Win a signed copy of Maggie's new book

Would you like a signed copy of Before the Lights Go Out, my new book about the future of energy?

The book comes out on April 10th and pre-orders have already started shipping. Between now and the end of April, you can earn a fun prize for telling other people about my book.

1) Tell people on your social networks that you're reading Before the Lights Go Out. This applies to Facebook, G+, or Twitter. When you talk about it, be sure to tag me in the post—@maggiekb1 on Twitter, Maggie Koerth-Baker on Facebook and G+—so I know that you mentioned the book.

In return, I'll send you a sticker with my signature and personal thank-you. You can put it in your printed book and create an instant signed copy. Or, if you're an e-book reader, you can put the sticker on ... something else. Maybe your e-book reader. Maybe your pet/baby. Either way, it's yours!

UPDATE: I had another part to this, offering cookies to people who would write reviews of the book. It was meant to be fun. But, talking to a few people, I think that cuts too close to bribery. So I'm canceling that part of the contest.

Maggie Koerth-Baker is the science editor at BoingBoing.net. She writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of Before the Lights Go Out, a book about electricity, infrastructure, and the future of energy. You can find Maggie on Twitter and Facebook.

Maggie goes places and talks to people. Find out where she'll be speaking next.

MORE: Before the Lights Go Out • books • contest • Energy • future • Science • shameless self-promotion • Technology

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=30003282 Houston Lang

Or, you know, send the burnt cookies.
- http://maggiekb.com/ Maggie Koerth-Baker
  
  I like the way you think. Little burnt cookies, shaped like horses’ heads.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=30003282 Houston Lang
    
    So now that the cookies are off the table, what do I have to do to get them in my stomach? Could I send you a copy of my fabulous-fabulous book in exchange for a plate? I’ll still take the burnt ones. :-)
- http://noctilucent-studios.blogspot.com/ Noctilucent Studios
  
  I would like to second the motion for the burnt cookies. The ones pictured above look so yummy!
tylerdoubleyou

This is misleading. Winning a signed sticker to place inside a purchased book is not the same as winning a ‘signed copy of Maggie’s new book’. I don’t have plans to purchase the book, but read the post in hopes of finding out how I might win one.
sharkmark

I’m sorry. This is just wrong. It’s bribery and any reputable journalistic endeavor would fire someone immediately for suggesting it. It’s very unethical.

That’s what BoingBoing suggested when a skin care company wanted to pay off journalists for printing their press releases.

http://boingboing.net/2011/05/05/skin-care-company-tr.html
- http://maggiekb.com/ Maggie Koerth-Baker
  
  Note that I am not making this offer to journalists. I’m making this offer to a wide range of non-professional Internet users. I’m not bribing journalists. I’m giving people who were going to buy the book anyway an incentive to tell their friends about it.
  - Nick Weaver
    
    No you are not. You are actively soliciting positive reviews using bribery (good reviews get a cookie, bad reviews get burnt cookies/no cookies).
    
    This is not only very unethical, but that you can’t see that this is effectively the same thing as an article YOU cited about being paid for good reviews is disturbing: Someone shilling for you on Amazon doesnt’ make a difference if they are a ‘professional’ journalist or a random person.
    
    E.G, how is a cookie different from other payment? http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/04/23/amazon-deletes-revie.html
    - linnyr
      
      I have to agree with Nick. It stinks of astroturfing and violates WOMMA agreements. : Sorry Maggie.
    - noahmckinnon
      
      Count me as another for believing that soliciting reviews in exchange for cookies, especially if you start making judgements about which reviewers gets cookies, crosses the line. Good luck with your book though. Love the site and your contributions.
  - http://maggiekb.com/ Maggie Koerth-Baker
    
    Thinking about it a bit more and talking with other people, I think you’re right. I’m canceling that part of the offer. It wasn’t well thought-out on my part and does come too close to bribery to be okay.
    - noahmckinnon
      
      I’d like some of those cookies now
http://boingboing.net/ The Life Of Bryan

What if you send me cookies and I don’t tell anybody about your book? That would still be okay, right?
- d3matt
  
  I think we should develop a cookie exchange app
  - http://boingboing.net/ The Life Of Bryan
    
    Excellent idea.
    
    Tell ya what, send me half a pan of brownies and I won’t download it.
penguinchris

I ordered it last week and it should arrive today or tomorrow, and I will do as you ask. I won’t tell anyone about the cookies if you want to send me some despite your decision. Hey, maybe you’ve got extras, it has nothing to do with any book reviews.
tempo

Thanks a lot, assholes! I wanted cookies. :(
emilydickinsonridesabmx

I’m a little shocked people think this is unethical. Encouraging people to write a review in exchange for some goodies is a pretty normal thing to do. It’s like offering someone $5 to take a survey. If you asked people to write good reviews for a prize, that would be troublesome, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. You’re just encouraging people to share their views. I’ve spent my whole adult life working in PR, and have done similar campaigns many times, and as long as you take the good reviews with the bad, I don’t see the problem. It’s just a clever way to market the book. I say carry on.
traalfaz

I’ll buy my Nook edition when the price is the same as the Kindle edition ($14.99)
http://illustratorhints.com/ Jesseham

You could solve your “bribery” problem by just sending everyone cookies. :-)
juepucta

I will spread the word about your tasty tasty cookies if you send me a copy of the book :P