RED CHASER tosses you headfirst into the 1950s. You'll meet the kinkiest and most beautiful spy this side of the Iron Curtain. You'll meet Joe McCarthy. Best of all, you'll live the life of Jake McHenry as he romps through this 1950s history of spies, Commies, babes and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

You can get it for free on either Kindle or Smashwords. Just email me at findjon@msn.com and tell me which you prefer (Kindle or Smashwords) and say, “Yes, I’d like to read Red Chaser.”

If you choose Kindle, I’ll have Amazon.com email you a gift card* for Red Chaser. If you choose Smashwords, I’ll email you the code for a free download (sorry, no change on this one).

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.19 (list price is $3.99), you'll have a buck and eighty-one cents in change. Spend it wisely!

Red Chaser is a fresh spin on the historical mystery novel. It's fun, it's 1950s noir, it's Brooklyn, it keeps you guessing and when you finish the last page you say, "Wow, that was fun."

Jon Spoelstra
findjon@msn.com

P.S. There are 54 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 28 5-star ratings, 22 4-stars, three 3-stars, and alas, one 1-star. Here’s a link to the reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NXBUI4?tag=geezerlitcom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B001NXBUI4&adid=0KE9EW6G9GMV5V4WEHF1&

I need more - EPUB - before you can pay me to take your ebook :D :rofl:

I assume it's DRM-locked so we can't even convert it? Not good.

Ya um, 1 post only, shilling a book, the promise of a rebate but it requires taking you at your word.

I'm going to say no. You're not a member of this community and you're not paying mobileread to host this ad for you. For all I know you're going to sell the email addresses you collect.

For shame.

I did join MobileRead. Then I got an email from them encouraging me submit my first post. I thought of this offer. The risk, by the way, is all mine. I send you a $5 gift card and assume that you will order Red Chaser at $3.99.

As for selling email addresses, I've already listed mine. findjon@msn.com. Feel free to sell it. Sell yours? C'mon, I'm just looking for readers.

G'day Jon,

Welcome to MR.

We've got what many perceive to be a problem at MR at the moment. We're getting a lot of drive-by book-plugging, by just-joined authors who go into what they deem a relevant sub-forum (or just the first one they see) and just plug their book as their first post and then they rack off, never to be seen again (or only to plug their book in a new thread or bump their old one). In some sections, it's starting to swamp the desired purpose of the section.

So, at the moment, a lot of are a little (IMO justly) sensitive to and annoyed by it.

In the backroom, us Moderators are working on, and near, a solution we hope will fix this for our members (readers and authors alike). I should say, this solution is almost entirely based on ideas generated by our members (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85501) (again, readers and authors alike). Hopefully this solution will not only help authors find the right place to plug their book(s), and that that place will be useful to readers looking for new stuff to read, but all in all that we get a solution that helps maintain the community (of readers and authors alike).

I hope you can become part of our community, and I very much encourage you to do so. Another good place to introduce yourself (tell us a bit about yourself, not just your authorship - it's where people can meet you :) ) is the Introduce Yourself (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=49) subforum.

So, don't be put off. Our defensiveness has good cause, but get past our defences (easy...just become "one of us" :) ) and you'll find us all quite welcoming and helpful and friendly (readers and authors alike).

Cheers,
Marc
(with Moderator hat on, but kind of slouched, casually, like he's not really wearing it, but it looks pretty jaunty nevertheless ;) )

Or to translate don't be too mad at me yet. Drive by ads can be a touchy thing.

If you want to be mad ask me my views on copyright :)

Marc--

I'm a bit confused on all this. I thought that 'Deals, Freebies, and Resources' would be the appropriate forum for my offer.

Marc, as the moderator, if you wish to remove the post, please do. I certainly didn't mean to offend anybody, and to whoever I did, I apologize.

Jon

I want nudge my novel, RED CHASER, into the viral world a bit. To do that, I need, of course, more readers. Like you. So, I would like you to read my novel Red Chaser. I’ll provide a free copy, plus a bonus.

RED CHASER is a noir thriller of the 1950s, the Cold War and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 34 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 18 5-star ratings, 15 4-stars, one 3-star). I think you’ll have fun reading this.

If you want to read it for free (and you get a buck*), just email me at findjon@msn.com and say, “Sure, I’d like to read Red Chaser.” I'll have Amazon email you the gift card for Red Chaser.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck and a penny in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon
findjon@msn.com

This book will cost me $5.99.. Amazon charges an extra $2 for most readers outside the US...

I would publish on Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/), where you can attract people with all kinds of readers and formats.

