( Note: The other related question is “Why get a copy of a signed book,” but that didn’t apply to this scenario, if you interpret that question to mean, “Why buy a signed copy?”) “Why are you getting your copy of the book signed?” So, after Malcolm told an illustrative story about a domineering rich lady, Alva Vanderbuilt, becoming a leader for the womens’ right-to-vote movement, I had a whole theater-full of people to ask. Malcolm Gladwell presenting, San Rafael, CA – 0 (All 400 of us!) The organizer even made a quip about how the value of a signed copy is better than an investment in the stock market. The organizers, a local book store called The Book Passage, promised we could queue up after the talk and get our books signed. Everyone who bought a ticket was given a copy of the book. I was at a presentation by Malcolm Gladwell, for his David and Goliathbook tour. Recently, I had a chance to find out why. I guess I can’t have your signature.” ( This point is probably part of the ongoing discussion out there about digital rights and value.) What was going on in that person’s mind? My curiosity grew when another fellow said sadly, “Oh. I was also bemused–not that I wasn’t familiar with the behavior, but why would a person ask me to sign their copy of my book? It seemed to be a habitual thing: people who have a hardcopy of the book with them when they encounter the author ask for a signature. When I was a new author, one of the more disorienting experiences was the first time someone came up to me with their copy of my book and asked me to sign it.