CBC.CA ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The far-reaching pen of Margaret Atwood

Last Updated Sun, 05 Mar 2006 17:09:45 EST
CBC Arts

Canadian author Margaret Atwood has unveiled a new technological device that could change book signings forever.

"You cannot be in five countries at the same time. But you can be in five countries at the same time with the LongPen," said Atwood Sunday in London, England when she demonstrated a remote-controlled pen.

Sitting at the London Book Fair, Atwood picked up the pen to autograph her new short story collection, The Tent, for the head of her British publishing company, Nigel Newton. A few seconds later, across the exhibition room, two metal arms holding a pen reproduced Atwood's scribble onto the book: "For Nigel, with best wishes, Margaret Atwood."

Atwood plans to repeat the feat by signing copies of The Tent for readers in New York City and Guelph, Ont.

"I think of this as a democratizing device," she said.

Jeff Doorn, an author who stood in line to get Atwood's signature, said he preferred the face-to-face contact: "It's nice to have the personal touch."

The Booker Prize-winning writer helped create the apparatus after complaining about long book promotion tours and cramped hands from signing hundreds of her novels and anthologies.

Atwood said she felt inspired after signing for a package onto an electronic template and realized that her "signature was whizzing through the air and landing somewhere else."

Technological innovation seems fitting for the 66-year-old author, who has written the futuristic novels The Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake. She won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000 for The Blind Assassin.

In 2004, the author set up a company with several technology experts to produce the gadget, naming the company "Unotchit" — as in "you no touch it." The firm will lease out the device to publishers for one-off events or tours.

Both of Atwood's British publishers, Bloomsbury and Virago, invested in the project and have expressed interest in using it.

"[It] will inject new life into the marketing of books," said Newton.

Atwood said it would be a boon to lesser-known authors who don't have the money to travel widely to promote their books and would bring author signings to small towns and countries, off the book-tour circuit.

The novelist said the item has applications beyond signing books. It can also sign hockey sticks and her company is testing it on other products such as basketballs.

"I think it has great potential," she said.