Merchandsing? Should I or Shouldn't I?

"If we win the battle of the bands, it won't just be Knives wearing Sex Bob-Omb shirts, the cool kids will be too." - Stephen Stills: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World


With being ill and getting prepared for my 40 birthday, I haven't done much in the way of business for my books. But that does not mean life doesn't throw you a curve ball.

Last Friday, a friend and now a major fan of my books, kept coming up to me and telling me what parts she loved. It would have been creepy except I have known her for years and we were at work, so the conversation was splintered.

She wants copies of the jewelry featured in the books!

Then I get two requests for a particular image from Killer made into a T-shirt!

I am floored. Part of me wants to jump on it. Hell most of me wants too. I had already worked out the logo for the Burgundy Rathskeller and that was going to be my first set of T-shirts. Its saved on my hard drive and I never thought much about it, until last week.

I have not sold that many books. Word of mouth is slowly growing my fan base, so there is the extra publicity that these t-shirts and jewelry could give me. I do know some great artisans that could hand craft the jewelry for me. I have a few places in mind for printing shirts. So coming up with the product is not a problem either.

But one little thought nags me. Does this make me an author or a pimp of my stuff?

I want to give my fans a little extra. Because even if it is a small base, it is full of really awesome people. I love the idea of the jewelry and the t-shirts. Not just for them, I would wear them too.

I don't know many indie authors that even think of doing this, I might be the first for all I know. So if I do take the plunge (it feels like I will right now) I want to do it right,