As a semi-popular writer, I'm lucky to get occasional fan emails. I think it's terrific when a reader reaches out to say nice things.
But sometimes what they say isn't so nice.
I think I like those emails even more.
Here's one of my recent favorites:
Mr Kornarth (sic)
I recently read your free ebook WHAT HAPPENED TO LORI BOOK 1 and I hated it. It sucks. I hated the punctuation and that new punctuation you made up was distracting and stupid. Your characters were all unsympathetic jerks with secrets to hide. The sex scene was to explicit. You had all of this weird interesting stuff happening but didn't explain any of it because you want to force people to buy BOOK 2. I know you warned readers it would end on a cliff hanger but the cliffhanger made me so angry I will never read another book by you.
(Name Deleted to Protect Privacy)
PS I pre-ordered BOOK 2 anyway because it was only 99 cents but only to find out what happens. I'm positive I won't enjoy it.
End of fan mail.
Joe sez: You can get WHAT HAPPENED TO LORI BOOK 1 everywhere, for free. I apologize that it sucks. :)
***
New Novel from JA Konrath… and it’s free!
BOOK 1 is currently free on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play, and Apple Books
Or you can get Book 2 for FREE!... if you write a review of Book 1 and link to it on social media.
Here's what you need to do if you want BOOK 2 for free.
1. Read BOOK 1 (it's already free), and then write an honest review somewhere. A review on the ebook platform where you bought it, or on Goodreads, is perfect. It's okay if you hate the book, but if you post spoilers, make sure you mark them as spoilers. Also mark any predictions you may have as spoilers (you'll understand what that means when you get to the end.)
2. After you review it, post a link to your review on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Blogger, WordPress).
3. Email me the link to your social media post with the email header LORI REVIEW. If you do that, you'll get BOOK 2 for free, before it is officially released on August 30. You get to read it first, without paying for it.
This new two-book series is unlike anything I've ever done, and unlike anything that anyone else has ever done. It's massive, and I wrote it to be the ultimate beach-read page-turner. Lots of mystery and intrigue, a dash of violence, a pinch of sex, and a bunch of mindblowing twists that no one will ever see coming.
So let's do a quick Q&A.
Q: What if I'm not on social media?
A: I need folks willing to post their reviews as many places as possible. Folks willing to spread the word. Folks willing to shout about this insane new book they've just read. If you aren't on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumbler, or don't blog, let me know where you want to post your review instead, and I'll consider it on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What if I don't like the book?
A: I still want you to post a review. A negative review is perfectly cool.
Q: Why are you giving away new releases?
A: My new super-secret project is the most buzzworthy book I've ever written, and I want to get the word out, and that's why BOOK 1 is free, and BOOK 2 is cheap. I want to see how many people I can reach. I'll be blunt and heartfelt: I need you. Does Stephen King ever tell you he needs you? How about JK Rowling? Nope. But I need you. And you'll be able to tell everyone you read LORI first before it goes viral. "I read that before it was even published!" you can say to your friends and family as they stare, wide-eyed, full of venomous envy.
Q: Is there a deadline?
A: Yes! I need you to post your review by July 31 if you want to get BOOK 2 for free. So grab BOOK 1 for free and read it. If you write a review, link to it on social media, send me the link, and you'll get BOOK 2 for free as well. If you don't want to bother writing a review, go ahead an pre-order BOOK 2. I'm fine with that.
Thanks for reading! Joe
3 comments:
Thanks for posting this, Janet! It takes some of the sting out. :)
I've received a few of those over the years. They're always fun.
Very funny! I have a reviewer like that who hates all my books but continues to buy them, read them, and then give them 1 star reviews on Goodreads, though he did give me a 2.5 for one of them, which was like 5 stars! Loved this post.
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