Just what the heck is a street team?

TL;DR: Join my street team, the Clue Crew, to get a free advance reader copy of my novels a few months before they are released to the public. Read it before the official launch date and then help me spread the word.

You know people. A lot of people, probably. Friends, family, coworkers. A few doctors. Your local grocery bagger. Neighbors you spy on when they forget to close their curtains at night. Acquaintances you secretly judge for their poor taste in clothing.

Probably some of them like the same things you do and therefore trust your undoubtedly good judgment. There might even be a few who will do anything you say, no questions asked. If nothing else, you at least have a friendly rapport, right?

I want you to put those powers to good use as a member of my street team, which I’ve dubbed the Clue Crew. No, it’s not cheesy; it’s brilliant, and you want to be part of it!

As a crew member, you have one very important—and very easy—job: Read my books and tell everyone you know about them. Okay, maybe not everyone. The people who enjoy reading awesome mysteries will suffice.

This will cost you nothing, because I’m going to give you my books. That’s right. For FREE. As many as you want, as fast as I can write them.

How to Get in On This Most Awesome Deal

1. Sign up. All you have to do to get started is sell your kidney and send me the money fill out this form, and BAM! You’re in. No hoop jumping, no IQ tests, no contracts signed in blood or virgin sacrifices.
   • Disclaimer: This will likely change in the future. As I become more and more famous, I’m going to be more selective on who can be a crew member. Take advantage of my nobody status while you can!
2. Wait (im)patiently. A few months before I publish my next book, I’m going to send you a digital copy. To reiterate, this is FREE.
3. Read it before the launch date. Once you receive your copy, devour that thing like the richest, moistest, tastiest chocolate cake you’ve ever had. Or whatever your favorite dessert is. (To clarify, I don’t mean literally devour it. That would be weird. Read it, because it’s a book.)
4. Send accolades. Once you’ve finished, I’d love to get your feedback. No, you don’t have to write a book report. Just let me know your general impressions and whether you found any typos, things that didn’t make sense, or other glaring errors. If you don’t find any, great! I guess I really am perfect.
5. Tell everyone you know. Once the book is available for purchase (don’t worry, I’ll let you know when!), tell all the bookworms in your life about this amazing book you just read and how they can pick up a copy. Here are a few suggestions for how you can spread the word:
   • Write a review and share it on social media.
   • Use an old-fashioned telephone thingy to call everyone in your little black book (and no, it does not matter that you haven’t spoken to them in 15 years!).
   • Send your grandmother a thinking-of-you card and express interest in her literary pursuits.
   • Take out an ad in your hometown newspaper.
   • Shout it from the rooftops.
   • Whatever, I’m not picky! This is your chance to be creative.
6. Rinse and repeat. Bask in my eternal gratitude and eagerly await my next masterpiece.

A Couple of Guidelines

As with any amazing deal, there is some fine print. I’ll keep it simple.

• While I am grateful to you for joining, I do ask that you participate. It’s really simple: Read the books before their launch date, and then help me spread the word. If you can’t commit to reading a couple of books a year, please don’t sign up.
• If you aren’t fulfilling your end of the deal, I reserve the right to revoke your Clue Crew status. I get you’re probably busy and it might slip your mind, so I’m not going to send the authorities after you for the first offense.
• You can leave at any time. Hey, I get it. Being a cool kid might not be for you, so if you want to opt out, just click the unsubscribe link in your Clue Crew email. No hard feelings, I promise. Well, I’ll try. That counts for something, right?

Applications for the Undercover Source street team will be accepted through mid-August.

Cover photo by Edan Cohen on Unsplash