Possible idea for YA authors (might work for all)

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

So I was going through some books today and found an autographed bookmark someone had sent me. I'm a big fan of little collectibles like that and actually might start to actively pursue a collection of them from the indie authors I interact with.

Anyway that gave me a bit of an idea. If a YA author took a bunch of bookmarks, signed or not, to a library and donated them to be given out to the summer youth reading groups you may be able to realize some sales from that advertising. It may work to keep local libraries supplied with bookmarks for any author, but I thought that the youth reading programs would do the distribution work for you. Jeff you said that your local library was super stoked to have a book written by a local author so I thought that this might work too.

Has anyone tried something like this before?

[Alivia]

Authors all over do this. I still have one of my signed bookmarks from the author of The Near Witch, Victoria Schwab.

It's a slick and speedy marketing tactic, because usually what you do is you sign bunches of them and them move to either the internet or locally to have them put out. If you do it online people just sign up and leave a mailing address, then a few weeks later get it in the mail. It's almost like a reminder, which can help a little in the sales department.

Just my two cents.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Funny you should mention this. I actually bought some Avery spine inserts, which can be used for bookmarks, and am working on a design for it. Trying to make it something eye-catching!

And yeah, once I get 'em made, I'll give some to the library. I'll also include one with each paperback giveaway I do.

Big J

[Raphyel]

Wow. I never thought about that before. Like Jeff, I always include a bookmark with my giveaways, but the library idea is a new one. Cool idea!

[Scott, Fabled Reviewer o' Tales!]

If anyone would like I live right by my town's library and they have a lot of activities going on constantly. If people are willing to send me some bookmarks or whatever I could drop them off and see if the library would use them for giveaways to people in their clubs.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Hmmm, that's a good idea. I've been sending copies of my books home with family members who live in other states so they can donate them to their local library. It's pretty cool when you check WorldCat and see your book in multiple libraries.

It's even better when libraries show up on the list that you didn't donate copies to! :)

[Red]

Thanks for the reminder. I have This Brilliant Darkness bookmarks, but need to get some Troll Or Derby ones made up. Will do today. Not feeling very write-y this morning yet!