Hi all,

Some of you know I'm a new author (debut historical romance releases in June!). I'm so brand new, nobody knows my name, so I was trying to think of ways to get my name "out there" so people recognize it. I've ordered some "promo" items and I've been including them with my PBS mailings. Bookmarks, brochures, postcards, etc. etc.

I was wondering if anyone would like a batch of "goodies" to mail out with your romances. They can be lightweight (business card calendars) or a little heavier (brochures with more info/excerpt), but I think it migh be fun for some romance recipients to get a little extra "goody" with their book.

So if you're interested, I'd love to send you out a bunch of goodies to forward on with your mailings! Here's what I have:

For Jennifer Haymore (Book: A Hint of Wicked)

Brochures (includes blurb, excerpt, bio, etc.)

Postcards (blurb on back)

Business cards (book cover/info on front; some have calendars on the backs)

Bookmarks (still in transit)

For Dawn Halliday (Book: Highland Obsession)

Rack cards (with blurb, book cover, etc.)

Large postcards (hard to mail out with small paperbacks unless you mail in padded envelopes)

Magnets (business-card sized; includes cover photo and info)

Other authors (only a few for each author)

Christine Wells bookmarks (Book: The Dangerous Duke)

Anna Campbell bookmarks (Book: Tempt the Devil)

Emma Wildes postcards (Book: An Indecent Proposition)

If you'd like anything, please pm me with what you want and how many. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to this thread. Quantities are limited of some things, and of others I have millions, LOL. :) Just let me know, and thanks for your help!

:) Jen

Jennifer, that's a wonderful offer. Sending you a PM. I'm excited for you!!!

Jen- I am not a big historical reader, but I checked out your site and I will look forward to reading your book. The excerpt snagged me and now I have to find out which one she picks!

What a good idea for promoting the book(s)- count me in!

Are you going to the RT Convention? Thats a great way to get your name out.  See if you can send some ARCs to thier goody bag room. You don't have to be there to do that or see if you can put some of your stuff on promo lane.

Thanks, Katie and Anne (and everyone else who PMed me). I still have plenty of stuff so it's definitely not too late to PM.

Kadesia, I'm not going to RT this year, mainly because it's in April and my publisher won't have books to distribute there. I do have a couple of ARCs and promo stuff to send with friends. I'm *definitely* going to RT next year, though. Are you going? I've never been!

Jen

I am going this year. Next year....nope.    A  lot of writers come before thier books come out and promote thier books. 

I just want to point out that some of that stuff can't be sent media mail with a book. A bookmark can and maybe a business card. But I think anything else would mean it would have to go first class.

Your book looks good. I'm going to look for it at the bookstore tomorrow. 

Ditto to what Mary said- I was trying to figure out how to politely point this out without sounding like a whistle-blower, but I would hate for anyone to get into trouble.  You should also be careful about promoting anything in forum posts- that's not allowed either, and if a TG sees this, it may get deleted.  It's a very generous offer, and I wish you luck and success, Jen.  Fresh romance authors are always appreciated by this crowd!

Oh it's not out yet. I just looked it up on Amazon. 

Jennifer - I looked up your website and now I can't wait to read your book!  Which one will she choose?  Don't leave me hanging here!  LOL

I'm going to PM you.

When is it due out in bookstores?  I want to reserve it at Borders.

I also checked out the site this morning, and as I love historical romances, I'll definitely be buying it.  :-)

Hi Jennifer, just signed up for your newsletter, being an historical fan, congrats on your upcoming release.

Looks like the book is coming out on June 1, 2009!  Congrats, Jennifer!  :)

Thanks, everyone!

I almost didn't post because I wasn't sure if it was allowed to offer stuff in this fashion, but I couldn't find a rule against it, and I saw someone offering a free book contest, so I felt this was *somewhat* similar. I truly didn't mean to offend anyone and apologize if I did.

hugs,
Jen

I don't think anyone is offended. We just wanted to point out that you need to be aware of what can go media mail.  Because they do inspect it sometimes.

Nah, Jennifer, you aren't offending anyone.  I send bookmarks myself, always being careful to package in such a way as to not invite closer scrutiny by postal inspectors, or cause any problems if the packages ever were inspected, of course:P  A couple of the workers at my PO actually coached me to tuck bookmarks inside the book, rather than leaving them loose in the packaging.  Business cards & brochures would doubtless cause a media mail package to either get returned to you, or be delivered with 1st class postage due, if it was opened & inspected.  They are considered advertising materials, and I think they are specifically mentioned somewhere in the postal regs, plus PBS has a rule about sending out anything with advertising materials in it too.  One thing you might consider is having some bookmarks printed up with your book's cover on one side and the synopsis & other details on the back?

Jennifer, got my envelope of goodies yesterday! Thanks! I've already sent a book mark out and will send another one today. The materials look good and the book sounds great! June 1 is my wedding anniversary so there's my excuse to buy it new woo hoo! I'll see if I can reserve a copy at Barnes & Noble!

I got the bookmarks yesterday, too...sent out a couple of them today. :)  They look very nice...looking forward to the book coming out.