  We present an analysis of the effects of luminosity on the shape of the
mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 234 radio-quiet quasars
originally presented by Richards et al. In quasars without evident dust
extinction, the spectrally integrated optical and infrared luminosities are
linearly correlated over nearly three decades in luminosity. We find a
significant (>99.99% confidence) correlation between the 1.8-8.0 micron
spectral index and infrared luminosity that indicates an enhancement of the
mid-infrared continuum with increasing luminosity. Coupled with strong evidence
for spectral curvature in more luminous quasars, we conclude this trend is
likely a manifestation of the `near-infrared (3-5 micron) bump' noticed in
earlier quasar SED surveys. The strength of this feature is indicative of the
contribution of emission from the hottest (>1000 K) dust to the mid-infrared
spectrum; higher luminosity quasars tend to show more hot dust emission.
Finally, the comparable distribution of bolometric corrections from the
monochromatic 3 micron luminosity as well as its lack of sensitivity to dust
extinction as compared to the standard bolometric correction from nu*L_{5100A}
suggest that the former may be a more robust indicator of bolometric quasar
luminosity. The close link between the power in the mid-infrared and optical
and the effect of luminosity on the shape of the mid-infrared continuum
indicate that considering mid-infrared emission independent of the properties
of the quasar itself is inadequate for understanding the parsec-scale quasar
environment.
