Charging for autographs

For some reason this has become a hot topic of discussion lately. As movie and TV stars and B- and C-listers prices for autographs skyrocket at conventions, comic book writers and artists have been discussing whether or not they charge for scribbling their names on their work. So I thought I would make my own position clear.

I’ve been signing my name on books and comics for longer than a considerable portion of you have been alive. Do I charge for my autographs? No.

For decades this was never an issue. But as the actors crank up their rates, more and more fans have been coming to conventions unaware of the fact that most writers don’t charge. And so nowadays many fans have been asking “How much?” when they’ve had me sign stuff. And I’d say there was no charge. Many seemed confused. Some even tried to hand me money anyway.

So some months back I figured, “The hëll with it,” and added a tip jar to my desk. I’m told some other creators also have tip jars and they seem to take great pains to explain that it’s for charity, because…I dunno. It keeps their conscience clear, I guess. That’s fine. In my case, let me make it clear: it’s for me. It helps to cover convention expenses because many conventions don’t provide per diems. I rarely draw attention to it, unless someone brings me something like 50 comics to sign.

So now when fans ask if there’s a charge, I say no, but if they want to throw money in my tip jar then I won’t toss it back at them. The results are varied. Some fans bring me thirty books to sign and put in nothing. Others have me sign one comic and drop in ten bucks. So I guess it all evens out.

Anyway, that’s my policy.

PAD

36 comments on “Charging for autographs

  1. I remember seeing you once at SDCC in the mid-90s when they were cracking down on autographing at any location other than a booth.

    A child approached you with a couple Hulks and asked if you would sign them. You said in a loud, booming voice, “THERE IS A POLICY AGAINST ME SIGNING THESE IN THE AISLES AND I WOULD NEVER DO THAT!”… as you were signing each and every one of them.

    I would gladly tip you just for the laugh you gave me that day.

  2. But…how will you maintain your reputation as an ogre with a reasonable policy like that?

  3. It’s a tricky issue. As a fan, of course, I prefer it when I’m not getting charged. However, I don’t feel like me buying the book entitles me to a signature, and I realize that writers and artists are simply being gracious when they do sign their stuff.

    So, I think it’s really cool when a creator signs the book. (Even cooler when an artist includes a sketch!) However, I don’t think any less of those who charge or simply don’t do signings. It’s work, after all. Your policy strikes me as being reasonable.

    A couple years ago at the Big Wow! Comicfest in San Jose, Humberto Ramos had a policy where he’d sign one book for free but then charged after that. (Maybe it was two books for free?) He also charged if you wanted the first issue of the new Spider-Man series signed. (My guess is that people were selling them on eBay?) While I had more stuff that I wanted signed, I thought that was fair as well.

  4. I ran several conventions back in the 90’s, and, things where much different then. NOBODY charged for autographs at a Star Trek convention, EVER. I paid the actors to sign for 2 hours or whatever, and, every fan that paid at the door got an autograph. I gave tables FREE to writers, artist and fan clubs. Today you pay at the door, you pay for a picture and you pay for an autograph, and, it is getting worse. The prices just keep going up and I fear it will hit a tipping point when the fans won’t/can’t pay it anymore, then what? What are your thoughts on this issue?

    1. That’s why I’m attending cons less and less.

      I first got into cons via comics. Media guests were few and far between, but cool when they were there.

      Now, with comics driving a significant portion of pop culture, they seem to have become sidelined in favor of media guests with ever-increasing autograph fees. I reluctantly paid $75 for Nathan Fillion’s autograph. That’s normally far too rich for my blood, but his was the final Firefly cast member whose autograph my wife & I needed to have all 9 on the DVD’s.

      These days, if I attend a local con, I try to defray the costs…my wife & I volunteer to help with a non-profit vendor (Austin Browncoats…stop & buy from them if you see them at a con…proceeds benefit Joss Whedon’s principal charity of choice, Equality Now), saving admission, at least. And, I’m pickier about which media guests I get autographs from, as minimum prices seem to have risen to $40 (with some tacking on an additional charge for personalization).

