Sarah Gerdes's Blog - Posts Tagged "inscriptions"
The signed copy- does the reader care?
Yesterday marked the first time in fifteen years (and thirteen books) that I sent off copies won in a give-away--through this very site. Further, I've never signed copies of books unless I was at an event, could look the reader in the eye and have a connection, even if only for a moment. Call me crazy or old-fashioned. It's my way. Still, my agent had been after me for-forever, so I gave it a whirl.
The entry was the easy part. The big challenge was a) what to write in the inscription b) should I address it to the person who won the giveaway, or c) follow the advice of all the other authors I know who write something super general, thereby allowing the recipient to re-gift at will.
I dithered. I dathered. Then, I fell back on the motto I use for gift-giving: I give what I would want to receive. If it makes me happy, then that's what matters most. Plus, if the person really hates it, I always offer to take it back!
So, I ignored the opinions of my fellow authors, and wrote a unique inscription in each one of the 5 Chambers books and today, 5 copies of In a Moment. Each one is to the person who won (sorry that makes it hard to regift) and is personalized. I've not seen any notes from recipients back to authors, so I'll be curious to see if I get a response (not sure that's allowed).
I'm curious as to readers opinions on this. Readers- chime in. I'm def open to hearing if I'm the norm or the anomaly.
The entry was the easy part. The big challenge was a) what to write in the inscription b) should I address it to the person who won the giveaway, or c) follow the advice of all the other authors I know who write something super general, thereby allowing the recipient to re-gift at will.
I dithered. I dathered. Then, I fell back on the motto I use for gift-giving: I give what I would want to receive. If it makes me happy, then that's what matters most. Plus, if the person really hates it, I always offer to take it back!
So, I ignored the opinions of my fellow authors, and wrote a unique inscription in each one of the 5 Chambers books and today, 5 copies of In a Moment. Each one is to the person who won (sorry that makes it hard to regift) and is personalized. I've not seen any notes from recipients back to authors, so I'll be curious to see if I get a response (not sure that's allowed).
I'm curious as to readers opinions on this. Readers- chime in. I'm def open to hearing if I'm the norm or the anomaly.
