Every year,
I give readers a short story
as a thank you
for supporting my books.
This story is professionally edited,
formatted,
has a professional cover.
The first time
I did it,
haters called it a gimmick.
I’m doing it
to increase sales,
they said.
The second time
I did it,
haters grumbled
about it giving readers
the expectation of free
but they didn’t say
it was purely to increase sales.
It was now
part of my branding.
My readers get free short stories
in December.
If you do it once,
it’s a gimmick.
Do it twice
and it is part of your branding.
Both are fine
but realize
the expectations you’re setting.