Monday, January 07, 2008

The 1-Star Pool

It seems that as of this hour Evermore has snagged seven straight 5-star reviews on Amazon.com, something that to my knowledge hasn't ever happened with any of my public work.

Naturally a friend and I had to make a charity bet on when the first 1-star review would show up, because we're writers, we have no lives and that's the sort of thing we do to amuse ourselves.

I thought you guys might want to get in on the betting pool this time, too. If you're game, read the rules below* and then guess the position number of the first 1-star review on Amazon.com for Evermore (or if you're not sure what I mean, pick a number from 8 to infinity) by midnight EST on January 14, 2008. I will draw one name at random from everyone who chooses the correct position number and send the winner a signed copy of Evermore. As a bonus incentive, I will also add the winner's name to the ARC mailing list for Twilight Fall. This contest is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

*Rule #1: Post only one guess. Anyone who posts multiple guesses will be tossed out of the contest.

Rule #2: The participants agree on their honor not to go over to Amazon.com and post a 1-star review in order to influence the contest. This goes for your friends, too.

Rule #3: If by some bizarre chance no 1-star review for Evermore posts on Amazon.com by 1/14/2008, and I don't drop dead of a heart attack, I'll draw the name of the winner from everyone who participates.

91 comments:

  1. I haven't read the book yet (YET!) but I can't imagine it getting a serious 1-star review. But I know the internet and I know that people like to troll and stir things up, so I'll say #22. Sounds good to me. Nice and random.

    ReplyDelete
  2. There will not be a legitimate 1-star review by 1/14.

    The UPS guy is driving mine around as we speak, and I'm reading it tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'll say #24, but I hope it's none.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd like to say Never, but since I know people can't resist saying snotty things, I'll go for #14. I haven't read it yet either, but since I read the others, I expect it'll be as good as the rest.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12:21 PM

    my bet is no 1 star reviews by the cutoff date :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:27 PM

    My guess is #12.

    An ARC of Twilight Fall would be awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  7. i am going with review #14 being the lackluster 1-star review...having reviewed EVERMORE for an online review site, i will just say that the book is a fantastic addition to your Darkyn series, and when you mentioned both an ARC for Twilight AND an autgraphed copy of Evermore, well...i just couldn't help myself! I admit i am a slobbering fangirl!

    anyways, happy new year...and maybe you won't get any 1-star reviews at all!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous12:57 PM

    I'll say 14. Not that I can see it deserving any sort of one star review, but all writers get them.

    I want the arc. *G*

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:11 PM

    You have the neatest contests! Put me down for number 12--but only because it's my lucky number, not because I'm wishing you a one star review. I hope you never get one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't think there will be a one-star review, but on the remote chance that there is I pick 17.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous1:58 PM

    I'm going for number 13, well, it's meant to be unlucky right?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous2:00 PM

    I'll go for 13 :) Someone has to... might as well be me. BTW, I have the book, have read it and give it 5 stars! I loved it! The plot held my attention, I loved the characters, and your twists and I now have another character to hope gets a book of their own :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous2:36 PM

    I guess it will be #16.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm going to guess number 11 though I hope not.

    Cheryl S.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous2:56 PM

    #16 - because someone out there is crazy and will post a one star without reading the book - which I though was mahhhvalous, darling.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well if it's got to have a 1star review then I guess it will be number 50 (just because that's how old I will be this year :D).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3:55 PM

    This is perversely hysterical. I hope no one spoils the contest (randomly, not a contestant. I have more faith in your readers)!

    I want to say none as well, but I'll play... I think I'll say seventeen. *shrug* I hope I'm wrong, but I REALLY want the TF ARC :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh ~ I'll say 17 but I loved the book and it pains me to participate... but you did dangle an ARC of Twilight Fall over my head so I can't resist.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hmm...I really don't believe there will be ANY 1-star review. In all honesty, and I'm not flattering or anything, it just doesn't seem possible. Anyway, if I had to choose a number...#28.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous4:43 PM

    I don't have a clue but since we're guessing I'll pick No. 29 :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm gonna guess luck number...I mean unlucky number 13. I don't think there will be any real one star reviews, so here's hoping for none.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous5:10 PM

    I'll pick 12 as well, but I don't think there'll really be one.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous5:20 PM

    I'll go with #32.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  24. I really don't think it's going to happen yet.

