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Do authors get paid to advertise in their novels, and does this disappoint you?

I have recently read a few books and was annoyed at the blatent advertising in them eg: James Patterson extolling the virtues (over and over agian) of a Mercedes car in his book 'Crossed' , Dean Koonz promoting 'Second Life' in 'The Darkest Night of the Year'. Should this be allowed? I think it takes away from the story. It's not as if they need the money, as I've only noticed it in successful authors.

Public Comments

1. I remember thinking this when I read Creighton's 'Lost World' - it was virtually a sales brochure for the Long Wheelbase Land Rover Defender!
2. Sadly yes but only bad authors who cant get respect, thus sales, through quality work
3. what can you say? Men and cars, a love affair and no I do not think they get paid. They can't help themselves, that is all.
4. It's more likely the other way around - most authors will have to pay the manufacturers to use their product names due to copyright. As for successful authors like James Patterson, Dean Koontz etc then yes, I would think they receive money for advertising products; in fact, it wouldn't surprise me if manufacturers approach the authors themselves, knowing that millions of their books will be translated and sold around the world - perfect for advertising a product on an almost global scale, and done in a discreet, somewhat subliminal way, as opposed to "in your face" billboards and television commercials. Maybe they come to an agreement - ie, "You can use our name but you must mention (advertise) it X amount of times, otherwise you must pay us for the copyright. If you use it more than X times, then we will pay you for advertising." Product placement in books doesn't disappoint me too much, as a bit of realism never hurts, but if they went over the top with it then it would probably irritate a little. Think of it like television: if the story is good enough, you barely notice the adverts, and if you do, then you might as well turn over/switch off (close the book).
5. I have heard of authors getting paid to mention certain brand names in their books, but it is by no means a common practice. I remember this being big news a few years ago, when some author received money from a champagne brand (I think). Some luxury brand, anyway. I suspect that most authors are above this, except perhaps the very commercial authors. These are the only ones companies would approach anyway--no point paying for a product placement unless the book you're mentioned in is going to sell millions of copies. There is no permission needed (or fees, arrangements, etc.) for an author to mention a brand name in their book. (I know--I've done it.) It's polite to, in the front of the book, mention that those names are trademarked. But most publishers don't do this. As long as the author is writing specifically about that company's product, it's not an issue. Companies like Xerox and Kleenex are pretty possessive of their trademarks and will come down hard on people using them as generic terms for "copier" or "tissue." But mostly it's not an issue. As an author, I would not take money from a company. I'll write a specific product into my book if it needs to be there, and *only* if it needs to be there--because there's something specific about the product that's important, or to lend authenticity to the setting, or something. Not because I was paid to do so.
6. No. Authors do not get paid for product placement. When writers include "brand names" in their work, it is to provide a sense of place and believeability. For example, if I write "The man stepped out of the expensive black car. He was wearing trendy clothes and a large gold watch." It doesn't carry the same punch as "The man stepped out of the black BMW and checked his Rolex. His suit, a dusk grey Armani, was tailored to accentuate his frame." In the first example, it's a pretty bland description. In the second, we get a very clear idea of the scene. These brands invoke certain conotations, and help provide a clearer picture. If I say: "Cheryl drank the coffee." Doesn't say much about Cheryl. "Cheryl sipped coffee from her Starbuck's cup." Gives us a bit of a clue as to Cheryl's personality, based on the perception with have of Starbucks. Employing brand names is a writing device used to put readers into the scene. It creates a sense of familiarity that helps with believability. Product placement is more common in visual media, but it's pretty much unheard of in written media.