The first few months after the release of SLAMMED last January, it was, to say the least, exciting.  I wasn’t selling many books.  Maybe two or three a day, but it was two or three more than I would have sold had I never sat down and wrote the book.  It was mind boggling to me that someone out there in the world was reading something I created. I made about thirty cents per book at the time, so my husband and I were absolutely stoked that we might be able to pay the water bill with my book income.  We were very easy to please.
Then something happened that completely changed things.  I can’t say it happened overnight, since it was a chain of events that led up to this point, but it sure seemed overnight.  A random reader (Hi, Christina!) read Slammed and loved it.  In turn, she messaged a book blogger, (Hi, Maryse!) who read the book.  Maryse loved it too, and ended up posting a review for SLAMMED at the end of March, 2012.  I’m almost ashamed to admit this, but I had no idea what a book blogger was.
When Maryse’s post went live (read it here) the results floored me.  SLAMMED went from drowning in a ranking of over 20,000 to the top 1,000 in one day.  I sold over 100 books that day, and it just continued to grow from there.  More bloggers began posting reviews, more people began buying the book, sales continued to rise.
There are so many factors that play into the success an author has.  Without a doubt, the basis for the success my books have seen has been word of mouth.  The most significant form of word of mouth being book bloggers.
I may not have known what a book blogger was just over a year ago, but I certainly do now.  They are readers who spend their time reviewing books they love (and sometimes books they don’t love).  They spend their time promoting authors, doing giveaways, creating blog posts that create new readers.  And the majority of them do it for nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  The only motivator they have is simply their love for reading.  That in itself is enough to keep a writer wanting to write.
I’ve spoken with many other authors who share the same appreciative attitude toward bloggers.  Without bloggers and their endless support, our books would not be where they are today.
Simply put…
Bloggers. Kick. Ass.
Which brings me to the point of this post.
A group of authors, including myself, have wanted to show bloggers the same level of appreciation that they have shown us.  What better way to do so than to reward them with a huge THANK YOU!?
I want to present our “Book Blogger Payback.”  These authors have been so kind as to donate a portion of their hard-earned royalties in an effort to reward bloggers for all they have done for us.
If you are a book blogger and want to enter the $7,000+ Book Blogger Payback…it’s really quite simple.
Yes…I said $7,000+!!!
All you have to do is submit your most cherished post from your blog to this email address.  colleenhoover@live.com  It can be any type of post.    A review of your favorite book…an interview with your favorite author…or a new post altogether!  I will be linking these posts on my website and they will also serve as your entry into the Book Blogger Payback giveaway. Both U.S. and international entries accepted.The winners will be chosen at random on July 31st.  Entries are due by July 20th.
All winners of gift cards have the choice between the following retailers:
Amazon, iTunes or Barnes & Noble.
Prizes will include the following:
Two Grand Prize winners will each receive a $1000 gift card.
Five (updated thanks to another donation) winners will receive a $500 gift card.
Ten winners will receive a $100 gift card.
Ten winners will receive a $50 gift card.
Three winners will receive their choice between a Nook, Kindle, iPad, Kobo or Sony e-reader.
Almost THIRTY prizes to be given away, bloggers!!
All winners will be chosen completely at random through an automated generator.  Winners will not be chosen based on their blog entry.  Blog entries are only being encouraged for submission as a way to promote the blogger’s website.
Please only enter if you are a valid blogger.  Your name, email address and a link to your blog will be required along with the link to your favorite blog post in the entry email.
Sponsorship is not being acquired to support this giveaway.  All prizes are being donated directly from the following authors.  Check out their blogs below.
Colleen Hoover (You don’t need a link.  You’re already here.)
Once again, thank you bloggers for your selfless support and good luck!!!
About these ads