Ever been to an author reading of a new book?

Isn't it a bit self defeating economically for an author to read his book to people who will, by virtue of knowing the story, never buy it?

@jack-dodds 

Pesimistic Jack and likely true, but it seems to be a long standing tradition in the book trade.

Posted by: @david-green

@jack-dodds 

Pesimistic Jack and likely true, but it seems to be a long standing tradition in the book trade.

Yes it is but it's one I could never understand; I would be asleep in no time.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Isn't it a bit self defeating economically for an author to read his book to people who will, by virtue of knowing the story, never buy it?

Not necessary ... I recently witnessed my wife and daughter buying a signed book by the author at a public event. The author was a speaker at award ceremony, so this was totally unplanned and impulsive purchase. They just liked the speaker/author so much that they got excited and dived into the book purchase/signing experience. In person events have the potential to raise emotions to different level and easily overpower frugality. At the end everybody was happy: the author, wife, daughter, future son-in-law, and myself, you know ... "happy wife, happy life". 

"Happy wife, happy life"? Now I've been married for 40 years and that's not a piece of folk wisdom I have ever previously encountered. I'm now busy wondering how it might work in practice and whether it would have made any difference. I mean, I might still be living in the garden shed, right?

At least I have the time and privacy to read a lot of books, but alas, none of them are signed copies.

Being a book author myself, I can assure you that when folks attending a book signing event can hear the author discuss book and share stories included discussed, it encourages book sales.  And many who attend are also there because the subject of the book is of interest to them.  They like meeting the author and having "their book" signed for them.  I've been doing these book events for a decade now and it is what keeps my books alive.  

I'll also add that I've done over 3000 radio and video podcasts.  Hosted and co-hosted radio shows and been a speaker at many live events.  That builds a following.  

Wow! George. Can you supply us with any links to podcasts or videos?

yes, when the Dutch translation of the Nag Hammadi-writings by Jacob Slavenburg came out.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

Wow! George. Can you supply us with any links to podcasts or videos?

Many recent podcasts are on Youtube.  I co-host a wrestling program called "AWA UNLEASHED", with all the episodes on Youtube.  

Another podcast called Bumps & Thumps is below.  

A podcast parts 1 and 2 that tell my early personal story and my wrestling involvement as well.  

George I'm really impressed with your background in the world of wrestling. I can't imagine anyone else being more of an expert. As young boys my brother and I would spend one weekend a month with my grandparents and the highlight was watching wrestling with them. Neither of them ever uttered a foul word until the matches came on and then it was anything goes.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

George I'm really impressed with your background in the world of wrestling. I can't imagine anyone else being more of an expert. As young boys my brother and I would spend one weekend a month with my grandparents and the highlight was watching wrestling with them. Neither of them ever uttered a foul word until the matches came on and then it was anything goes.

Thanks for the compliment Bob!  I know it probably sounds corny, but as a kid coming from the messed up family I did, had I not found wrestling (and cars) I could have certainly taken some alternative routes.  Luckily both were safe drugs to get addicted to.