Author Jonathan Goldstein, described as “Canada’s funniest radio show host – or certainly Canada’s funniest Jewish radio show host” (Jewish Tribune)…at the Canadian Librarian Association Conference this past weekend:
“Saturday. Though it’s not clear to me why an author would be invited to such a thing, I’m scheduled to do a book-signing at the annual Canadian librarian’s convention today. Sure, I’m a writer who writes books – books that go into libraries – but after arriving at the hall, the connection starts to feel more tenuous. The room is filled with library supply companies selling things like story-telling puppets and book carts with “whisper glide” wheels made by Library Quiet™. I feel not unlike a dairy cow invited to a bartenders convention because the cream he makes goes into the White Russians they serve.
A librarian leads me through the room. It is the size of an airplane hanger. She tells me to follow her to the signing table I’ve been assigned. While there’s nothing I enjoy more than following a librarian – it makes me feel about eight years old, everything right in the world – when we arrive at our destination, I feel myself deflate. ” Thoughts on the conference from The National Post.
His latest book is “Ladies and Gentlemen…The Bible!”, published by Penguin.
Author Signings
I’ve done my share of them, and they can get lonely. That’s the bad news.
The good news is this is the once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a new fountain pen (for signing my books, ya’ know), such as a Mont Blanc or some other suitably expensive type of pen. A geologist I know who wrote a book purchased a neat pen made out of onyx for his book signings. A poet I know uses a pen with a plume on it for his signings.
For my Civil War book, I also sometimes bring in some wax and make an impression from a choice of brass seals or my family insignia ring. It smokes up the place sometimes, but it does bring people over to see what’s going on. And maybe buy my book.
Now that my book is available only electronically, see: http://www.netlibrary.com/summary.asp?id=42010
I can no longer sign copies anymore. Sigh.
R. Lee Hadden (These are my own opinions!)
Gee
Why isn’t it in print? Did you have a choice on the matter?
Publisher decision?
It looks like a publisher decision. eBooks are notionally without inventory. Paper books do hit you with inventory/real property taxes at the least wonderful of times. If sales volume slowed, it was good business sense to reduce tax liability.
My thought is whether or not the text is available by way of an Espresso-style POD box.
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Stephen Michael Kellat, Interim Coordinator, LISNews Netcast Network
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