Celebrity Signing Information (UK)
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:43 pm
Could this be stickied please? It might be useful for autograph hunters like myself that are looking to meet celebrities in person.
Here are some sites for stores that regularly hold celebrity book, CD etc signings. These sites have information about all the upcoming in-store events including dates, times, and how to guarantee entry to the signing.
WH Smith http://www.whsmith.co.uk/Support/InStoreSignings.aspx - usually book signings. Upcoming signings include Kelly Osbourne, JLS, Alan Titchmarsh and Terry Wogan.
Waterstones http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesw ... entHome.do - book signings as well as 'question and answer' and meet and greet style events. Upcoming signings include Jacqueline Wilson, Al Murray, John Barrowman and Justin Lee Collins.
HMV http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1080 - hosts CD and book signings as well as intimate, and often free, gigs. Has recently hosted big names such as Lady Gaga and Paramore. Upcoming signings include Peter Andre, Dizzee Rascal, Basshunter and Nicola Benedetti.
I don't know of any other stores that regularly host in store events but I'll post them here if I find them.
My Do's and Don'ts For Signings
I've been to a few signings myself and if you're heading to your first one, here's my advice
DO
* Get there early. If it's an event where wristbands are being given away to gain access, make sure you get there well in advance of the time stated. You have to judge it by the celebrity - if it's a celebrity that is very popular at the moment, or one that has a hardcore fanbase, you can bet that fans will be arriving hours before or even camping overnight to make sure they get to be first in the queue. For a very popular celebrity, I recommend getting there at least 2 hours before wristbands are given out. If it's a little-known celebrity or a small time author, it's still recommended that you get there an hour before, if you want to guarantee yourself a wristband.
* Make the most of your time with the celebrity. Celebrities have a limited time slot for the signing and you will find you get rushed along very quickly! The best thing about getting in-person autographs is getting to meet the celebrity yourself, so if there's something you want to ask them or tell them, make sure you do!
* Bring friends with you. It is likely that you will be in the queue for an hour or so at least, and the wait does get boring. If you have to attend the signing alone, make sure you bring something to entertain you like an iPod, games console etc. And wear appropriate clothes if you're likely to be queuing outside in cold or wet weather, there's nothing worse than having to meet the celebrity soaking wet or having to leave before you get to meet them because you're too cold!
DON'T
* Take more than two items for a celebrity to sign, particularly if it's a very busy signing. Some signings will limit it to one item per person, so if that's the case, make sure you follow the rules. Some stores will also limit the signing to a particular item, for example the celebrity's latest book or album, but if this is the case you'll usually be able to buy that item in store on the day.
* Ask the celebrity to pose for a photograph with you if the signing requests you not to take photos. You put pressure on the celebrity to oblige, and it isn't fair on the people waiting their turn behind you. If in doubt, make sure you ask a member of security or a store assistant first if it's OK to take photos with or of the celebrity.
* Get starstruck! Most celebrities feel uncomfortable if fans start crying or hyperventilating. Just be calm and enjoy the minute or so you have with the celebrity. They are meeting fans all the time and are used to it, so there is no need to feel nervous around them.
Here are some sites for stores that regularly hold celebrity book, CD etc signings. These sites have information about all the upcoming in-store events including dates, times, and how to guarantee entry to the signing.
WH Smith http://www.whsmith.co.uk/Support/InStoreSignings.aspx - usually book signings. Upcoming signings include Kelly Osbourne, JLS, Alan Titchmarsh and Terry Wogan.
Waterstones http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesw ... entHome.do - book signings as well as 'question and answer' and meet and greet style events. Upcoming signings include Jacqueline Wilson, Al Murray, John Barrowman and Justin Lee Collins.
HMV http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1080 - hosts CD and book signings as well as intimate, and often free, gigs. Has recently hosted big names such as Lady Gaga and Paramore. Upcoming signings include Peter Andre, Dizzee Rascal, Basshunter and Nicola Benedetti.
I don't know of any other stores that regularly host in store events but I'll post them here if I find them.
My Do's and Don'ts For Signings
I've been to a few signings myself and if you're heading to your first one, here's my advice
DO
* Get there early. If it's an event where wristbands are being given away to gain access, make sure you get there well in advance of the time stated. You have to judge it by the celebrity - if it's a celebrity that is very popular at the moment, or one that has a hardcore fanbase, you can bet that fans will be arriving hours before or even camping overnight to make sure they get to be first in the queue. For a very popular celebrity, I recommend getting there at least 2 hours before wristbands are given out. If it's a little-known celebrity or a small time author, it's still recommended that you get there an hour before, if you want to guarantee yourself a wristband.
* Make the most of your time with the celebrity. Celebrities have a limited time slot for the signing and you will find you get rushed along very quickly! The best thing about getting in-person autographs is getting to meet the celebrity yourself, so if there's something you want to ask them or tell them, make sure you do!
* Bring friends with you. It is likely that you will be in the queue for an hour or so at least, and the wait does get boring. If you have to attend the signing alone, make sure you bring something to entertain you like an iPod, games console etc. And wear appropriate clothes if you're likely to be queuing outside in cold or wet weather, there's nothing worse than having to meet the celebrity soaking wet or having to leave before you get to meet them because you're too cold!
DON'T
* Take more than two items for a celebrity to sign, particularly if it's a very busy signing. Some signings will limit it to one item per person, so if that's the case, make sure you follow the rules. Some stores will also limit the signing to a particular item, for example the celebrity's latest book or album, but if this is the case you'll usually be able to buy that item in store on the day.
* Ask the celebrity to pose for a photograph with you if the signing requests you not to take photos. You put pressure on the celebrity to oblige, and it isn't fair on the people waiting their turn behind you. If in doubt, make sure you ask a member of security or a store assistant first if it's OK to take photos with or of the celebrity.
* Get starstruck! Most celebrities feel uncomfortable if fans start crying or hyperventilating. Just be calm and enjoy the minute or so you have with the celebrity. They are meeting fans all the time and are used to it, so there is no need to feel nervous around them.
