Pantera Press shares the fun, frivolity and flamboyance of the 1930s

Rowland Sinclair Mystery – Pantera Press has created two very different shareable experiences – both going beyond the book while embracing the characters of the time.

“We are aware that the way people buy books is changing rapidly, and we are also conscious that all books have their own personalities. As a publisher that prides itself on doing things differently, we are looking not only to research into new retail* buying habits, but also delving into feedback from our readers,” said Alison Green, CEO and Founder of Pantera Press.

Did someone mention history?

For the release of A Murder Unmentioned by award-winning author Sulari Gentill, two items have been created using very different mediums – one on-line and cutting edge, the other an in store gift with purchase that is more old school.

Each allows individual interaction and insight into Australia in the 1930s, and reinforces the historical aspects of the award-winning Rowland Sinclair Mysteries.

“We constantly receive feedback for Sulari’s books that readers thoroughly enjoy the stylish and witty way she reflects the 1930s through her characters – both real and imagined – and that people feel they are spending time with friends when they pick up a Rowly book,” said Alison.

“So we created two wonderful ways that let our readers further connect with the 1930s – and share with their friends!

Bowlers, Bohemians and Bloodshed – the 1930s were to die for!

The first is a classic magnetic story set**. Messages can be created on any magnetic surface (a fridge being the ideal place). It’s a fun bit of whimsy in the kitchen with friends, and this reflects the characters and places that the historical crime series is known for. It also features the delightful pen and ink illustrations created by the author that grace the covers of the re-released smaller format paperbacks.

“Bowlers, Bohemians and Bloodshed – the 1930s were to die for” is proving a popular starting phrase!   We are encouraging people to play as a group activity – with the odd word changes here and there offering a myriad of meanings and outcomes,” said Alison.

Sulari has already received feedback from one bookseller advising her that this is the best point of sale they have seen in years! 

“And with Rowly being a magnet for scandal, we are sure some interesting situations will result,” said Alison.

Did you know that A Murder Unmentioned was the Number 1 bestselling title at last weekend’s Crime and Justice Festival in Melbourne with the fifth in the series, Gentill’s Gentlemen Formerly Dressed, coming in at number three at the festival.  While social media was actively used during the event, readers still love the chance to meet their favourite authors face-to-face.

Who would you be in 1933?

To create a similar interactive, sharable experience in a globally relevant online format, Pantera Press looked to replicate the intriguing, but intrinsically Australian, characters that give depth and flavour to Sulari’s stories.

“The cameo appearances from past figures such as garden designer Edna Walling and future prime minister Robert Menzies really help to ground the stories,” said Alison, “so we created an online quiz “Who would you be in 1933?”

Readers select the places, drinks, transport and entertainment options – even a favourite colour and instrument – that would have appealed to them at that time, and then their “character” from the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries, as set in 1933s, is revealed once the quiz is complete.

“The best part is you can share the results – and the ‘30s inspired graphics that go with the messages really bring the characters to life.

“We don’t want to spoil the fun of finding out all the characters available, but we invite everyone to play on line and share the results with their friends – they might reveal themselves to be a reluctant hero, a brazen sculptress or even a crusading activist in our historically inspired mix!!”

It’s also great fun to see how the results will change if you switch you preferred drink from gin to a whisky – a chosen drink can offer a lot of insight into a character!

“But in case you are unsure of how each character fits into Rowlands’ personal history, the online results offer new and familiar readers alike clues so they can easily find out more information about your character within the pages of the books.

And just like in the books themselves, you learn a bit about the era through the quiz itself– such as that mirror balls become popular in nightclubs around that time!

“With the growing role that social media plays within publishing, we are really looking for different ways that people can “share” their online interactions in a more fun way,” said Alison.

“Last year we created our first microsite to create a 1930 “home” for the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries, but these current promotions allow our readers to take Rowly into their homes and offices and have a bit more fun interacting with Sulari’s characters.”

TAKE THE QUIZ NOW: http://www.panterapress.com.au/quiz

Pantera Press is no stranger to offering readers all-encompassing online experiences, creating Can you Taste the Sound of Murder? as an online synaesthesia tool for the worldwide release of Killing Adonisby J.M. Donellan last month. Just as we did for the 1930s quiz, a shareable online experience was created that allows readers to enter the world of the book’s protagonist, cynical and feisty nurse Freya Miller (who has the amazing neurological condition synaesthesia***, where two or more senses collide).   To find out more, click here. PLAY NOW: http://www.PanteraPress.com.au/Synaesthesia 

If you would like to have a chat to us about our different approach to marketing novels – or to the companies that helped us bring these great tools to market so quickly – we are only a phone call or email away!

*The Nielsen Connected Consumers Report 2014reports that ‘new retail’ behaviours are emerging as digital and physical retail stores converge – and that online to online conversion (online research leading to an online purchase) is best suited to book buying.

** available at selected stores as a gift with purchase while stocks last.

***If you think you have synaesthesia – a condition shared by many creative types, including the artist Kandisky, the actress Marilyn Monroe, musicians Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, composer Ludwig vanBeethoven, poet Vladimir Nabakov and Killing Adonis’ Freya Miller – please contact the Synaesthesia Research Group at Macquarie University: synaesthesia@mq.edu.au