    I think it's going to be after the 14th, but since the rules are there, I'll pick 14th.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think there won't be any but I'll pick 22.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous5:54 PM

    I'm going to say 21 but probably not by the 14th ;)

    Jessica W.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Still waiting for my copy to arrive, and I know it will be wonderful, but for fun I will pick # 19.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous6:25 PM

    37, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  29. There had better not be any one star reviews, but just in case, I'll say 17.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous7:07 PM

    I read the excerpt that you posted (via Borders) last week, and bought the book over the weekend. It's a great read, whether one reads it with one hand or two ;) , and now I must go back and read the earlier books in the series, because it is just THAT full of awesome.

    I'll pick #37, because the internetz is capricious.
    cheers,
    Lyn Dunagan

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't believe there will be a 1 star review but if there is I'll say # 25.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Okay 29 but I'm hoping the one star will be a no show. Great reviews so far!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous8:10 PM

    Wow, nine- five star reviews.

    Internally I said, 'no, I won't vote on something so negative about someone I admire and respect. Anyway my copy's on the way, the signed copy would be nice though.' I then continued to read Twilight Fall arc and suddenly the number 25 popped into my head and my reservations and strong moral character flew out the window.

    I hope I'm wrong and there are none, even if I'm fantasizing about holding that arc in my greedy little hands.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ooh, ARCs. I love ARCs. I pick 20, so far no one has picked that number (if I did put a review on Amazon- it would be 5 star).

    ReplyDelete
  35. I hope you don't get any 1 star reviews.

    But if you do I think it will be # 21

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous8:28 PM

    #19 - I suck at lottery games but someone always wants to rain on parades.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'd like it for you to be never, but knwing people there will be one sooner or later.

    I say 21

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous8:51 PM

    Congratulations! I really don't think there will be one before the 14th, but I'm going to guess a number since someone already chose that. I'm going to guess 26.
    Love John and Marcia today too.
    JulieB

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am going to say none because this was one of the best book I read all year last year. but if i had to pick a number i'll go with 21.

    ReplyDelete
  40. 34 - although it's such a good book there shouldn't be any.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous10:18 PM

    Okay...33.

    Karen, the lurker

    ReplyDelete
  42. I feel like I'm betting against you Lynne, and I'm sure I'll lose because I can't imagine a 1-star review. I'll say #19.

    ReplyDelete
  43. My guess is review number 19

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ummmm....17 I guess. It's hard to imagine anyone who picks up this book giving it only one star though.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous1:00 AM

    Ahaha! Fun, fun!
    I pick 12.
    (petepete/la-la-ness)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous4:24 AM

    Ill say 20. But I dont think any one will give it one star.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous5:42 AM

    I 'll guess 259 734 935 :) Let's say no one until January 14 :)

    Chiara

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous6:25 AM

    I'll go with #18.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'll go with 27.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I say #7, not because the book deserves it, but because it is a cold, cruel world.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'll say 15, because I like the number, not because I think the book is going to get a one star. I haven't read it yet. But it's on top of my stack and next in line.

    ReplyDelete
  52. If there is one, it will be because the poster didn't pay attention to the stars and hit the one star by accident. The review sill say "Absolutely wonderful book! I loved it!"
    :-D

    ReplyDelete
  53. Anonymous10:57 AM

    I'm an eternal pessimist at heart so I'm going to go with 20

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sign me up for "infinity."

    Also, please pat yourself on the back for me: as I look at Amazon, you're 10-for-10 on 5-star reviews. I can only imagine how much fun that must be. (I'm guessing way better than a return of power after four days without it, but I'll take my victories where they come.)

    The evil part of me presumes the success of *Evermore* is pissing someone somewhere off, and there's no doubt in my mind that naysayer deserves all the frustration possible--so, WAY TO GO!

