A Note for Readers of THE HUNTERS
I recently went to Amazon.com and was surprised to find rampant criticism of my free ebook novella THE HUNTERS, criticism that nothing to do with the content but with the publication of the book itself. Most were upset that THE HUNTERS was not a full-length novel, others incorrectly assumed that THE HUNTERS was simply a republication of several chapters from another one of my books under a different name. Based on those incorrect assumptions, many felt the book was a "gimmick" and blasted me for "lying" to readers. This could not be farther from the truth.
Let me make this clear: THE HUNTERS is not a full novel. It is a novella, about 40-50 pages long. It takes place during one frantic night between THE FURY and THE DARKNESS.
However: THE HUNTERS has never been published anywhere previously. It is not a 'sample' from another book, or a collection of chapters from any other published book. THE HUNTERS is a wholly original work that cannot be found anywhere else, in any of my other books. I wrote it with the intention that it would be offered for free. I make this very clear in the Readers Note that accompanies the work--but it seems many did not read that section. THE HUNTERS was written so that readers who have never tried my work could get a free, unique taste, and so longtime readers could get a brand new story that fleshed out characters while offering some great suspense.
I am proud of this story. It contains perhaps my favorite Jack O'Donnell scene ever. I am surprised and saddened to hear people claim they were 'duped'. This novella is offered for free; nobody ever paid a penny for this ebook, which I put considerable effort into. If you dislike the content, fair enough, but it is and hopefully always will be free. If you enjoy THE HUNTERS, I hope you might try one of my novels. If you don't like the ebook, that is your right, but please base those criticisms on content rather than false assumptions. I happen to think it's a pretty suspenseful and even emotional story. Either way, please decide for yourself.
You can download THE HUNTERS on:
Labels: the hunters
posted by Jason Pinter at
10:51 AM
13 Comments:
Hi, well I did dowload it and paid 6.00 for it and thought it was a book also...Hmmm where on the Kindel store does it say novealla? I did like it and I think the idea great...So I thought I made a mistake and downloaded it again....Kindel not supposed to charge if you already paid but low and behold I paid for it again..Now I have 2 lol..Will read the Fury with great anticipation...Keep writing!
Hi Pamela -
Where did you pay $6 for THE HUNTERS? All the links I provided offer the book for free...are you sure you're not thinking of THE DARKNESS?
Please let me know.
Jason
Hi Jason - the truth is some people would moan if an author was paying THEM money to read a book
Jason:
A rule of thumb I've learned the hard way--nobody reads anything that comes before chapter one. Well, unless they make a hobby of looking for typos--some people really need lives.
They also don't read information on a book's page on Amazon, for the most part. Had an occasion many years back where someone demanded we refund her money. She'd purchased a novel, clearly marked as such, thinking she was buying a book on growing azaleas.
Or so she said.
There is a class of people using the internet who have come to believe they're entitled to...well, anything. I think it's that sense of entitlement that then, they think, gives them permission to snark about what they've gotten for free.
Ignore them. For every one of that sort there are at least 50 who truly appreciate when an author is willing to share his or her world as a gift.
Unfortunately, the novella is not understood by mainstream readers. I think it's becoming a rare breed. People see one and think it's just a short book. I can imagine it's very frustrating for you. Hopefully your post here will rectify the situation.
Needless to say, I've enjoyed your blog and will be back!
Jason,
I'm one of those folks who downloaded The Hunter (for free) to my Kindle from Amazon and, I DID read your information regarding The Hunter being a night between The Fury and The Darkness.
I was so impressed with this short, but fascinating, look into Henry Parker's story that I bought all your books!
So, when I was buying The Darkness I happened upon all the negative things that were being said about The Hunters at Amazon - I could hardly believe what I was reading.
I re-read The Hunters before starting The Darkness and it fits perfectly. And...it is very CLEAR what The Hunters is about.
I'm sorry most people open their mouths before knowing what they're talking about (need their 15 minutes, I suppose) but I GOT IT!
Thank you for a wonderful ride and I look forward to more excellent reading from you.
Marsha
Jason - I enjoyed THE HUNTERS and actually posted one of the positive reviews on Amazon. I think it's somewhat typical for a free novella to be hammered by readers because they are ignorant to what it really is meant to be. I can tell the criticism bothered you but I think you should just move on and avoid future novellas because most readers don't appreciate them.
I did forward a question about the 'living arrangements' for Henry and Amanda between the three books but I couldn't get that clarified. Maybe you don't discuss this type of material with readers and I can understand that. For example, I read on alot of blogs whereby readers question the caliber of gun, etc.
I can move on and say that the books were enjoyable.
You are one of my top authors.
Keep up the good work!
Hey Jason!
I love your books and, personally, think that The Fury and The Darkness are your best work.
I also enjoyed The Hunters VERY VERY much and though you wouldn't lose anything from The Fury or The Darkness had you not read The Hunters, I thought The Hunters kicked!
I always go onto Amazon to check out reviews. They don't sway me one way or the other on a book; If I want to read it, I will. But I usually like to see if everyone feels the same way about a book as I did. Silly but true.
I was SHOCKED to see how people were bad mouthing The Hunters and left what I think is the only snarky comment I've ever left on Amazon in the comments section for The Hunters.
It's a great story that has scope, emotion and suspense and was incredibly well written. And it's free! I coudln't believe how nasty people were getting about the novella.
It's not often that a best selling author gives their readers something for nothing. If no one has said it lately, thank you for writing The Hunters and giving it to us for free.
I do hope that the negative comments of others won't stop you from writing another free novella in the future. Speaking as someone who loves books, free stuff and your novels, I very much enjoyed it.
Cheers,
Jamieson
я вот что скажу: мне понравилось. а82ч
The Hunters was my first and will not be the last of your books I will read (I already have them on my reader). I new exactly what The Hunters was about becuase you described it perfectly. So, forget those that don't read what you meant the book to be a night in between. One of the the best free books I have read. THANKS.
All for beer!
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Don't sweat it. You free novella just earned you another reader here. I've had high hopes that the proliferation of e-book readers would open new markets for the novella and the novelette, but maybe there are too many "readers" who don't actually read.
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