Dear Betty,

A friend of mine has a book coming out, and I will be going to her signing at Watchung Booksellers. She has already told me she is going to give me a copy of her book. Do I have to buy one at the reading?

Signed, Been There, Read That

Dear Been There,

While Betty is well aware that the price of books has become daunting, she must also tell you that authors are typically given only 20 copies of their books for free by the publisher. After that, they have to pay for them. Your friend’s gift to you is very generous, considering how far those 20 books have to stretch. I’m not sure you deserve a free copy, but you didn’t sleep with me last night, did you? So that is none of my business. What does fall within my purview is the information that her gift to you is a private exchange. The reading is a different story. It is essentially a sales event, and though you are not expected to buy a book, if you can afford to, you should. Do not count the fact that you already own a copy, by whatever means you received it, as a reason not to purchase another. Show your support of your local independent bookseller and your friend by buying a book and having it signed for another friend. Or two. Or five. You will earn karma points that might prevent you from being reborn as a bookworm.

Betty

June 5, 2005 in Betty Says | Permalink