Hi
I took advantage of Jon's offer through Goodreads, and I bought his book, his offer is genuine , so please take it read the book its really very good, and Lene I live in the UK and Amazon did not charge me the usual $2 and have not for a while I did have to pay VAT but the $5 card covered it.

Marc--

I'm a bit confused on all this. I thought that 'Deals, Freebies, and Resources' would be the appropriate forum for my offer.

Marc, as the moderator, if you wish to remove the post, please do. I certainly didn't mean to offend anybody, and to whoever I did, I apologize.

Jon

No, mate, don't worry about it. It's fine as is - we're getting to make these things easier for all, so let's just leave things as they are.

No offense, no apologies. Just welcome, and I hope you get the chance to become a regular. Don't sweat it.

Cheers,
Marc

If you want to read it for free ...
Yes! I LOVE free stuff.
Especially free stuff provided directly by an author ...
... But ...

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book.
I do not own a Kindle. Period.

If you try to read this forum a bit, you will see that there are LOTS and LOTS of people that do read e-books, but have another type (understand non-Kindle) of book reading device.
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_devices

If you want to have as many readers as possible, you might consider uploading your book to yet another server, for example Smashwords, and provide us with a time limited coupon for downloading the book.
If you had done so, I would have been downloading the book at this moment. I do not need a buck to try another book. What I DO need, however, is the ability to download the book to my non-kindle e-book reader.
btw, I do not have an Amazon account or even a credit card and I do not plan to get one in a foreseeable future.

I want nudge my novel, RED CHASER, into the viral world a bit. To do that, I need, of course, more readers. Like you. So, I would like you to read my novel Red Chaser. I’ll provide a free copy, plus a bonus.

<Snipped>

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck and a penny in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon
findjon@msn.com

Please post again when it's in ePub, or let us know whether it is DRM'd.

Regards, Alex

Marc--

I'm a bit confused on all this. I thought that 'Deals, Freebies, and Resources' would be the appropriate forum for my offer.

Marc, as the moderator, if you wish to remove the post, please do. I certainly didn't mean to offend anybody, and to whoever I did, I apologize.

Jon


No one wants to remove your post.

What we ask of you is that you contribute to the growth and health of our community. We understand your desire to acquire new readers.

As another Moderator mentioned, the reason for our concern (and this concern is NOT directed at you personally), is that there are SOME individuals here who see MobileRead as their personal dumping ground to hawk their books and NOT contribute to the continued health of the community. Because of this abuse by the few, we are in the process at this moment of revising certain rules about Members who come, hawk their wares, and contribute absolutely nothing to our community.

That's it - very simple.

Now, I encourage you to look over the Forums and invite you to contribute your thoughts to some of the ongoing conversations that you find interesting.

Also, (if you have not yet done so), please read our Posting Guidelines located at the top of every page.

We welcome you to MobileRead. I welcome you to MobileRead. :)


Don
(Moderator)

I want nudge my novel, RED CHASER, into the viral world a bit. To do that, I need, of course, more readers. Like you. So, I would like you to read my novel Red Chaser. I’ll provide a free copy, plus a bonus.

RED CHASER is a noir thriller of the 1950s, the Cold War and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 34 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 18 5-star ratings, 15 4-stars, one 3-star). I think you’ll have fun reading this.

If you want to read it for free (and you get a buck*), just email me at findjon@msn.com and say, “Sure, I’d like to read Red Chaser.” I'll have Amazon email you the gift card for Red Chaser.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck and a penny in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon
findjon@msn.com
Because I just finished The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, I'm interested this period. I see that it is for sale on Smashwords.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck and a penny in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon
findjon@msn.com

H'mmmmmmmmmmm! - All that glitters - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

H'mmmmmmmmmmm! - All that glitters - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooo, shiny!

Because I just finished The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, I'm interested this period. I see that it is for sale on Smashwords.

Did you say smashwords? Now there's a sterling idea. Where is the link to findjon's book on smashwords?

Amazon no good for Ozzie with Sony Reader. :(

Did you say smashwords? Now there's a sterling idea. Where is the link to findjon's book on smashwords?

Amazon no good for Ozzie with Sony Reader. :(

This seems to be it

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10951

So Jon how about a voucher offer for Smashwords readers?

Amazon no good for Ozzie with Sony Reader. :(

Since when has Amazon been good with Sony Reader anywhere?

Since when has Amazon been good with Sony Reader anywhere?

good point! but cost Ozzie more at Amazon than O/P So even worser for ozzies. :(

Sorry, right now the offer is only for Kindle.

Jon

Presumably you've DRM-locked it so we can't use it on any other platform. Have you considered that this might have something to do with the reason that you have to pay people to download it?