      –Daryl

    2. I remember going to a Star Trek convention some ages ago and getting autographs from several of the cast members. It never have to pay for them.

      I suppose part of what has changed things is occurred to my young teen self that one would fans who get autographs just to increase the price they can sell the whatever for online. If a writer or artist adding their name to a comic increases it’s resale value, why shouldn’t they get some of it?

      1. I remember going to a Star Trek convention some ages ago and getting autographs from several of the cast members. It never would have occurred to my young teen self that one would have to pay for them.

        I suppose part of what has changed things is occurred to my young teen self that one would fans who get autographs just to increase the price they can sell the whatever for online. If a writer or artist adding their name to a comic increases it’s resale value, why shouldn’t they get some of it?

  5. Sounds reasonable Peter!

    I know, at Agemecon 5 I was having every one sign my con tee shirt, and I was joking with the B5 cast that this was the second most expensive tee shirt I had. When they asked me how much the most expensive one cost, I told them $100,000!

    Of course, I then added that a house came with it… 😉

  6. I’ve worked as a handler for a number of actors at conventions, and I understand why they charge. For a number of them, this is a source of income. In some cases, it is their only source of income for a show they did decades ago.

    When they started to see their autographed photos sold by third parties, they began to realize the value in charging. The nicest ones will spend time talking with the fans and making it a very personal experience.

    My writer friends don’t charge because they believe the autograph is a thank you for purchasing their book. And it encourages more book sales.

    I occasionally talk with actors who refuse to do comic book conventions because they are required to charge. They would rather give their autograph out for free. Perhaps they should contribute their portion to a charity of their choice.

    1. Oddly, I obtained autographs of the Big Names of the original TREK back in the early 70s, before they knew they’d have other sources of income. They didn’t charge. Wouldn’t have occurred to them.

      1. Same here. At a Star Trek convention in NYC waaay back in ’76 they had several of the actors at a table signing autographs. It never occurred to me that they’d charge for them, and on reflection I suspect it never would have occurred to them.

        It was just a nice personal memento to have of a brief interaction with the actors.

        Although now, with the signatures being seen by many fans as a way to increase the value of their books, comics, posters, DVDs, etc. rather than as that personal memento, I can’t blame the actors at all for getting in on the action.

  7. Two things to say about autographs and you, Peter.

    1) I met Bruce Lee when he played Kato. I got his autograph. I lost the autograph a week later. A few years later, I told my friends I met Bruce Lee and got his autograph. When I couldn’t show it to them, they called me a liar.

    When I was younger, I’d get the autograph out of respect and admiration for the person I was talking with. Then I’d show it off, as proof I met my idol. These days, my goal is to talk with my idol. The autograph itself became meaningless once I got past the age of proving myself to someone else. The people are more important – enjoy them. Thank them. Prove to THEM you’re their fan.

    2) At a convention, I bought three different issues of Fallen Angel for a customer of my shop, to finish his run. I walked by your booth (not knowing you HAD a booth there) and you seemed to recognize my face as a recurring fan. I mentioned I had copies I bought for my friend, and you jumped in and said, “Let me autograph them for him.” I hesitated a moment, then handed them over. You whipped out your silver marker and boldly wrote your ‘PAD’ on the front, which is what I feared would happen. I’m one of those guys who likes leaving the front cover pristine and I rather suspected my friend preferred that as well.

    When I got back to my shop and spoke with my friend, I put it this way: “The good news is, I managed to find all three of the issues you wanted.”

    “Oh, that’s great! Thanks!”

    “The bad news is, there’s some writing on the front cover.”

    “Ahh, maan… well, at least now I can read the whole thing.”

    I handed them over to him at that point. “Yeah, I got them autographed by Peter David.” I didn’t mention the precise mechanics of how that came about.

    “Oh, wow! Really!? That’s great!

    I’m glad I didn’t hesitate too long!

  8. Your policy seems like a pretty fair one.

    I’ve met you twice and had a couple items signed each time so it worked out well in my opinion.

