Imagine a vampire novel that smells like its arch-nemesis, garlic. Sounds bizarre, right? But that's exactly what author Jennifer L. Armentrout did, printing 1,000 copies of her novel, 'The Primal of Blood and Bone,' with garlic-infused ink. Talk about embracing the unconventional! But here's the twist: garlic doesn't even feature in the novel's vampire-slaying arsenal.
This peculiar stunt is part of a collaboration with Hellmann's mayonnaise, targeting the passionate romantasy readers on BookTok. The special edition comes in a coffin-shaped package, complete with the scented book and a free bottle of garlic aioli. But is this innovative marketing or a step too far?
Author David Barnett argues against such gimmicks, especially when publishers allocate substantial budgets to promote already successful authors. However, I believe this case is different. As an avid romantasy fan, I understand the joy of discovering like-minded readers who appreciate these 'silly' books. Word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable in a genre that some might scoff at.
Armentrout's books, while lengthy and occasionally flawed, offer the addictive blend of fast-paced plots and beloved tropes that romantasy fans crave. So, while I might not rush to order a garlic-scented book, I appreciate the creativity. And if it encourages more people to dive into the world of reading, perhaps a little controversy is worth it.
But what do you think? Is this a clever marketing strategy or an unnecessary gimmick? Should authors and publishers focus on the content rather than the scent of their books? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's spark a lively discussion!
