Regretfully, book signings by mail discontinued

It is with great reluctance that I am rescinding my offer to sign books mailed to my Santa Barbara post office box. As you know, this is a practice I instituted years ago as a courtesy to faithful readers. Of necessity, my book tours are limited, which means there are many cities and stores I simply can’t reach. By permitting you to mail books, I had hoped to provide a service for those who wanted books signed or personalized, but had no other means of access.

The current problem is two-fold; the first being sheer numbers.
On my website, I suggested that you mail no more than six books at a time, which most of you have been careful to do. While we’ve appreciated your cooperation, if you imagine your shipment multiplied by twenty to thirty per month, you’ll see the magnitude of the difficulties we face. With the appearance of each new book, the number of boxes and mailing pouches climbs to seventy or more per month. As a result, when I returned to California after the ‘T’ IS FOR TRESPASS tour, there were easily two hundred books stacked up in my office, awaiting my attention.

In logistical terms, with every visit to the post office, my assistant, Barbara Toohey, fills the trunk, the rear seat, and half the front seat of her car. Once she arrives at my office, books are unpacked, signed, repacked, sealed, and loaded in her car again, at which point, she reverses the process. Since she can only carry an armload of packages at a time, she makes numerous trips in and out of the post office, where the lines are long and slow-moving, especially during the holidays. Given the fact that she has a full-time job beyond the help she gives me, she can hardly keep up with the demand. Even after thirteen years of this, she’s not complaining. I’m the one stepping forward, trying to relieve her of an ever-escalating burden.

Which brings me to the second issue; that of book dealers.

Over the years, I’ve cheerfully signed countless copies of my books for dealers who arrive whenever I’m scheduled to appear. I’ve appreciated your patience in waiting your turn while I’m signing the twenty to thirty books such dealers present for my signature. That practice, too, I intend to curtail.

My offer to sign books by mail was never intended for book sellers because of the heavy volume. I will certainly consider signing a book if a special occasion warrants the exception. Thanks for your understanding.