I’m going to let John Scalzi be the teacher for the post today. That is to say, not that he’s sitting here typing, which would be weird because then he’s referring to himself in third person, but that the link o’the day is Scalzi’s explanation of How To Manipulate Amazon Rankings For Fun and Profit!
Since I’ve yet to have a book available on Amazon.com, I’m not afflicted with this particular writer neurosis of constantly checking my ranking. I’m sure I’ll get addicted at some point, have to go through rehab, and then they’ll make an inspiring documentary about me when I’m eighty years old…or something.
But, want to put that book advance to good use? Why not turn it all around and give it to this company that can get your book to break into Amazon’s Top 100? That is, if your advance could entirely cover the cost in the first place, since the fee runs at $10k. Check out Scalzi’s take on this, and then read the original article yourself and wonder at how many ways people will figure out to take advantage of a writer’s ego.
Aight. I’m off to throw a rubber ball at other people’s heads.
Don’t give me that look. It’s legal. I’ve got the hunting permit and everything.
I see that smile.