Hi #21nders and other authors thinking of non-in-person ways of connecting with readers! I'm going share a few ideas and info on what I've done for pre-order gifts, a few tips, and (what I find most useful) where I order them from + specs on them! 1/?

Before I start, please note that you do NOT need to get anything for your book. I've just gotten a few questions and I thought I should share this information so it may help other authors who are interested!

I'll be talking about stickers, bookmarks, bookplates, and art prints:

First,STICKERS! I personally love stickers as a preorder gift. I went through a phase when I was younger where I lovedd collecting stickers. I get my stickers from @stickermule and the quality is

I've bought 3 types of stickers from @stickermule
round - blue sticker in above pic
die cut - green & holographic above; matches shape of your art. You can upload art (any shape) & they edit it to a perfect little border!
label - in a roll, you have to cut it apart

What I like:
round - It's a good, standard shape
die cut - Neat!
label - (no pics.... yet ). My expectations were low, but I was REALLY impressed by the sheen - the purple I printed is a really pretty pearly purple that I might actually love the most

Here's a referral code for $10 off your 1st @stickermule purchase: https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=8177981701

STICKER TIPS:
I like keeping an eye out for their deals!
EXTRA EXTRA TIP - it's ok if you don't have artwork right away! You can purchase their deal and upload artwork later. I've uploaded artwork months after!
Specs: 3" x 3" stickers. They're not cheap, though.

(I've also bought custom packaging tape from @stickermule that I'm going to use for the Eva 2 preorder campaign, and it looks really good quality and fun because it's personalized!)

Next, BOOKMARKS! Oh, I loveee bookmarks. I order mine through @GotPrint since they have reasonable prices and *special tip* they always have great coupons on this page: https://www.gotprint.com/company/coupons.html

For Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch, I ordered 2" x 8" bookmarks. HOWEVER, after I printed them, I realized that Eva's final copies (and definitely not the ARCs) aren't 8" tall! So, for Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch, I'm going with the 1.5" x 7" size.

(I didn't want it too tall, or else the bookmark might get creased when I mail it out with the book). For Eva Book One (middle grade, so may be different for YA/other age groups), I ordered 500 and I ran out a few months after pub, so this time I'm ordering 1,000.

Before you order your bookmarks, check @GotPrint's coupon page for deals: https://www.gotprint.com/company/coupons.html

My bookmark specs:
Paper type: 14 pt uncoated cover
(matte/uncoated = easier to sign!)
Color: Full color, both sides

You can see my bookmark here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWwgdmgAYC/ 

Up next: bookplates!! For Eva Book One, I did 3" (width) by 2" (height) at a company called @Printrunner, but I think I may switch to 3"w x 1.5"h and print through @GotPrint, but I haven't gotten around to printing them yet.

For my Eva Book One stickers through @Printrunner, these are the specs:
3" x 2" Labels
Flat Width: 3"
Flat Height: 2"
Paper: White Paper Sticker - Matte
NOTE: I went with matte so it's easier to sign!

I *REALLY* like having bookplates. If I were only to get one thing out of my list, I'd probably get these, because it's so easy to sign a few to send to bookstores near and far!

Finally, ART PRINTS. This is the item that I'm considering for my Eva Book Two preorder giveaway campaign, but I haven't ordered them yet. My current plan is to order some from @gotprint as single-sided postcards (would love suggestions!) in a matte/uncoated, thicker print.

Oh! And some of you may be wondering how I create my art files—My publisher gave me the cover art, and I've done some graphic design work through my day job so I was able to create my bookmark and bookplate by myself. The wonderful Eva stickers feature art by @mavilez_

who I highly, highly recommend for commissions!

For design help: I believe @DianaSousaArt creates bookmarks, bookplates, etc. and I've heard great things about @PeterxLopez!

I really have to get back to writing (I can't wait to share this book with you!), but feel free to drop any Qs & I'll be back later!

(oh! & please preorder Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch so you can get fabulous preorder goodies! signed copies thru @Onceuponatimebk)