So, the title may be misleading… but this is a contest post. It’s also a rant, because… well what’s an entry from your good friend Limecello without some ranting, right? 😛
Anyway. I basically stopped visiting blogs. I used to visit nearly 200 daily. And I don’t mean with google reader or something (also, did I totally make that up?) I bookmarked them, and I visited each and every one. I tried to comment on them all as well, but sometimes I just had no idea what to say. That happens. I’m not sure what the proper comment is without seeming inane or something.
My point being – recently I’ve seen more and more complaints that blogs have no content these days. They’re just… contests. I, for one, love contests. They’re how (as I’ve said) I “discovered” a number of authors and series. Yay for contests! (Contest whores less so, but that’s another post for another time.)
Authors often post links to contests on twitter – blogs they’re visiting, etc, where there is also a giveaway. Oh boy, oh joy, right? 
Wrong. Maybe I just don’t care anymore. Or I’ve been suffering from book and general ennui… but oftentimes I can’t even be bothered to read through the rules. E.g. Comment here, blog about it, put it on facebook, and cross reference with twitter, follow all of us who blog here, and my great aunt Jane, and stand on your head. While reciting the preamble to the United States Constitution.
In many instances, I’ve heard people say they’d rather just buy the book. And upon further reflection, dear bloggers and authors, is that your intent? If so… sneaky. And well played, my friend. Well played.
But cynical me thinks it has to do with promo. In order to enter the contest, you must follow me! And my blog! And lurve me! And pet me! And link to me! And make me POPULAR. *shrug* So I think we all know I’m not the blog owner here… I wouldn’t even know if you were following this blog. (And isn’t it google reader makes it something different weird? I dunno.)
Long story short, the only requirement to be eligible for this contest is that you comment. As yourself, and don’t cheat by creating socks. I check to the best of my ability, and it really pisses me off to have to double check, etc.
What am I giving away, my dear Boo Boo’s and not Boo Boo’s? A copy of Coming Undone by Lauren Dane. It is unsigned, because I bought it my little own self with my little own money. I also basically jumped through all necessary contest hoops, because it took about 6 phone calls, and 2.5 hours of driving to finally get one copy. This copy, my friends, is precious.
Or… if you want bonus entries to this contest… and here I can’t resist. I need you to pat your head and you rub your belly, while jumping rope. But not just any jump – double dutch. Then I want you to do a hand stand outside in the snow, while reciting the Emancipation Proclamation, immediately followed by the choreography of Thriller. [All must be recorded and sent to me.] And I promise… if someone does do that… I’ll send you [well, the first full entry, but I don’t think more than one person would even contemplate doing this…] a copy of Coming Undone as well.
So ready? Set? … GO!
I love that. A nice easy contest. Cause I if I am having trouble figuring out the rules lord help th eperson totalling the entries up. Some of them would be extremely hard to do.Thanks Limecello I have had this one my wish list for a while.
LOL…WIN! I love this post. Best pondering ever. 🙂
I used to love entering contests, but now I skip most of them. I got tired of jumping through hoops for books that ultimately end up languishing for a year or more on my TBR pile.
If I want the book badly enough, I’ll just go out and buy it, which is really what authors want in the first place.
Heh…although if the author really annoys me with spam and constantly talking about this contest or that, I might just wait to buy the book used. I’m contrary like that.
Aaand…I already have Coming Undone. 😛
Oh gosh, I have stumbled on by accident and so very happy… Not sure if you remember coming to my blog when I first started/or seeing you around other blogs I followed or you… If you don’t ~ it’s okay… I am just happy to see that you have your own place and yes, I am not a follower because this post made me absolutely laugh… And yes, I did contemplate doing the whole thing that was asked!!! LMBO!!! So, with all that said, yes please drop my name in the magic hat!!
Hope you have a great weekend!
