Saw this on galleycat and thought it was kind of...er...mortifying:
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleyca..._to_create_amazon_buzz_for_just_500_84871.asp
"As you probably know, the key to kicking ass on Amazon is reviews. My book has only recently been added to their list, so I have no reviews. I need them, and I'm willing to pay to get them. I am NOT saying I am willing to pay for puff pieces. I'm talking real reviews—good or bad. One complication is that unless you've been a frequent reviewer at Amazon, they won't let you review a book you didn't buy from them. So, if you want to participate in this, you'll probably need to buy the book from Amazon. However, if you do, and you submit a review that gets posted—and it is clear that you actually read the book—I'll send you $50. I have $500 set aside to do this, so once it's gone, the deal is over. My preference is to pay through PayPal, but I'll send you a check via snail mail if that's what it takes. Just be sure to let me know you're submitting a review before it goes up."
Of course, then they run a piece declaring that PW reviewers will now only receive $25.00 for doing their reviews.
Thoughts? He's certainly not demanding positive reviews, and clearly only wants reviews from folks who have read the book. But I'm still really...uncomfortable with this.
grommet
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleyca..._to_create_amazon_buzz_for_just_500_84871.asp
"As you probably know, the key to kicking ass on Amazon is reviews. My book has only recently been added to their list, so I have no reviews. I need them, and I'm willing to pay to get them. I am NOT saying I am willing to pay for puff pieces. I'm talking real reviews—good or bad. One complication is that unless you've been a frequent reviewer at Amazon, they won't let you review a book you didn't buy from them. So, if you want to participate in this, you'll probably need to buy the book from Amazon. However, if you do, and you submit a review that gets posted—and it is clear that you actually read the book—I'll send you $50. I have $500 set aside to do this, so once it's gone, the deal is over. My preference is to pay through PayPal, but I'll send you a check via snail mail if that's what it takes. Just be sure to let me know you're submitting a review before it goes up."
Of course, then they run a piece declaring that PW reviewers will now only receive $25.00 for doing their reviews.
Thoughts? He's certainly not demanding positive reviews, and clearly only wants reviews from folks who have read the book. But I'm still really...uncomfortable with this.
grommet
