Do readers dream of electric autographs - by Hywela Lyn
Some readers are just happy to read a book. Then there are others who want more - some contact with the author. In the old days it was simple enough. An author would hold an actual booksigning in a bookstore or library and sign a real, live book.
These days it is not quite so easy. When more and more, books are becoming available on-line, rather than, or as well as in print, how does an author enable a reader to get a coveted autographed copy?Well the solution is simple really - get an 'authorgraph'. If you haven't come across this neat little idea, go along to http://www.authorgraph.com and sign up. It was developed by Evan Jacob, a Seattle software developer. It's free and you just need the ASIN of your book (which is right after 'dp' in the URL of your book on Amazon) Then, when a reader requests an autographed copy, you can send them either an actual electronic signature, using your mouse, or stylus/finger if using an IPad, or select a preformatted font version, if your on-line writing is a little shaky.. Either way you can include a personal message. You also have the option of advertising your 'autograph',displaying a copy of your book cover, like this:
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| click the picture to go to my Kindlegraph page |
Your 'autograph' requests are sent to you by Email and delivered as a separate document to the recipient's Kindle, together with a copy of your bookcover. Alternatively, if they don't have a Kindle they can request a download of a PDF copy which can be read on a variety of platforms. In these days of 'virtual' book tours, this is a little more than a 'virtual' signature and a reader can build up a nice collection of electronic 'authorgraphs'.
Seems like a great idea for both electronic authors and their readers. While there is something very satisfying and personal about a signature on a book page, this seems to be a perfectly good solution for Ebooks. What do you think?
You can find out more about Lyn and her books on her WEBSITE
She also blogs at her own BLOG, and THE AUTHOR ROAST AND TOAST
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