    ReplyDelete
  55. 23, although I don't think there will be any.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'll guess 20 even though the book was wonderful and it should never get a 1 star review. I think its one of the best of the series.

    I really want that ARC of Twilight Fall. :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous12:13 PM

    Hmmmm... I'm gonna guess 10.

    I can't wait to read Evermore. It sounds absolutely wonderful.


    Cheers,
    Erin K.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Just to play along, I'll go with 22. Though I really hope it won't happen until after 1/14, if ever.

    ~Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  59. Here's hoping there is no 1 star review. But just in case, I'll guess #15.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm going to say you'll end up in single digits with #9!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous2:49 PM

    53. But she was in a really bad mood that day.

    ReplyDelete
  62. #22.
    Or never.
    But for the contest, #22.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Since you already sent me the signed galley copy of Evermore, I was going to pass on this contest, but then I saw 'ARC for Twilight Fall' and my scruples, already light as a feather, drifted slowly out the window.

    I'll guess spot number 23 for some loser to post a one star. When I see a book with many five stars and a one star, I'm curious, so I click the "see my other reviews" link - and more often than not, it is the only review posted by that person. I wonder why Amazon hasn't revised their rules for posting reviews. Clearly, for some it is a shame game. grr. So where is a handy Hsktskt when one needs them?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous5:05 PM

    Wow! Congratulations, Lynn! Right now there are ten reader reviews.

    ALL are five stars!

    Two thumbs up from me aswell (read the ARC).

    ReplyDelete
  65. I don't think you'll get a 1 star review, but I want to play so I'll guess #21.


    ps. I tried to send this before, but it didn't seem to work. So if you get two just delete one.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'll go low with 19, though I don't think there will be one either.

    Colin

    P.S. The Borders Express in Reno has all of the Darkyn Books in it's own custom stand alone.....Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Anonymous10:14 PM

    I am going to guess 13, but only 'cause I've always found that number to be interesting. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  68. As a guess I'll say #32 but I honestly hope it doesn't happen at all.

    ReplyDelete
  69. My favorite number is 30, so I will guess #30.
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'll wager #21 as the person who writes it must be properly drunk. (That will be #18 if the reviewer is from the UK)

    Best of luck and I hope it never happens.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anonymous9:33 AM

    I'll guess 16, but I hope it doesn't happen at all. =)

    ReplyDelete
  72. Anonymous9:46 AM

    I'm going to guess 50, because I'm an eternal optimist.

    ReplyDelete
  73. 36 or none at all ;). I'm guessing it'll take that long for some troll to get up the nerve in face of all the wonderful reviews.

    My hubby did a peek into the new Borders down by us and what did he see? Darkyn all set up in its own cardboard shelf visible without even entering the store. If that's not a recognition of how wonderful the books are, I don't know what is :).

    Cheers,
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  74. I'm going to guess 29 but I think really there won't be any by Jan 14th.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I guess number 22, but I don't think it will get one.

    And it's ten 5* reviews now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. Anonymous4:46 PM

    I say NONE by January 14 cutoff time.

    Thanks,
    Jacquelyn

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'll guess 19. There's always someone to post bad things on Amazon.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I'll say #53, but only because there's always some unhappy, bitchy person. I don't believe there'll be any genuine negativity.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous2:11 AM

    I have to pick 24 as that is my number but i agree that a one star rating is unlikely to happen

    All the best

    Heather
    Australia

    ReplyDelete
  80. Anonymous8:42 PM

    Zero, since I posted one of the now 11 five star reviews, I can't imagine anyone not loving this book!

    ReplyDelete
  81. My guess is #19 (although I really hope that none get posted!)

    ReplyDelete
  82. Since I highly doubt anyone will put up a 1* rating by the dealine, I'll guess 15.

    WHOO!! Can't wait for the next book :D

    ReplyDelete
  83. Anonymous4:36 AM

    Such a good book! Who'd write a one-star?? If I had to guess, (and I guess I do) I'd say 27 because it's my lucky number. :)

    ChummyGirl
    h6wzb at unb dot ca

    ReplyDelete