Is it just me or is there a strong smell of fish around here somewhere?

Pay you to download from Amazon in exchange for your email, does not mention it is on Smashwords until challenged but you have to pay full price there?

It could have been offered for free on either site if he so wanted.

Nothing fishy here at all.

Kindle is just my preference. If you would prefer to buy Red Chaser on smashwords, you can. Or you can take me up on my offer and get it for free on Kindle plus a buck and a penny.

You might label my offer as silly, fishy, or whatever, but the offer is what it is.

By the way, I've listed my email address, so if you want to sell it, be my guest. As for selling your email address, no thanks.

Your preference? Well, I guess a struggling little company like Amazon needs all the help it can get.

But DRM'd books available only for platforms I don't own ... nope, can't pay me to take them away.

Sorry, right now the offer is only for Kindle.

Jon

Sorry, I have a Sony.

Hey, Jon! Welcome aboard. That's a novel way of promoting your, erm, novel!

In Canada, the Smashwords edition is $3.99; the Amazon edition is $5.99 and with your offer the Amazon edition is $0.99. What's not to love?

Hope you have some good success and anyone who takes you up on the offer (or buys "retail"), posts a short review here. The Amazon user reviews -- going back several months -- are generally glowingly positive. Hopefully this guerilla marketing provides another spike.

BTW, do you have a follow-up planned?

Kindle is just my preference. If you would prefer to buy Red Chaser on smashwords, you can. Or you can take me up on my offer and get it for free on Kindle plus a buck and a penny.
It is not a matter of preference. I wonder if you are aware of this. People with a different ereader than a Kindle (and there are many of them: Sony. Nook, Onyx Boox, BeBook, etc. etc.) just can't use the Kindle edition of your book on their ereaders, so your offer is just more or less worthless to them. Except that they can get a $5 gift certificate for $3.99, but what are they going to do with that? Buy another Kindle book that will not work on their ereader?

Promoting on Amazon makes sense, because the higher your rating, the better your placement. Getting his sales up, even temporarily, could pay off. And right now, Kindle dominates the American market. I think that epub may be the wave of the future, but I could be wrong.

Give the guy a break! OK so is offer is only good for Kindlers - which make it useless to me - but some people can get a free book, which might be OK. And that's a good thing surely?
Although I do think the OP needs to be sensitive to the advice given by Marc the Mod - and the quicker we get the dedicated "post here to flog your book" section the better.

It seems I have offended some non-Kindle users. It was not intentional. If you were offended, I apologize.

The reason I'm focusing on Kindle is relatively simple. The $5 Amazon gift card is an experiment. Kindle has, by far, the largest market share for e-readers. With Kindle, I can keep my arms around this experiment.

This experiment started because Amazon made it easy for authors to publish on Kindle. I put it up there to see what would happen. (I tried to put it up at Sony, but at the time they would accept books only from qualified publishers, which I'm not.)

I'm adding a little marketing as I go along. This offer is part of that effort. The results? Too early to tell, except for some of the anger I caused.

So, if you've got a Kindle, here's the offer:

I would like you to read my novel Red Chaser. I’ll provide a free copy.

RED CHASER is a noir thriller of the 1950s, the Cold War and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 34 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 18 5-star ratings, 15 4-stars, one 3-star).

If you want to read it for free (and you get a buck*), just email me at findjon@msn.com and say, “I’d like to read Red Chaser.” I'll have Amazon email you the gift card for Red Chaser.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon Spoelstra
findjon@msn.com

When you plan to promote on Smashwords. Let us know.
Right now there are zero reviews for your book on that site.
Smashwords supports just about every device. Put up a promotion and we'll post reviews not only on Smashwords but on Amazon as well.

When you plan to promote on Smashwords. Let us know.
Right now there are zero reviews for your book on that site.
Smashwords supports just about every device. Put up a promotion and we'll post reviews not only on Smashwords but on Amazon as well.

Smashwords is definitely my favourite place. Its too easy, and doesn't charge us Ozzies (et al) an extra two bucks to get a book.

I looked into this a bit... got a sample and found it was not my cup of tea.

I can read the history of the period but find it difficult to embrace some of the personalities of the time.

Good luck with your promotion, Findjon.

Give the guy a break! OK so is offer is only good for Kindlers - which make it useless to me - but some people can get a free book, which might be OK. And that's a good thing surely?
He could have made it free for everyone.

He didn't, though, because it's his preference to support Kindle only.

Why he's leaving money (or reviews) on the table escapes me completely.

I know I'm not going to pay $0.99 for a $3.99 book with a $5 gift certificate... Especially not when the person is trying so hard to promote his/her book for one reader only.

