[anne_holly]

I assume bookstores are bright enough to only do this with Big Names. Otherwise, midlisters and below will seriously lose out on exposure.

So, if they only do this with big names that can draw in people despite the costs, I am concerned this will be just another source of anxiety for writers and their publicists. "Do I rate the cover charge?" If the answer is no, that will have to sting a little. And then the PR people will have to make sure it doesn't hit the media that such-n-such writer is known around the tour circuit as a "free admission appearance".

I realize there will always be an elite class of writers and a midlist/below class, but I am leery of putting an actual price tag on it.

 

[RM Prioleau]

As long as it's not some outrageous price they're charging for signings, then I'd be happy to pay and support the cause. Brick-and-Mortar stores are suffering as it is. It would be cool if you're not charged admission if you actually buy one of the author's books in the store. It's a good incentive for customers (and great rewards for the author).

 

[lazyjayn]

If book stores are going to charge admission (none of which the author will ever see) for *Author* events, what's to stop authors from switching to doing signings and readings only at colleges, community centers, libraries and whatnot? They can still sell the book through the internet, so no loss there--and they may get randoms wandering in, too.

Meanwhile--the bookseller retrofitting her shop to hold events, then planning to charge? I'd think she'd do better, from a business standpoint, to remodel to include a small cafe or coffee shop. That way she can sell to *everyone*, people don't leave because they're hungry, and evening events can become money making activities even if customers don't buy books. Hungry, tired people waiting around to hear someone read or get something signed will buy snacks and fancy coffee drinks if they're available. It seems to me that book stores are too caught up in selling *books*, and forget other, interesting things people like *with* books--like warm cookies, fresh sammiches, and coffee. Sure, a bookstore/cafe is a change in business, but a smart business person would be looking to find (higher margin) ways to keep people in their shop. Not driving them away.

 

[Geoffrey]

I better start working on my weird demands list now, in case I ever make it big some day - I wouldn't want to seem pedestrian by just asking for a pitcher of water and an extra pen.

Depends on whether you require a specific pitcher ("I said Swedish Crystal, you moron! You better bring on the Orrefors or I'm walking!") or extra pens hand carved by your preferred Amazonian rainforest tribe ....

 

[Carol (was Dara)]

I think it is short sighted and personally I'm not keen on it as an idea. Why are they charging customers to come to their shops and spend money? Seems counter-productive to me!

This. I would think bookstores would be happy to have a crowd come in and buy up a lot of books.

 

[Amanda Brice]

If book stores are going to charge admission (none of which the author will ever see) for *Author* events, what's to stop authors from switching to doing signings and readings only at colleges, community centers, libraries and whatnot? They can still sell the book through the internet, so no loss there--and they may get randoms wandering in, too.

Absolutely nothing to stop them from doing events at other places. And that's the beauty of capitalism. If you don't like what one business is doing, you do business with someone else. In this context, if you don't support the idea of bookstores charging admission for author events, then do your author events elsewhere.

It's my experience that the non-bookstore author events tend to be more beneficial for midlist or lower authors anyway. It ends up being much more personal and intimate and people attend because they're interested in the topic (and hmmm...this person has written a book? Maybe I should buy it), whereas at bookstores, unless you're a big name, most readers just walk right by and not bother to stop. They see an author sitting all alone at a table and don't stop to even make eye contact. Whereas if you speak at an event, they come.

 

[ashel]

Bookstores: listen to this smart person. Don't argue, just do it.

If book stores are going to charge admission (none of which the author will ever see) for *Author* events, what's to stop authors from switching to doing signings and readings only at colleges, community centers, libraries and whatnot? They can still sell the book through the internet, so no loss there--and they may get randoms wandering in, too.

Meanwhile--the bookseller retrofitting her shop to hold events, then planning to charge? I'd think she'd do better, from a business standpoint, to remodel to include a small cafe or coffee shop. That way she can sell to *everyone*, people don't leave because they're hungry, and evening events can become money making activities even if customers don't buy books. Hungry, tired people waiting around to hear someone read or get something signed will buy snacks and fancy coffee drinks if they're available. It seems to me that book stores are too caught up in selling *books*, and forget other, interesting things people like *with* books--like warm cookies, fresh sammiches, and coffee. Sure, a bookstore/cafe is a change in business, but a smart business person would be looking to find (higher margin) ways to keep people in their shop. Not driving them away.

 

[Amanda Brice]

Meanwhile--the bookseller retrofitting her shop to hold events, then planning to charge? I'd think she'd do better, from a business standpoint, to remodel to include a small cafe or coffee shop. That way she can sell to *everyone*, people don't leave because they're hungry, and evening events can become money making activities even if customers don't buy books. Hungry, tired people waiting around to hear someone read or get something signed will buy snacks and fancy coffee drinks if they're available. It seems to me that book stores are too caught up in selling *books*, and forget other, interesting things people like *with* books--like warm cookies, fresh sammiches, and coffee. Sure, a bookstore/cafe is a change in business, but a smart business person would be looking to find (higher margin) ways to keep people in their shop. Not driving them away.

One of the reasons I tend to prefer Borders or B&N over most indie bookstores (besides the fact that the indies generally don't stock much of the genres I prefer) is the cafes. In fact, the only indies I actually patronize have cafes...coincidence?

 

[HaemishM]

This is entirely NOT the way for indie bookstores to stay open in the face of eBooks and online retailers. It's terribly shortsighted. Indie bookstores want to survive? They need to think about the future, think about WHY readers are buying books online, or are buying eBooks instead of paperbacks or hardbacks. But then the industry as a whole needs to stop trying to protect its domain like a wounded tiger and start thinking about how they can make money off of servicing their customers, the readers.

