sole purpose of obtaining reviews, not to fuel a collector's market nor to encourage those who traffic in such goods. A pristine galley means more money for the seller; as a result, the "collector" market actually encourages reviewers not to even open our books. Indeed, the highest "grade" for galleys is "unread." An "unread" galley is one that didn't do its job. Neither writers nor publishers benefit from the traffic in galleys. The only "winners" are those who sell to collectors. I recognize and respect that production of galleys is expensive for our publishers. I want to do everything in my power to support publishers spending money to create them ... not only because reviews are important, but also because, the temptation to save money by cutting down on the number of galleys-per-title is significant. And, in the current economic climate, the so-called "mid-list" writers and first-novelists will be the ones penalized."

A few years ago, Vachss also instituted a policy of ONLY signing his latest book - the one he's doing the tour for. Prior to that, he was great about signing his older books; I caught up to him in Tucson in 1993, after having not seen him in about six years, and he signed the ten or so books that he'd published in the interim for me. I saw him a couple of years ago, and he wouldn't even sign the book he'd published the year before.

In contrast (and in order to get this thread I've managed to derail back on track), Jeffrey Deaver, when I saw him the other night, sat and not only patiently signed and inscribed a woman's entire BAG of paperbacks - it must have been every book he's ever published - he thanked her for being such a big fan and for giving him the opportunity to sign all of her books.

Edited by godwulf, 14 June 2010 - 10:09 PM.

[zencat]

I understand what Vachss is saying and he think he has a point. As to only singing his most recent book...I see that as well, but maybe he's going a bit too far.

I'm always embarrassed by the people who cart a bag full of books and drop them in front of the author (also annoyed if I'm behind them in line). I feel like I can do two at most. The book from the event (always purchased at the event) and one choice book from home. Typically I only do the one book.

[terminus]

I've only been to one book signing in recent memory - for a cookbook by Nigella Lawson. She was lovely and signed the book she was promoting at the time and a set of salad forks from her own range - (signed one to my partner and one to myself which was lovely).

I can't imagine carting my whole collection of books for an author to sign. It does seem a bit rude, to the author (who'd be denied the chance to mix with other fans) and to the other people in the line behind you.

[zencat]

It's especially rude when it's clearly a bookseller getting his stock signed. A lot of stores limit the books you can bring up. Or author's sometimes ask the guy to wait and he'll sign the books after he finished with the line.

[terminus]

Oh, yes, if it's a bookseller getting his own stock signed then that's incredibly rude. If it's just a fan wanting to get their own books signed, I'd be inclined to give a bit of leeway but still find it rude - but if it's a bookseller, there's no excuses really.

[zencat]

It's more tacky when it a fan. Sure, I'd love ALL my books signed too, but I'm not going to do that to the author or the people in line (or to myself). Make a choice.

[terminus]

When I'm going to the Deaver signing, I'm intending to take a copy of Garden of Beasts to get signed along with the two copies of The Burning Wire (the partner wants a copy and he wants a copy for his bestfriend to keep for christmas or her birthday) but that'll be with two of us going up in the line.

[whiteskwirl]

It's more tacky when it a fan. Sure, I'd love ALL my books signed too, but I'm not going to do that to the author or the people in line (or to myself). Make a choice.

Probably some of those people are only doing it to have a lot of signed books to sell on ebay.

[godwulf]

Probably some of those people are only doing it to have a lot of signed books to sell on ebay.

That is Vachss' rationale for his "only the current book" rule.

I would think that most authors would become pretty good, after awhile, at spotting the "entrepaneurs" amongst the fans...multiple copies of the same book (with no inscriptions requested) would be one big red flag.

The bookseller where I most often go for signings will say, if one asks, that "three items" is the acceptable maximum, unless you're willing to wait in the back until everyone else has gone through the line. Unfortunately, the owner happened to have been busy elsewhere in the store when Jeffrey Deaver was signing, and he's such a nice and compliant fellow that, well...

Writers, and certain other select celebs, tend to remember me to a slightly greater degree after I've asked them to sign a baseball for my collection. John Cleese was very amused, and said it was his first time. I'd have had Deaver sign one the other night, but with two books and a photo already slated for signatures, I didn't want to overdo it. Next time for sure.

[Jim]

Wish I was Project X proof.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I've only been to one book signing in recent memory - for a cookbook by Nigella Lawson. She was lovely and signed the book she was promoting at the time and a set of salad forks from her own range - (signed one to my partner and one to myself which was lovely).

I can't imagine carting my whole collection of books for an author to sign. It does seem a bit rude, to the author (who'd be denied the chance to mix with other fans) and to the other people in the line behind you.

Well thats the last thing I expected to see on here.....salad forks.

[zencat]

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

[whiteskwirl]

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

You're quite the collector. If you're ever in Taiwan you'll have to buy some betel nut here.

[terminus]

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

Salad forks that turn into lockpicks, perhaps? This new Bond has to be a bit of a metrosexual, at home in the kitchen making a salad (or, dare I say it, a quiche) as gunning people down whilst abseiling down a frozen waterfall.

[DAN LIGHTER]

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

I would put money on it

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

You're quite the collector. If you're ever in Taiwan you'll have to buy some betel nut here.

I think Zencat is the biggest Bond collector on the forums. (He has Casino Royale 1st 1st! ahhhhhhhhh!)

If Deaver sold a set of salad forks alongside Project X...

I'd buy 'em.

Salad forks that turn into lockpicks, perhaps? This new Bond has to be a bit of a metrosexual, at home in the kitchen making a salad (or, dare I say it, a quiche) as gunning people down whilst abseiling down a frozen waterfall.

Good idea, and Deaver might just pick up on it. If not tell him about it when you meet him!

[terminus]

Might just do that Re - the question of whether Bond will be more of a metrosexual figure than before.