It just doesn't make sense :blink:

We should still cut the guy some slack. He is attempting to market his book on his own. So what if his idea wasn't warmly received here, at least there was an effort made. He will likely retool his strategy and come back better prepared next time.

I, as well, cannot accept his offer since I do not own a Kindle. However, the intent was good, although his execution might have been a little off.

The bottom line is that authors who try to independently release their works should be supported. If their writing is not your cup of tea, so be it, but at least recognize that an effort was made to do thing a little differently.

We need more people to step up and put themselves out there or we will never see the end of agency pricing or other backhanded methods of keeping eBooks sales down.

It seems I have offended some non-Kindle users. It was not intentional. If you were offended, I apologize.
I am one of people that informed you that there are many e-book readers that can not read Kindle books.

I am not offended. I was just trying to be helpful in a polite manner.
I think I see what you are trying to do. Trying to boost the popularity of the book in Amazon store so you break some magical threshold and kick-start a kind of self-sustaining interest. Something that Boyd Morrison managed to do with his novel The Ark. He just used a little bit different means.

I sincerely wish you good luck.
An unknown writer needs lots of luck today if he wants to break through without dancing to the tune the Big Publishers are singing.

Well said, RedRoverJ.

I just wanted to say that I took this deal and did get the amazon credit. I have downloaded the book and will be reading it soon. This is not a scam as some people thought. Just FYI. If you're interested in reading this, this is a great deal. Thanks Jon!

Why not give a Smashwords free coupon? Then we could download in our desired format.

Perhaps mods might consider allowing "plugging" only by members who've posted a certain amount, or achieved a particular Karma level?

Why not give a Smashwords free coupon? Then we could download in our desired format.

Perhaps mods might consider allowing "plugging" only by members who've posted a certain amount, or achieved a particular Karma level?

Karma levels should not have anything to do with who can post what, people give it for all sorts of reasons. Some people don't really give it/notice it at all.

This is a real deal, I got the gift card, and will pay the $0.99 differences because the cost of the book is $5.99 in my geo-region. I plan to read it on my netbook (I got two sets of batteries, it will last for more than 12 hours before recharging both), and I've got the Kindle for PC software. I'm still trying to find out how to register my HP netbook to Kindle store before I can place an order for the book.

I think he is really brave to put his book and an offer of gift coupon here and ready to face such "rage" and suspicion (maybe he didn't know in advance). ;-)

Why not give a Smashwords free coupon? Then we could download in our desired format.

Perhaps mods might consider allowing "plugging" only by members who've posted a certain amount, or achieved a particular Karma level?

This has already been discussed in this thread. What does this offer have to do with # of posts or karma? It's a legit offer. It should be up to the author to decide the terms.

RED CHASER is a noir thriller of the 1950s, the Cold War and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 39 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 20 5-star ratings, 18 4-stars, one 3-star). Read all the reviews here:

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Chaser/dp/B001NXBUI4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244050907&sr=8-1

If you want to read it for free (and you get a buck*), just email me at findjon@msn.com and say, “Yes, I’d like to read Red Chaser.” I'll have Amazon email you the gift card for Red Chaser.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon Spoelstra
findjon@msn.com

Aren't you already running this promo in a previous dedicated thread? (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88275)

You can always ask a moderator to change that one's title if you're not happy with it.

Aren't you already running this promo in a previous dedicated thread? (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88275)

You can always ask a moderator to change that one's title if you're not happy with it.


This has already been done and a PM sent.


Don
(Moderator)

I've sent an email and will see what happens.

I'm a happy Sony owner, but I can read Kindle content on my phone. Personally, I think it's more than generous of Jon, even if it is just Kindle for now.

It's the author's prerogative if he wants to give away Amazon gift cards, but I wish he'd provide a free coupon for Smashwords also. He can continue his present promo, but providing the book for free (maybe for the 4th of July weekend for example) won't hurt him.

Dear Jon,
Thanks a lot for the offer. I have sent the email for the kindle version.
All the best with your book

Thank you Jon for your free ebook, as well as a buck towards another ebook! It was a very generous offer, especially since most people can access it even if they don't have a Kindle through one of Amazon's free downloads (ie Kindle for PC, Kindle for Android, etc).

email sent :)

For those wondering I just got my gift card and downloaded the book. For a bit I was not sure it would happen but sure enough :)

For those wondering I just got my gift card and downloaded the book. For a bit I was not sure it would happen but sure enough :)

Glad to hear it - I sent my email yesterday, but haven't heard back yet.

I got the certificate and have bought the book - and it's will soon be waiting for me on my Droid. :)

I got and read the book - thoroughly enjoyed it.

