Two gimmicks today that people are using to get media attention for their books. The first, as reported by Reuters:
"An electronic textbook Web site is launching a smelly e-book after finding college students like to be able to smell their books. A survey of 600 college students conducted by pollster Zogby International found that 43% of students identified smell, either a new or old smell, as the quality they most liked about books as physical objects. In an attempt to persuade college students to try e-textbooks, website CafeScribe.com on Wednesday said it was launching "the world's first smelly e-book." CafeScribe chief executive Bryce Johnson said that from September the company will send every e-textbook purchaser a scratch and sniff sticker with a musty 'old book' smell."
The other gimmick is from Avon Books, which is adding video to some of its e-books. According to their press release, "Videos featuring Alexander [the author] will pop up on-screen at various points during the novel to "talk candidly about the plot's turning points and her vivid characters." Personally, I think I'd find that distracting, but romance book readers tend to forge a strong bond with certain authors and might enjoy it. Anyway, to be honest, probably the name of the game is getting some media attention and creating a curiosity factor, and they've done that.
