Luring in Your Victims

I've heard varying opinions on author-created swag. Some view the bookmarks, business cards, refrigerator magnets, t-shirts, etc. as a waste of cash and focus, while others swear by using these items and others to promote their would-be bestseller. Most agree that if you're going to use promotional items to help your writing career, the promotional items should tie in with the theme of your book.

So I racked my brain last night and the only think I could come up with as a giveaway for The Roses of Carrion (not yet--don't get excited) is a cloak I found online some time ago that reminds me very much of the sorceress Ardyn's. However, this would have to be some really big contest and I'm not sure just yet how I'd choose the lucky winner. Another thought is to give away actual roses, but again, how to decide?

For Eighth Grade Bites, I'm taking another, much more practical route. That's right...cheap plastic fangs. (I'm not being coy--CPF play a part in the book) And, if I can swing it, Jello gelatin snack-packs (Strawberry, of course...you can use your imagination on this one). Beyond that, I'll be doing Eighth Grade Bites t-shirts (I can only imagine how popular those could be at school), buttons and anything else I can come up with in my twisted little mind. I have no idea how I'll give these things away...but it's not like I don't have time to figure that out.

Speaking of which...back to writing.