Books on the Nightstand discussion

One of our bookstore partners asked this question today:

If a Booktopia author's latest book is in paperback, and the hardcover is still available, would people prefer to have the hardcover signed over the paperback?

Balancing inventory at a bookstore is tricky, and typically the hardcover stops selling when the paperback is available. But I do know that many people prefer their autographed books to be signed.

So ... IF you would be likely to buy a book for our Booktopia authors to sign, would you prefer the hardcover or paperback? Does it matter?

I would generally prefer the hardback, but some depends on my pocket book at the time. This past weekend is a perfect example. I came with 2 books that I already owned, I bought 2 hardbacks while I was there because that was all that was available from those two authors, and I bought 3 paperbacks because I desperately wanted a book signed by each author.

I don't usually have the opportunity to have 8 authors sign the books all at once - putting a strain on ye olde pocket book.

I probably didn't help you at all, did I?

nope :)

I love physical books, but I just don't have the space I'd like to accommodate them. Books are fungible here. They come in and they go out. Given away or book-crossed or traded. I guess for me, creating another object that demands permanent shelf space (a signed book), isn't something I necessarily want. When I was younger, I used to have a collector mentality. But these days, now that old content is available in a variety of formats, I know I'll be able to get something again if I shed it.

But if I WERE a hoarder of things, and I wanted a signed book, I'd want a hardcover.

This probably didn't help you at all, did it?

I'll chime in. If it is a signed book, I would prefer it to be hardcover. I almost never buy hardcovers (except for this past weekend!), so a signed copy makes it extra special. I do have some signed paperbacks, but I feel they are subpar for some reason. Between last year and this year, I am going to create a Booktopia library in the house! :-)

Thank you, Chris.
OK, let me rephrase my question and put it more bluntly.
IF you think you might order or buy books to be signed at Booktopia (whether you are attending or not) - would you order the hardcover, even if the paperback is available?

(I love hearing all of your opinions, but I need to give the bookstore buyers a clear answer that is based somewhat on what might actually happen).

Thanks.

My personal preference is for a signed book to be in hardcover.
I picked up some of the Oxford authors' books at my area indie and for Salvage the Bones they gave me the option of waiting for the paperback (at the time not released) or to buy the hardcover at a 20% discount. I got the hardcover.

(Ann, you can tell Square Books not to worry, I will still give them PLENTY of business during Booktopia :-)

Ann wrote: "Thank you, Chris.
OK, let me rephrase my question and put it more bluntly.
IF you think you might order or buy books to be signed at Booktopia (whether you are attending or not) - would you order t..."

cost is what work for me so it be paperback and i can put it in my purse to read have to have a book all the time

I would prefer hardback if I am going to have it signed.

BTW, if we already happened to own a book before the booktopia books were announced, can they be signed or is that tacky?

Thanks,

Michelle

Ann wrote: "Thank you, Chris.
OK, let me rephrase my question and put it more bluntly.
IF you think you might order or buy books to be signed at Booktopia (whether you are attending or not) - would you order t..."

I would prefer it to be in hardcover to paperback if it's going to signed, but that said, I never buy hardcover books aside from gifts. But Booktopia is a different situation! ;-)

I definitely prefer to buy the hardcover to be signed, even if the same book is available in paperback.

In this situation, I vote hardcover.

Michelle wrote: "I would prefer hardback if I am going to have it signed.

BTW, if we already happened to own a book before the booktopia books were announced, can they be signed or is that tacky?

Thanks,

Mich..."

Not tacky at all -- by all means bring them along.
We (and the authors and the store) completely understand that many of you will want to read some of the authors' books before meeting them.

Hardcover - signed.

I know I'm helpful this time. : > )

Ann wrote: "Thank you, Chris.
OK, let me rephrase my question and put it more bluntly.
IF you think you might order or buy books to be signed at Booktopia (whether you are attending or not) - would you order t..."

Okay Ann - I will answer bluntly! :)
I am planning on bringing my current assortment of books by Oxford authors with me for signing, but books that I don't have a physical copy of (read library copy or ebook) - I am planning to order from Square Books in hardback. Although I must admit to liking Jana's idea - she had China Mieville sign her Kindle!

Definitely the hardcover but I'm not big on autographed copies. I did buy some of the author titles, had them signed with just signature and will either give away or donate to our local library.

I prefer hardcover if I'm going to have a book signed.

I, too prefer hardcover for a signed copy. I am currently keeping my Booktopia books from last year and this year for my shelves, along with some classics and the occassional book I can't part with. Otherwise, much like Eric, books come in and go out and are lent or given away. I am looking forward to ordering signed copies of some books from Oxford (I already own some) and Santa Cruz and hardbacks will be the way to go. I rarely buy them for myself, but a friend of mine commented to me how much of a treat it can be to have a new hardback and I agreed, especially if it is signed.

Hardcover, signed. In general, I prefer hardcovers to paperbacks anyway, although paperbacks are easier to transport. When we moved from a 16 room Victorian to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, literally thousands of my books were sold at the auction where heavy, dark Victorian furniture and the "stuff" we'd accumulated over 29 years of living there were also sold. That being said, we moved 30-odd boxes of books to South Carolina and those books have been joined by many, many more. While our space is quite limited, I cannot imagine not living surrounded by books, so bookshelves take priority over . . . well . . . just about everything else! :)

Bobbi wrote: "Hardcover, signed. In general, I prefer hardcovers to paperbacks anyway, although paperbacks are easier to transport. When we moved from a 16 room Victorian to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, literally ..."

a 16 room Victorian and Books? Sounds like a subset of Booktopia.

It was a wonderful home with lots of nooks, gorgeous woodwork, and a wide, inviting window seat in the living room . . . where one would freeze if sitting there in the winter because there was no insulation and the enormous windows were so drafty that my beautiful long white curtains would move in the breeze - when the windows were closed! My husband and I saw The Money Pit on TV sometime during the time we lived there, and I was practically hysterical because it was so true to our experience. All in all, though, it was a great place in which to raise our three sons.