This is sort of a spin-off to the "Stupid things non-writers say" thread.
When I talk to people about my novel, they'll congatulate me, of course. They'll give the inevitable, "That's awesome."
And then they'll say, almost unfailingly, "So when do I get my signed copy?" The car salesman I bought my car from this weekend went even further with that comment: "Be sure to send a free copy my way!"
I bet I've had 200 people say that to me in the past month.
Of course I smile and say, "It's on its way!" If it's a family member, obviously, it probably will be. But most of the time it's strangers who say this.
What is it with free books? I'd be glad to sign a copy for these folks, but I don't think it's that. They seem to want that free book.
Maybe this is terrible, but here's what I'm thinking when they say this: PLEASE BUY IT.
It's weird. Sort of reminds me of the story Curtis Sittenfeld told about Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon. She said that he wanted a copy of her novel Prep; however, instead of buying it, he called her publisher and had them mail him a free copy.
And he's a millionaire.
Do we have a phobia in this country about paying for books?
When I talk to people about my novel, they'll congatulate me, of course. They'll give the inevitable, "That's awesome."
And then they'll say, almost unfailingly, "So when do I get my signed copy?" The car salesman I bought my car from this weekend went even further with that comment: "Be sure to send a free copy my way!"
I bet I've had 200 people say that to me in the past month.
Of course I smile and say, "It's on its way!" If it's a family member, obviously, it probably will be. But most of the time it's strangers who say this.
What is it with free books? I'd be glad to sign a copy for these folks, but I don't think it's that. They seem to want that free book.
Maybe this is terrible, but here's what I'm thinking when they say this: PLEASE BUY IT.
It's weird. Sort of reminds me of the story Curtis Sittenfeld told about Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon. She said that he wanted a copy of her novel Prep; however, instead of buying it, he called her publisher and had them mail him a free copy.
And he's a millionaire.
Do we have a phobia in this country about paying for books?
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