| As an author and publisher, I have attended a | | | | benefit them in the long run. |
| number of Internet chats in support of eBook and | | | | On the other hand, such generosity may backfire, |
| print book releases. Internet chats are largely | | | | according to other authors who condemn the |
| informal, hosted either by the publisher or a | | | | practice. When you consider the tightly knit |
| third-party website (usually a site for book reviews), | | | | readership of eBooks, particularly in the romance |
| where authors and readers can interact, ask | | | | genre, authors may tend to see the same Internet |
| questions and have fun. Look around some of the | | | | nicknames populating chats. If word gets around |
| popular book review websites, particularly those | | | | enough that free books are the prizes, an author |
| which focus on romance fiction, and you will find | | | | might soon discover that he or she is giving away |
| chats are scheduled almost daily. Some eBook | | | | her entire catalog to the same readers without |
| publishers, for example, host regular monthly chats to | | | | seeing any profits. An author can feel frustrated with |
| keep readers up to date. | | | | the practice, and wonder if such regular contest |
| Whether or not the chats do anything to stimulate | | | | winners will ever buy his/her book. |
| sales is up for debate. At best, most freeware chat | | | | Of course, an author might feel obligated to give |
| rooms used by such sites can host a maximum of | | | | away something, and not upset the readers. Word of |
| twenty to thirty people, and publishers often have to | | | | mouth is still the most effective method of |
| be wary to see if the majority of chatters are the | | | | promotion, and for an author to gain a reputation for |
| authors. Personal experience has seen scheduled | | | | being difficult or stingy can be damaging to future |
| chats comprised mainly of authors, chatting with each | | | | sales. Should an author feel trapped, however? The |
| other! While it is beneficial to offer these promotional | | | | answer is an emphatic no. |
| opportunities, it hardly does a publisher good if | | | | There are ways to successfully offer giveaways |
| readers do not come. | | | | without giving away everything. While gifts like soaps, |
| That said, incentives are usually offered to fill the | | | | teas, and other trinkets can add up over time |
| chat rooms with readers. Authors may give away a | | | | (though they are tax-deductible, authors, make |
| prize to one lucky reader, like a small gift or a free | | | | notes!), there is one giveaway trick that can help |
| book. The question of whether or not it is prudent to | | | | stimulate sales. The next time you participate in a |
| distribute complimentary books as prizes has long | | | | chat, write a one to two-thousand word story that |
| been argued among authors, particularly in the eBook | | | | reads as a supplement to your novel. |
| industry. | | | | It could be a sequel, a prequel, or a side story with |
| Some authors condone the practice on the premise | | | | supporting characters. Have it formatted as in eBook |
| that a book in the hands of a reader may encourage | | | | in HTML or PDF and offer it as an exclusive prize to |
| that reader to buy more books. Especially if the book | | | | one winner. The gesture may influence the winning |
| is part of a series, the reader may wish to collect the | | | | reader to buy the corresponding book, and your |
| entire set. Using a book as the proverbial carrot, too, | | | | other titles. As time goes on and you write more |
| may guide readers to the author's website, where | | | | novels, you can offer these short tidbits to entice |
| they may find titles appealing enough to purchase. | | | | readers to sample your work, then buy! This way |
| Also, an author seen as being so generous may | | | | you are giving away a story, but not every story. |
| develop a following in a faithful readership that will | | | | Give it a try, and watch your readership grow. |