I recently received two books which had someone's name written on the very first page (right after the cover).  One actually had three names written there.  It doesn't bother me at all and I've read the Book Conditions a bunch of times as it relates to writing/underlining/highlighting in a book.  I get those.  But, it's not the author's name and it's not on the front or back covers.  So....  am I being a dork here?  Can I repost these books?  (Actually, I already did and just remembered about the writing).  The books are in good condition, the handwriting is not in the body of the book and I'm just not sure what to do.  I am not sure if this falls under the unpostable guidelines or not.  Would somone please save me from myself?!?!  :)  And if I need to take them off my shelf and repost as unpostables, I will.  If not for the names, these books are totally postabel!

Thanks!

Brandi

Those are perfectly postable provided they did not write over text.

Thank you, Tracy!  I feel better now. :)

Brandi, if you look at the "condition guidelines" in the help center, the section about signatures is in the part titled PAGES.

Here's what you were looking for in the help center.  Your books are postable.

No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY

I guess i just assumed that "signatures" meant the author.  Didn't occur to me that it meant anyone's signature.  LOL

Thanks everyone!!

<<Those are perfectly postable provided they did not write over text.>>

This is not quite accurate.  The Book Condition Guidelines state:

"No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY
• an author's signature on the title page is OKAY
• writing or highlighting on the text pages is NOT OKAY"

So, if that page with the signatures on it is otherwise blank, then it is postable.  If the page with the signatures is a text page (including the title page), then it is not postable.

Cheers,

Catt

Considering how many people put their names in their books-if they made that unpostable half the books on PBS would have to be removed.  I think if someone wrote it in big letters on the cover-that would be a no-no.  A few years ago my husbands aunt gave me a huge box of mysteries. She had written the year they were published in black marker in huge letters on the front cover. I have no idea why.   I didn't post them.  If only she had just put her name in the cover.

I just wanted to say, it's really cool that you're so "on top of things" regarding the book conditions!  :)  

Kate

well, now I'm more confused than ever.  the names are on the first age when you open the book.  there is text on the page, however, they are book previews or something.  I could care less, for myself, if the signatures are there.  It doesn't detract from the book.  And I've received more than just these two with writing on that first page.  Because the books are in  good condition otherwise, I'm going to make a judgment call and leave them posted.  if someone gets them and doesn't like the signatures in them, well, i guess I'll get RWP notes.  *sigh*.  I understand and appreciate the guidelines for posting and do my darndest to make sure my books meet them. ( I've received some questionable ones and have had to "unpostable" a couple.  but those were OBVIOUS disregard for club rules and rather infuriating and before I understood RWP dadgumit)  These ones are so "gray" area that I just hate to lose a couple credits because of them....  I'm not trying to sneak unpostables through, I promise!  LOL

Thank you to everyone who has given me guidance. 

Brandi

PS, I'm about to show my ignorance...what's a flyleaf?!?!?!  LOL 

thanks, Kate, if that was directed at me. :)  I apparently need to go to bed early tonight.

Brandi

Brandi -

Your books are postable.  If it's just the owner (or owners) writing their names in the front of the book, it's fine. 

If you start reading the story and someone has written in the margins notes about whether or not something is true in the book, or writes imaginary responses to the character's dialogue (ones I've run into...), or highlights their favorite passages, those are NOT postable.

Phooey on being clear as mud

Thanks, Kim.  The writing within the text part makes total sense to me (I actually got one book where the person had outlined all characters in the book and why he/she did/didn't like them on the inside of the back cover -- fortunately, it's one I intend to keep...LOL).

Thanks again to EVERYONE who gave me guidance!

Brandi

Brandi, I would also suggest to PM the person/people who request these books in the future with the issue.

I've had a few books like that on my shelf and PM the requestor and he/she was perfectly happy to accept the book.

I've found that as long as you're honest with your requestors, they usually respond in kind.

Thanks, Amy!  That's an excellent suggestion!  And yes, honest is always good! :)

<<what's a flyleaf?!?!?!>>

fly·leaf : a blank leaf in the front or the back of a book.

Cheers,

Catt

Thanks Catt :)

The "fly leaf" in paperbacks is often not blank... they're usually printed with lists of other books from the same author, or ads for other similar books.

Also, if there's a signature on the title page that doesn't match the author's name, be sure to check for pseudonyms! :)

Thanks, Jane, then on my books, the names are written on the fly leaf!  :)  And I'm pretty sure the names aren't the author or a psuedonym!  :)

Brandi, I would also suggest to PM the person/people who request these books in the future with the issue.

I caution against this because your books are postable and meet the guidelines.  If the requestor is looking for a book without a name written in it then they need to have conditions set up.  Plus what if they have it on autorequest and don't come back and reply to your PM?  Then you have a problem.

Well now, Leslie.  Again, fantastic suggestions that I never would have thought of myself.....  :)  Thank you!