A bad trend that seems to be growing more and more in the comic con circuit is the charging for autograph! I'm not talking about meeting a celebrity and getting a picture signed... i'm talking about comic creators charging for autographs. I know this is becoming a growing issue and i just wanna add my two cents...
I DON'T LIKE IT! Why? For the simple reason that I love to get comics signed by creators because it gives me the opportunity to meet them, and not feel totally awkward. The second and most important reason is that I have bought the book,. read the book, enjoyed the book and now I get a creator signature to bring the circle to a close.
At the last few shows I have seen this trend on the rise.. and it's not the 'hot' creators that are doing it... it's the so called 'legends' that seem to think this is a good idea. At recent shows I couldn't wait to meet certain creators and was completely put off by the signs that said $5.00 per signature". Why? Are you that in need of money? Do you realize how you make your fans feel that don't know this until they get up to you? And when word travels at the shows... it isn't in flattering terms. I also think it makes other creators suffer because fans begin to assume EVERYONE charges.
I love getting my books signed, it's one of my favorite things to do at a show... but lately i'm feeling soured about it.
Now i'm not talking about the creator that is collecting for a charity like ACTOR or something of their own choosing... i'm talking about the folks that think they are selling the memory of meeting them. Your 'memory' and sadly... your legacy is now a bit tarnished.
If a creator is worried about someone profiting from a signature... limit what people can give you. Five books free, the rest... a buck a signature. that seems fair. And i'm willing to bet you will sell more if people are at your table waiting to sign your free books.
I was a bit embarrassed at a con recently because i had people (at lest twenty) ask me if there was a charge for my signature in my books. Why would I charge? You are buying my books and talking to me.
This is not meant to start a war because I know we have people that stand on both sides of this issue, it's just a fans opinion.