My million dollar idea: Autographed ebooks.

HistoryWes · 12-07-2011, 01:50 PM

One of the complaints that I frequently hear about ebooks is that you can't get an autographed one. Of course how many of our paper books are autographed by the author? Anyway, I was thinking about it and came up with this idea. Feel free to use it or modify it.

Print a picture of the cover of the book. This could be playing card size, postcard size, whatever. Then the front or back could be autographed-- the back would be best for personalizing. Then print the download address on the back of the cover picture.

This could be done two ways. You could just print the download url and hope that the person getting the autograph downloads and pays for the book. Or you could charge for the book as you give the autograph, and then include a coupon code along with the url, so that the person with the autograph could get the ebook at no charge.

This is such a simple idea that I'm sure somebody must have thought of it before. The downside is of course, that there is one more expense in printing the picture, but on the plus side, maybe that cover picture would end up being displayed somewhere instead of being hidden away in an ereader.

teh603 · 12-08-2011, 08:47 AM

I think BookieJar.com has some kind of ebook autographing system.

Skip_intro · 12-08-2011, 09:35 AM

Here's an idea to go along with that.

Put the book on a SD card / memory stick.
Perhaps load some extras on the device - samples of other books, an audio message from the author etc. Add as much value as possible.
Attach to your autographed book cover as described above.
If you use a memory stick, cover that in some artwork too.
If you use an SD card, put some artwork in the plastic case, possibly like a miniature of the book itself?
Sell item.

Probably a bit over engineered, but you never know, eh?

nookkatz · 12-08-2011, 11:37 AM

I have an ebook where the author signed the title page and added a nice personal note using a graphics tablet.

Suzanna · 12-08-2011, 12:47 PM

Kindlegraph offers an author autographing system.

JSWolf · 12-08-2011, 01:21 PM

Diane Duane offers her eBooks signed.

Nancy Fulda · 12-12-2011, 10:25 AM

What a fascinating idea.

jaxx6166 · 12-13-2011, 10:47 PM

We had an author do a digital book signing event here on MobileRead not too long ago. It was a nice time.

The author interacted with the forum and did a whole bunch of personalizations

VydorScope · 12-14-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teh603

I think BookieJar.com has some kind of ebook autographing system.

Yep it does. You draw your sig on a tablet and upload it to be used.

JSWolf · 12-14-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Yep it does. You draw your sig on a tablet and upload it to be used.

Better yet, on paper and scan it.

VydorScope · 12-14-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Better yet, on paper and scan it.

If you have a scanner, sure. I have tablet and a pen for it so that makes my way better

John Carroll · 12-15-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Better yet, on paper and scan it.

Actually, the tablet is kinda fun. Plus I can use it in GIMP while making the covers, which gives me more control over some of the effects. Plus, I hate scanners. They never seem to work properly. :P

VydorScope · 12-15-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carroll

Actually, the tablet is kinda fun. Plus I can use it in GIMP while making the covers, which gives me more control over some of the effects. Plus, I hate scanners. They never seem to work properly. :P

I wish I had a real graphics pen/tablet. What I have is an Android tablet and a pen for it. No where near as sensitive as a Wacom or something.

John Carroll · 12-15-2011, 09:19 PM

I was able to get the Wacom tablet a few months ago off my writing income for a month. It was on sale for $69 at the time though. http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-CTL460-B...001893&sr=8-10

It's really nice. I hope you'll be able to get one soon.

