So, I went to a book signing for.....

[bsaenz24]

Ok,

There have to be some great stories out here for book signings. Of course, mine is not a great one, but here it is anyway....

Stephen King came to a downtown Chicago library for Bag of Bones....my wife and I arrived minutes before it started, but I dragged to the front of the seated area and luckily found a couple of seats.....we wind up talking to people around us.....later on my wife notices a long thread hanging from my shirt.....this guy next to me who was wearing a wool suit coat in July or August (I forget which) says, "I can cut that for you". He reaches into this coat and pulls out these BIGASS sewing scissors that had blades about a foot long!!! Of course, I say, sure!!! Then I sit there the rest of the time thinking, "How the hell did he get past metal detectors with the Scissors of Doom!!!


Stephen King was great to meet and he was kind enough to sign his middle name as part of the signature in my Bag of Bones too!!

[TerryE]

I've had the pleasure of twice being at signings for both Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. The most interesting one was the "Three Kings" event that the Folger's Shakespeare Library in DC did several years ago. This featured readings and signings by Steve, Tabitha, and Owen. My wife had no real interest, but went with me as a birthday present. The Library sold tickets, but still had more guests than they were really ready for. So they moved the readings to a Lutheran Church across the street. Steve's reading was the beginning of "Under the Dome" which still had not been announced at that point in time. (It was the first public knowledge of the book, so that was cool.) By the time all 3 Kings finished reading, I was surprised the church wasn't falling down. I'm sure it hadn't heard much of that kind of language in the sanctuary over the past couple hundred years.

I only wish things wouldn't have been so crowded & I could have had a sit down chat with the family.

[jmcraven]

We went to Janet Evanovich the other night. I would love to see SK- I wonder if there's any chance he'll come to Dallas to promote 11/22/63...

[Tito_Villa]

We went to Janet Evanovich the other night. I would love to see SK- I wonder if there's any chance he'll come to Dallas to promote 11/22/63...

I think thats a pretty much ded-cert

[jmcraven]

I think thats a pretty much ded-cert

I hope you're right. If I hear about it in time, I will camp out if I have to.

[Tito_Villa]

Very jealous, never been to a King signing, but i saw Joe Hill in Nottingham last year & had a great time!

[Beambounder]

I was honored to have been able to"Speak with Stephen King" at TIMES TALKS LAUNCHING RELEASE DAY OF "UTD"( it was on my on my "bucket list") .I was able to ask questions from the front row. My lady got a winning card for 1 of the 500 or so signed "UNDER THE DOME" editions. -Mr. King answered my questions about how long he felt the tendrils of the stories start to connect leading to the tower. He was open ,friendly and spent at least 5 minutes talking about seeing it coming together at 22,of corse he mentioned 19. It was one of the BEST nights of my life one yard from the King asking Questions actually"conversing" with THE KING. Thanks Very Fine books for those 500 dollar last minute tickets .Front row was won by EARLY arrival. I was HIGH ,on the experience at THE TIMES TALKS and still am. Thanks for your kind ,demeanor and patient, true listening ,and really taking time for ME with your answers.Beambounder

[Beambounder]

I hope there are signings that "just are purchase the book'' and queue -up ,and wait to get your book signed. I am not in the financial situation to buy high -priced tickets this time around. It would be great. Please come to N.Y.C. Even though I know he's splitting time between Bangor and the Florida Keys. NYC being not quite as calm or paced as either place ;having lived there I could see why he holds off now visiting-its so fast paced and damned confusing.I am satisfied with the three signatures I have- but you know WE who love The Work and The Man can never "GET ENOUGH KING". Well either way I'll buy and lovingly devour every word,I love that Stephen king "womb" the long books hypnotize me into.When I am reading him ,I wouldn't be surprised if my body was a little"DIM" and translucent-sort of unnoticed to others.That is how those BIG TOMES of his grab me -I'm just in there.Beambounder

[argendeli]

When Stephen King was out promoting UNDER THE DOME a couple of years ago he had a date (Nov. 13) to appear in Atlanta. I had suggested work (Headline News/CNN) getting him in to do an interview and it was going to happen. They asked me for background and a list of questions that Robin Meade could use for the interview which I supplied. I was on a stay at home vacation that week but when the Supervising Producer called and asked me if I wanted to escort Mr. King around I jumped at the chance. I met him at the security check in along with the talent booker and his limo driver. I introduced myself and told him that I had recently had my first short story published in the anthology THE ANTHOLOGY OF DARK WISDOM. The anthology also included Peter Straub and that I would like to give him a copy. He was very enthusiastic and said he would like to have a copy if it was not my last one. It was not so I gave it to him but he said I had to sign my story to him. Wow, yes I was tongue tied. He gave me back the collection and asked me to inscribe it to "Steve and Tabby". I wrote "To Steve and Tabby. I hope this helps with your career. Thanks for the inspiration."

We walked around the studio, the make-up area where Mr. King read the first few lines of my story out loud-again a very strange day. A very gracious man and very nice and encouraging to me. That night I saw him at his signing and again he was very nice and said he read and liked my story.

I told this to Joe Hill at World Horror but more about that (hopefully) in a future post.

[Tito_Villa]

Wow great story, again i'm very jealous!

[ozmosis7]

That is a very cool story argendeli! I like to hear stories like that where people who have succeeded haven't forgotten their roots, and the trials and tribulations they went through to get there. Stephen obviously respects that very much to have done such a thing. And for him to comment that he liked your story is all gravy. Gratz!

[lilbirdy]

When Stephen King was out promoting UNDER THE DOME a couple of years ago he had a date (Nov. 13) to appear in Atlanta. I had suggested work (Headline News/CNN) getting him in to do an interview and it was going to happen. They asked me for background and a list of questions that Robin Meade could use for the interview which I supplied. I was on a stay at home vacation that week but when the Supervising Producer called and asked me if I wanted to escort Mr. King around I jumped at the chance. I met him at the security check in along with the talent booker and his limo driver. I introduced myself and told him that I had recently had my first short story published in the anthology THE ANTHOLOGY OF DARK WISDOM. The anthology also included Peter Straub and that I would like to give him a copy. He was very enthusiastic and said he would like to have a copy if it was not my last one. It was not so I gave it to him but he said I had to sign my story to him. Wow, yes I was tongue tied. He gave me back the collection and asked me to inscribe it to "Steve and Tabby". I wrote "To Steve and Tabby. I hope this helps with your career. Thanks for the inspiration."

We walked around the studio, the make-up area where Mr. King read the first few lines of my story out loud-again a very strange day. A very gracious man and very nice and encouraging to me. That night I saw him at his signing and again he was very nice and said he read and liked my story.

I told this to Joe Hill at World Horror but more about that (hopefully) in a future post.

I envy your life!!! LOL!!! Congratulations on the great meet!