Might it be cheaper out of Cleveland, Columbus, or Pittsburgh airports?
Would the author's tour be scheduled somewhere closer to Ohio, drivable distance?

I've never been to a book signing. Probably would only consider going to one in my local town.

Would it be worth it to you to "bite the bullet" and pay the $380? It could be your summer splurge. Driving alone does not sound like a good option, and the bus sounds a bit rough--so long sitting.

Have you checked out your author's other appearances?

I wish you could go. I know it would mean a lot to you.

I didn't check other airports, thought it would be nice to use the CAK since it was closer. The author, Lindsey Davis, is from the UK and will only be in the US, in Minneapolis, on July 19th for the book signing. Only one. Wonder why she chose Minneapolis?

If I would have known sooner, I may have planned ahead. Thanks for the suggestions.

socks, I don't have much experience booking flights, but from what I saw on those I searched, the time I arrived and departed Minneapolis wouldn't work out. I'd miss the signing. Unless - I stayed a couple days. My ideal would be to arrive in the morning of the 19th, leave late at night or sometime after the 7pm. signing. Guess that's alot to ask for.

It must really be a favorite author!

Spending hundreds of dollars (whether gas, airfare or bus) and days of time for probably less than 5 minutes interaction with someone? Thinking about it, you'd be lucky to get more than 1 minute - just long enough to sign the book.

Nope, I wouldn't.

Mary could be right, Schoolhouse. You would have to prepare yourself for that possibility. I noticed it is a talk and signing though. I wonder if they are going to video the talk.

If you decide to go, I would stay in touch with the bookstore in case there is a last-minute cancellation. She is a woman of a certain age, so things happen, right?

I looked at her books on Amazon and added the Silver Pig to my wish list. I bet you have read them all.

There is not a living being in the world I would travel to see unless they are a personal friend. Life's too short but if that is what you want to do have fun.

Now I'm curious as to who the author may be and yes I've gone out of my way to meet favorite authors. I have met Truman Capote and John Updike, two of my all time favorites.

You're right, socks. I've read the entire series of 21 books, finished "Nemisis" yesterday afternoon, sigh. I'll be lost for awhile without Marcus Didius Falco! And I know you will enjoy them, some people pick and read random books from a series, but I never can do that. I have to start from the beginning. All the titles can be found at your local library, and if they don't have it on the shelves they'll bring them in from another library for you, mine did.

mary and wildchild, I've been known to do things that seem crazy to others. Traveling out of state to see favorite bands, even to Toronto to hear my favorite Italian pop star -Eros Rammozzotti in concert. Like I said, my SO and I had some great fun times together. But, I AM getting older and not so spontaneous. Ahh, youth.

Sensible advice about arriving and the author being a no-show. Didn't think of that. yayagal, you met Turman Capote? How exciting! Updike would be cool, too.

I guess I'm kind of like wildchild. Heck, I wouldn't even drive ten minutes to Colonial Williamsburg to see the Queen when she was here. On the other hand I think it's great that you're willing and want to do this. A little crazy maybe, but great. I would hope that if you're investing that much money to travel somewhere to see someone for a minute or two that you would allow an extra day or two to see the local sights. Yes, it would be a little more money but chalk it up as a vacation treat.

I saw a notice that one of my fave authors were appearing in MPLS, I live about 175 miles north. I would have dearly loved to have gone to meet him, but there is no way I would drive by myself in the twin city area. When I first discovered his books, I emailed him and got a nice answer. That impressed me. I see he has a new book coming out soon, One nice things about living in a small town, area, is, the Librarians get to know us and our preferences. I didn't know about his last book coming out, but when our library got it, they called me and gave me first dibs on it. Oh, his name is William Kent Krueger.

Schoolhouse, that's great that you're even contemplating this.
I like the suggestions that's been offered, as well as the caution....sickness etc.

Ina Garten was in Toronto a couple of years ago for a signing. This was her first time to Canada. I would love to have gone, but figured with my luck, there'd be such a line-up that it would be over before I even got to see her. I really don't like crowds and I don't know how we'd like standing for a few hours in the line-up.

She WAS surprised at the amount of people. She didn't know that she was that well-liked here I guess.

I've never been to a book signing. I hate crowds. So I don't believe I ever will go.

Schoolhouse, I know it's not too likely that you will go now, but if you just want to check further, call a travel agency or AAA if you are a member to verify flights and the cost. No commitment there.

You have a great interest in her and the series after having read so many of her books. I've been to a few book talks/signings, and it's really fun to meet the authors in person. Sometimes they are different than you think.

One last thought: It might satisfy something in you to email her to tell her that even though she is in your "neck of the woods" you are so sorry not to be able to make it to her talk and how much you have enjoyed her books. I'm sure she would be pleased to hear from a fan. Her page is below, and you can use the "contact us" link to email her directly. She says she reads her own email.

If it still pains you not to go, then taking the bus isn't impossible, right? (Take a long book! LOL!)

P.S. My library does have Silver Pig.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lindsey Davis web page

I hope you do get the opportunity to go. Good luck.

Have you ever been to a book signing? My girlfriend promised me lunch if I would accompany her to a Rachel Ray demonstration and signing at Kitchen Kapers years ago -even before her TV show aired.

We arrived 2 hours early and they were loads of people ahead of us. We had to buy the books in advance and then hold them until the demonstration was over and the signing began. What a waste of time - Rachel didn't really do much, everything had been prepped and the finished product sitting there. She vaguely gave out instructions and half halfheartedly dumped the ingredients into the pan. Then the signing began and it was over in seconds - she barely had time to lift her head to look at us to ask our names.

