Promotional copies are called gallies, and are produced in very small numbers by publishers to circulate to the press and bookstore owners before the actual book is published. Often, gallies do not contain the final text of the book, as authors have the pesky habit of making last minute changes after the gallies have been produced. Normally, gallies aren't printed, they're photocopied, so they're more expensive to produce than actual finished books. Many people choose to collect galley copies, as they are always produced in limited numbers. These A Cavern Of Black Ice gallies have kindly been provided by my publisher, Warner Aspect.
The twelve reader/reviewers have been chosen (things move quickly around here!). Sorry if you weren't picked. People from as far apart as New York and Australia will be reading galley copies of A Cavern of Black Ice. I only hope they enjoy it! I'll let you know what they think.
Many Thanks,
JV
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Here's your chance to read and review A Cavern of Black Ice months before it's published!
We're looking for twelve good men and women to read all 736 pages, 300,000 words of Book I in my new Sword of Shadows series, then write a 300-800 word review of the book. What characters did you like? What do you think of the plot, and the world setting? Did it keep you on the edge of your seat? Or did it plain just send you to sleep? We're looking for good, honest reader reviewers--read it and tell us what you think!
If you're up for the job, you should email me stating why you want to read A Cavern Of Black Ice, and promising to write a review in return for the promotional copy of Cavern you will receive. A general idea of where you live would be helpful too. I only have twelve promotional copies to give away, so you'll have to write something that catches my eye! (-: If you're chosen I'll email you requesting your address and you'll have a signed book in your hands within a week! Then you'll be given four weeks to read the book and submit your review.
Cavern won't be published until March of 1999, so if you're one of those lucky enough to receive a galley copy you'll be able to read the book five months before it reaches your local bookstore. I'm anxious to hear what you think!
Many Thanks,
JV
Here's the small print: the
reviews should be received within 28 days of the book's
delivery, and no less than three hundred words in length.
The author (me!) retains the right to use these reviews at
her own discretion (meaning post them on my website) either
in their entirety or portions thereof, including the
reviewer's name and home town , eg Jane Smith of Billings,
Montana).