Got the GC, downloaded to my iPod and starting reading this afternoon. So far, so good. Thanks Jon!

Good plot, but why does there have to be so much religious profanity? I'm no goody two shoes, and can cuss with the best of them, but religious profanity pisses me off. Other than that, good read. Won't be recommending to anyone due to the above.

RED CHASER is a noir thriller of the 1950s, the Cold War and the Brooklyn Dodgers. If you enjoy James Ellroy or the Nate Heller books by Max Allan Collins, you'll love this romp into this 1950s history of spies, Commies and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 45 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 22 5-star ratings, 20 4-stars, two 3-stars, one 1-star). I think you’ll have fun reading this.

If you want to read it for free (and you get a buck*), just email me at findjon@msn.com and say, “Yes, I’d like to read Red Chaser.” I'll have Amazon email you the gift card for Red Chaser.

* Red Chaser is a Kindle book. I'll have Amazon email you a gift certificate. The smallest gift certificate at Amazon is $5, so after you download Red Chaser for $3.99, you'll have a buck and a penny in change. Spend it wisely!

Jon Spoelstra
findjon@msn.com

P.S. Here’s a link to the reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NXBUI4?tag=geezerlitcom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B001NXBUI4&adid=0KE9EW6G9GMV5V4WEHF1&

It's true. I got it and like this book.

RED CHASER tosses you headfirst into the 1950s. You'll meet the kinkiest and most beautiful spy this side of the Iron Curtain. You'll meet Joe McCarthy. Best of all, you'll live the life of Jake McHenry as he romps through this 1950s history of spies, Commies, babes and the Brooklyn Dodgers. (There are 54 reviews of it on Amazon.com: 28 5-star ratings, 22 4-stars, three 3-stars, and alas, one 1-star). I think you’ll have fun reading this.

If you want to read it for free, you have a choice: Kindle or Smashwords. Just email me at findjon@msn.com and tell me which you prefer (Kindle or Smashwords) and say, “Yes, I’d like to read Red Chaser.”

If you chose Kindle, I’ll have Amazon.com email you a gift card for Red Chaser. If you chose Smashwords, I’ll email you the code for a free download.

Red Chaser is a fresh spin on the historical mystery novel. It's fun, it's 1950s noir, it's Brooklyn, it keeps you guessing and when you finish the last page you say, "Wow, that was fun."

Jon Spoelstra
findjon@msn.com

P.S. Here’s a link to the reviews on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NXBUI4?tag=geezerlitcom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B001NXBUI4&adid=0KE9EW6G9GMV5V4WEHF1&

Suggestion about Smashwords, why don't you just post a limited time (like a week or two maybe) code for free download here? And add the direct link to your book on Smashwords.

That cuts out the part where people have to email you & wait; they can do an impulse download when they see your thread.

For some reason unknown to me, Amazon has reduced the price of my noir thriller RED CHASER from $3.99 to $3.19. What this means is that you get bigger change if you take me up to read my book for free on a Kindle.

The smallest gift card on Amazon is $5. I'll email you that gift card and you use $3.19 of it for RED CHASER. The remaining $1.81 you can use toward any book you want.

Amazon lowered the price to $3.19, but I guess they could raise it back to $3.99 without telling me. So, if you want to take advantage of this, send me an email today at findjon@msn.com and say, 'Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle."

The Smashwords offer stands as is: you get the code for a free copy of Red Chaser.

Just for your information, my price from amazon is $5,97 since I live in Denmark.

Suggestion about Smashwords, why don't you just post a limited time (like a week or two maybe) code for free download here? And add the direct link to your book on Smashwords.

That cuts out the part where people have to email you & wait; they can do an impulse download when they see your thread.

I think this person wants email addresses... :blink:

I think this person wants email addresses... :blink:

I believe so as well, as he ignores all attempts to get a coupon code posted (he also spams another forum I'm on and ignores moderator emails).

I need more - EPUB - before you can pay me to take your ebook :D :rofl:

It's also at Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10951 with a 15% sample (and for a book of over 100k words, that's enough for a reader to decide if they're interested) - and he said he'd provide a coupon code by email for people who want that version.

He just forgot to give a link for that one. Understandable; there's a lot of people who think "ebook" means "amazon kindle."

When I know that the reader is not in the United States, I make the gift card for $6. That covers the cost of the book, but not much in change.

If it's for Smashwords, there's no problem with the code.

Jon

It's not email addresses that I want; it's readers.

