Ephemera are items intended for short-term or singular use. Examples of publishing include bookmarks, postcards and temporary tattoos.
Ephemera may seem disposable, yet some people collect it. There can be various motivations behind collecting such objects – sentimentality or history can both explain why someone may collect ephemera.
Ephemera can be an invaluable asset for publishers, serving to promote books or series, generate interest among readers, thank customers for their loyalty, or create an immersive reading experience – such as by giving bookmarks with maps of their world or postcards with character pictures.
Integrating ephemera with books is a surefire way to increase customer satisfaction and secure repeat visits.
Ephemera can be defined as items designed to be used briefly before being discarded; for books and publishing purposes, examples include bookmarks, bookplates, posters, bookmarks or posters which will eventually become part of an ephemera collection. While some might view ephemera as mere clutter or trash, its value lies within book publishing.
Bookmarks can promote books by featuring their cover art and brief plot summary; creating buzz through quotes from positive reviews is another option! Bookplates enable owners to personalize their copies for added significance while posters create excitement about an upcoming book release!
Ephemera may appear like “trash,” but its value in publishing cannot be overstated. Ephemera can help promote and generate buzz around books, making them even more special to their owners.