It’s a little unfair since it doesn’t snow where I live. 😛 I’ve recently started following blogs and noticed how a few make you jump through hoops to get a free copy but yes, like you said, it may be easier to just buy the book (which I did end up doing a lot of the times). Thanks for the contest, very nice of you to do.
lol Edna – ok, I did think of that, actually, but was wondering if anyone would say anything :X
So, if you fulfill all the terms… sans snow and shoot me that video first… You’ll get a brand new shiny copy of Coming Undone, bypassing that whole silly comment to win thing. 😉
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And Pam and Cecile – good luck 🙂 May the random generator gods smile upon you. 😛
Hi there Limecello! Please don’t enter me in the contest, I already have a copy of Coming Undone — and finished reading as well 😉 — but I just wanted to say hey! I also visit readers’ blogs individually through my favorites shortcuts. I can’t and really don’t want to use google reader and thought I was weird. Okay, maybe not weird but, you know, different. Lol!
I used to enter contests, not a lot but at least had some interests in entering. Now I barely bother to read the post. I lost interest because either too much to do to qualify an entry or too long for me to wait for the book to arrive. I guess that just makes me impatient for both reasons huh?
Anyways, Coming Undone was a good read. Thanks for the rec!
I try not to enter contests where you have to do something complicated to win. Requiring a comment? Cool. Offering bonus entries? Can be fun. Requiring eight steps to possibly win? Not for me.
LOL!! OK, I gotta love a ranty Limecello! Well, and I do still sometimes love an easy contest, but sorry, no video of me jumping (of any kind) or reciting anything or standing on anything other than my feet or linking to anything or following or patting or… Anyway, happy Friday!
lol Hi Fedora – glad you enjoyed it 😉 And lucky for you, commenting is sufficient for entry. It’s just, you know, for the people who missed jumping through hoops, I thought I’d give them a challenge 😛
Good rant, LIme, got me chuckling. I’m too old now to jump through all those hoops and never could get the hang of double dutch like my sister.
LOL, thanks for the post. I always enjoy a good lough 😉
Now about that contest thing… one of the reasons I decided to NOT have a twiter account is the temptation to sign in all those complicated contests. When I see one of those I just know… it’s not for me.
My favorite contests have the readers discussing about a particular subject (eg Sabrina Jeffries and her Theme Park Romance blog).
I did all that you asked. Lime. I patted my head and rubbed my belly, while jumping double dutch rope. Then I did a hand stand outside in the snow, while reciting the Emancipation Proclamation and immediately followed that by the choreography of Thriller. Unfortunately, as I finished that, the neighbors dog ran over, grabbed the recorder and took off with it into the woods. I think he was tired of watching my antics.
I have yet to find said recorder so I guess I’ll have to be content with just the one entry. Simple contests are so much better anyway. Thanks so much for that. Keep up the good work. Going to go lay down and rest now.
Great post today Lime. As much as I love winning a new book, there are times I feel like I’m signing my life away to even qualify. So thanks for making this one so simple. Here’s hoping I win and have a great weekend everyone!
This blog made me LOL. Thanks for a great end to the day!
Jeanine
Woo hoo! An easy contest! Thank you!
AND thank you for all your reviews! I have discovered and enjoyed several new books/authors since I started reading your blog!
What are the words to the Emancipation Declaration?? 😉
I hate, hate, hate contests where you have to be a follower of the blog to enter, because it is about getting the numbers. There are plenty of blogs out there that I visit regularly because I like their content. Forcing me to sit through content I don’t want to read is not going to make me visit any more regularly!
I generally only enter contests where it is a book I really want. A long time ago I used to enter contests just for the thrill of the new book!
I have to laugh…because I feel the same way. Just a couple of weeks ago I left a comment on a blog site letting her (the host) know I would be removing myself as a (friend) because she obviously wasn’t interested in spreading the word about the new release, but getting her blog publicized. I think you got +1 for comment, +1 for following, +50 for posting her blog on your blog, +100 (or some such nonsense) for posting on tweet, etc. As a person that loves to read and win a book here and there, there is no way you would have a chance at winning if you don’t have a blog, a facebook page, etc. For me, following blogs started out as fun, but now it is really starting to cut into my reading time….and that is unacceptable. Thanks for the great post!!! And contest, Hehehe.
I really enjoyed your post and it is so true. Some of the contests are so complicated that I don’t enter them. When the rules are longer than the post it’s just not worth it. I am a follower and glad to be one.
