Anyone know if they'll allow signing of books brought in (i.e. not purchased in-store)?
Call the bookstore and ask! Please let us know what you find.
However, keep in mind that buying the book at the store is good form. Pat Rothfuss explained nicely:
1. This is going to be my first booksigning and I don’t know the etiquette. Do I need to buy my book at the bookstore, or can I bring a book from home?
Honestly? The polite thing to do is to buy your book at the bookstore hosting the event.
You see, the bookstores hosting me put a lot of time, energy, and money into events like these. They order a BUNCH of books. They bring in extra staff to manage the crowds, set up chairs, and sometimes reorganize parts of the store. If the signing goes late, they have to keep the store open after hours.
Also, you have to remember that while the bookstore loves you, they are also, you know, a store. A store that sells books. They need to sell books to stay in business.
But there are other reasons too. Let’s say I do a signing and the bookstore sells 500 books. That bookstore is happy. That bookstore likes me. That bookstore wants to have me back for future events. Also, my publisher is happy, and they feel like spending the money to fly me out to events like this are a worthwhile investment.
But if I do a signing and sell, say, 20 books, odds are the bookstore won’t be inviting me back in the future.
Ultimately, buying a book at the hosting store is just good manners. They’re putting a lot of work into the event, and buying a book is the best way to show that you appreciate that.
--http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2011/02/faq-the-wise-mans-fear-signing-tour/
Of course, many fans aren't going to want to wait the two or five or eight days for Jim to come through their city to buy and read the book, in which case I suggest buying the book from the store hosting Jim on release day.
Of course, many fans live far away from the store in question and don't want to make the trek twice, in which case I suggest they buy SOMETHING from the store when they come to see Jim, preferably of equal value to one of Jim's books. Thank the store with your moneys!
Make sure you check with the bookstore, however, as they all have different policies. Some may offer preferential treatment to folks who buy the book in-store.