I do, however, keep the email addresses private. You see, I have been working on a sequel to Red Chaser. When it's finished, I don't think it's unreasonable to send an email to the folks that got Red Chaser that a sequel is available. That's what Amazon does when you order a free book from a certain author. It's not coincidence that they eventually send out an email about the author's other books. Heck, that happened with me with Charlie Huston. I got a free book, liked it, and then bought five of his other books.

Jon
findjon@msn.com

I had a little peek at Smashwords, as I've gotten some very nice books there — one or two that aren't worth the virtual paper they're written on, but mostly good reads — and saw, as expected, that Smashwords offers this book in epub the same way they do everything else on Smashwords. I emailed Jon, received a time sensitive Coupon code, and I have no collected my epub formatted version of Red Chaser, and am viewing it in Calibre. Easy-peasy.
Can we give the guy a little slack here. The offer is still genuine, the book is available in a variety of formats from Smashwords, and the process is simple.
DRM? I dunno. What is Smashwords policy on DRM, and do you think they made an exception for this book? (If the answers aren't obvious, have a look at the Smashwords FAQ)
If he's a drive-by author, give him credit for being a persistent one. His first post dates June 25, 2010. Two months is a long time to defend your hit-and-run attempt at publicity.
So what if he prefers Kindle? I must take 2 points off for his apparently not knowing (early on) that Smashwords would take his MS Word formatted document and convert it to a variety of formats. (HTML, Javascript, .mobi, ePub, PDF, and RTF).
Looks down, and seems surprised to find himself on a soapbox, and even more surprised that soapboxes still exist. He steps down. Exeunt stage left.

I have sent email to findjon@msn.com more than one week, but no response. I'm wondering if it is true or not.

I have sent email to findjon@msn.com more than one week, but no response. I'm wondering if it is true or not.

Maybe you should send email again. It's true.

I have sent email to findjon@msn.com more than one week, but no response. I'm wondering if it is true or not.


Patience Grasshopper. The offer is real (he sent me an AMZN gift card code), I'm sure he'll get back to you. Red Chaser is a fun read, I would consider getting the sequel.

Joekerry--

Sorry, Joe, I haven't received your email. Please send again.

Jon
findjon@msn.com

Joekerry--

Sorry, Joe, I haven't received your email. Please send again.

Jon
findjon@msn.com

have sent. Thanks

sorry, I need the kindle version. Please check your junk folder to search my last email. Thanks

I think I found the reason he's collecting email addresses from our members. The answer comes in one of his Amazon.com Reviewer's reviews:


"4.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read, July 3, 2010
By Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey (Hilton Head Island SC) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Red Chaser (Kindle Edition)
I consider Jon Spoelstra one of the top five marketing gurus of our time. His book, "Marketing Outrageously" is a must own, and I tell him so several times a year! So, when he alerted me to his spy thriller, I actually had mixed emotions. Furthermore, it is available only on Kindle. In fact, it was my first purchase on the Kindle format. Amazon offers a great Kindle reader for my iPod touch. So it worked out well. At just $3.99 consider it a must own; all work makes one very dull. Set in the 1950s and touching on baseball and communist spies actually makes me long for the movie version!"


So he's "one of the top five marketing gurus of our time" and I bet all those email addresses are part of his "marketing outrageously!" for some undisclosed future use. Or to sell. Or just spam. Whatever.

Just a thought for consideration...

Is it real? Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle. My email is spyfish@powdermail.com

For some reason unknown to me, Amazon has reduced the price of my noir thriller RED CHASER from $3.99 to $3.19. What this means is that you get bigger change if you take me up to read my book for free on a Kindle.

The smallest gift card on Amazon is $5. I'll email you that gift card and you use $3.19 of it for RED CHASER. The remaining $1.81 you can use toward any book you want.

Amazon lowered the price to $3.19, but I guess they could raise it back to $3.99 without telling me. So, if you want to take advantage of this, send me an email today at findjon@msn.com and say, 'Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle."

The Smashwords offer stands as is: you get the code for a free copy of Red Chaser.

I think I found the reason he's collecting email addresses from our members. The answer comes in one of his Amazon.com Reviewer's reviews:


"4.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read, July 3, 2010
By Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey (Hilton Head Island SC) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Red Chaser (Kindle Edition)
I consider Jon Spoelstra one of the top five marketing gurus of our time. His book, "Marketing Outrageously" is a must own, and I tell him so several times a year! So, when he alerted me to his spy thriller, I actually had mixed emotions. Furthermore, it is available only on Kindle. In fact, it was my first purchase on the Kindle format. Amazon offers a great Kindle reader for my iPod touch. So it worked out well. At just $3.99 consider it a must own; all work makes one very dull. Set in the 1950s and touching on baseball and communist spies actually makes me long for the movie version!"


