Authors frequently sabotage their own media campaigns by trying to be universally liked. They draft press releases filled with safe, middle-of-the-road opinions, hoping to avoid offending anyone. They present their non-fiction manuscripts as gentle suggestions rather than definitive answers. This desperate desire for universal approval guarantees that media producers will completely ignore the...

Today, nearly everyone with a product, service, or even a personal brand is diving into the realm of merchandise. Think t-shirts, caps, coffee mugs, and more. It's no surprise that the term "merch" has become a widespread shorthand for this trend. Merchandising has always been a staple in book marketing, utilized by both traditional publishers and indie authors. Fans adore items like t-shirts,...