Are you up for Mission 777?
November 3, 2009
I just cooked up an utterly crazy idea, and want to see if you’ll play along. It’s called Mission 777. I’d love your feedback — please sound off in the comments section…
What is Mission 777?
As you may know, my novel 7th Son: Descent was released on Oct. 27. On that day, UK resident John Merlin participated in the Beta Clone Army Rewards Program, and wrangled the purchase of 100 copies (!!!) of 7th Son: Descent. In addition to his new status as an ultra-elite 7th Son fan, he also snags gobs of prizes — and I’m flying to his England town to hang with him for a day. (!!!)
Would you like me to come to YOUR city and hang with YOU for a day? I know I do, and I want to give you the tools to make it happen. The best part: All proceeds go to a great cause.
Mission 777 requires seven brave Beta Clone Army volunteers. Like John Merlin, you’ll be the ultra-elite, official 7th Son Ambassadors for a 7-city book tour, funded by me. People in your community — or beyond — will sponsor my tour stop by purchasing copies of 7th Son: Descent in your name. If you hit 100 copies, I’m flying to your city, wherever you are, and hanging with you and other local loyal Beta Clones.
Plus, for every copy sold, I’ll donate $1 (the money I make on each book) to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity, which supports breast cancer awareness and research.
I’ll do nearly all of the lifting: I’ll create a website with the profiles of the seven volunteers (aka the Chosen 7), promote it, and manage the site and sponsorship purchases by you, your friends or others. Anyone in the world can sponsor one of the Chosen 7 with book purchases, which will add to their goal of 100. (Sadly, past purchases of 7th Son: Descent cannot count toward the Mission 777 initiative.)
You’ll do your part by providing a face to the cause, and — if you’re up for it — asking your community to help. I’m not seeing a nickel of profit from Mission 777; all money goes to charity. It’s a fun way to get me to your town to meet you and your friends … and sign a lot of books! 
Will You Become One of the Chosen 7?
Right now, Mission 777 is just a dream; I won’t pursue it unless I get seven hard-core dedicated fans who want me in their town, and are willing to put forth some effort to talk up Mission 777 in their local or online communities. I’ll do my part by promoting Mission 777 and keeping the Beta Clone Army updated on your progress toward the 100 milestones. If you hit 100 copies purchased in your name, I’m coming to your town. No matter what, all cash goes to charity.
Does this idea work for you? Would you be willing to participate, either as one of the Chosen 7, or as a sponsor by purchasing Mission 777 copies of 7th Son: Descent? I won’t know until you tell me.
Give me a shout in the comments. I would love to see the interest level for this, and make it happen if people dig it.
–J.C.
Comments
27 Responses to “Are you up for Mission 777?”
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JC, even if this wasn’t in support of a ground breaking podcast to novel extravaganza, I’d want to take part. Offering up your profits for charity helps so many people in so many ways! Count me in. I’m ready to comply!
I’m in.
I think this is a great idea. Its great to be able to support two causes at once: getting sequels published, and to help find a cure for breast cancer.
Funny thing is this morning, I was wondering if in November, breast cancer research would slide back into the background after October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and then you drop this bomb on your site.
This is a good thing, Hutch. A very good thing.
Good luck to you and keep up the good work. Having lost friends to breast cancer and having friends that fight it and continue to survive through it, I thank you for taking this on.
Stay frosty, and good hunting.
HUTCH! I would give blood for you, sir! I am willing to donate every spare second of EVERY DAY helping out your cause! I will help out with this, even if I don’t get chosen, BECAUSE IM A HUTCHAMANIAC!!!
Plus, breast cancer sucks. All cancer sucks. My grandfather just died of cancer at the end of September, and I lost a 6-year-old cousin to leukemia a few years ago. I would be willing to help in any way to fight the one true manifestation of evil in the world. Please consider me.
I love this crazy idea of yours and I’d love to participate. I was just working on a web page of my own, trying to sell a lot of copies so we can get Hutch to go Dutch!
My web page will still be in progress, since I don’t know if I can become a 7th Son Ambassador and I do want to sell a lot of books for you, no matter what
I hope you know what you’re getting yourself in to, but I love the idea. Also, great support for the breast cancer awareness.