So he's "one of the top five marketing gurus of our time" and I bet all those email addresses are part of his "marketing outrageously!" for some undisclosed future use. Or to sell. Or just spam. Whatever.

Just a thought for consideration...
Jamesread--

There's no reason to guess why I am marketing Red Chaser the way I am. Let me explain:

I would prefer to use the email route because I'm working on a sequel to Red Chaser. When it's finished, I don't think it's unreasonable that I send an email to the people that received Red Chaser to let them know the sequel is ready. There's no way would I use the email for anything else. Selling it? Don't worry; I don't think there is any market whatsoever for email addresses that got Red Chaser for free.

With my last book, a business book published by a mainstream publisher, I received over 5,000 emails from readers. I answered every one of them. Now I've got a sequel to that book coming out in February, 2011, and I think my readers would appreciate knowing that the sequel is out. Yes, I will email them.

I think that it's a terrific breakthrough where the author can communicate directly with his/her readers without being totally dependent on bookstore chains.

I've had two publishers who want to print Red Chaser, but have turned them down. Red Chaser is my first novel, and I'm really intrigued with digital books. Instead of working with a publisher, I wanted to market Red Chaser on my own, trying to better figure out how to market digital books. A publisher wouldn't let me do what I'm doing with Red Chaser. Right now there are about 3 million e-readers out there, but in four years I've read estimates of 30 million. I think that estimate is low. In a year or so, Kindle (et al) will have the price below $100, which should be the tipping point. Hopefully by then I'll be a lot smarter than I am now.

Sorry for the long answer, but there is nothing complicated about the email address thing. I hope to send you an email about the sequel to Red Chaser. That's all. Nothing else.

Jon
findjon@msn.com

Jon, I have sent you email and said 'Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle." But no answer. I want to know if you have any creteria to response?

Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle. My email is Thank You Jon.

Are you guys sure you want to give out your email addresses visibly on these posts (spyfish / jerald) ?

Welcome to the newbies, by the way ....

Dear Members:

You would be wise to think twice about posting your email accounts here.

We are spammed every day and, in most cases, these bottom-breeding spammers are caught and summarily dismissed and reported.

You would be advised NOT to post your email account here, since there is always the possibility of your email being harvested, sold and spammed.


Don
(Moderator)

You would be advised NOT to post your email account here, since there is always the possibility of your email being harvested, sold and spammed.
(Moderator)

Over and above the harvesting being done by the author, of course. If you are having trouble sending Jon an email, send him a private message here instead (he does read those).

I'd also suggest going back and editing your earlier messages and deleting the email addresses from them.

Jon, I have sent you email and said 'Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle." But no answer. I want to know if you have any creteria to response?
Olineary--

I usually process the requests in a timely fashion. Many times it's within 24 hours. Other times, because of weekends or other commitments, it's 3-4 days.

I just received your request yesterday, and the gift card should be in your inbox right now.

Jon

Yes, I'd like to read Red Chaser for free on a Kindle. My email is
Jerald--

I, too, would prefer that you email me the request and not list your email address here.

By the way, if you want to edit your request and remove your email address, you can. Your Amazon gift card for RED CHASER has been emailed to you and should be in your inbox right now.

Jon

Doc, there's no spam here...
PS/ anyone want a bengali escort?

Or whatever that last hijack was in the library thread ;)

Jerald--

I, too, would prefer that you email me the request and not list your email address here.

By the way, if you want to edit your request and remove your email address, you can. He can remove his email address from his post but then it will still be in your quote.

I sent email and received the promised gift card two days later. I started reading "Red Chaser" last night. So far I like it.

I think this is an interesting way to market a first novel. Jon has said my email address will only be used to let me know when the sequel is available. I have no reason to doubt him. I am somewhat surprised by the hostility some have shown towards in this thread. But then I have good spam filters and so see virtually no spam email.

Anyway back to reading.

I would much rather have the sequel posted here on MR... If I liked the book, I'd be looking out for it... I would hate to be bombarded with emails if I didn't like it, so unfortunately I won't be reading this book.

findjon, I am termpted by the offer, and as an epub consumer, there seems no downside.

But as a marketing guru, I am certain you realize that despite the turnip dust I am, as I speak, dusting off my ill fitting garments, I did not just fall off the turnip wagon.

I need to confirm your bona fides. If you could just post your social security number and mother's maiden name, I think we may be able to do business.

BTW, I have purchased many books from smashwords, and received email replies of thanks from the authors. Perhaps you could use this service to announce your potential sequel rather than collecting emails, and sarcastic comments like this one.

Just a thought from one like minded marketing guru to another.

