I went through a phase where I collected bookmarks…with each book purchase, I would buy a ‘matching’ art-y bookmark. This was entertaining for a while, until eventually I realized that the darn bookmarks were adding upwards of two dollars to the cost of my book, and I could never seem to keep track of them once I’d brought them home!

Perhaps they are in the same netherworld as those lonely single socks.

One of the best promo items I ever got was a chip-clip with the author’s name and website on it. I use that thing constantly. It hasn’t translated into any sales by me, but maybe it will in a subliminal sense.

This last Sunday I was lunching with several published writers. As we collected money for the bill, I remembered this blog and asked the writers about the bookmarks. Two — Liz Kreger and Janette Kenny — have recent books out, so they whipped out their bookmarks. The other won’t have a book out until Dec., so she didn’t bother. When the waitress came, I asked if she read romance. She said no, but Liz and Jan gave her their bookmarks and said to give them to someone she knows.