By Kimberly Turner
Books aren’t just books anymore, and authors aren’t just authors. They are—as obnoxious and bizspeak as it sounds—”brands,” and they’re being marketed as such. So if you’re sick of hearing about Fifty Shades of Grey now, wait until your aunt asks for Fifty Shades lingerie this Christmas. CopCorp, which bought the licensing rights to the series, anticipates adult toys, key fobs, men’s ties, jewelry, fragrances, and “appropriate services.” (I shudder to think what that means.) After all, it’s not such a stretch to assume that if you enjoy the book or author, you’ll buy the T-shirt, coffee mug, or bookmark. But what about the panties, shower curtain, and Ouija board? Literary merchandise is not as straightforward as you might think. Here are ten of the most bizarre book tie-ins…
Click here to read the rest of this story
