Top Canadian author Margaret Atwood will perform a transatlantic signing of her new novel from Scotland, with the aid of an internet autographing device.
The award-winning writer is in Dunfermline where she will read from her latest book Moral Disorder.
The event will be transmitted to Toronto in her home country where fans will have gathered as part of the city’s annual Word on the Street book and magazine festival.
Inspired after signing for a FedEx package, the LongPen allows writers to forsake the tried-and-true book tour and, theoretically, sign from anywhere in the world, including the comfort of their own homes. The author writes on a tablet and the signature is electronically transmitted to a robotic arm holding a pen that signs the book.
Photo by Technology.com.
Corey on September 27th, 2006 at 8:52 am
Having an electronic signature just doesn’t seem to be the same as getting the real thing. It is almost like receiving a rubber stamped signature. Though I am sure that this is a nice alternative for the author.
Jon on September 28th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Presumably she is still signing them one at a time, which would make it a bit better than a rubber stamp…if it is completely automated then I agree, it’s silly.