Where To Find Signed Books When You Can't Get to A Signing

You all know the envy; all of your friends are meeting and having their favorite authors sign their books, whether it's at Apollycon, RARE, YALLFEST, YALLWEST, Texas Book Festival, NOLA Storycon, or any other author event and you have major FOMO. But you just couldn't swing it this time. OR.. all of your bookish friends that live in New York or some other heavily populated city get to go to book signings all the time but nobody ever comes to your middle of nowhere hometown. You'd love the latest Sarah J. Maas (or whoever the case may be) book signed but you can't make it to a signing. 

You could ask a friend to buy you a copy, but what if they forget? What if they get sick and miss the signing? What if there's a massive Krispy Kreme pile-up on 5th Avenue and they get sidetracked??? Today I'm letting you in on the secret of how I have amassed so many signed books without ever attending an author event (except my own) and where you too can order signed books for yourself. 

1. Good Choice Reading Virtual Signings

Good Choice Reading is a blog run by Damaris Cardinali who host tons of virtual signings for popular YA Authors. How it works: You order a book from their blog, pay through PayPal, when the book comes out Damaris meets with the authors who then sign the books and then in the next few days after being signed your book is on its way to you! Good Choice Reading's Virtual Signings are open internationally and you can get the book personalized to you! 

Current Virtual Signings:

- The Wicked King (and The Cruel Prince) by Holly Black

- Shatter Me (and others) by Tahereh Mafi 

- Speak (and others) by Laurie Halse Anderson

- Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (and Forest of a Thousand Lanterns) by Julie C. Dao

- Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

- The Art of Losing by Lizzy Mason

2. Apollycon Virtual Signing

Similar to Good Choice Reading, the Apollycon Virtual Signing is open from September 1st, 2018 through January 15, 2019 with over 100 participating authors! Apollycon is an annual event occurring toward the end of March each year, so when you order from the virtual signing please note that you won't get your signed books until after the event in March 2019! This is a great way to spend your Christmas money!

Some Authors Participating This Year:

Sarah J. Maas

Wendy Higgins

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cora Carmack

Colleen Houck

Elise Kova

Kami Garcia

Katie McGarry

3. Books of Wonder 

Books of Wonder is an independent children's bookstore in New York City that hosts tons of author signings. You can preorder signed books ahead of release that will be signed at their author events then shipped to you or you can select an already released signed book from their online inventory which will be shipped to you right away. They also have a great selection of Middle Grade and Picture Books for younger children! How to know if a book is signed? On the book page it will say: "signed by."

Some of their Signed Preorders:

- Black Wings Beating by Alex London

- What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli 

- The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

- Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

4. Book People

Book People is an independent bookstore in Austin, Texas and while they have a smaller selection of signed books than Books of Wonder, they're super friendly and they ship quickly.

5. Powell's Books

Powell's Books calls itself the world's largest independent bookstore and they also hold a bunch of signing events, not only for YA genres but a broad spectrum of genres!

6. Author Websites

Sometimes authors, usually indie authors will sell signed copies of their books directly on their websites. Those that don't might point you in the direction of where you can find signed books by them, usually directing you to contact their local booksellers who will be happy to ship to you. 

Indie Authors Who Sell Books On Their Websites:

- D. Kelly

- Skye Malone

- Kendall Ryan

- Tyffany Hackett

- Jesikah Sundin

- Becky Moynihan 

7. Waterstones

Waterstones is a bookstore in the UK and of course they have a section of books that are special editions and signed copies. This is a great option if you want those awesome UK covers. I'm pretty sure that they ship to the US. 

8. Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble has a new section for signed books on their website. 

***Also, if you see an author post their book tour schedule on twitter, you could always contact a specific store and see if you can order a copy by phone to be signed and personalized by the author when on their tour stop.***

Do you have any signed books? Have you met some of your favorite authors or do you order from virtual signings like me?

Down the TBR Hole #4: Conquering my TBR

Down the TBR Hole is a weekly meme created and hosted by Lost in a Story.

How it works:

📚 Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.

📚 Order on ascending date added.

📚 Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books

📚 Read the synopses of the books

📚Decide: keep it or should it go?

The Books

Campfire by Shawn Sarles

I've tried getting into this book in both ebook and audiobook format and just couldn't. I don't know if it's the way it's written or the main character that I dislike but this one is a pass for me.

