Sweetening The Pot

So I’m not the only one with a new release out looking to reach 20 reviews.  Pal Zoe Winters is offering up a free copy of her latest release Claimed (sequel to her novella Kept) to any who are willing to review it on Amazon.  Like me, she’s asking for honest reviews, not just good ones.  As she’s already reached 5 reviews in 24 hours, I’m thinking this is perhaps just the thing to sweeten the pot of my own blog contest.

As Zoe points out:

This is NOT a bribe. This is standard operating procedure in the world of reviews. If you ask for a review before someone has read something, you do not expect the reviewer to go out and buy a copy. You give them a complimentary copy.

Perhaps this was my mistake, as I was hoping to entice the folks who had ALREADY read Forsaken By Shadow to go review it and not thinking about potential new readers.  Duh.

Reviews are HUGELY IMPORTANT on Amazon–not just the number of stars, but the actual QUANTITY of reviews.  You don’t have to write a literary dissertation, just hop on and jot a line or two.  Every single review will help me, and I am so grateful for all of you who are taking time out to post one.  (Not to say I’m not grateful for readers who aren’t posting one…I’m grateful to all my readers period!)

So through the end of the month of May, in addition to the opportunity to earn a $10 Amazon gift card, I will give you a free copy of Forsaken By Shadow (via a coupon code to Smashwords so you can get any format you want) if you are willing to go review it on Amazon.  If you are willing, please email me at kaitnolanwriter (at) gmail.com.  If you get into it and hate it, you may certainly choose not to continue.  But please don’t request a copy if you don’t think it’s the kind of book you’d like (because, really, that wastes your time too).

To recap

The Rules:

• You must post a review on Amazon.  Note, I am not saying that this has to be a GOOD review.  Obviously I would prefer a good review, but good, bad, whatever, all stands the same shot in the drawing.  You can’t fault me for banking on the fact that the people who enjoyed Forsaken By Shadow will be more motivated to act.
• You must come back to this post and leave a comment linking me to your review.  This earns you one entry in the drawing.
• Tweeting about the contest in addition to your review earns you another entry into the drawing.  Link me to your tweet in comments as well.
• Making a post on your blog pimping the book and contest, in addition to your review, will earn you two additional entries into the drawing.  Link me to that post in your comment.
• Do me a favor and tally up your number of entries in your comment while you’re there so I don’t miss any.

So you have the opportunity to get your name in the hat up to FOUR times.  So spread the word!  Go forth and notify!