September 8, 2008
Back in May, I did something that made me immediately loathed by some of the big-name book blogs and some authors out there: I gathered up a team and launched a blog devoted to listing contests involving books. br /br /It doesn’t sound like the sort of thing that would invoke derision from the very people I’m seeking to talk about. I mean, isn’t it a span style=”font-style:italic;”good/span thing when people talk about you? br /br /But, apparently, there are people out there who are basically contest groupies. They enter everything. And there are the people who win the books and then turn around and sell them on eBay. br /br /During the three years I spent working on a fan convention for my favorite real band (and you regulars know who that band is), I heard more than once about this same type of person. It seems they’re not unique to the book world. So while I marvel that people would act this way with a book, it’s not my first exposure to this sort of person. No matter where we go and what we do, there will always be the shady few among us. br /br /I almost gave up Win a Book after the first week, demoralized when I was told that an author holds contests to give away books to her devoted following, not to gain new fans. My dear friend Breeni talked me into keeping with it, and our following grew by leaps and bounds — but not among the authors so much as among the men and women who devote their blogs to talking about the books they’ve read. And yes, the books they are giving away. In fact, if you mention their contest on your blog, they’ll give you an extra entry. br /br /This community of book bloggers is strong but, perhaps, often overlooked. To help combat that, a href=”http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/”My Friend Amy/a declared September 15 through 19 to be Book Blogger Appreciation Week. And in conjunction with this week, she asked for nominations in a number of categories. When all was said and done with that step, she realized that popular demand had created a new category: Most Altruistic Blog. And Win a Book was one of the nominees.br /br /I’m always pleased to be thought of by others. But to be included in this particular category? It fits, and it fits nicely, I think. Whenever I drop by someone’s blog to tell them I’ve posted their contest at Win a Book, I usually tell them there’s no need to enter me. I’m doing this to help spread the word about the book, the author, the blogger… I’m not doing this to win books. (The exception to this “no need to enter me” rule is if a book is on my wishlist)br /br /Since that rocky first week, I’ve found other authors who span style=”font-style:italic;”are/span willing to have us post about their giveaways. I also post links to guest blog posts by authors whose names frequently pop up, as well as links to interviews. I like to post about sales and deals. I love to hear that I’ve turned people on to books. br /br /Look. I’m a writer. I know all too well how hard this game of publishing is. There are things going on in the publishing industry that I loathe. Win a Book is just one way that I’m trying to make a difference and make things better for all of us writers.br /br /Yep. Altruistic. br /br /Maybe that’s why I don’t care if Win a Book wins in its category. I’d be thrilled if it does, but for now, it’s enough to know that I span style=”font-style:italic;”am/span making a difference. Hopefully that’s only the beginning.br /br /Now, it’s span style=”font-style:italic;”your/span turn to make a difference. Go on over to My Friend Amy’s and vote, will you, please? Even if you don’t vote for Win a Book. But there are a lot of great blogs nominated in a lot of great categories. Raise your voices and make a difference. br /br /Use a href=”http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/09/bbaw-awards-2008-voting-booth.html”this link/a.
Toni
September 8, 2008 7:00 pm
Congrats on your nomination. Going over to vote now!
spyscribbler
September 8, 2008 8:35 pm
Really? That’s terrible that people criticize it. Some people are going to take advantage of some things, some aren’t. It’s just the way the world works. You can’t control it.BR/BR/Win a Book is an AWESOME site. It’s not my thing because I’m getting rid of most of my books, but it DOES strike me as a book/reader thing. BR/BR/That’s why I think the site is an awesome idea. So many author blogs cater to other authors and not to readers. I question that strategy’s effectiveness. BR/BR/You’re definitely on to something with Win a Book! It caters to readers!
Wylie Kinson
September 8, 2008 8:39 pm
Hope you win, SHG. It would be well-deserved.BR/Going now to vote…
Breeni Books
September 8, 2008 8:45 pm
There are also lots of authors out there thrilled to have the added exposure. 😉
Susan Helene Gottfried
September 8, 2008 8:51 pm
THAT is some of the important stuff, too. Authors like Camy Tang and Meg Waite Clayton and Jennifer Estep… kudos to them for being brave!
cheesygiraffe
September 8, 2008 10:51 pm
Of course, I already voted for Win A Book. ;)BR/Which reminds me I need to do a Giveaway of The Gargoyle once I finish reading it. It’s fun to win a book then after you read it turn around to give it away again. 😀
J. Kaye Oldner
September 9, 2008 1:02 am
Your post blows me away. I had no idea you were so close to shutting it down. I knew about the conflict. I for one am glad Breeni Books was there. Win A Books has made such a positive impact on book bloggers. BR/BR/Over the past three years, book blogging has changed. It’s more open, more loving, and more giving. Win A Books helps to promote that behavior. BR/BR/Also, you’ve chatted about the groupies before. I know they exists, but it’s an area I don’t think about. I totally close it off and refuse to acknowledge it exists. If I don’t, I’ll buy in to the negative. The groupies will always be there. I just refuse to let them ruin my fun. :)BR/BR/Love what you are doing and yes, I voted for Win A Books! 🙂
Just.Me
September 9, 2008 5:48 am
I voted for you and I hope you win! Also, I wanted to let you know that you can’t let others actions dictate what you choose to do. When I give money to a homeless person and people say they will spend it on booze or whatever, I say that is between them and God. I do what I feel led to do and I have no control after that. If someone wins a book and sells it on eBay, then that is out of your hands. There will always be people who take advantage. There are more of us out there who appreciate the opportunity to learn about authors we wouldn’t know about. Just continue to do this wonderful blog and everything will get sorted out in the end. I appreciate all you do!
Margaret
September 9, 2008 3:41 pm
Congratulations on the nomination! I’m sorry you received criticism about your site. People misunderstand altruism so often.BR/BR/Keep up the great work though!BR/BR/ê¿ê
Alice Audrey
September 10, 2008 12:16 am
I voted for you. Hope you win.
Julia
September 10, 2008 12:42 am
Hi – Congratulations on the nomination! Of course I voted for Win a Book. And you are a wonderful person :)BR/BR/Thanks so much for keeping me/fmaily in your thoughts during the Hurricane Gustav move to Louisiana. I just want to let you know that we are are okay and safe 🙂 I udpated about it at my blog…THANKs again for thinking of us 🙂
Thomma Lyn
September 10, 2008 12:55 am
I’m off to vote, and I’m voting for you! 🙂 Congratulations on being nominated.BR/BR/And I just can’t fathom that you’re getting criticism for what you’re doing. It’s a wonderful thing, for readers and writers.
FRIGGA
September 11, 2008 11:38 am
Hmmm… I would think that doing a book give-a-way contest would be about getting the name out there. When the winner of the contest turns around and sells it that name gets out there TWO times instead of once….BR/BR/I’ve only entered book give-aways a couple times and for books that I wanted bad enough to buy myself when I didn’t win them.
Susan Helene Gottfried
September 11, 2008 11:42 am
That’s how I see it, too, Frigga — but from a royalty-earning standpoint, I understand the other point of view.BR/BR/Still, sometimes you have to consider the long-term effects. Royalties from a few people knowing you or a bunch of people talking about you and recognizing your name … and maybe the same royalties. Maybe less. Maybe more.BR/BR/Still seems worth it to me, though.
Brenda ND
September 11, 2008 12:14 pm
Kudos. It’s good to get affirmation. 🙂