Here's the most important lesson I learned in my Collaborative Challenge outreach to you all:
Authors help authors
In this era of social networking, I guess I shouldn't be all that Surprised. While I expected a breadth of ideas (which I indeed received) to help push my upcoming book, the real shock was the depth of them. The profundity of generosity emanating from other authors was staggering. Links, book downloads, leads to media sources, offers to talk together or to talk to groups...astonishing. Starting today and over the next few weeks, as promised, I'll lay down some of these ideas and who they come from.
Equally as important as the ideas themselves were the stories of the people who sent them. For example, Dave Lefkow's lawsuit-seeking concept was:
"Get a big foam boxing glove
(preferably half as big as you)
and go around punching people in the eyes."
Uh...well, don't think so. First of all, half as big as me ain't all that big, and as anyone versed in Newtonian physics knows, any physical action is met with an opposite and equal reaction. It would be tough to promote a book from a hospital bed or jail cell.
But the real find in Dave's idea was Dave himself, or more specifically, his brainchild, Bacon Salt...an invention set to fulfill his "Never Ending Quest to Make Everything Taste Like Bacon," including steaks, croutons, eggs, corn, tomato soup and even ice cream. (That's him and his partner Justin above.)
Bacon Salt's website is a delight, as is the company blog; great product, great idea and great spirit.
But hidden within the site is Bacon Salt's true Pow! You ready for this?
It's certified KOSHER!!
Dave, as great as Bacon Salt is, and I'm sure it is, THIS is the talking point. Kosher Bacon Seasoning is what will generate buzz, heat, chat, attention and controversy. I shouldn't have to happenstancedly stumble upon this as the 4th point in the "Buy It" tab; this should be front and center on every page!
So, with the Jewish Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur coming up, I think I will try out Bacon Flanken, Bacon Matzah Ball Soup and Bacon-Flavored Brisket on my extended family.
And do so totally guilt-free!