But, what lends a novel to become a 'brand' in itself once it reaches the best seller list. Is it a strong character in the book? Is it the plot ? When should publishers take the story & character out of the book and get it to engage with its audience?
As an avid reader, I believe its easier for fantasy based novels that spark our imagination and create an alternate world for us to create an engaging experience with their readers. A classic example is JK Rowlings Harry Potter. Pottermore, is a website developed to keep the series alive and engage with the fans. Not to forget the more popular ones, like Marvel's Spiderman which not only has a 3 part blockbuster movie, but also toy's for kids, games and many many more merchandise sold under the 'Spiderman' brand name.
Having said that, this doesnt mean that other genres of books cannot create an engaging experience for its readers beyond the book. They just have to get more creative & innovative. And thats where the publisher and marketing guys play a key role! Christian Grey, the billionaire character from Fifty Shades of Grey, the latest book topping the bestseller charts, was voted by over half a million men as the one of the most influential males in 2012. Surprise Surpise. Perhaps the publishers can consider a range of suits for men, and for women, how about a limited edition of Fifty Shades of Make-Up signed by our millionaire friend!
I personally would love to see a theme park made out of Enid Blyton's Enchanted Woods Series. How about you ?
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| Photographed at The Jane Austen Centre, Bath, England |
Don't all women simply love the quintessential Mr Darcy from Jane Austen' Pride & Prejudice. Every women's imagination of the perfect man... now available in Strawberry, Spearmint & Vanilla flavor..
Marketing of literature & fiction novels is today not just restricted to paper backs, hardcovers or e-books for kindles. Books that reach the best seller list have become brands in their own right & go beyond just the pages. At the minimum, they get a 2 hour movie associated with them. And if the novel has a strong charcacter like our Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, not only is a men's clothing line set up with the brand name of Mr Darcy but also other curios (as seen above).
Marketing of literature & fiction novels is today not just restricted to paper backs, hardcovers or e-books for kindles. Books that reach the best seller list have become brands in their own right & go beyond just the pages. At the minimum, they get a 2 hour movie associated with them. And if the novel has a strong charcacter like our Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, not only is a men's clothing line set up with the brand name of Mr Darcy but also other curios (as seen above).
But, what lends a novel to become a 'brand' in itself once it reaches the best seller list. Is it a strong character in the book? Is it the plot ? When should publishers take the story & character out of the book and get it to engage with its audience?
As an avid reader, I believe its easier for fantasy based novels that spark our imagination and create an alternate world for us to create an engaging experience with their readers. A classic example is JK Rowlings Harry Potter. Pottermore, is a website developed to keep the series alive and engage with the fans. Not to forget the more popular ones, like Marvel's Spiderman which not only has a 3 part blockbuster movie, but also toy's for kids, games and many many more merchandise sold under the 'Spiderman' brand name.
Having said that, this doesnt mean that other genres of books cannot create an engaging experience for its readers beyond the book. They just have to get more creative & innovative. And thats where the publisher and marketing guys play a key role! Christian Grey, the billionaire character from Fifty Shades of Grey, the latest book topping the bestseller charts, was voted by over half a million men as the one of the most influential males in 2012. Surprise Surpise. Perhaps the publishers can consider a range of suits for men, and for women, how about a limited edition of Fifty Shades of Make-Up signed by our millionaire friend!
I personally would love to see a theme park made out of Enid Blyton's Enchanted Woods Series. How about you ?
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