The Gathering Sales Promotion Project

“My fingers dropped to the mark on my hip. It looked like a faded paw print, and I wanted to get it tattooed so it would show up better.”-pg. 3

My first incredibly original idea for marketing The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong is using Maya’s paw print birthmark as a temporary tattoo or a sticker. The paw print is one of the main reasons Maya begins to get into all sorts of “trouble” and would translate very well to a large audience. It’s a rather unisexual symbol and applies to many different groups of people. For example: animal lovers, boys, girls, teenagers, children, people who have animals in their heritage, or people who enjoy its simple design. It would create a lot of buzz about the book because stickers can be posted anywhere and everywhere. They allow a change in scenery and create a natural focal point for the eye. Tattoos are interesting and when placed in a noticeable area can create some great conversations. Also, they’re small, portable and can be used on the go, perfect for today’s typical teenager or young adult and they make a statement, which has always been popular with people through the ages. All in all I think a sticker paw print would be an ideal way to market The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong. (ignore the A and you've got my general idea.)

“Darkness enveloped me. I inhaled the scent of pine needles. My leg throbbed. My heart raced so fast, I panted for breath.”-pg. 60

A second idea I feel could be very successful would be a video game. This quote describes a setting ideal for a video game. It implies a sense of urgency and high adrenaline similar to what those who play video games experience when they’re, “in the zone.” Video games have become quite popular among boys and since this book is more feminine it could be a good way to create ground swell amongst the male population. But video games are popular with girls as well and the creation of a The Gathering video game could prove very helpful to the overall gaming community since it would be a chance to get girls involved with video games. So as you can tell it would apply to a vast population and prove to be very influential. Also, books aren’t always people’s first choice of recreation and if the video game is successful people who are less likely to go read a book may pick up The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong and decide, “hey, maybe I’ll like this, let’s give it a try.” (numerous types of gaming devices that could be used to play our video game.)

“It was the rawhide band with the cat’s-eye stone, Rafe’s bracelet, the one his mother gave him.”-pg. 323

My final idea for promoting the book would to be to create some promotional items such as jewelry or clothing. There were items in particular, such as Rafe’s bracelet, that were very important to the characters and if you were to translate those ideas to tangible objects then one could easily spread those throughout the culture and gain money as well as a good reputation for the book. This would ultimately sell more copies of the book and its popularity would grow immensely. Also because the characters are not exclusively made up of one gender these items will pertain both to boys and girls, instead of just one of the two. Some of the items sold could be Rafe’s bracelet, shirts, paw print bracelets, key chains, and many other things that related to the book that could apply to tangible items. Since these things are wearable they could easily promote the book and even other objects being sold to the general public. Hopefully, these projects will succeed and assist The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong in its rise in popularity and sales. (an example of what Rafe's bracelet could look like.)

A book is a Journey

You are transported when you read. No matter what form the book takes. Be it electronic or paper with its destinct 'I'm old' smell. A book is a journey or a passport and it takes us place beyond the limits of our imagination and the 'type' of book it is shouldn't determine what we gain from the book. With this being said I still prefer the book in which you can actually turn pages and that doesn't require charging. I find it distracting when your book begins to flash and tells you 'please plug me into a wall.' The book is a noble thing that shouldn't be tampered with since perfection has already been found. But the modern world is an ever changing place and demands must be met. So the book was flatened, fit with wires, and placed in a metal box to be more convienient to the average Joe. That just seems an abomination to books if you ask me. Books aren't meant to be electronic when paper and ink work perfectly well and hold far more sentimental value than the common piece of metal. I also enjoy regular books becuase since they are not technology they will not spontainiously break or spaz. *cough cough blogspot cough cough* See? Foiled by good old technology and it's tricks once again. But you never know it may be a good thing.

I agree with Joe Meno when he says, "we, as readers, still have the chance to engage in active imagining, translating word into image, connecting these images to memories, dreams and larger ideas." I interpret this as saying books are timeless and should be adored and we shouldn't let the box it comes in change our expeirience because a book is a gift and as a gift it should be shared with the world.

Why

I read for entertainment. Books are my version of tv because they can be exactly how you want it. The characters will look the way you want and it allows you to stretch the limits of your imagination.

I read to learn new things. Every time you pick up a book you gain knowledge. Be it about nature, mythology, life in general, or psychology. you learn knew things when you read.

I read to fill time or waste it. Sometimes there just isn't anything to do and I want a distraction so I turn to books. They take you to different places, times, lands, and points of view. Books make time pass and your not completely wasting that time while you read. Well, maybe a little bit...

I read because I'm told to. Every once in a while you get that one teacher who decides it's a good idea to read some rediculous book that attempts to prove points that defy logic. In Cold Blood cough cough cough...

I read because.....well I don't know. I just do. It makes me happy and I adore reading. More than many people actually. Hmm maybe I should fix that. Off topic sorry. I read to discover foriegn lands,and to forget the world and the mistakes that fill it.

I read to live in my own special world where words soar off of pages and plant seeds of wonder and curiousity in our minds and they sprout while plots twist and characters clash.

That is why I read.