Share your favorites on Show & Tell

John Hodgman's autograph on book brochure

In Books > First Edition Books > Show & Tell and Paper > Brochures > Show & Tell.
Paper2823 of 2901one interesting item is from Shanghai, circa 1940...The Secret of Mental Magic 1907  William Walker Atkinson
0
Love it
1
Like it

jojomangjojomang likes this.
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 14 years ago

    Belltown
    (241 items)

    A few years back, when I used to be a book editor, I attended something called BEA, which stands for Book Expo America, in Los Angeles. Part of the time I had to man our booth, but there were plenty of opportunities to go off and check out the new titles from other publishers, some of whom had flown their celebrity authors to the event to schmooze the press.

    One of the minor celebs in attendance that year was John Hodgman (you may know him from his appearances on John Stewart and as the PC in all those Mac ads). Hodgman's book was not even printed yet, but he was scheduled to sign autographs anyway. So, he ended up signing the brochure for his book, which folded out into a poster and must have cost his publisher a small fortune. And people wonder why the book-publishing business is in trouble...

    I was only the 12th person in line (you can tell because he numbered the brochures he signed that day), but the guy spent a ton of time with each person he met, asking them questions about themselves, follow-up questions on their answers, and on and on. I think it took 45 minutes to get my turn.

    He didn't sign my brochure right away. He sort of sized me up first, albeit very politely. By the time he did his doodles and scrawled "Hello Ben," I felt comfortable enough to tease him with an, "Oh man; now I'll never be able to sell it on eBay!" Without missing a beat, he smiled and added "(or eBay)." It seemed to be the moment of personalization and connection he had been looking for. Next!

    logo
    First Edition Books
    See all
    1611 King James Bible 1st Edition
    1611 King James Bible 1st Edition...
    $109
    Harry Potter Complete Hardcover Set Books 1-7 Set First Edition (J.K. Rowling)
    Harry Potter Complete Hardcover Set...
    $120
    1560 Geneva Bible - First Edition Facsimile
    1560 Geneva Bible - First Edition F...
    $109
    A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Deluxe First Edition Hardcover Collectible
    A Christmas Carol by Charles Dicken...
    $31
    logo
    1611 King James Bible 1st Edition
    1611 King James Bible 1st Edition...
    $109
    See all

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.