I'm very much still in flux on that, but I think it'll likely be a little different from the usual offerings, since standees and acrylic keychains don't seem like the right fit for this particular story. Ideas I'm considering at present: mid-century styled tourism posters / stickers for a handful of the main story locations; t-shirts and mugs advertising Patti's Plates (again, very retro diner in style!); stickers that look like library bookplates, heavily marked up by Sparrow; either pins or stickers with a sheriff's star that include "MAN OF THE LAW / EMBARRASSMENT TO DECENCY" in small text. ✨At least, that's what I'm working with at the moment! I'll be canvassing soon-ish once I decide on whether to run a full campaign or just do merch as a form of support. ❤️
OMG the posters would actually be so cool. Also the t-shirt/mugs that advertise Patti's Plates would be an awesome idea. You can make them look retro and at the same time like the usual kitschy tourist junk that people pick up when they travel. I literally have several of said kitsch mugs from places I have been around the US: national parks, tourist traps, etc. In this case they would be the kind of thing you find in your Aunt or Grandparent's cupboard and immediately ask, "where, and what, the hell is Patti's Plates?"
The sticker idea with the quote makes me think you could also do some sort of campaign poster for John, except that it has a dorky or unflattering photo and was clearly a joke/prank made and put up without his knowledge.
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VOTE JOHN FORSTER FOR SHEIRFF.
THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND
LOCAL HERO - MAN OF THE LAW
EMBARRASSMENT TO DECENCY
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Oh my stars, I never even thought of John campaign posters!! Will definitely try and incorporate those into the mix, too, because that's an absolute goldmine of ideas! 🤣 And yes, you've 100% nailed the feeling I'm going for with the mugs. When it comes to merch, I personally love usable inside jokes, so that's the main thing I'm going for: something lovely and useful and retro and fun that might not immediately scream "this is from a visual novel", but IYKYK, and if you don't know, it's still cool looking and fun. ✨
That's exactly the hope! I'm not chasing after making something for everyone, because that's not really possible--but I want to make it something truly special for those who do resonate with this story. ❤️The merch should be like a gateway to the Bright Oak Book Club, if I can do it right! Or at least, like, fun on its own. Fun is also good. ✨