I totally agree with your rant today, Limecello. Certain blogs don’t even get me to read the posts concerning contests anymore since I know that I won’t become a follower, post the link on my blog, Twitter something or any of the other 8 odd maneuvers to get entries.
Yeah, no snow today, so no extra maneuvers for me today.
Appreciate your straight-forward contest and your posts.
Have a great weekend.
I can’t believe you posted about this…I have been having the same issue with entering contests. I can’t stand the hoops you have to jump through for a ridiculous number of “points” (100 or 300, etc.) Way too complicated for a simple blogger like me. I too have dropped some blogs out of my reader due to this…they mostly post contests and the hoops are too extravagant.
Thanks for a simple easy contest!!!
Well, I guess we’ve all been to the same blogs!!! One last month was a blog tour and you did something at each blog, too much for me at the holidays. I ‘m also visiting fewer blogs and entering fewer giveaways. I’d rather read a good, interesting post, than just an entry for a contest. Don’t they say “Less is More “!! I also learn about new authors from blogs and Twitter but I don’t mind buying a good book. This was good post with a subject we’ve all been thinking about lately!! Thanks, Sue
I agree that there are limits to what I’m willing to do for a free book. When the rules get crazy complicated and seem more about the blog than the book I just check out. However, a nice easy contest to win a book from a author whose work I’ve liked in the past—even I can manage that.
Amen! I now only check 3 or 4 blogs daily (this is one of them) instead of 15+. I don’t attempt to enter any contests that require me to do more than just post a comment.
I’m so far behind the craze of blogs, myspace and twitter its sad. I can’t stand twitter…a sentence that is usually made of gobbeldygook and leaves me more confused than when I started. Anytime an author says that you have to follow to twitter ormyspace I just click off and stop reading. Life’s complicated enough.
🙂
Oh limecello! *wiping off tears of laughter*
Yeah, it does seem that it has gotten quite a bit convoluted sometimes, doesn’t it?
Me, I prefer the good old fashioned, garden variety random.org–though I am also one of those rare birds who feel it’s okay if the one requirement (if it can be called so) to enter a drawing where the author is the one giving away the books/ARCs, be to agree to a)read the book, and b)post something about it after that.
Loved the rant. And would love to read Coming Undone! 🙂
So if someone does do your video, will you post it so the rest of us can see? I would like to see someone try that. And yes I would try it if I wasn’t pregnant and my OB would shoot me if I tried. 😛
I’ll be honest, I am guilty of adding “other things” to my contests, but people really only need to do one thing to get an entry – answer a question. I just don’t like it when all I see is “please enter me”. It’s a drive-by entry and the authors who stop by my site put time into these posts and I think people should be reading them if they are going to enter a contest. Yes, I have all those other things, but they are not required to enter, they just give more entries. I’ve seen people win without them and some with.
So if we dont have snow can we use a box of instant potato flakes like in the movie Be kind rewind? Just wondering if I can get the rest figured out would that be ok?
Thanks for all the comments and opinions, ladies! (I think everyone that commented is a lady? If not … sorry.) I’d respond to each one personally… but a) I’m too lazy right now :X and b) I don’t want to clutter up entries. I’ll figure that one out later.
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ZOMG Meg – if you actually want to enter the “separate” contest and don’t have snow… that’s not a requirement. It would just be an added bonus. But… I kinda hope you do it because that would be 50 kinds of amazing 😀
Limecello, I stand and applaud you for saying what I’ve been thinking, only you did it more eloquently than I ever could. And no, I can’t record me standing and applauding you – no webcam. You’ll just have to trust me 😉
Ach, all those “extra entries if you pimp here, here, and here”… It may seem like the bloggers are trying to promote the author, but it reads more like pimping the blog site. I’d love to get new readers, but offering bribes just isn’t me 😉
Anyway, would love to receive and read COMING UNDONE, if you’re willing to post it out here to Australia 🙂 Thanks for being awesome, and have a lovely day! 🙂
Also, which date does this contest end? Need to know so I can make a note of it, and not forget to check in for the result 😉
Thanks for the great and uncomplicated contest!
