Although my publication date is still five-and-a-half months away, I’ve lost no time in thinking about the big day.
And in preparation, I’ve started to collect swag. In book talk, swag are those give-aways like book marks, trinkets, customized cookies, etc. that authors give away at conventions, readings, and book launches.
For starters, I’ve ordered this stamp (and a bright red chalky ink pad; chalk ink dries uber-quickly, or so I’ve read) for book signings.
The stamp features the characters for double happiness, or a happy marriage. It’s a popular symbol at Chinese weddings. GOOD CHINESE WIFE is all about my Chinese marriage, and I thought the stamp quite a propos in a dark and ironic way.
I’ve also ordered some Chinese wooden bookmarks, like the ones I bought on my first trip to China some 26 year ago. More on that in future posts!
Five and a half months! Wow, that’s a good idea. My publication date is in October 2014 and I have a feeling it’s time to start thinking about all this stuff. Any advice on stumbling across the perfect swag item?
Beautiful stamp, and great idea! And congrats on your publication date!
Thank you so much, Brianna! October is coming up, too! It’s amazing how quickly time flies when you have a publication date! My piece de resistance is going to be a bookmark with a drawing based on my book cover. So I think something like that would definitely go over well. I’ve also seen cookies designed with book covers or other elements from a given book. I’m thinking of doing that, too! I can’t wait to hear more about your publication date!!!
Yes, that does sound like a perfect thing to hand out. I just read a book on some promotion ideas, The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book, which had some great ideas. Only problem, it’s a little dated, so blogs, internet, and swag aren’t mentioned.
Also, I love your “Book of the Week” section; I think I’d like to start doing that too with middle grade authors in my nonfiction genre. You’re full of good ideas!
That book sounds great, even if a bit dated. I learn a lot on social media. My web designer came up with another idea of featuring another author every month on my site. So we definitely learn from one another! You’re in Chicago, right? I’m in the Western suburbs. The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square does a local authors’ night every week, so let’s try to do that together in the fall!!! That would be so much fun!
Yep, I’m in the city. And I love the Book Cellar! My first apartment was in Ravenswood and I’d walk to the Square at least once a week to hang out and soak it all in. That sounds like an amazing idea! I’m all in!
Yay! I’m in the western burbs, but come into the city a lot. Last week we braved the snow and took the kids to a play at the Lifeline Theater in Ravenswood! I used to sort of know the owner of the Book Cellar, so when you get closer to your pub date, let’s plan on pursuing this!
Beautiful stamp, but sort of an irony, I agree. How do Chinese bookmarks look like? Link please 🙂
Thanks so much, Sveta! I bought these bookmarks: http://www.orientaltrading.com/oriental-bookmarks-a2-27_1068-12-1.fltr?Ntt=chinese%20bookmarks, but also have some I’ve custom ordered. I’ll post those as soon as I have them in my hands!
Agree, love the stamp idea. 🙂 Exciting!
Thanks so much! It’s something small, but nice.
Love the stamp idea. I didn’t realize how popular swag is for authors. Thanks for the tip! I work for a custom sticker and label manufacturer and will keep that in mind;)
Thanks, Hailey! Yeah, swag is especially popular for romance writers, so check out Romance Writers of American and Romantic Times, both professional organizations that hold huge conventions!
It’s a beautiful stamp. Good idea.
Thanks so much, Nicki! I got the idea from Jennifer 8. Lee, who wrote “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles”. I went to her reading years ago and when she signed my book, she stamped it with her name chop and taped a fortune cookie fortune next to that. I thought it was very cute!