This is a project for the future, but I want to get the gears turning...

I'm a self-published author; therefore, I ship signed paperbacks from my home. I thought it would be a nice idea to stick a bookmark in each package, but it seemed... weird to use Red Rain bookmarks. I mean, isn't that kind of redundant when I'm sending them a copy of Red Rain?

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but it occurred to me... it would be really nice to have a bookmark from a fellow author that I supported to stick in here. Then I wouldn't have to try and pick a suitable bookmark from my collection, and I could support a friend.

And what authors do I want to support more than those of Holy Worlds?

So my question is - would some of you other published authors be willing to swap bookmarks in the future? I would send you a pile of themed bookmarks for my novel, and you would send me a pile of yours.

Any interest?

And while we're at it - does anyone know of a good, economical way to print full-color cardstock bookmarks?

* raises hand * Oh! Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me!

* cough * I mean... * puts on aura of maturity * Yup, that sounds like a good idea, Philly. Very good for us published authors on HW to stick together. * nods *

As for websites where you can make bookmarks for a good price, my mum has a website she uses that is pretty decently priced. I can ask her for the link sometime this week and get back to you on that.

...

Or she can walk into the room and I can ask her right now. She says the website is called upprinting... * shrugs * You can Google that or something I guess.

Oh yes! Bethy! *hugs and offers cupcake*

*also pretends to be mature* You mean this site? http://www.uprinting.com/ That does look like a reasonable service. I can get 250 bookmark-size print-outs (using the custom printing service, since bookmark isn't a standard template), single-sided on cardstock, for about $60 with shipping... Very reasonable, though 250 is a lot.

It's a start, though. Thank your mom for me!

Cupcakes!!! * nibbles on a cupcake *

Yup! That looks like the website she was talking about. There are probably a few other websites you could use. CreateSpace, for one, does bookmarks, but if I recall correctly, they are rather over-priced...I coud be thinking of another place though.

250 is a lot...

I would be very interested in this.

Yay, Airianna!

Createspace does bookmarks? I had no idea... *goes to look* 500 for $139, which is comparable. However, Amazon does all the design work themselves... I like control!

* doesn't know if I should be concerned *

Naw. I just like self-publishing in part because I can control the entire production of my book. All the design is the way I want it and such.

Agreed. That's one of the reasons I self-publish too.

Swapping bookmarks is an excellent idea. You could count me in . . . whenever I get around to getting bookmarks made.

This is the website I am going to use: http://gotprint.net/g/uploadBookmark.do You can can get 100-500 (or more if you choose) bookmarks for only about $31-$35, including shipping. That's for bookmarks with color front and B&W backs so you could put quite a bit of information on them.

Hooray! I'm so glad you're in - I'd love to spread your bookmarks around! Thank you so much for sharing that site; that's an amazing price! Plus 100 is a much more reasonable quantity than 250.

Speaking of bookmarks, I read once on a writer's blog to stick your bookmarks in library books when you get them. I haven't done it yet, but it's not a bad idea. You never know where those bookmarks might end up.

I've thought of that, but never quite decided if it was ethical. I might ask my library if I can leave a stack in the appropriate department, though...

200 bookmarks aren't as many as you think they are. I have that many sitting under my desk from the read-a-thon. Should take those over to the library some time.

That said, $60 seems a lot for 250 bookmarks... the last site listed seems much more reasonable.

And... I love this idea. I think it's brilliant.

I definitely plan on doing this with my next published book (whichever that ends up being), so be prepared!

Thanks, Katie!

I would love to do this as well but I'm also planning on traditional publishing. I don't think that would work out.

Oh you can still create some, Seabird!

*crawls out of her traditional publishing research *

See, you are still responsible for promotional advances as a published Author. Publishing companies like authors who are willing to go the extra mile to market their book.

Creating bookmarks to give away is not a breach of contract, and helps promote your book.

I plan on making some up while still traditional publishing.

Oh. Okay. Thanks!!!

No problem!

*points to bookmarks under desk* Most of those are traditionally published authors, I think. I don't know who made the bookmarks, but they're still bookmarks and you could still swap them.

I love the thought of this idea, and would love to swap bookmarks! In about two years when I'm actually a published author. Or something like that. In the meantime, this is a great idea!

