Bill Clem - Microbe

AbFabGab · 03-20-2009, 04:15 PM

I got an email from author, Bill Clem. He wrote "Microbe" which was
a free download on kindleformatting.com during ebook week.

The following is what he wrote:
====== start
Here is my offer. If you or anyone who read Microbe during the free e-book week, enjoyed the book, and puts a review on Amazon stating why you liked it, I will give you two free e-books of your choice and format in return. I'm not asking for a glowing review, just a couple honest paragraphs about why you enjoyed Microbe. In addition, I will give you a 50% discount on my new novel that is coming out later this month entitled Replica. It is a Lost meets Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs. But with something much worse. By the way, Microbe was the #1 most downloaded book that week from that website. If you could spread the word around the forums, I'd appreciate it. Anyone interested should email me at billclem.com and after your review is posted I will email instructions how to get your books.
====== end

His website is:
http://www.billclem.com
and he has a contact page on it.
- Gabrielle

BookMouse · 03-20-2009, 05:45 PM

This post is too timely for words: I just finished writing a review on Amazon not 10 minutes ago.

AbFabGab · 03-31-2009, 10:02 AM

from email I received from author:
Bill Clem's books are now available on Mobipocket site and will be available in epub format on Books on Board within a few weeks.

jj2me · 03-31-2009, 05:52 PM

He's bribing for positive reviews. At least he's openly dishonest. But a cheat nevertheless.

Unknowing readers will trust these extra positive reviews and tend to buy his book rather than a worthy non-cheater's. This is a guy who would take steroids.

So you only need to determine if your price for complicity (for salting Amazon Reviews with positive ones) is two ebooks.

Moejoe · 03-31-2009, 06:25 PM

That's quite brazen of him. I don't know whether to be impressed or something much worse

Bill Clem · 03-31-2009, 07:55 PM

There is no dishonesty here. Any author will ask for a review of his books if he's smart. Most readers however don't take the time to do it. I simply gave them an incentive. And if they liked the book anyway, what's the difference. They're just giving an honest opinion. That's all I asked for.

jj2me · 03-31-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Clem

There is no dishonesty here. Any author will ask for a review of his books if he's smart. Most readers however don't take the time to do it. I simply gave them an incentive. And if they liked the book anyway, what's the difference. They're just giving an honest opinion. That's all I asked for.

You didn't simply ask for a review. You offered a reward for a positive review, but will give nothing for a negative or neutral review:

Quote:

If you or anyone who read Microbe during the free e-book week, enjoyed the book, and puts a review on Amazon stating why you liked it, I will give you two free e-books of your choice and format in return.

Quote:

... just a couple honest paragraphs about why you enjoyed Microbe.

You've just indirectly salted your reviews. Only some authors do this, which biases the playing field, to the detriment of everyone except themselves and their publishing house.

Anyway, if you claim that you don't see the difference, then no sense discussing this.

Bill Clem · 04-01-2009, 07:41 AM

As you have pointed out, I said HONEST review, not GOOD review or 5 star review. An honest review can contain both negative and positive elements. You are portraying my offer as something that was not intended. I'm just trying to get some feedback and am giving something back for your time. I can see your point, but I think you've misunderstood mine.

jj2me · 04-01-2009, 10:56 AM

Fair enough. I focused on the "enjoyed" part, which *is* part of the "if" clause, so would apply. But since you didn't see that, your intentions were not what they seemed. Good to hear, thanks for clarifying your intentions.

Bill Clem · 04-01-2009, 11:07 AM

My pleasure. Glad we understand each other. I value ALL readers. Thanks.

03-31-2009, 10:02 AM	#3
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	Microbe (and others) in epub from email I received from author: Bill Clem's books are now available on Mobipocket site and will be available in epub format on Books on Board within a few weeks.

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03-20-2009, 04:15 PM	#1
AbFabGab Gadget-Luster Posts: 330 Karma: 2157280 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY - USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2	Bill Clem - Microbe I got an email from author, Bill Clem. He wrote "Microbe" which was a free download on kindleformatting.com during ebook week. The following is what he wrote: ====== start Here is my offer. If you or anyone who read Microbe during the free e-book week, enjoyed the book, and puts a review on Amazon stating why you liked it, I will give you two free e-books of your choice and format in return. I'm not asking for a glowing review, just a couple honest paragraphs about why you enjoyed Microbe. In addition, I will give you a 50% discount on my new novel that is coming out later this month entitled Replica. It is a Lost meets Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs. But with something much worse. By the way, Microbe was the #1 most downloaded book that week from that website. If you could spread the word around the forums, I'd appreciate it. Anyone interested should email me at billclem.com and after your review is posted I will email instructions how to get your books. ====== end His website is: http://www.billclem.com and he has a contact page on it. - Gabrielle

03-20-2009, 05:45 PM	#2
BookMouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle	This post is too timely for words: I just finished writing a review on Amazon not 10 minutes ago.

03-31-2009, 05:52 PM	#4
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	He's bribing for positive reviews. At least he's openly dishonest. But a cheat nevertheless. Unknowing readers will trust these extra positive reviews and tend to buy his book rather than a worthy non-cheater's. This is a guy who would take steroids. So you only need to determine if your price for complicity (for salting Amazon Reviews with positive ones) is two ebooks.

03-31-2009, 06:25 PM	#5
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	That's quite brazen of him. I don't know whether to be impressed or something much worse

03-31-2009, 07:55 PM	#6
Bill Clem Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	There is no dishonesty here. Any author will ask for a review of his books if he's smart. Most readers however don't take the time to do it. I simply gave them an incentive. And if they liked the book anyway, what's the difference. They're just giving an honest opinion. That's all I asked for.

04-01-2009, 07:41 AM	#8
Bill Clem Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	As you have pointed out, I said HONEST review, not GOOD review or 5 star review. An honest review can contain both negative and positive elements. You are portraying my offer as something that was not intended. I'm just trying to get some feedback and am giving something back for your time. I can see your point, but I think you've misunderstood mine.

04-01-2009, 10:56 AM	#9
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	Fair enough. I focused on the "enjoyed" part, which is part of the "if" clause, so would apply. But since you didn't see that, your intentions were not what they seemed. Good to hear, thanks for clarifying your intentions.

04-01-2009, 11:07 AM	#10
Bill Clem Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	My pleasure. Glad we understand each other. I value ALL readers. Thanks.

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