I totally agree, I can never find the write thing to say when I have to comment a blog…but I do love contests so thank you. Have a great weekend. 🙂
I will just keep it simple and say please enter me.
Hi Limecello!
*videoon* jumping double dutch – patting my head – rubbing my belly – doing a handstand outside – reciting the EP – dancing to Thriller *videoout* *gg* 😉
wow, 200 blogs daily? I wouldn’t have the time for that – I mean, I follow about 20 and sometimes I haven’t had enough time for those…
greetings, Boo Boo aka Ina 😉
I’m a little late to this party and didn’t read all the comments, but I agree with you Lime, I don’t do the contests where I have to twitter this, link that, post this. I understand the need for promotion, and would love to help some of my favorite authors become other people’s favorite authors, but I don’t have a personal blog to link from, and I’m not savvy enough with technology to do a lot of the other stuff you’re mentioning.
In my younger days I might have been able to stand on my head and get the video, but sending it to you then as now is still beyond what I know of technology!
Thanks for a nice simple contest! Here’s crossing my fingers that I win, but I won’t hold my breath…my luck seems to be missing these days!
Hi Limecello, you so rock! My resolution for the new year was to simplify, and cutting back on the blogs I visit, as well as the blog contests are one huge area that this applies to for me. When a contest becomes tedious, stressful and takes more than 2 minutes to enter, I pass. Yes I’ve discovered tons of new authors on blog posts where a generous prize of one of their books was offered, but when the fun factor is zero, I now take a pass.
I would much rather be reading one of those said prize books, lol.
Thanks for giving us an easy way to win a copy of Lauren’s latest.
Limecello, yes sir this has to be the best post have read yet on any blog content I have found. Every person who commented on here including myself loves you right now for allowing us to not only vent the same angst felt by all from blog contest entries and headstands and all the other rot we have to go through for an hour to enter for a chance at something we do not win. Okay, off my soapbox. Please put my name in the hat, Coming Undone has been one of the books have tried for on other sites for a while now so maybe this time I might just get picked does not hurt to try!!!
jackie b central texas
Hello Lovelies! Thanks so much for all the comments – I’m reading them all, though not responding to them individually :X
And I’m always happy to provide a forum for people to vent, and say how they really feel. Even if they disagree with me. (I won’t say especially, but it’s fine.)
Also – Tez, thanks for asking. :X I never know when my posts will go live, so I didn’t put one down- but I think a week after the post went up will be good, don’t you? 🙂
Hey Lime!
I couldn’t resist commenting to win 🙂 After all of your raving of Coming Undone and merciless teasing that you had already read it and how much you loved it I just had to.
I do agree with you that the rules for giveaways has gotten out of control. I tend to skip them just like you if it seems to complicated, unless it’s a book that I would dearly love to have but can’t afford to buy. Here’s me jumping and rubbing my belly, but sorry no rope for double dutch 🙂
Woot!
great contest
count m ein
Thanks for giving away such a precious book without making dizzy jumping through hoops.
I don’t think I can remember how to jump rope and double-dutching would lead to a visit at the ER. I can still do a handstand (sort of) but if by a miracle it snows round here I’ll be too busy having snowball fights with my children.
Thanks for a great post
I’m not entering the contest (I have a copy or three thanks) but I wanted to say re: contests I’m of two minds about it:
1) it annoys the crap out of me when we’re doing a giveaway along with an author visit/interview and people leave a comment saying, “I want to win” with nothing relevant to the post. Therefore I almost always try to make the requirement for entering the contest be relevant to the blog post in question.
2) er..I don’t think I have a two.
Alright then. Carry on.
Hi Hooooooooooooooooooolly 😀 [sleep deprivation.] Yes, I do agree with #1 more than 100%. I didn’t think about it this time – and have been considering would it be hypocritical of me to put stipulations to enter on contest… on a post/giveaway where I’m bitching about jumping through hoops?
Actually – I’ve got a contest whores post coming up soon. Ish. Well, coming up. Also, I love how BB does contests – nice, painless, engaging, and without the aforementioned hoops.
I really, really hope you will share any videos with us!
Anne – of course! And I really, really hope someone will actually send me a video! 😉
Please count me in this very cute contest.