Today’s topic: How far would you travel for a book signing… whether you are getting the book signed or doing the signing.
What about you? How far will YOU travel for a book signing whether you’re getting something signed or you’re the author whose DOING the signing
Recently I’ve realized how fun and AWESOME book signing can be. I have had an amazing time at the two I’ve gotten to go to and I would definitely go to signings given the opportunity… the only problem now is, how far is too far to travel for a book signing?? Personally, I have to rely on others for most of my transportation so anything too far away would be a burden for my family. I think that for a normal weekday anything over 1 hour is too much. That means I would be out for at least 3 hours, which is a LOT when you have to go to school at 7:30. I would be more likely to travel farther on the weekend when I had all day to be out and knew I could sleep in the next morning ;).
The other thing about book signings is they usually only happen for ONE day and there is no guarantee that I will ever have that opportunity again. This is, to me, a very logical point that I use in discussions to get my mom to take me… sadly we don’t always see eye to eye on it. LOL. In short… If someone is willing to drive me, nothing under an hour is too far for me!
Another factor to me is whether or not the author at the signing is someone you've heard of before. I would definitely be willing to travel a little farther if it was someone who I had heard of, read their work, or just really wanted to meet. Meeting any author is an amazing experience for me... but meeting one of my "heroes"? Yeah, that would be worth traveling farther, at least to me!
What about you? How far will YOU travel for a book signing whether you’re getting something signed or you’re the author whose DOING the signing
~Lauren
The furthest I've gone so far is 3 hours. Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, Jessica Day George, and James Dashner were all signing at an event. I'm a huge fan of all of them, so I absolutely HAD to go. Right now, the furthest I'd probably be able to is Salt Lake City, which is 4 hours from me. Hoping to make it there for some events coming up.
ReplyDeleteAs an interesting side note, at the big event, there was a man who brought his teenage daughter all the way from LA just to have her books signed! Sweetest dad EVER!
Wow! Was the three hours a round trip thing?? I completely understand why you had to go ;)
DeleteI definitely agree, sweetest dad ever!
Nope, 3 hours each way! But totally worth it. I'd do it again!
Deleteholy crap!! That's a TON of driving.. but worth it I;m sure! :)
DeleteWell Lauren :P If I had a job and was driving I'd go as far as possible, if I really liked the author xD But like you said, I have to rely on my parents :( And my dad is like "It's too far!" And my grandparents will possibly do it if I pay for gas but then again, theyre old and tired on weekdays because my grandma works like 6 hours.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! If I only had a car... (to the tune of "if I only had a brain" from the wizard of oz)
DeleteI think it depends on the author. If it someone who I really love and who does not do many appearances I would drive all day. My bigger problem is where the signing is. I live in a suburb of Seattle, we get a lot of authors coming through but I absolutely hate going downtown ~ so again I really have to love the author to make the trek. I am such a country bumpkin!! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah I do think that WHO the author is contributes greatly to what you will put up with for them!
DeleteI have traveled 6 hours !! BUT I made a weekend trip of it to come visit friends.. and it was for Sherrilyn kenyon! - One of my seriously all time favorites :D It was my first signing ever and I would totally do it again. I have to be honest. If I had the money to do it. I'd pretty much go anywhere as long as it was in the state - or no more than 1/2 a days drive... then again I don't have the $ to do that- so I could just be dreaming! I have recently met up with more Oregon Bloggers and I REALLY hope we can stay close and make road trips for signings in the future! ... Cause the bf tries to get me to leave early >.< haha .. ok .. I talked to much.. great topic!
ReplyDelete6 hours!! WOW. I agree, if I had the money I would go anywhere... pfft. If I had the money I could FLY anywhere!! I personally don't believe the words "I talked to much" have any place in a post designed for discussion ;) Thanks for joining in!!
DeleteWe are super lucky as we are in the Chicago area. Our favorite local Indie hosts signings regularly. They are actually hosting the City of Lost Soul's release party this year. If we didn't have so many great opportunities locally I think I would probably be willing to drive about an hour for a signing. There are a few authors (John Green being the biggest) that I would drive hours and hours in order to meet :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah I would think you would have lots of awesome people coming out for signings!! An hour does sound like a pretty reasonable amount of time!
DeleteThe longest I've driven for a book signing is 5 hours round trip (on a Wednesday and I had work the next morning too ew) but it was for John Green, so I mean come on. I'm going to be traveling for about 2 hours next Wednesday because Veronica Roth is doing an Insurgent signing (um, HELLO!?). I'll pretty much go a couple hours out of my way or try and make a weekend out of it.
ReplyDeleteWith the John Green trip that was driving for 5 hours, the entire trip was about 8 hours, I didn't get home until 2am!
DeleteYou're going to the Veronica Roth signing too?? :) I cannot believe you went for an 8 hour car ride!! 2am is crazy!! I hope it was worth it (though it sounds like it was!)
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