 

[RonnellDPorter]

Anne Rice was talking about this yesterday on her Facebook page. She is in favor of it. I'm sure top selling authors with huge fan bases will still draw crowds but other authors are not likely to be so fortunate.

I wouldn't even pay to go see Anne Rice, and I like her - I'm already on my way there to buy her book. As a customer that would just turn me away and I'd probably be too miffed to purchase any future work from her... Okay, maybe I wouldn't go that far, but I definitely wouldn't be seeing her lol

 

[lazyjayn]

One of the reasons I tend to prefer Borders or B&N over most indie bookstores (besides the fact that the indies generally don't stock much of the genres I prefer) is the cafes. In fact, the only indies I actually patronize have cafes...coincidence?

Like many compulsive readers, I've been dreaming up bookstores in my head for years. And you're right, all those dream stores have cafes. They just go together--books and food. Heck, if I ever manage Amanda Hocking numbers, maybe I'd do it. But yeah, stores with cafes are just better. Man, could you imagine a book store that also had micro-brews on tap? It's be the next, newest, bestest hipster hangout ever.

 

[Guest]

How is this any different from having a cover charge at a bar?  Or a "two drink minimum" to see a band or comic perform at a club?  I really don't see the issue.  The bookstores traditionally provided the space for free in exchange for the business.  The only way bookstores could afford to host such events was through the sale of books.  If people are not buying books at these events, then how is the bookstore suppose to recoop their expenses?  And there ARE expenses, particularly today when security issues are a major issue.  

Bookstores are evolving to survive.  They will focus less on direct purchases and more on services.  This already happened with hobby shops.  In the RPG industry, brick and mortar stores have been closing for over a decade as gamers moved their purchasing habits online.  Those that survive adapted by relying less on physical purchases and more on event revenues.  They host card tourneys, meet-and-greets, provide table space for games, etc.  One local shop provides free table space for games, but you can't bring your own food in the shop.  He sells soda and snacks.  Very few people buy books or minis, but they buy food.  That is how he keeps his shop open.

 

[Amanda Brice]

Man, could you imagine a book store that also had micro-brews on tap? It's be the next, newest, bestest hipster hangout ever.

http://www.kramers.com/wine_beer_lists.html

I told you I tend to patronize the indie bookstores with cafes...

 

[Usedtopostheretoo!]

Yeah, I can imagine that Joan would shake her head if she knew Gessen said that about her. Overall, I don't completely decry the concept of charging a fee, especially if costs to the store are involved. They'll just have to live with the results, which will be mixed. Would I pay $5 to hear Stephen King read at one of the local bookstores here in Maine? Sure. Not because I value the presence of Stephen King at $5, but because his appearance at that local bookstore represents something more. A commitment to readers? Support of dying bookstores? I can come up with 20 reasons to justify the cost as a donation to a greater cause. Helping to keep a bookstore in business falls under one of those reasons. 

 

[lazyjayn]

http://www.kramers.com/wine_beer_lists.html

I told you I tend to patronize the indie bookstores with cafes...

Oooh.... Must visit.

@Bards and Sages-- I don't go to bars with covers or minimums unless I can get in for free. I don't believe in spending money to spend money. I also don't shop in theme parks. I have no problem with them pushing associated items, but a fee to get in just drives people away.

 

[HelenHanson]

It's an act of desperation.  Business is miserable.  They're in debt up to their didions.  And bankruptcy clouds are bubbling on the horizon. 

The signings are a unique opportunity for them to scrape more money from their remaining loyal patrons.  Stick it to those that stick with you.  It's never a long-term solution.

 

[Terrence OBrien]

Anyone have a CostCo membership card? What did it cost?

 

[Guest]

The signings are a unique opportunity for them to scrape more money from their remaining loyal patrons. Stick it to those that stick with you. It's never a long-term solution.

Actually, the article said the issue was NOT the loyal patrons. The loyal patrons are the people who come in and buy something. The problem has always been the people who never shop in store who only show up when there is a big name in the store, add to the crowds and security issues, but don't buy anything.

Some stores give you a gift card for the value of the admission. Others apply the admission to the price of the book if you buy it. The "loyal patrons" who are there to shop are still technically getting in "free" because they are the ones who are going to buy a book anyway.

I guess I just see it differently because this sort of stuff for special events is what has saved a lot of hobby shops.

Keep in mind, book signings are no longer casual meet and greets. You can end up with THOUSANDS of people showing up at an event for a big name. That means dealing with the local government to handle traffic. That means event insurance. That means special security to keep the mob organized. That means overtime pay to make sure you have enough staff on site to handle whatever might happen. If people are not buying books, then you have two options. STOP HOLDING EVENTS or charge admission. So everyone make a decision which you would prefer...

 

[R. M. Reed]

I always thought authors only signed books purchased in that store. That was true years ago when I tried to bring a book I already owned to a big signing. They wouldn't let me in line without a copy purchased there. Isn't that enough of a charge?

 

[JRTomlin]

But there's a difference between being there and having the experience of meeting the author (even if you don't get something signed because you can't afford it) and bringing in a book you bought elsewhere. One is simply being in the store without spending money (which happens all the time...tons of people go to bookstores and browse and then don't buy anything) and the other is actively bringing in something you'd already bought.

It's like a restaurant. They don't want you to bring in food from the outside and then sit at their tables and eat it.

Sorry but they are totally different things.

People bring backlist titles, sometimes ones they have owned for years. Any author who wouldn't sign a backlist title for me would lose me as a fan.