Stenciled Edges and Signed Bookplates and Custom Art Prints, Oh My!
How Nikki St. Crowe's WEST OF WICKED is building on "the momentum of a beloved cultural phenomenon."
This week we’re talking with Tyrinne Lewis, senior marketing manager at Tor Publishing Group, about Nikki St. Crowe's WEST OF WICKED, on sale on April 14. WEST OF WICKED is the first book in a planned trilogy and was featured in Buzz Books 2025: Romance.


Here’s the original deal announcement:
There are so many unusual angles to this book: the author was previously self-published, and it’s also an Oz book coming out right on the heels of the Wicked movies. How have you approached building buzz around this title?
Pitching for Buzz Books is one way! As well as lots of targeted outreach to romantasy readers and fans of the Wicked franchise. We are also excited to be running a pre-order campaign where consumers can submit proof of purchase and receive a custom art print and signed Yellow Brick Road bookplate. (Submit here!)
Has anything unexpected happened so far in the campaign—surprises, challenges or early wins?
I think it is always a fun challenge to introduce readers to the start of a new romantasy series from an incredible author! Additionally, we have a unique package which we are taking advantage of for the entire The Great and Terrible Land series campaign: stenciled edges creating one complete image across all three books!
Finally, for the booksellers and librarians reading this: why does this book belong on their shelves?
WEST OF WICKED takes the momentum of a beloved cultural phenomenon and turns it on its head through an exciting new story that will captivate fans of romance and fantasy.
WEST OF WICKED by Nikki St. Crowe is forthcoming from Bramble on April 14. Preorder here or request on Netgalley here.
Calling All Librarians and Booksellers!
Did you love one of our Buzz Books so much that you’re featuring it as a staff pick or in a special display? Use this form to send us photos! We’re always excited to spot #BuzzBooksOfficial titles out in the wild—and maybe we’ll share your display in a future Substack post.




