The LongPen™ is a pen, like any other pen, except it operates over the Internet using electricity and fiber optics. But from your perspective, it still works via your brain, eyes, arm, and hand, like any other pen. It's just that the nib and ink are at a different location from you.

Here's what happens:

FOR THE SIGNER

Before the one-on-one signings with your fans, you can do a reading, speech, or Q&A that will appear in real time on a big screen via video conferencing at the event location, perhaps thousands of miles away.

This is captured by the system for downloads to websites, cell phones, iPods, and so on, depending upon what you and your publisher, agent, or producer decides is most useful. The more downloads, the more people will know that you have a new book, a new CD, a new film … This is why the LongPen™ is not just a long distance signing device, but an all-in-one marketing machine, helping to drive sales of what you are promoting.

And that is why we have entitled this section "How to perform a LongPen™ event" as you are performing for the camera. The energy you save by not traveling should go into performing.

For the autograph session itself, you sit in a chair with an electronic writing tablet on the table in front. This tablet shows what you are signing at the event location. There is also a vertical screen at face level that shows the fan at the other end. That person sees you too. You have direct eye contact and can talk together.

According to fans, this is a more intimate experience than a traditional signing, as you are looking directly into the face of the fan, as opposed to briefly looking up from your chair when signing in person. The video conferencing also makes it easier for the fan to be expressive about your work, as the technological distance makes them less nervous.

The book, or CD, or other object that you will autograph is placed under the pen at the other end. It is captured on camera, so you see it on the electronic tablet in front of you. You pick up the magnetic pen and sign it. You treat the tablet just like a piece of paper - you can rest your hand on it. Then you push "Send" and the pen inscribes the object, in real ink, at the other end. It writes everything exactly as you have written it at your end.

But the all-in-one marketing machine pumps up the volume even more, thanks to viral marketing. The fan can download their interaction with you for a fee, which goes to charity. The publicity and marketing revolution that the LongPen™ introduces means that people can send that download to their friends via email, can put it on their websites, their cell phones, their iPods, helping to sell both you and what you are promoting.

All this, and you don't travel - saving fuel and diminishing pollution - and making the world a greener place.