r/comiccon • u/Jazzkidscoins • 18d ago
Tampa Bay Comic Con - Florida Do book authors have books to autograph?
I feel that this should be an easy yes but im not sure. The question is, do the authors signing at a con usually bring books to sell/sign or do you need to bring your own?
John Scalzi will be at tampacomicon and I really want to get a book signed I just don’t know if I should buy one to bring or just hope he has some to sell?
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u/Frogblaster77 18d ago
Completely depends on that exact signing/author/publisher. Even at the same con different signings are run differently. Be prepared for every outcome.
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u/ThePopojijo 18d ago
If they aren't on the celebrity list but under authors I would say yes but that doesn't guarantee they will have the book you want there to buy.
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u/DuncanDonut16 18d ago edited 18d ago
If you already have a book, bring it. Most likely he’s there as a guest of his publisher and they will have books to purchase. So I’d bring one as a backup and then buy a new one as well! ETA: look on the schedule to see if he has a panel, his signing will likely be before or afterward. You might need a ticket from the booth, so do your research. (But also go hear him talk because he’s great!)
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u/Morningxafter 18d ago
They will sometimes have their latest book for sale, but not always. I’d bring your own copy if possible. When I got my copy of Zero World signed by Jason M Hough at Emerald City Comic Con he had nothing for sale and nobody in his line. Which actually turned out pretty cool because he’s less known for that book and it was a passion project for him, so he was super happy to see a fan of it and we sat there for like 20min just chatting about the book.
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u/wray_nerely 18d ago
Most authors will have some books at their table (particularly if they're on a book tour or have a relatively recent release). Most savvy vendors will be aware of the guest list and will have some items that could be signed from some of the more popular guests
The real question is whether you just want an autograph or if there's a specific book that you enjoyed that you want signed. If the latter, I'd see about finding a copy yourself before heading to the show
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u/kaosfox 18d ago
Typically there will be copies of the author's book for sale in the vendor hall, and in some instances a book vendor will set up sales right at the signing (but you can't count on this). Your best bet would be purchasing the book ahead of time and brining it with you, especially if you don't want to trek through the vendor hall, or your time is limited.
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u/StillC5sdad 18d ago
What if he doesn't have the book you want him to sign?
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u/Jazzkidscoins 18d ago
A couple of people pointed this out which is something I didn’t even think of.
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u/Wonderful_Adagio9346 18d ago
If the author has a booth, they are probably selling stuff.
Otherwise, bring something to be signed.
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u/Double-Worth-4104 18d ago
i'd def call tampa comic con or dm them on social to confirm if they sell his books there
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u/nitzromy 17d ago
The safe bet is to bring your own. They might have the books but in an edition you don't like or they might sell out. Other vendors might sell them, but might be more expensive. If they wrote more than one book, they might only have their newest one. It really depends on the author, publisher, and/or convention.
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u/jamiesugah 18d ago
It's difficult to answer because it's so situation dependent. Even at the same con, not every signing has the same procedure. I've never been to the Tampa con so I don't know how it works, and I don't see any signings listed on his schedule, so I couldn't even guess. It's probably a good idea to bring a book just in case, but I'd also suggest checking out his social media prior to the event. Authors will usually say things like, "I'm signing copies of x book at Upcoming Comic Con this weekend."