Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Books and Merchandising

On Friday over at Operation Awesome, Katrina put up an awesome post on merchandising and books. She talked about all the cool stuff you can get with some books (all the Harry Potter products, Arwen's necklace from LOTR, etc.).

I've bought a couple items from favorite books, among them:

The silver ring Jamie gives Claire in Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER



and a set of perfume from Jessica Verday's THE HOLLOW



I love stuff like this. It is so fun to have something real from a story you love. Even more fun when it's from one of your own stories. Like my gorgeous TREASURED LIES necklace :D (made by the awesomely talented Bonny Anderson - go check out her store HERE!)



And, the Team Zenn necklace I made for Elana Johnson's POSSESSION release giveaway (Team Jag has a "jag"ged lightning bolt pendant to go along with the "Vi"olet beads and silver butterflies.)



Having something tangible you can use to help market your book is both lucrative and just plain fun. Is this something you've ever thought of doing with your own books?


10 comments:

Stephanie McGee said...

The story I'm currently working on, there are tons of possibilities. But the one that's in revision mode, not so much. I'm kind of anti-merchandising, but jaded in that regard from my exposure to it over the years with Star Wars, Star Trek, etcetera. (Yes, I'm a total nerd.)

Shari said...

I have thought of it, but I'm not sure I could come up with anything very cool. Maybe I'll have to have you come up with something! ;)

Patti said...

I love that ring.

Mark said...

Very cool:) Tangible items can bring a story to life, I admit to having some LOTR paraphernalia :)

Tere Kirkland said...

What a cool idea! There are a couple pieces of jewelry in my agented novel Evangeline that are more than they appear. ;)

I'd especially like a copy of my mc's ring that has a lapis lazuli scarab.

Fun post!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow those are beautiful. I usually joke about the merchandise for books and films, but those are really lovely items to treasure. Food for thought :O)

B.J. Anderson said...

Hehe. Thanks for the shout out! :D

Paulie said...

Cool ring.

Yep, I love books that offer some kind of doohickey along with it. Like reading Lotr and wearing THE ring, I feel like Frodo :))

For normal books, I just download the ebook version of it from allyoucanbooks.com since it's the future and all, even though I admit I kinda miss the "feel" of paper and manually turning the pages :))

Karen Baldwin said...

It's all about marketing and merchandising. I say, if it'll help "brand" your book...do it!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I don't really have anything that would tie in with my books.