Event Requests & FAQ

BookPeople is proud to host over 300 events every year. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated.

How do I get an event hosted at BookPeople?

We receive hundreds of event requests a month, and therefore cannot accept every inquiry. As a rule of thumb, we prefer to host events that meet these requirements:

  • In most cases, the proposed event date should be within a month of publication date. We require at least 2-3 months notice to accept and plan your event. Please keep in mind our calendar dates are often booked months in advance and we cannot guarantee availability on your desired date.
  • We must be able to purchase the book through our traditional suppliers. For consignment titles, please email our consignment buyer Michael McCarthy (businessaccounts@bookpeople.com) before submitting a request to ensure we are able to stock your book.

We especially encourage authors who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and/or neurodiverse to submit requests. We are committed to supporting underserved communities in the publishing industry, which has historically been white, cis, and male.

If your event meets the terms listed above, please fill out our Event Request Form.

Can I bring a previously purchased book to get signed at a BookPeople event?

To get a book signed, we ask that the book be purchased from BookPeople. By purchasing a book from BookPeople, you are not only supporting a local, independent business, but you are also showing publishers that they should continue sending authors to BookPeople. Plus, you wouldn't bring your own beer to a bar, would you?

What are signing line tickets?

For events where we expect large crowds, we may give out signing line tickets to those who have purchased a book from BookPeople and would like to get it signed. Signing line tickets (or wristbands) help to keep lines orderly and running smoothly. If tickets are required for the signing line, we will include information in that event's specific page found on our website's calendar of events.

If I can’t attend an event, can I still buy a ticket and get a signed book?

If you cannot attend an event but would still like your book to be signed, please order the book through our website and put your request in the comment field. Note that some events may not guarantee signed books with a ticket purchase due to the availability of the author. If you have questions about a specific title or event, email online@bookpeople.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

What is the difference between a signed bookplate and signed book?

Good question. A signed bookplate is a signed piece of paper with a back adhesive to sticker onto your book. Think of it like a sticker with the author’s signature! Since many authors can’t travel to visit bookstores in person, they often send us signed bookplates which we can mail along with your book or offer in store!

How can I find out about signed copies?

Many ways! You can visit our signed books home page where you’ll find options for adults, kids, & teens. If an event has signed stock available, we’ll make sure to include that on the event page. And if you’re visiting our store, look out for our signed copy sticker on the cover of the book. If you're not sure whether we have signed books or bookplates available, you can always ask in the comments section of your online order!

How can I make sure that the copy I am buying will be signed?

Including as much relevant information in the comments section of your order is the way to go! We will let you know if signed copies become unavailable.

An author event page says the author will be personalizing books. Does that mean I can also get a special message inscribed in the book, as well as a personalized name?

Maybe. Many authors love to personalize their books for their fans, and some will also write inscriptions. This varies depending on the author. When we know in advance what an author will or will not be able to do, we will make every effort to include this type of information on the author’s event page. Just make sure to include any requests in the comments section of your online order!

What else can I type in the comments section?

Any information you think is pertinent to your order that we don’t otherwise have.

  • If an author is personalizing books, you should leave the name you’d like the book personalized to.
  • You can let us know you will, or won’t, be attending the event.
  • If you are unsure about how something works, ask us!
  • And, of course, we accept accolades and other notes of endearment, because they make us feel good and we love them!

I’m attending the event, but I’d like the book mailed to me so I can start reading the book beforehand. Can you do that?

It all depends on the event. In most cases, we will mail out your book as soon as your order is processed. There might be cases where the book has not been published yet, or we haven't received our shipment of signed copies. You can always follow up with us if you have any questions!

How long will it take for my signed book to arrive after an event?

Well, that depends. For domestic shipments, USPS Media Mail and UPS Ground can take 6-10 days, and you also have to factor in the time it takes to pack and ship the books. In many cases if only a few signed books need to be shipped after a signing event, they’ll be packed and shipped within 24-48 hours of the event.

However, with large events we may have dozens, or even hundreds, of books to ship. It can take several days to get them all out the door. If you are an international customer, in addition to all of the above, the customs times in different countries can vary a great deal, as well as local carrier delivery times. It’s difficult to know just how long it will take to get your order from our door to yours. If you have specific event book questions, email us at online@bookpeople.com.

Is there a cut-off time for purchasing books or tickets online for signing events?

For in-person events, we will allow in-store book and ticket sales up to 15 minutes before the start time of the event as long as we have the stock available. We always recommend buying your ticket early to ensure access to the signing line. Note: If you’re ordering a book online within two hours of the event, calling the store to put it on hold will be faster than waiting for an internet order to be processed.