Okay, people! I've had Dieki design gorgeous (and professional ) bookmarks for Peter's Angel and Red Rain, and I shall be printing them soon. As such, I need to know - who wants to swap bookmarks, and how many? I'm publishing my next book in June, Lord willing, so that will be an opportunity for me to mail out bookmarks. I might also be doing some fairs and conferences, which is another opportunity.

I'm still in, but I have no bookmarks at this time.

*nods* Just for a rough idea, how many bookmarks would you likely want to swap when your book is published?

Hmm... 50? I think I will safely use all of those with my marketing strategies.

Awesome. *files that for reference*

By the way... I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I will be publishing another book in June. At that time I will no doubt be sending out some signed copies. If anyone else has bookmarks (or similar literature) that they want to send me by then, I can include it with the books I send out. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

I don't have my bookmarks quite yet, but it's something I'm hoping to get to really soon. I could take about 50 of your bookmarks, Aubrey. I can stick them in any books I send out, and I always have a table set up at this local street fair in June, so I can put them on my table.

Fantastic! I would love to swap bookmarks with you.

I should have some for you in a week or two. I'm a bit frusterated with my design abilities in general, but once I get over that it shouldn't take long to finish whipping them into shape. (So close... so close...)

Yay! I need to get mine printed...

I have my bookmarks! I have both Peter's Angel and Red Rain designs. So anyone that's interested in swapping... send me a PM.

After queries, I may have more of an ability to swap with you.

I have bookmarks now too! Everything came UPS, which I wasn't expecting. A pleasant surprise, really. I don't remember paying for UPS shipping...

So anyone who wants to swap with me, let me know! (Leah, I'll send you a whole bunch when I mail your copy of the book... just let me know how many.)

Yay, to both!

Katie, how many do you want of mine? I'll take the same amount of yours. I've got plenty... Maybe 50 for starters?

*finds thread while browsing*

Aubrey (and whoever else did bookmarks as a result of this thread), how'd you end up having them made?

And then... Are you still looking for bookmark swappers, Aubrey? I don't know if I'll have any yet, but I hadn't thought of the possibility before (bad Jordan), so I may get some bookmarks if I have something to do with 'em...

I had my cover designer create the images, and I had them printed at http://gotprint.net/g/uploadBookmark.do Very happy with the cost and quality of the finished product.

Yes I am! I have plenty of bookmarks to spread around, so I'm still open to swapping.

May I ask what you're (anybody) doing with your bookmarks? Do you just plan to include them in books, or are you doing more promotional things?

So far I plan to...

1. Include them in books, letters, and other personal correspondence.
2. Take stacks to libraries and local bookstores and ask if they will put them out.
3. Send stacks to friends to distribute.
4. Give them away at any other available opportunity.

Solid strategy.

I was looking at the pile of leftover readathon bookmarks under my desk adn I was wondering...

Has anyone considered attempting to negotiate a bookmark swap with more successful published authors in the same genre? MLP types and whatnot? I know they have bookmarks, because of the aforementioned stack under my desk, and I know that they love to send bookmarks out, so if one knew how to contact them it might be extremely beneficial to try to arrange something like that.

I have not, but that would be a wonderful idea. Jordan might be able to help with the contact end.

'Fraid I'm not particularly up on that... When we contacted authors for the Read-a-Thon in previous years, they were all ones we'd been lucky enough to get interviews with during a big tour event, so we had a bunch of e-mail addresses hanging around. Some of them didn't respond; the ones that did were personal friends of some of our team.

Jay was the one who talked to all the authors and publishers last Read-a-Thon, and I have no idea what he did to get responses from so many.

I have no idea either. They're not responding to me at all.

Just a heads up - the release date for Peter's Angel is about a month away, so if anyone else wants to send material for me to distribute with signed copies, now's the time.

First of, I know, I hardly drop by anymore. My life seems buried under a pile of never ending projects I don't have the time for. And yes, I did change my name. I now write fantasy under the new pen name, Jaye L. Knight (though most of my readers still know me as Molly Evangeline or Makilien around here).

I thought I'd resurrect this old thread because I'm going to have a table set up at a local market street festival next month to sign books. I'd love help out my fellow authors at the same time and set out bookmarks and/or business cards if anyone's interested. It's September 28th, so you have a month to send them to me. Just let me know if you'd like to include yours and I can message you my address. I can also include any I have leftover in books I send out.