12-07-2011, 01:50 PM	#1
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 625 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	My million dollar idea: Autographed ebooks. One of the complaints that I frequently hear about ebooks is that you can't get an autographed one. Of course how many of our paper books are autographed by the author? Anyway, I was thinking about it and came up with this idea. Feel free to use it or modify it. Print a picture of the cover of the book. This could be playing card size, postcard size, whatever. Then the front or back could be autographed-- the back would be best for personalizing. Then print the download address on the back of the cover picture. This could be done two ways. You could just print the download url and hope that the person getting the autograph downloads and pays for the book. Or you could charge for the book as you give the autograph, and then include a coupon code along with the url, so that the person with the autograph could get the ebook at no charge. This is such a simple idea that I'm sure somebody must have thought of it before. The downside is of course, that there is one more expense in printing the picture, but on the plus side, maybe that cover picture would end up being displayed somewhere instead of being hidden away in an ereader. __________________ His Robot Wife-- The long awaited sequel to His Robot Girlfriend. 99 cents at Smashwords: Click Here. 99 cents at the Kindle Store: Click Here.

12-08-2011, 09:35 AM	#3
Skip_intro Culture Eccentric Posts: 71 Karma: 10000 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South of Heaven, East of Eden Device: Sony PRS-T1 Red	Here's an idea to go along with that. Put the book on a SD card / memory stick. Perhaps load some extras on the device - samples of other books, an audio message from the author etc. Add as much value as possible. Attach to your autographed book cover as described above. If you use a memory stick, cover that in some artwork too. If you use an SD card, put some artwork in the plastic case, possibly like a miniature of the book itself? Sell item. Probably a bit over engineered, but you never know, eh? __________________ My 50 Books for 2012

12-08-2011, 11:37 AM	#4
nookkatz Tuxedo Cats! Posts: 208 Karma: 63575 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nooks and iThings	I have an ebook where the author signed the title page and added a nice personal note using a graphics tablet. __________________ Join Dropbox and get 500 MB of free space. I'll get free space, too, if you use this link (click the logo). Thanks!

12-08-2011, 12:47 PM	#5
Suzanna Living in the past Posts: 412 Karma: 6011289 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura, Kobo Arc	Kindlegraph offers an author autographing system. __________________ Twitter ~ Website ~ Facebook

12-08-2011, 01:21 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 34,660 Karma: 14439052 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-650, iPad, nook STR	Diane Duane offers her eBooks signed. __________________ Jon 2013 Reading List

12-08-2011, 08:47 AM	#2
teh603 Snarky Snark Posts: 1,105 Karma: 5830757 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Coastal Texas Device: Asus TF300	I think BookieJar.com has some kind of ebook autographing system.

12-12-2011, 10:25 AM	#7
Nancy Fulda I write stories. Posts: 537 Karma: 9401448 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Germany Device: kindle	What a fascinating idea.

12-13-2011, 10:47 PM	#8
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,223 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	We had an author do a digital book signing event here on MobileRead not too long ago. It was a nice time. The author interacted with the forum and did a whole bunch of personalizations

12-15-2011, 09:19 PM	#14
John Carroll kookoo Posts: 867 Karma: 6504352 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cripple Creek Device: Kindle Touch, Nook	I was able to get the Wacom tablet a few months ago off my writing income for a month. It was on sale for $69 at the time though. http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-CTL460-B...001893&sr=8-10 It's really nice. I hope you'll be able to get one soon. __________________ Writer, Father of kids, husband of a wife, friend of emo bunnies I discuss writing on my blog: http://ryallon.blogspot.com/ Rojuun, Dralin, Alien Coffee, A Collection of Stories for Demented Children, The Emo Bunny that Should

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Digital Textbook Startup Inkling Nabs ‘Multi-Million Dollar’ Investment From McGraw-H	guyjack	enTourage Archive	19	03-28-2011 01:44 PM
A Million Dollar Ebook Experiment - Too Dangerous?	Daniel A Roberts	General Discussions	14	01-24-2011 01:24 PM
PRS-900 The $60 Million Dollar Question.....who stocks it???	DougFNJ	Sony Reader	15	01-19-2010 09:33 PM
World eBook Fair - Over 2 Million eBooks To Choose From For Free one month	Tdew	Deals, Freebies, and Resources (No Self-Promotion)	5	07-13-2009 03:22 PM
Once again..the million dollar question!	rhari79	Which one should I buy?	8	02-25-2009 09:38 AM


Advertisement Enthusiast