My girlfriend gave me 2 lunches! LOL

My library has done book signings before that were much nicer. The author gives a real presentation and usually opens it up for Q & A afterwards. The the signings begin. Sometimes the author has already signed his work and then all he/she needs to do is write your name at the top - the nicest authors will then speak to you for a moment or at least thank you, some will even ask you to comment on something in the book.

However most of the time is just rush-rush-rush and many of the fans feel slightly cheated afterwards.

Yes, I visit her website often, usually to check to see what's new; but alas she insists no more Falco mysteries.

Never have been to a book signing, thanks for the heads up on what one could expect. It would be my luck to not get a book signed, I'm somewhat backward when on my own. ha. And like I said, my days of driving miles by myself are over.
That is a good idea to check with AAA, socks. I've been a member for years, never even thought to check with them. Maybe next time.

You had to buy a book before the signing? Hmmmm. I wonder if that's what Davis would expect also? I don't actually own any of the books, I borrowed them all from the library.
I think I may buy the "Marcus Didius Falco Companion" book just for a keepsake,though. In fact I'm going to check on Amazon right now.

I doubt I'd drive ten minutes to see the Queen of England. Too much hassle traveling these days. One of my favs, Lisa Scotteline was five minutes from my house at a B&N last year, so I did go there. She is very friendly and I did not buy a book since i get them in the library. Very easy access to her. She even had her dogs. I like her a lot.

shoot tried amtrack but they're sold out, out of cleveland...

while you don't exactly get away from the traffic, the drive north thru chicago on I 294 isn't "bad"...and once you get past o'hare airport it moves quite well...know it's not fun staying alone, but places like the comfort inn are ok...in fact, checked and there's one in tomah wi...get a good night's sleep and off to minn the next am early...(and you could book a room on return the next day)

lol the last book signing i went to was for jeff smith, the frugal gourmet, and then he had such bad publicity...

susanjf, you are so nice to have checked that info for me! As I mentioned before, I am not so fearless anymore, I'd probably have a stress attack driving thru Chicago. I do have a cousin who lives there, she's a jazz singer. Her name is Alison Ruble (has a website also). I bet Jeff Smith's signing was memorable. lol.

I purchased "Falco: The Official Companion" from Amazon just a few minutes ago - in hardcover so less. Usually I only buy paperbacks. In case anyone is interested, here is the list, in order of publication, of the titles in the series. I said I had read "all 21", well I should have said "all 20". The companion novel is number 21.
The Silver Pigs (1989)
Shadows in Bronze (1990)
Venus in Copper( 1991)
The Iron Hand of Mars (1992)
Poseidon's Gold (1993)
Last Act in Palmyra (1994) - my favorite of all
Time to Depart (1995)
A Dying Light in Corduba (1996)
Three Hands in the Fountain (1997)
Two for the Lions (1998) - my second favorite
One Virgin Too Many (1999)
Ode to a Banker (2000)
A Body in the Bath House (2001)
The Jupiter Myth (2002)
The Accusers (2003)
Scandal Takes a Holiday (2004)
See Delphi and Die(2005)
Saturnalia(2007)
Alexandria(2009)
Nemesis(2010)

Looks like she's making quite a few appearances in Spain, but only one in the U.S. What's up with that?

I was thinking the train would be easiest and less expensive, but that may have already been mentioned.

Hi schoolhouse,

Having travelled that route on other occasions, originally in 1957 ... I was almost tempted to offer to drive with you ... but it's a bit of a trip to Akron/Canton ...

... and I'd want, after Minneapolis ... to travel to Saskatchewan to visit by brother ...

... and once one passes that "80" milestone, the travel medical expenses get rather high.

If you choose to go - just lay the blame on having contracted that "second childhood" (shouldn't call it "disease" ... would you settle for "syndrome"?).

If you choose to go - good wishes for a safe, pleasant and satisfying journey.

ole joyful

Well, thanks ole joyful. I live near Wooster, would that be a little closer for you? ha. Isn't it funny how when you are younger nothing seems impossible? I'm only 58, but I sure think long and hard about things now. Darn it.

I love train travel, used to do that too. Went clear to Victorville California to visit my brother one time. But, I had Mom along, she was the one that grabbed my arm and ran to catch the transfer train in Chicago or we would have missed it! My SO and I took the bus to Quebec City to see a favorite SkA band from France, I loved it there.

Schoolhouse - If the book signing is held at a book store you will probably have to purchase a book from them - that's a money maker for them. Perhaps call them on the phone to find out if that's a requirement.

When we went to Kitchen Kapers for Rachel Ray we had to purchase a new book directly from Kitchen Kapers. They did allow us to order it over the phone and give them a credit card number so that the one we wanted was available and waiting for us the day of the signing.

Furthermore the author usually receives a greater percentage of the sale from the signing events.

maire, thanks for that tip. Just realized I don't own any of the books (except the one I ordered today), so I wouldn't have any for her to sign! They probably want a person to buy the new one she just had published, which isn't a Falco mystery anyway; but it does state on her website that she'll sign one other book so make sure you choose wisely.

Wooster hosts a book fair at the OARDC campus every year, quite a few authors come to greet and meet their fans and sign copies of their books. Huge turn out every year. I only went once to look around and everyone was friendly and sold alot of books.

You absolutely have to buy the current book, and you have to buy it from that bookstore. The store employees won't even let you in line if you haven't.

Neither the store nor the author are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. The author is promoting the current book, and the store hopes to sell a boatload of them.