So, in addition to writing, I’m in the process of going through my home and packing in preparation for a relocation to Alexandria, VA. One of my main areas of focus has been to go through my collection of books, partly because it’s a huge PITA to pack and move a lot of books and partly because bookshelf space is a limited and precious commodity at my new digs. I’m letting go of the books I’ve read and don’t intend to read again, the books I haven’t gotten around to reading and almost certainly never will read, and the physical books I’ve read and want to keep but can or intend to get in ebook format.
I’ve taken some 16 boxes to local used bookstores in my area (primarily McKay’s Used Books in Manassas,VA–love them!) and expect to take another half-dozen or so boxes before the move. I could have taken even more, but what’s stopping me from really cleaning house is that many of the physical books I own have a measure of connection, of meaning, that I got from first-hand, direct contact with the author(s).
It’s a nuance I didn’t expect when I started packing up boxes to give away, but it hit me as I was riffling through each book before putting it in either the ‘keep’ or ‘get rid of’ piles. The books I had bought without any form of personal connection to the author were much easier to let go of, but the ones that I’ve had signed by the authors, whether the signature was just their name or included a personal note; those were the ones I had a hard time letting go of. Even if I didn’t expect to ever re-read the book, remembering the personal connection with that author at whatever event we were at that led them to sign that copy was enough to make me either hold onto that book or agonize over putting it into the ‘to go’ pile.
This process made me realize how important that personal connection is for me, as a reader, and it’s one of the many things that has me excited about self-publishing my writing. Every sale is hard-fought, and I want to do what I can to provide that personal touch to encourage a reader to hang onto my books. Not quite sure how that’ll translate to an ebook sale, since one can’t really sign an ebook, but I have to think it’s possible to get that personal interaction with a reader and a writer through other means. Whether it’s sending out signed bookplates, making signed copies of books available, being present at various conventions and signings, etc.
How about you? Do you feel a personal connection to a writer if they’ve signed your book? Does it even matter if you have a personal connection to a writer? Share your thoughts below. And thanks for reading.
