Confessions of a Shill

Last week's "Mother of All Off Topic Threads" has generated some interesting points, and I plan to address two of them. Let's start with the question of "shilling." Chuck Martin raised a concern I think is worth taking up, so I'll quote him and then reply:

I am slightly worried that Mark may be tempted to shill for some of the publishers, particularly R.L. Allen. I've noticed a large number of reviews for R.L. Allen and Cambridge products, and it appears that Mark is receiving not just one advance copy but entire sets from R.L. Allen. Yes, I do see that Mark has reviewed some products from other publishers. No, I don't believe it is inappropriate for a reviewer to receive one advance copy of a product. Yes, I understand that R.L. Allen and Cambridge are two of the highest quality houses. And no, I'm not sending Mark any supporting funds while I access his site for free. I'd just like to see a little more diversity if it is feasable.

THE OFT-FORGOTTEN FAQ

First, let me thank Chuck for raising the question. I appreciate the frankness. To reply, let me reiterate a point made in the Frequently Asked Questions, which I suspect many readers haven't noticed. Here, I explain where the Bibles I review come from:

Q. Where do the Bibles you review come from?

These days, I'm able to request review copies from some publishers, which allows me to cover a lot more ground than I could relying only on my budget. (My wife is grateful.) When I can't get review copies, I go to the piggy bank and see what I find.

By the way, if you're a publisher and you'd like to talk about review copies, check out the Publishers page.

Q. How do you choose which Bibles to review?

I'm drawn to editions that demonstrate quality production and innovative design. By "quality" I mean what some people mistakenly label luxury: sewn bindings, limp covers, good paper. There's no science to the selection process, only passion. I give priority to Bibles I think my audience will appreciate, and those I think the publishing community can learn from. I don't review everything that's suggested to me -- but I'm happy to receive the suggestions.

So yes, I get review copies from publishers. I've been getting them since the beginning. And I've never made a secret of it. In fact, I am always trying to make contact with new publishers so I can bring about the "diversity" Chuck mentions. 

SHILLING FOR QUALITY

Now I was a shill (or, to dress it up in marketing speak, a "brand evangelist") for R. L. Allan long before anyone in Glasgow knew who I was. I'm happy to have helped raise the profile of their amazing editions. When it comes to them, I'm a shameless fan. And long before there was such a thing as a blog, I was cadging glimpses of the Cambridge catalog from behind the bookstore counter, ordering things sight unseen based on a line or two of text. One of the raisons d'etre of this site is to introduce people to quality editions like theirs. I'm always candid in my reviews about what I like and dislike. Hopefully my readers would affirm that.

As far as my receiving "not just one advance copy but entire sets," well, all I can say is, it's hard to write about something you've never seen, so the only way to do review three versions of a particular edition is to have three copies. R. L. Allan's isn't "buying" a positive review by sending me review copies. They're getting a positive review because they put out a great product. But I can't tell you whether something's good or not if I never see it.

MARKET REALITY

In case it isn't clear, I want to point out that Bible Design Blog isn't a job. I don't make a paycheck here. In fact, I don't make a dime. You might consider review copies a form of compensation, but since I'm not converting them to cash via eBay, my wife doesn't agree. And she gets final say because it's her who pays the bills. My hope is that people reading this site will think, "Hey, this guy is worth reading," and as a result will click on the links to the things I do sell, namely my books. If publishers like Crossway, Cambridge, R. L. Allan, Tyndale, Zondervan, and Hendrickson (who've done a marvelous facsimile reprint of Tyndale's New Testament in cooperation with the British Library, which I'll be writing about shortly) didn't see fit to send review copies, I'm afraid the flood of reviews would dry up. My hope is that more publishers will work with me to prevent that happening. 

One thing the blog has allowed me to do is consult with publishers on future projects, which brings in enough to convince Mrs. Bertrand that there's a point in continuing. That gives me the ability to influence things before they reach the market, instead of criticizing them afterward. And I'll tell you something that may surprise you: the folks who've hired me tend to do so because of my criticism, not my praise. Which suggests that writing negative reviews would actually be better for my bottom line than the reverse. 