JUDGEMENT: Go

Men and Monsters by Elena May

I only added this book to my TBR because I entered a Goodreads for it but it's the second book in a series and I haven't read the first book so even though the blurb sounds good I think I'll try the first one first. 

JUDGEMENT: Go

The Ghosts of Dark Hollow by R. Saint Claire

This was another book I added because I entered a Goodreads giveaway and I didn't pay too close of attention since I like the cover. I'm kind of iffy about this one. Part of it sounds good, part sounds like something I'd DNF.

JUDGEMENT: Go

Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness

I love the All Souls Trilogy trilogy and I was surprised and excited when I found out about Time's Convert. I'm thrilled that Marcus is getting his own book!

JUDGEMENT: Stay

East by Edith Pattou

This book isn't what I thought it was going to be so I'm removing it from my TBR list. I love Charlie Bowater's beautiful cover art but that's not even enough to sway me. 

JUDGEMENT: Go

TBR Status:

Books Deleted: 4

TBR Count: 12

I'm done cutting my TBR list! All the books that remain are either preordered and I plan to read in the near future or are unreleased but I plan to read in the next year. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Institutions of Learning

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Bookish Schools

With schools going back in session soon, this week's TTT is a freebie for back to school and I've decided to list books with boarding schools in them. Weirdly, I always secretly dreamed of going away to boarding school when I was a kid. It looked so cool. But it probably isn't... Anyway, these ten schools are in faraway places, dark and broody places, full of magic, and mythical beings. Some you'd love to get sent to, others could be your worse nightmare. Let's start the list with...

1. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Harry Potter Series)

2. The Fortune School (Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach)

3. Winterhaven (Haven by Krisi Cook)

4.St. Vladimir's Academy(Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead)

5. The Little Palace (Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo)

6. RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

7. (School of America in Paris) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

8. Easton Academy (Private by Kate Brian)

9. Sword and Cross (Fallen Series by Lauren Kate)

10. The School of Exorcists (School of Exorcists Series by K.E. O'Connor)

What are some of your favorite bookish schools? Did any of your favorites make the list? Would you want to attend any of the ones listed?

Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

Happy Reading Bookdragons!

#BookTag Saturday: Meet the Book Blogger Tag

This is a play on the #meetthebookstagrammer tag on Instagram.

 1. Where Are You From?

Shawano, Wisconsin

2. When did you start your book blog?

July 26, 2015

3. Author or Publisher?

As an indie author, I'm both author and publisher, which means my day is never done!

4. Standalone or Series?

Series most of the time, but I do love a good standalone.

5. Where in the world do you want to travel most?

Ireland.

6. Author who inspires you?

Sarah J. Maas and Wendy Higgins drive me to become a better writer.

7. Cats or Dogs?

Cats!

8. Favorite Movie?

Elvis and Anabelle or Crimson Peak

9. Biggest Fear?

Death or Never having the type of life I want. Being restricted, contained.

#BookTag Saturday: The Bookstore Book Tag

This Saturday I'm sitting inside avoiding the rain, heat, and humidity to share this week's #BookTag Saturday post. This week I'm tackling...

Book Tag Originally Found On: Basically Britt's Booktube

1. The beginning of your trip you walk into a bookstore and you instantly feel happy: 

Name a book that has the perfect beginning

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco. This book grabbed me by the front of my shirt and held onto me from the first sentence. 

2. That sad moment when they don't have the book you were looking for:

Name a book that made you bawl your eyes out

Just an Illusion: EP by D. Kelly. Bring tissues! Bring chocolate! Bring vodka! You're going to need it! 

3. That moment you're just looking around and find a random book that just speaks to you:

Name a hidden gem

Trust by Kylie Scott - such a fantastic book! I can't gush about it enough!

4. That moment you finally find the book that you were looking for:

Name a book that you've waited months and months for to be released

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas - not sure I've anticipated a book that much EVER!

5. That moment you see a book with a gorgeous cover and you just have to have it:

Name a book you bought purely because of it's cover

Uprooted by Naomi Norvik - Plus I needed more yellow books for my Bookstagram!

6. That moment you have to pay a lot of money for your books but still feel very happy you finally have them:

Name a book that made you suffer, but you were still happy about it

Paper Princess by Erin Watt - plus Broken Prince & Twisted Palace. They're not kidding when the book says "these Royals will ruin you!"

7. Walking out of the bookstore feeling super happy and excited:

Name a book with the perfect ending

The Architect of Song by A. G. Howard - I like how it all came together!