So, my publisher says they're about to send me the ARC (aaaaaalmost but not quite finished) version of the third book. When they do, they are encouraging me to give it away, yes, for free, to some of my fans. I'm still trying to figure out how to decide that, since I thought they'd be worried about piracy, but apparently they super want reviews up on the first day. ARC does mean 'Advanced Review Copy', by the way. So, uh... thoughts? And yes, 'ME ME ME PLEASE' is a thought coherent and worth adding to this debate.
EDIT - Okay, people! I now have an online survey form thingy that should work. Send your requests to this simple and demeaning questionnaire and hopefully I can get a copy to you. Remember, you pay me back by posting a review ASAP when the book officially comes out! I would appreciate you erasing these copies when you're done reading. Book piracy is a thing.
I'd take one!
ReplyDeleteSimple; first 5 people who comment on this post gets it. Since I'm no. 2, ME ME ME PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteBTW; I only see the Kindle Edition up. Any word on the paperback yet?
Last word I got on the paperback was that it certainly will be coming, and won't be long, but the cover had to be complete and that did take stupid forever.
DeleteHow do you think I should give out these ARC copies? They would probably be .mobi files.
I would suggest you look at people with some history in blogging. People who has blogs which are regularly updated. If they do reviews of books on the blogs, then even better. Honestly, I hate reading on mobile. Can .mobi files be read on a regular PC? I'm not sure but then I still prefer paper.
DeleteGood luck. Look forward to the book.
They can, easily. There's no shortage of free kindle reader programs.
DeleteGreat, then I'm back in. So you know Richard, I did reviews on both Supervillains & Blew up the Moon but I intend to buy the book anyway so...
DeleteAlso my readership isn't that great so you might be better off with site like escapepod.org.
there is a free program called calibre, you can drop any format of book in that program and be able to read it on your pc, of course .mobi files is also the normal file for kindle so you could add it to your kindle library that way, for myself if i get it, i will drop it on calibre and that way read it on my pc
DeleteCOOOOLLLLL!!!!
DeleteDibs! I call dibs!
ReplyDeleteActually, I already pre-ordered it on Amazon, so I'm good.
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ReplyDeleteBattle Royal?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someone who can may good helpful comments. Like, someone who has made up character cards describing the characters, to help in continuity ? (Was thinking of them for an RPG at one point.)
ReplyDeleteSomeone who noticed the differences in describing Clair's hair color, in the first book, but who did not make a bid deal of it. Or, who could make a few editing suggestions, perhaps...
Just a thought.
Ah, I have been demeaned....
DeleteI mean, I completed the form...
OK please send me 1 copy i will have a review ready for you in 3 hours
ReplyDeleteTake the unique set of names of those who respond in this thread and put into http://www.randomresult.com/pick.php
ReplyDeleteThen use it randomly pick someone, contact them, and send the ARC on the condition that they provide a review.
Or just send to me. Either works.
Okay, guys, but how would I send it to you at ALL? I mean, you don't want to just post your email addresses here. I know I don't.
ReplyDeletePerhaps ask for something like a paragraph about folks thoughts on the first 2 book and have it submitted to a burner dropbox account. That way you can ensure that; they are fans, eloquent enough to post good reviews, and willing to at least jump through some hoops to get this early copy.
DeleteLet me check on internet to see if i find a solution, for myself i do not mind posting 1 of my email, i have 3 1 for business 1 personal and 1 for miscellaneous, i could post the misc one without too many issues.
DeleteUse google forms to collect the email addresses. Only you would see the emails.
DeleteWhat about an email to the "Contact Us" on the Curiosity Quills website?
DeleteUsing a single email address as contact point (e.g. an existing "Contact Us" address, as mentioned above, or else a temporary email address from an existing service that supports temporary aliases, or at worst a disposable address from gmx.com, fastmail.com, etc.) would be the most flexible "meeting place".
DeleteA Google Doc solution would be restricted to google accounts. If temporary accounts are used there, there's a higher bar to cross, as Google has mechanisms to discourage that sort of thing.
If there are limits on filesize for email transfer, the usual solution is to put it on dropbox and distribute a link (via email or whatever). I know it's possible to place restrictions on dropbox link access, but that might require a paid account.
Posting one of my emails would be a small sacrifice for helping out.
DeleteI would myself love to read a copy and would willing to write a review for this novel. As far as a way to contact the people who put something here. Maybe a quick google doc that people could add their names to express interest?
