Bonus is not a bonus

[pidgeon92]

[JSWolf]

[howyoudoin]

[Lin2412]

@JSWolf: Exactly! Most of the time I don't read the bonus clips out of spite. Hahaha. I only do it for authors that I love. And on those times... the 'bonus' / marketing strategy definitely works for me because I find myself purchasing the next book.....

[theducks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is not wuite the same as when you see a few pages to go and run into those dreaded words"

'To be continued....'

[Demingy]

Originally Posted by theducks

This is not wuite the same as when you see a few pages to go and run into those dreaded words"

'To be continued....'

I just finished reading a book that didn't even bother with "To be continued...." it just ended abruptly. I had to double check and make sure I wasn't missing some content.

I can tell you, with approximately 10% of the book remaining, the abrupt stop was very unexpected. Of course the 10% wasn't an excerpt from the next book (which would have been useful to see if the book really was meant to end like that since apparently the next book picks up exactly where this leaves off). Instead it included author bio, a couple pages of a listing of the author's other books, the table of contents, a page advertising the author's website, a page encouraging readers to follow the author on Goodreads, and inexplicably four or five blank pages followed by a page with just a link to the Amazon page for the book itself.

[exaltedwombat]

Originally Posted by Demingy

I just finished reading a book that didn't even bother with "To be continued...." it just ended abruptly. I had to double check and make sure I wasn't missing some content.

I can tell you, with approximately 10% of the book remaining, the abrupt stop was very unexpected. Of course the 10% wasn't an excerpt from the next book (which would have been useful to see if the book really was meant to end like that since apparently the next book picks up exactly where this leaves off). Instead it included author bio, a couple pages of a listing of the author's other books, the table of contents, a page advertising the author's website, a page encouraging readers to follow the author on Goodreads, and inexplicably four or five blank pages followed by a page with just a link to the Amazon page for the book itself.

Can't you tell when a story is drawing to a close without consulting the page counter? If not, it's the fault of the writing, not of the book layout.

Of course, if you spend your life reading self-published eBooks, you have only yourself to blame!

[crane3]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, I did somewhat encounter that situation. It was a "FREE" book from B&N & J Patterson was the author; have never even considered even looking at another by Patterson since then.

The situation was that the "free" book went along just like a book until the last chapter; then the statement was to see the last chapter one must buy the book. I just deleted that book but sometimes it gets resurrected on my account's bookshelf.

[murg]

Originally Posted by exaltedwombat

Can't you tell when a story is drawing to a close without consulting the page counter? If not, it's the fault of the writing, not of the book layout.

Of course, if you spend your life reading self-published eBooks, you have only yourself to blame!

Sorry, but this happens with house-published books.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by crane3

Actually, I did somewhat encounter that situation. It was a "FREE" book from B&N & J Patterson was the author; have never even considered even looking at another by Patterson since then.

The situation was that the "free" book went along just like a book until the last chapter; then the statement was to see the last chapter one must buy the book. I just deleted that book but sometimes it gets resurrected on my account's bookshelf.

You don't normally get a complete free eBook from Patterson. So don't blame the eBook for that one.

[crane3]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You don't normally get a complete free eBook from Patterson. So don't blame the eBook for that one.

No idea what Patterson "normally" does. If some authors tell the publishers that they don't want DRM embedded in their ebooks, then I believe that Patterson can very well say "just leave out the last chapter & you give the "book" away" as a sales gimmick.

[howyoudoin]

Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the ebook is incomplete. I'd consider torching the author's home if he tried pulling a stunt like that on me.

[Demingy]

Originally Posted by exaltedwombat

Can't you tell when a story is drawing to a close without consulting the page counter? If not, it's the fault of the writing, not of the book layout.

Of course, if you spend your life reading self-published eBooks, you have only yourself to blame!

My point was that in this case the writing was at fault - hence the "abrupt" ending. As mentioned above this can happen with traditional publishers as well, it isn't exclusive to self-publishing.

I'll admit that the majority of my library is self-published, yet oddly enough the majority of my library is well written.

[hardcastle]

Originally Posted by Demingy

My point was that in this case the writing was at fault - hence the "abrupt" ending. As mentioned above this can happen with traditional publishers as well, it isn't exclusive to self-publishing.

I'll admit that the majority of my library is self-published, yet oddly enough the majority of my library is well written.

A quick glance at the table of the contents usually cures all ignorance.

As far as the title goes: Bonus means extra. That's it.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the ebook is incomplete. I'd consider torching the author's home if he tried pulling a stunt like that on me.

Isn't Patterson the one who clogs up the ebookstores with "FREE Preview First xx Chapters of ............" books?

I'd like to do something horrible to him simply for causing a mess... but it was clearly stated, was it not?