  9. That sounds like a fine policy.
    Writers of stuff don’t have prints or originl art/sketches and such to sell at booths like artists do. So a tip jar is a fine thing to have!

    On a side note, Mr. David I am SO EXCITED to see that you are coming to the TIDEWATER Comicon in VA, next May. I have been a fan of yours since your first Hulk issue way back when. I have never had the chance to meet you, as I have two disabled children and I can’t travel without them. But I am only an hour away from the Tidewater event, so my wife and oldest daughter can tend to them long enough for me to finally meet you!!
    So Freaking Excited!! Can’t wait!!

  10. Hmm.

    Do you think we should put a sign or other notice up at MTP for shoreleave? (I think we have one in the program book)

  11. PAD:
    My firm represents sports and entertainment figures and we have a strong relationship with the NBA Retired Player’s Association. Here’s the standard advice we give about signatures: Since fame has a value, don’t devalue it. There’s an “A” and “B” signature. If Joe fan wants a signature for free, give him the “B” signature. If he’s paying, he gets the “A” signature. The “B” is generally an initial where the “A” is the full signature.

    1. “Since fame has a value, don’t devalue it.”

      Another way of looking at it is “if it weren’t for the fans, there would be no fame.” Back in the day, Isaac Asimov (a.k.a. The Good Doctor”) was about as famous as one could hope for in the SF/science writing field yet he’d happily pause in a hotel hallway (provided he wasn’t doing something else of course) and sign a book without thinking that he was devaluing himself by not charging for it.

      1. I have always been a big (that’s an understatement) fan of Asimov’s. And never more than when in Jr High. There wasn’t a book he wrote, fiction or non, that I wouldn’t hunt down and devour. So when I found out he was speaking at a local college there was no way I’d miss the chance to actually see him.

        As folks were still settling down in the smallish auditorium I noticed him come in and sit down in the first row. I managed to get up the nerve to approach him and left with personalized autographs in my copies of Pebble in the Sky, I, Robot and The Foundation.

        I’m sure it was a common and run-of-the-mill encounter for him, and that he realized it was anything but for me. Just thinking on those books to write this comment I remember how nice it was to get a moment to say hello and thank you to someone whose works I’d enjoyed so indescribably much. That’s the value they have. It would never occur to me to put some price on it.

        I wouldn’t even allude to the idea that celebrities “owe it to the fans” in some way. But I’m grateful the Good Doctor treated us as he did.

  12. I met you and your young daughter at c2e2 a couple of years ago.
    You were not charging but she was. She was doing fun little drawings for a dollar! She was a delight to talk to. Oh, and you were nice too! 🙂

  13. I wish all comic writers thought about this like you Peter.(I met you twice and I remember you doing something like Sean’s story the one time I went to SDCC) However, I have also seen people bring whole comic boxes up to be signed, and frankly can understand charging for that.
    Actors? as long as it’s reasonable. I’m not paying what I have heard Shatner charges for example.

  14. When I get autographs from creators I always ask to have it personalized, which I hope shows the creator that I don’t plan to turn around and sell it on eBay. of course I will have only 1 or 2 items signed at a time.

  15. I remember my first Dragon*Con where I brought a copy of X-Factor for you to sign and was floored you signed it for free. Had there been a tip jar, I would have tipped. You’re one of the good ones.

  16. I am the proud owner of autographed copies, signed at different times, of BUT I DIGRESS and MORE DIGRESSIONS. And should I ever get the chance to meet PAD again (I live in NC, which is hardly a big draw for comic book professionals), I’ll gladly donate to his tip jar while getting another book autographed.

  17. I’m noticing that quite a few writers are still not charging, but are selling samples of written work at their table. David Mack used to do a brisk business selling trades of “Kabuki” bundled at a significant discount. I enjoy when writers sell and autograph comic scripts, which is a neat “exclusive” you can only get by seeing them at conventions (and I can only assume is highly profitable to them as well, seeing as they seem to be printed at home). My only problem with the tip jar approach is that I would not have the slightest idea what is a fair amount for the experience of meeting a favorite author.