Good luck and take care,

Donn

Jon, I have sent email to you already. Could you check your inbox? To be honest, the cos of registering on MR is to read your book. thank you.

Now, I have to ask myself, why are most of the posts on this thread from first time or new members ? :chinscratch:

Now, I have to ask myself, why are most of the posts on this thread from first time or new members ? :chinscratch:


:snicker:

the word 'free' ?

Now, I have to ask myself, why are most of the posts on this thread from first time or new members ? :chinscratch:

They are probably already on his email list. Some of the 5000 he mentioned...

With my last book, a business book published by a mainstream publisher, I received over 5,000 emails from readers. I answered every one of them. Now I've got a sequel to that book coming out in February, 2011, and I think my readers would appreciate knowing that the sequel is out. Yes, I will email them.

Jon, I have sent email to you already. Could you check your inbox? To be honest, the cos of registering on MR is to read your book. thank you.

Jon, Could you please check your inbox.

:snicker:

the word 'free' ?

You are right. I like Free book!

Jon, Could you please check your inbox.
Sima--

I've checked my inbox and I don't have anything with 'sima' on it. Please re-send.

Jon
findjon@msn.com

Jon--

Sorry I can't post my email here. Please check your inbox, I sent the email last friday.

This offer ends at 5pm est on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.

If you choose Kindle, I’ll have Amazon.com email you a gift card* for Red Chaser. If you choose Smashwords, I’ll email you the code for a free download (sorry, no change on this one).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^

Jon, why I choose kindle, you sent me Smashwords which I can't use? If you change the promise, please edit your post.

@Sima,

Well, you can actually use the Smashwords code he gave you. They offer different book formats including mobi for your Kindle.

If you want to get the Smashwords coupon code, please send message to me and leave your email address. No ends.

Dear Members:

Do NOT send ANYONE your email address.



Don
(Moderator)

Jon, I sent email u before the deadline, when will u feedback?

RED CHASER tosses you headfirst into the 1950s. You'll meet the kinkiest and most beautiful spy this side of the Iron Curtain. You'll meet Joe McCarthy. Best of all, you'll live the life of Jake McHenry as he romps through this 1950s history of spies, Commies, babes and the Brooklyn Dodgers. I think you'll have fun reading this.

You can download it for free on Smashwords.com. The code to use is MX39W. The coupon expires on August 31, 2010.

Red Chaser is a fresh spin on the historical mystery novel. It's fun, it's 1950s noir, it's Brooklyn, it keeps you guessing and when you finish the last page you say, "Wow, that was fun."

Thanks Jon. This is my first time with Smashwords. I downloaded with RTF. Do any of the other formats have DRM?

RED CHASER tosses you headfirst into the 1950s. You'll meet the kinkiest and most beautiful spy this side of the Iron Curtain. You'll meet Joe McCarthy. Best of all, you'll live the life of Jake McHenry as he romps through this 1950s history of spies, Commies, babes and the Brooklyn Dodgers. I think you'll have fun reading this.

You can download it for free on Smashwords.com. The code to use is MX39W. The coupon expires on August 31, 2010.

Red Chaser is a fresh spin on the historical mystery novel. It's fun, it's 1950s noir, it's Brooklyn, it keeps you guessing and when you finish the last page you say, "Wow, that was fun."

I downloaded it. Liked the cover art.

Thanks for the coupon... I've downloaded your book, and look forward to reading it.

Is it this book?

red chaser (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10951)

Thanks jon. :)

I haven't come across any smashwords books with DRM.

That's the one I downloaded... How do you know it has DRM?

Edit: You might have responded to an earlier message.

No books at Smashwords have DRM. DRM isn't an option if you publish with them.

If you want to get the Smashwords coupon code, please send message to me and leave your email address. No ends.

Thanks for the code.

I took Jon up on his offer a while back. I got my gift card which allowed me to purchase the Kindle edition of his Red Chaser and left me with $1.01 to apply to another ebook. There was no increase in spam, or any other unpleasant such things that followed. Just a decent piece of free fiction. I know the internet can be full of all sorts of nasty surprises, but Jon is on the level. I look forward to reading the sequel.

Thread Title changed.

Please see post #107 from the OP.




Don
(Moderator)

No books at Smashwords have DRM. DRM isn't an option if you publish with them.

Thanks LK!

Thanks. I appreciate it.

free code, it's good. But I sent email and selected amazon with 1.81$. Jon didn't reply it. Please do what you promised.

After 31 Aug, you still can get the book by sending message and leave your email to me.

After 31 Aug, you still can get the book by sending message and leave your email to me.

methinks you are a rogue!



I would not send any email address to this user