West of Mars -- the Meet and Greet

Back in May, I did something that made me immediately loathed by some of the big-name book blogs and some authors out there: I gathered up a team and launched a blog devoted to listing contests involving books.

It doesn't sound like the sort of thing that would invoke derision from the very people I'm seeking to talk about. I mean, isn't it a good thing when people talk about you?

But, apparently, there are people out there who are basically contest groupies. They enter everything. And there are the people who win the books and then turn around and sell them on eBay.

During the three years I spent working on a fan convention for my favorite real band (and you regulars know who that band is), I heard more than once about this same type of person. It seems they're not unique to the book world. So while I marvel that people would act this way with a book, it's not my first exposure to this sort of person. No matter where we go and what we do, there will always be the shady few among us.

I almost gave up Win a Book after the first week, demoralized when I was told that an author holds contests to give away books to her devoted following, not to gain new fans. My dear friend Breeni talked me into keeping with it, and our following grew by leaps and bounds -- but not among the authors so much as among the men and women who devote their blogs to talking about the books they've read. And yes, the books they are giving away. In fact, if you mention their contest on your blog, they'll give you an extra entry.

This community of book bloggers is strong but, perhaps, often overlooked. To help combat that, My Friend Amy declared September 15 through 19 to be Book Blogger Appreciation Week. And in conjunction with this week, she asked for nominations in a number of categories. When all was said and done with that step, she realized that popular demand had created a new category: Most Altruistic Blog. And Win a Book was one of the nominees.

I'm always pleased to be thought of by others. But to be included in this particular category? It fits, and it fits nicely, I think. Whenever I drop by someone's blog to tell them I've posted their contest at Win a Book, I usually tell them there's no need to enter me. I'm doing this to help spread the word about the book, the author, the blogger... I'm not doing this to win books. (The exception to this "no need to enter me" rule is if a book is on my wishlist)

Since that rocky first week, I've found other authors who are willing to have us post about their giveaways. I also post links to guest blog posts by authors whose names frequently pop up, as well as links to interviews. I like to post about sales and deals. I love to hear that I've turned people on to books.

Look. I'm a writer. I know all too well how hard this game of publishing is. There are things going on in the publishing industry that I loathe. Win a Book is just one way that I'm trying to make a difference and make things better for all of us writers.

Yep. Altruistic.

Maybe that's why I don't care if Win a Book wins in its category. I'd be thrilled if it does, but for now, it's enough to know that I am making a difference. Hopefully that's only the beginning.

Now, it's your turn to make a difference. Go on over to My Friend Amy's and vote, will you, please? Even if you don't vote for Win a Book. But there are a lot of great blogs nominated in a lot of great categories. Raise your voices and make a difference.

Use this link.

Labels: Awards