It was interesting to read today in the Times of some very insightful words about writing from Margret Atwood. She has recently added a new line to her cv: inventor. This inclusion is as a result of her much reviewed device called the LongPen which enables authors to appear virtually at book signings, through Internet technology which reproduces their writing in real time.
How ironic that we also read the same day that another less loved Canadian is using the same technology to perform his own remote book signings. Conrad Black is not allowed to leave the US while he awaits sentencing for fraud, but has been signing copies of his biography of Richard Nixon for a Toronto bookshop. What next, ‘The Prison Diaries’ from behind bars? What would Mr Archer have done with such an opportunity?
Showing posts with label LongPen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LongPen. Show all posts
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Sign of the times
“Are you watching I am on the screen over here? Now what is your name ?”
Next the pen writes and signs the book and your favourite author has saved themselves the journey and they haven't even left home!
This week comes the announcement that Dean Koontz is to perform his first ever UK book signing in Waterstones Piccadilly on 23rd June while he remains 6,000 miles away in his home in Los Angeles. Just think you will not only see the man but how he lives and his soft furnishings.
The LongPen technology was first unveiled at last year's LBF and again this year and is too be used by many at this week’s BEA. After all who wants to go to New York for a trade show?
So no more gruelling publicity schedules and environmentally unfriendly air miles or car journeys. But will it really be the same?
Even the rock stars turn up for the street promotions. Should authors alienate themselves from their fans or is this actually increasing their appeal? Will their be a two tier signing schedule – the virtual one for the famous and the physical one for the not so famous? Will the events be restricted to the chains and big stores who desperately need something to pay for the footage and not touch those smaller stores who make signings successful?
Next the pen writes and signs the book and your favourite author has saved themselves the journey and they haven't even left home!
This week comes the announcement that Dean Koontz is to perform his first ever UK book signing in Waterstones Piccadilly on 23rd June while he remains 6,000 miles away in his home in Los Angeles. Just think you will not only see the man but how he lives and his soft furnishings.
The LongPen technology was first unveiled at last year's LBF and again this year and is too be used by many at this week’s BEA. After all who wants to go to New York for a trade show?
So no more gruelling publicity schedules and environmentally unfriendly air miles or car journeys. But will it really be the same?
Even the rock stars turn up for the street promotions. Should authors alienate themselves from their fans or is this actually increasing their appeal? Will their be a two tier signing schedule – the virtual one for the famous and the physical one for the not so famous? Will the events be restricted to the chains and big stores who desperately need something to pay for the footage and not touch those smaller stores who make signings successful?
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