ReplyDeleteI think everyone here would love to get in on the eARC (myself included of course), and would write some great reviews. However, I think the people that lead the discussions should have some preference. I know there are many that follow this blog who are vastly more deserving than I for reading the eARC.
ReplyDeleteIf I could recommend someone it would be the people (way back when) who first pointed out someone was Bull's *ahem*.
I think anyone who is a fan of the series would love an eArc. Surprising that your publisher offers up an eArc version this close to the release date but who am I to argue with them.
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't want a free ARC of the book? I DEFINITELY DO!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in an ARC, if this happens quickly: I was planning to constrain reading to a moderate pace rather than letting myself buzz through it in a day, and there's just enough time to do that and still post a review by the release date.
ReplyDeleteI'll be getting a paper copy, regardless.
The ARC would be nice, but I'm fine anyways since the book is coming out soon.
ReplyDeleteFun Fact: I read the name Inscrutable Machine as Indestructible Machine for the whole first book until I promptly reread it after I was done and had a 5 minute fit on the floor laughing (well not exactly five minute or on the floor).
Also forgot to say thanks for writing these awesome books.
DeleteI'd be interested in an ARC, though I am a bit late to the game. It's the funniest thing, I discovered your series through a random blog on tumblr. I instantly purchased and read it after scanning through the premise. Your series is exactly my aesthetic. I am a superhero-obsessed engineering student with a power complex. Fewer things are as up my alley as this concept is.
ReplyDeleteI think ARCs are an excellent way to drum up interest seeing as word of mouth is one of the most effective forms of marketing. Of course, the ideal is that the copies go to your more loyal readers, though it is true that there are no gates to being a fan, and no fan is better than another for being here longer.
I think PatrickSJ was on the right track with the Google Form. That way, the information will end up in a nice spreadsheet (I'm a big fan of spreadsheets) and will be kept between the reader and yourself. It'll also be automatically time stamped and accompanied by any information you request (such as full name or website where review will be posted). But that's just a suggestion.
and if I wanted to over-complicate it... go for a free SurveyMonkey account. XD
DeleteTrue. I do tend to forget that not everyone has given into the Google ecosystem. If you don't have a Google account (though, to be honest, who doesn't at this point?), Survey Monkey is an alternative. Process is the same though, right?
DeleteWell, the free version of SurveyMonkey only allows up to 100 responses per survey (max 10 questions), but the process is very similar.
DeleteHowever, you shouldn't need a google account to fill out a google form. Create or edit you do, but not when giving a response.
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DeleteI made a test survey to collect responses. I logged out and confirmed that I do NOT need a login in order to provide a response.
Deletehttp://goo.gl/forms/Qrr2mVFlPH
Took all of 3 minutes to create. Easier / faster than SurveyMonkey but it had fewer options for complex surveys.
I super wish to thank you, SJ! I have done as you suggested.
DeleteGlad to be of assistance.
DeleteYou definitely don't need to sign in, though you can require it if you want participants to only submit a single response. I'm actually incredibly familiar with the system due to me being in charge of my club's Google Drive at university. The form is the easiest part of the equation. The distribution method (file type? Mass email?) along with how many copies to give out and to whom are now the issues at hand, I think.
DeleteIf going for fewest emails I'd say by format.
DeleteShouldn't two bcc emails (one for each format) do the trick? I'm trying to recall how the exact mechanics for bcc, but the emails in the bcc field are not known to the recipients, right?
So now what do we do? do we wait until the author gives us a link or what? i'm a bit loss. thank you for your patience.
DeleteI'll email you a copy when/if I go over the list and approve what I see. I can't imagine I'm going to be very restrictive. It'll be interesting to see how many requests I get, even.
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ReplyDeleteok saw the link i already posted my petition.
ReplyDeleteI'm really tempted...but I have no idea where to put a review.
ReplyDeleteWhatever. I'll join the survey and figure out where to post the review if it happens.
DeleteIt's actually really easy to post on either GoodReads or Amazon. They're the two places I turn to first for reviews.
DeleteJust reminder to put in a disclaimer if you do that; I received an ARC copy for a honest review.
DeleteI just submitted the questionnaire. Your books are the only ones I have ever reviewed on Amazon. I would be completely jazzed to read this one a little early.
ReplyDeleteAmazon would be a great place to post it, as would Good Reads.
Delete