Book Signing

Of course there's no rules. You can sign any way you choose.

I have about eight or nine books from different authors and none of them end with a sincerely or salutation or anything. Just a quote and then the signature. But I agree with Sassenach -- there's no set rules for it.

Generally, if your book is pubbed under your own name, use the signature that you normally sign with. But if you have a pen name, then you should sign WITH the pen name. It's just considered "correct." Most of the books I've seen signed don't have anything like "sincerely." Generally, if you want to sign a little blurb, feel free. Always ASK if the person wants it personalized. Sometimes they don't because it will be a gift or they might want to later sell it at auction as a first edition (dream big! ) Remember as you're signing that if you suddenly hit the big time, you want to sign as briefly as possible so you don't wind up with carpal tunnel syndrome (no, I'm NOT kidding!) Lastly, always DATE your signature. This seems to be a big thing for collectors (which I'm just now learning.)


Hope that helps!

Just one thing to add to Cathy's fine response: If someone wants the book personalized, be sure to ask how to spell the name! It's amazing how many different ways there are to spell some names.

I have a book signed by Anne Rice, she signed For Kelly ...Anne Rice
I have a few others and most did ask if I wanted it personalized and then it was just my name and then theirs.

Lemony Snicket

My son and I went to a talk/book signing with LS. While we waited in line a person from Barnes and Noble came along and asked how to spell our names and wrote it on a sticky note, requesting that we open it to a certain page. I'm sure this makes the line move faster...maybe! When he signed it he used his real name followed by aka L.S. and then wrote "If you dare."

I think that when you get to that point, you can do whatever the h*** you want. Obviously he can since he bashed the Seattle Public School system during his talk. Can't say I'd want him to come talk at a school after hearing that. Anyway - that's another subject...Lavinia

A friend of mine writes this amazing series of books for children and YA. 'The Roman Mysteries'...funnily enough it is about the Romans! Bet she signs each book in the series with her name, a little drawing of her (not big headed...we got her to do it cause its very sweet but only because her hair is so cool and curly) an a latin phrase that fits with the book.
The first book, The Theives of Ostia, is about a man who kills dog and takes their heads to use to scare people from their houses so he can take their gold. For this she uses Cave Canem or beware of the dog.

It makes the signing really special because it is more than just a signiture which lots of authors, when you see a signed copies sign, dont sign they just have it photocoped and printed on their book. It makes it more individual.

She dates her signiture with roman numbers.

When I signed for "Adventures in Flight Simulator", I would put their name, then "Clear skies!" then my signature. No firm rules.