I probably don’t have the social network to take on a city, but I’m definitely up for buying another copy to help out the cause. If someone snags Atlanta, I’ll buy it in their honor, and if not, I’ll just pick a favorite city and/or rep and buy in their honor instead.
For the past two years, we’ve turned our website pink through the month of October for breast cancer awareness month.
This is SOOOO much cooler.
I can’t say that I have enough time to be one of the Chosen, but If you need any assistance from me personally or from either the Tony’s Losing It or Back Seat Producers podcasts, you’ve got it.
Kick Breast Cancer’s Ass, Hutch! … or something like that.
Thanks for all the kind words, peeps! And to those who are willing to lend a face (and location) to the cause: you rock.
To be clear: As a volunteer, you’re *not* obligated to pimp Mission 777 to your community … although that helps. I’m doing nearly all of the lifting here, and am most concerned with selling books for a good cause and getting to YOUR location.
If that floats your boat, please let me know here in the comments!
–J.C.
This is an awesome idea. As Nathaniel said, I don’t know if I have the network to bring Denver into the fold, but I would be willing to put forth my best effort.
Phoenix, Arizona is IN.
This idea REALLY appeals to me. That’s my way of saying I’m in.
i am in.
I am in for parts of Virginia. NoVA, BooniesVA, you name it, I’ll bring it. I know of at least three others TM, PR, & JD who who would like bring it as well (if I can convince them). Let’s do this thing!
I’m in! I want you to come to Southern California!
Hutch, you’re crazy—but you’re crazy for a good cause. I’m in for the Portland/Pacific NW region if you’ll have me.
Excellent idea, J.C! Was this inspired at all by what we’re doing with Beards4Boobs over at How Not To Grow a Beard Month?
@Chris: Yep. I know a good idea when I see one.
Hells Yeah!
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Depending on when you come, I’ll get us some tix to see how REAL hockey is played.
Accept me if you enjoy good beer.
Oh yeah, great book, btw.
You know that I’d be in so fast – especially for the chance to have you back on the show and in the flesh. That would totally rock. Count me in, if you can.
Hutch you know The Bonehead is in! I want you to come up here to the cold part of the country. Consider St Johns/Lansing, MI in full I comply mode!
I’d love to get you out to the SF Bay Area.
Are you looking for people able to provide a location in the sense of provide a facility at which to have a signing/gathering? While I do not personally have a facility to offer, I am sure we could try for a bookstore and if not at least descend (no pun intended) on a bar or something. =) I’m willing to try and get the word out here.
Wow.
Dude, in addition to being a creative marketing powerhouse you are a damn nice guy. I have the utmost respect for you.
So what’s the secret to convincing you which Beta Clone to pick?
Can I bribe you with the chocolate chip cookies presently coming out of the oven? Savannah, GA all the way!
I know I’m late on the game but I just finished listening to the beta version of Descent. I LOVE the bonus with Get a Leg Up! Fascinating to hear the musical tastes of the characters. I’ve got too many favorite parts of the story to list but the one sticking out to me now is when Father Thomas thinks he’s getting called over to read the last rites….
OMFG I AM FREAKING OUT! For God’s sake I nearly gave my son your initials – I would do anything to get the word out (and I *am*) – cont me IN. I’ll wrangle up the New Jersey (& Philly if I can) side of things. Go Hutch Go Hutch Go Hutch! Visit to the Garden State or not, it’s on like Donkey Kong!
[...] weird). His debut novel, 7th Son, is serialized on Boing Boing, and he’s got a pretty crazy book-marketing strategy on his site: buy a hundred copies of 7th Son and he’ll spend a day with you and your friends. [...]
Hey Lynette – I’m in Philadelphia – let me know if there is anything I can do to help your efforts.
Good luck everyone! Great idea, J.C.!
Lynette/JR – Although I’m out in the farmland of PA, I’d certainly make a contribution toward a bring Hutch to Philly campaign. After all, the FDO has already graced us with his presence. Seems like we need some equal representation in the City of Brotherly Love !