A Jim Butcher Signing Report

On April 11, 2009 Jim Butcher did a signing of his latest book Turn Coat at a Barnes and Noble in Omaha.  I was fortunate enough to go with a couple of friends.

We got in a little too late to be able to hear the talk that he gave before the signing started, but there was someone waiting right at the door to direct the people who wanted books signed to go back to the information desk in order to get colored wristbands.  There were at least two people staffing the information desk at all times, so there wasn’t much of a backlog of anxious fans, which was a very good thing for the fans, the author, and the store.

Once the signing actually got underway, things ran very smoothly.  People were very good about others who were in line getting drinks, taking bathroom breaks, doing a little shopping along the way, and other assorted things that required them to duck out of the line for a while.  There were a lot of very lively conversations amongst the people standing in line and there was a lot of fan bonding going on amongst people that didn’t know anyone in line.

It took about two hours for me to finally get to the table where Mr. Butcher was actually doing the signing.  He was still very gracious, chatting with fans, and allowing multiple pictures to be taken with each person in line.  He personalized the books and signed other items that people had brought in with them.  All in all, it made for a very good experience.  There were around 200 people at the signing (or at least that was the last figure that I heard) and the store closed before the signing was done, although Barnes and Noble allowed everyone who’d gotten into the line to stay until their books were signed.   All in all, it was a great experience, and I’m really glad that I went.