I have it on good authority that the latest book signings are having fans in an uproar. It seems you have to get a *ticket* to get in line to get a book signed by Clive (and/or Dirk). A man and his wife took off of work early to go to a signing and were turned away because they didn't have a ticket. Has anyone heard this? And that Clive won't sign books sent to his house anymore?

Well, I'm glad the the SimonSays CCDB is now considered as good authority... ;)

Maybe it should be clarified that it happened at a specific book store, where fans had to purchase there books for signing before 5 pm, and had to receive a ticket to join the signing event.

I have read on the SimonSays Stephen King DB, that SK fans also ran into problems at bookstores , who had specific requirements for fans to join the signing queue. In this instance the problem was the same as what our co-Cusslerfan experienced, the bookstore did not advertise the requirements widely enough.

Maybe its a good idea to check with the bookstore before going there, as in phone them, DON'T rely on their website.

As a matter of interest, what is the source that Clive won't sign books at his house?

Here are the details of the upcoming event on Dec 11th in Denver:

Store Events - December 11, 1:00 PM

Time: Saturday, December 11, 2004 1:00 PM
Location: Cherry Creek
Title of Event: Clive Cussler & Dirk Cussler - Black Wind
Bestselling mystery and adventure novelist Clive Cussler, an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, a non-profit organization that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history, and his son and co-author Dirk Cussler, will sign their newest Dirk Pitt maritime mystery Black Wind ($27.95 Putnam).

This is a booksigning only. Free tickets for a place in line will be handed out at 12:00 noon; one ticket per person in line. Clive will be happy to sign one of his other books per person in addition to copies of Black Wind.

Request a signed copy: books@tatteredcover.com

This information taken from the Tattered Cover's website: Tattered Cover

Maybe we can have a "meeting" with those who will be attending in Denver... if you are interested, drop me a message.

Cheers,
Dave

Just like a good newsman, I can't reveal my sources.

Just my two cents - requiring that a person not only has to buy a copy of an author's latest book, but also has to get a ticket to get any book signed is bad business.

I know some people who have their favorite book from the author and maybe don't have the funds to buy the new book, but want their favorite signed. They should be able to get that book signed with no problem, no ticket, no purchase required.

Any fan knows you sometimes have to stand in line for a long time to see your favorite celebrity, author, etc. And they plan for it by taking extra time off like that couple did.

I would never patronize a bookstore who did what some of these are doing by demanding you purchase the latest book.

Again, just my two cents.

I've seen that happen at bookstores here (Austin, TX) with other authors also. The authors would sign books from 5-9 pm usually and they handed out enough free tickets for the 4 hours. Forcing people to buy the new book is not something I'm a fan of. If I love the author I'm going to buy the book the day it comes out and like most people will have read it months before the author comes to town for a book signing.

I agree with both of you, the bookstore needs to make the "rules" clear for the signing because I would be really upset to go there, buy the book, and then be told I don't have a ticket so I can't get it signed.

My last signing experience was with Clive Barker and the rules were you could bring one of your books by him and then purchase any book he wrote and he would sign both of them. The bookstore did a fabulous job with displaying his books everywhere so you didn't have to hunt for them, the signing was very smooth and I shopped there for other books. It was a win/win situation.