This is the 2nd time this week i've seen
@philmonroe hop in a peaceful thread and create instant beef.

However, I agree 100% with this...
@ORDER_66 put all your effort and money into generating a loyal fanbase for your book before you start trying to eat off merchandising. The opportunity to make money off clothing items, coffee mugs, baseball hats... will come after you establish a strong brand with your book. If you start trying to sell merchandise at this stage in the game, you're going to have to spend money/time on manufacturing
AND trying to convince people to buy hats, shirts, and mugs with a picture of a character they know nothing about.
Now if your book is a hit, and you have a decent fanbase, you no longer have to explain the merchandise. People will look at your items like "Thats Aaron Jackson!"

And once they purchase, they become a walking advertisement free of cost.
IMO, all your money/time should be dedicated to making your book a hit before you start branching off into anything else.