So I picked the 3 Agora tapes winners.
They were the people who left the 3 best reviews for my new “Vampire Apocalypse” novel based on both the criteria I laid out (genuinely helpful, detailed, troll-free) and also some other criteria that I’ll explain in more detail below.
Fun fact:
I like to do review contests like this.
(For my stuff on Amazon, iTunes, etc)
So, if you like to win cool free stuff, the following will give you an idea of what I look for when picking winners next time I have a contest.
(And, I’m thinking of doing another one for my podcast.)
Anyway, on to the meaty stuff.
The first review winner is:
“FixesComputers”
Not only was his review genuinely helpful and detailed (without going into TOO much detail), but he fluidly and naturally sells the would-be reader on buying the book’s predecessor “Zombie Cop” as well. Which is not only genuinely helpful thing to do for the would-be reader, but is genuinely helpful to both books’ sales.
(If’n you catch my drift…)
The second review winner is:
Andy Moose.
His is not only genuinely helpful and detailed (and in a way that provokes just the right kind of curiosity) but he also urges them to get the sample and read the sample. Which, like the above review, is not only helpful to the would-be reader, but helpful to the book’s sales to boot.
And finally, the third winner is…
“Mike” from Cape Elizabeth.
His review did a good job of making the skeleton dance and using some good ol’ repulsion copy (urges the very people I don’t want reading it not to bother). Plus, I thought the Shrek analogy was perfect (not only because it’s Shrek, but because he got exactly what I was trying to do as far the novel’s various “layers” — as he puts it, “entertainment for the simple-minded, and inside-jokes for the adults).
If you want to read everyone’s reviews, go here:
Anyway, to the 3 winners:
Thank you from the bottom of my deranged little heart.
I hope you’re enjoying the Agora tapes.
Also, another thing to note:
I’m not a big fan of reviews that sound like they’re coming from a “critic” as much as just a regular reader. None of the 3 reviewers sounded like critics. They sounded like regular guys giving their opinions. And, that is another way I judge reviews beyond my original criteria (genuinely helpful, detailed, non-trollish).
Anyway, picking these 3 was NOT an easy task.
Several others were worthy of winning, too.
But, I said I’d limit it to 3.
And, well, why so serious?
Okay, moving on to something else:
I mentioned I will probably be doing a similar contest for my podcast (maybe even the same Agora tapes prize) to get more reviews for it.
And, you know what?
This email is a good guide for winning.
If you haven’t yet heard it, go to:
Ben Settle