  18. The autograph fee is definitely frustrating if you are just seeking mementos and not looking for an investment. $40 to added a signature to something you already own can be a bitter pill to swallow if you don’t plan to sell the item afterwards. There actually are a few movie/TV people who won’t charge. The up and coming you can usually get for free. Thomas Jane wasn’t charging in 2010, and Lloyd Kaufman has been vocal against autograph fees.

    That said, you should always make sure that the person you get the autograph from know you appreciate it. That kind of payment, the thank you is mandatory I think.

  19. Fair enough, I’ll have to remember that. For me, it’s strange as the only people I’ve gotten autographs from are you, Bruce Campbell, Elvira (who called me a “pervert”, my life is complete) and Evan Dorkin. In your case, it was buying a bunch of books from you at NYCC and you asked if I’d like them autographed, which actually flustered me, as in my mind I thought that would be an imposition. Go figure. 🙂

    Also noticed an odd message on the Chiller Theatre convention website, officially denying that they “make” their guests charge for autographs, whereas I’ve heard various stories from the guests charging various fees because that’s how they break even on the trip.

    Speaking of Chiller, PAD: This month’s may be of interest to you – Bill Mumy and a “Lost in Space” reunion, as well as the incomparable Ron Ely 🙂

  20. I know there are many creators who do not charge for their autographs, but instead have a tip jar where the proceeds go to the CBLDF. This way, if someone really feels the need to pay, the money goes to a great cause.

  21. I had the pleasure to meet Peter David at a con or two back in the early 90’s, and have a few books that he was kind enough to autograph. One of them was the one he collaborated with three other authors on, the Next Gen novel Doomsday World, and the other three authors all happened to be at the same con. So that particular book is quite full of autographs!

    Of course, that was the good old days when most actors didn’t charge, either. I got quite a few autographs back in the day. Amusingly, the only two actor photos from back then that I still have hanging on my wall are two that at the time, I just got because the actors were there but I didn’t know who they were, and I only have since then become fans of their work and the show that they were both in: Lalla Ward and Nicola Bryant.

    Back then, only one actor ever tried to charge for an autograph, and since it was so uncommon at the time, I balked and never even bothered to try getting it. Of course, looking back, that was probably a mistake. Compared to what even the b- and c-listers charge at today’s cons, what Mr. Stewart was charging back then was probably quite reasonable!

    I don’t go to cons as much these days, and the few I have been to have happened to be anime cons. I’ve gotten a few nice autographs there (Spike Spencer, English dub voice of Shinji from Evangelion; Mari Ijima, original Japanese voice of Minmay from Macross/Robotech; Wantanabe “Nabeshin” Shinichi, afro-tastic director of Excel Saga) and none of them have ever charged.

    I quite like the idea of PAD’s tip jar, though. The autograph is free, as a way of saying, “I appreciate you enjoying my work.” And the tip jar is a great way to then say, “Thanks for the autograph, and know that your work is, indeed, appreciated!”

  22. Seems like a acceptable topic to post this on. I’ve met you twice at AggieCon (TX A&M Univeristy). The first time, my friends and I sang you your parody song, “For the Lord of Time”; coincidentally, the original was our roadtrip singalong. I was the one with the curly handlebar moustache.

    The next time was ’03; you chided me for not picking up the entire Psi-man set. Yes, it was a good deal, and yes, they were hard to find. But my money was tight so I bought just a bit of all the things I liked, including your book. Just wanted to let you know I eventually found the entire set, read, and enjoyed them. I enjoy all your stuff. I’ve even moved into the current century by getting your New Frontier even though I haven’t yet got an e-reader.

    Just wanted to say ‘hi’, and keep up the good work. You’re a favorite of mine and I reread Calhoun’s exploits as often as I reread Pratchett. You, he, and Max Collins maintain a constant presence on my bookshelves (I’m now on a read’n’release policy).

  23. OT: What is this salty discharge emanating from my eyes after reading the last page of Spidey 2099. Why you hurt me like this Peter David?

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