Dear Diary: Confessions From A Blogger (8) Book Swag


We all know what goes on behind the scenes at our own blogs but rarely do we lift the curtain and share those experiences with others. Dear Diary: Confessions From A Blogger stems from the curiosity. This week I want to talk about Book swag.



Here is my Confession:

Whenever I receive a book for review, I usually find the package filled with bookish swag. These items usually include bookmarks, postcards sometimes pens (which I love) and much to my dismay very rarely the oh so glorious Magnet (which I really love) . Over my year plus of blogging I have gathered quite a large bit of swag and while very nice and thoughtful in all honesty I cringe when I see a package filled with the stuff. Even giving some of it away I'm always left with duplicates and sometimes triplicates. I've found creative uses for leftovers such as making the bookmarks into magnets or folding them up and shoving them under a table leg that is a bit wobbly. Heck I've even made them into packing confetti which while super cool and a fun project for the kids did leave me feeling a bit bad.

Listen I love swag, I do. Especially signed swag but I just cringe when I see a package filled with 30 bookmarks (poor trees) because it means I have to figure out what to do with them all.   Now that is not to say all swag is created equal. I actually have several types of swag that  I love receiving  and in all honesty wish more authors would embrace. These items include magnets, keychains, buttons, T-Shirts, Cups. I even had hairclips made once but sadly lost the pair :( I know those items tend to cost more but I love them and it truly is a great way for me to not only display the swag and promote the author, I also get to use them.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret my current goal is to cover my fridge in book magnets. I have several signed/unsigned on it right now and love staring at the covers each  time I grab something out of the fridge. I also plan on making a quilt out of the T-shirts I've received once I've gathered enough. I do wear each and every one I receive though so try my best to keep them looking crisp so that I don't ruin the images on them.

Anyway, I don't want to sound like I'm all anti swag, it has a place and I understand that. However, I really wish that Authors think out of the box when designing stuff to send, that is all.


Now that you've read my confession, Tell me some of yours:
Do you like swag?
What types of items do you like receiving?
What is the most creative way you have used paper swag (bookmarks & postcards)?
Do you have any particular items you collect more than others?

Leave your responses in the comments below, I love reading them. Have a question? Leave that as well and I'll try and answer it.
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That about wraps up this weeks confessions from a blogger.  Thanks for stopping by and reading,sharing, or commenting on this post. As always, it is appreciated.

Comments

  1. I've been thinking of what swag to get for my book release. I love the magnets and coffee mugs. My husband is an artist so I'm forcing him to draw me a bunch of stuff. I also saw one author giving away notebooks, which I thought was neat.

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    1. Notebooks would be neat and useful. I think it would also be neat if a character had something they consistently used in the book to be given as swag. Barring it wasn't to expensive.

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  2. I LOVE swag! I'm such a swag hoarder! I want all the bookmarks and guitar picks and necklaces, etc! My favorites are the bookmarks, magnets, stickers, and tattoos. If I have more than one I like to give it to other bloggers who love swag too! I have so much I had to put them in a box. I'm still looking for another way to keep them. I would like to display them but I have no more room on my walls and buy frames and placing them in there is just daunting as hell. I love the buttons and keychains, but I don't use them as much as other swag like T-shirts and necklaces. Same goes with postcards, I just collect them. I actually use the bookmarks so it's ok :)

    But yeah, I think swag is a great way to promote a book! Super fun to collect and share with others. Sometimes having a bookmark of a book makes me want to go buy the book lickety-split! lol ;)

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    Replies
    1. I like a Bookmark or two but I've had packages where the person has dumped over 15 in it. I don't need a stack of 15, lol. I always keep the corresponding bookmark in the book.

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  3. I have a pile of swag. Its hard to resist and then youre not sure what to do with it :)
    I love bookmarks because I always need one.

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    Replies
    1. One thing I do with extra bookmarks and I know it sounds awful but I use them to put nail polish on to dip my dotting tool in. Sometimes I just receive way to many and so creative uses I must come up with.

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