I’ve been asked to be part of Read for Pixels 2017, which is a charity featuring authors and dedicated to helping end violence against women. I’ll be doing a reading and an AMA session over on Google hangouts for them in March, which I’ll have more information on once everything is finalized. But for now I have a question for you. They want me to put together some stuff to give away to people who tune in for the hangout and for donors. They said I should tailor it to what my readers want, only I don’t know what you want. So I thought I’d ask. Authors in the past have offered all kinds of different things, including:
Exclusive drabbles (100 word stories). I don’t think 100 words would work so well for me, considering that even my short stories end up being not so short. But I thought that maybe doing scenes that weren’t in the books could be fun. Sort of like “Shitty Beer”. That showed Pritkin after Mac’s death, something that wasn’t in Claimed by Shadow, but was implied. It could also work for something that was mentioned but took place offscreen, so to speak.
Handwritten original short stories/poems/haikus/letters from characters. I don’t do haikus, and doubt sincerely that any of my characters do, and the only poems in the books are Billy’s limericks. But hey, if that’s what you’re into . . .
30-minute Skype chats. I’m not the world’s greatest conversationalist, just letting you know. But if you had some stuff you wanted to ask about publishing, I guess I could try to help?
Signed/inscribed 1st or limited editions or sets of their books. This is easy. You want this, right? Say you want this.
A chance to be a minor character in the author’s next book. Considering my books, and the things that happen to people in them, I’m thinking most people would want to avoid this. Like the plague. But I guess I could be wrong. I don’t promise that you won’t die horribly, however.
Critique of a 1,000-word chapter/query letter. Um, sure? Only I’m an author, not an editor, so my help might be less than optimal. But if you want it, I’ll try my best.
Swag bags of small exclusive items from the author. I got you, fam. You want t-shirts? Cause I got t-shirts. Mugs, bookmarks, those weird little tote bags they give out at cons and nobody uses because they’re too small or too flimsy, or because backpacks and purses work better? Okay, I mean, I guess it’s tradition at this point, so I could order some o’ them. Just say so.
Anyway, they’re open to other ideas as well, only I don’t have any. All my ideas are going into finished the new Dory story before I get lynched. So I thought I’d open it up to you. Whaddya want? Leave me a message with your ideas, or I’m going tote bags. Seriously, I swear I’ll do it (although I’ll try to put something decent inside.)
Signed books and t-shirts are always good! The skype calls could be fun or awful. (If it were me, I’d probably ask about book recommendations or just history fangirling). Something I’ve seen other authors do is name a character after someone (when I’ve seen this done, it’s almost always promised as a minor character who dies horribly.)
Wow, that sounds fun! I personally would love to get more of the deleted scenes/fill-ins, those are always great. Also wouldn’t mind some of the bookmarks/tshirts/stickers type merch. I’m looking forward to the fundraiser now!
Wish I could be there. But I always love your extra scenes so please share some more!
Ooooo….My top picks:
1)A chance to be a minor character in the author’s next book
2)Signed/inscribed 1st or limited editions or sets of their books
3) Swag bags
Though honestly being a character would be awesome- even if said character died in some freaky way!
LOL, no influencing there, feeling you’ll like my answers! Wouldn’t know what to say for a half hour chat, sum: I thank you for sharing your twisty humor, I love your stories and share them (only the first copy of each story line! Hooked then make’m pay!) or direct them to your freebies on smashwords.com, that’s how I “discovered” you!
When offered a choice I would enjoy:
#1. Signed/inscribed 1st or limited editions or sets of books/audio from either (BOTH!!!! Greedy!) series.
#2. Thermal mugs and coffee cups are always useful, no sizing required!
#3. Swag bags, actually received swag with a nice pen and coconut flavored chapstick (author logo on side of each) and admit not only did I like it better than the mini bag but people asked me where I got it when I was using/applying in public (advert tool!).
Hope this helps!
Thanks, lots of good ideas here!
How exciting, and a great cause too! Dorina and Cassie would both be proud! :)
I love the deleted scenes. Maybe a POV scene..? I’ve been wishing you would suddenly be inspired to write Pritkin’s POV during the body swap incident in Curse the Dawn, particularly his horror when he woke up in Cassie’s body the next morning.
Failing that, it’s hard to go wrong with signed books.
Thanks for thinking to ask!
I think the signed books or sets of your books are a very good idea. Also short stories or deleted scenes are great, too. I would also like to say that I think you’re pretty great for doing this.
The deleted scenes/100 word short stories are always great.
I think anything you receive with the Authors logo is fun.