I find a lot about the production of the Wednesday novelization odd.
One, the author’s name is not prominent and feels almost hidden.
Here are some examples of novelizations of popular IP that were television series/film first and foremost.
The authors are all on the cover and their names prominent. I can easily find who the author is. Even with the last pic where the name is the smallest and at the bottom, it's still on the cover.
Here is the front, back, and back inner jacket of the novelization.
Mejia’s name is nowhere to be found on the front. There is plenty of room to put their name without obscuring the art. They purposefully did not put their name.
On the back, Mejia’s name is the same size print as everything else and isn’t the center focus. The eyeline is more drawn towards the writers of the series rather than who wrote the novel.
Mejia has no author bio pic nor any bio information where it might normally go. Inside the cover jacket, they chose to have a blurb about the series rather than showcase the author.
Again, it feels like they’re hiding who the author is. Why?
Secondly, here are some examples of Netflix original shows that have novels. These are some of their most popular IP they have association with via the shows. All of them have that “Netflix Original” seal.
Normally I hate this as it wrecks the cover art, but it’s never stopped Netflix from all but pissing on everything they can associate their name with.
Why no seal for this novelization? There’s literally no mention of Netflix at all.
This to me suggests Netflix was not involved AT ALL. I don’t think anyone at Netflix was collaborating on this. I think this is a pure licensing deal, where Random House paid MGM to be able to use the characters.
Thirdly, and I find most baffling, is the total lack of promo.
Random House has several IG accounts, NONE of them have promo’d this book.
@randomhouse @randomhousekids @penguinrandomhouse
How can such a popular series have ZERO mention anywhere? How is it even the publisher doesn’t want to promo this book?
Even the author themselves half arsed promo’d the book. One post and it’s lukewarm at best? With only 130ish comments? That’s like nothing for a fandom of Wednesday’s size.
The Netflix writers haven’t mentioned it which suggests zero involvement. Netflix doesn't even want their name on it.
Jenna and Emma haven’t mentioned it or acknowledge it in any way, despite their supposed championing wenclair.
There are no professional reviews of it anywhere. Did they not send out advanced copies? Or were all of the reviews terrible and they scraped it?
Even the Wednesday Netflix account hasn’t mentioned it. Rather than promo the book, they chose to promo Lego instead.
Are they all embarrassed about this novel and hope it goes away quickly?
I know the book is hot garbage, but I’m in the fandom. The fans are supposed to have mixed reviews.
The publisher and network shouldn’t be treating the book and the author as a dirty little secret.
This book has literally no support from anyone. Not even the people who have a vested monetary interest in the novel.
This is so weird.