But rest assured, when I say I like something, I really do. And when I say I don't, I really don't. No one's paying me to misguide the public ... no one's even offering. Despite the impression some people have of the publishing industry, my experience suggests that everyone is trying to put out a good product within the constraints of the marketplace, and when someone comes along who can suggest ways of making that happen, they're receptive. 

Forgive me for writing at length about this, but I figured it's worth reiterating. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Mark, I stumbled upon your blog a little over a year ago and I am so thankful I did. I appreciate that your reviews are straight forward and honest. I have learned a lot from reading your reviews. Being a woman in my early 20s I grew up owning Bibles that were not well constructed because that is all the bookstore offered. About 5 years ago I came across a Foundation Publications burgundy calfskin wide-margin NASB and felt I had struck gold; I didn't know they made Bibles like that. After handling that Bible I have found it hard to appreciate the majority of Bibles offered on the shelves at the local store because they would fall apart a year after purchase. Thanks to your blog, I don't have to dream about Bibles that are pleasing to touch and to the eyes that won't fall apart with use. I not only feel as though I can peruse your site for Bible suggestions, but I have learned how to evaluate a Bible's quality on my own due to your extensive reviews. Thank you!

[Matt Morales]

Thanks again for the site mark...truly one of a kind!

[Timothy]

Your website Mark is a bibliophiles (no pun intended) paradise. I love my bibles (many versions) as well as books in general, and frequently I visit your site simply to look at the stunning bible editions you show to us. In fact, it is largely thanks to this site that I am the proud owner of an ESV1T.

[DavidT]

I am so grateful for this site. I was frustrated by the quality of bibles available to me, and while searching for a source of better quality bibles, I came across this blog. Since then I have been able to purchase a number of high quality bibles by carefully reading your reviews, and you have never steered me wrong. I now own 3 Allans, a Cambridge NIV Single Column, and a beautiful large print KJV from Lewis Bindery, all because I found them through this page.
Incidentally, I also purchased Rethinking Worldview, and I am looking forward to your novel. I have pre-ordered the Allan ESV Readers Edition, and I continue to be an avid reader of this blog. So THANK YOU, Mark. Keep doing exactly what you are doing!
GOD BLESS YOU
David Thompson

[Matt Williams]

Mark - whether or not you favor a certain publisher at the moment shouldn't mean you are shilling for them. And if you were...so what? It would only make other companies produce better products. I for one have learned a lot from reading your blog about what goes into a quality Bible. Being a Catholic, we don't have anyone at the moment doing the same thing for Catholic Bibles. Although the quality is getting better all the time, the selection is quite a bit less.

The Ignatius RSV Second Catholic Edition is pretty nice, and so are some of the other RSVs coming out. I have yet to see the genuine leather Douay-Rheims from TAN/St.Benedict but the paperback is quite nice. I put up a little review of them both(RSV-Douay) on my blog a little while ago. (I'm not advertising!)

Our publishers would do well to frequent your blog.

[Scott]

Mark, Thanks for all you do.

Cheers,

Scott

[Jason Turning]

You explain yourself very well in the reviews giving us a glimpse of your personal bias, and your conclusions when using the Bibles. It's very valuable even if we don't agree with you on every detail. And I personally thank you for the time you put into this site, as I am a happy user of an Allan ESV1 thanks to you. I know you're not a shill. Take care and God Bless!

[Bill]

Oh, and thank Mrs. Bertrand from us too, OK?

[Matthew]

Yes. I agree with Bill. Please do thank your wife on behalf of us all. I know blog is quite an investment of time and money on your behalf. We all appreciate her supporting you in your endevour.

This blog has taught me one thing... I'm not alone! :D

[Ian]

Mark thanks to you and your wife for all your work. You have raised my awareness of bible design and showed me what is available. I also enjoy reading the postings of fellow bible enthusiasts. It is nice to be electronically connected to others who enjoy a well made and well laid out bible. I think finding a bible that meets our individual desires and quirks is an important and useful exercise.

[Michael S. Swoveland]

Mark, had it not been for your wonderful blog I doubt I would have ever taken the step of having a couple of Bible rebound, nor would I have some of the wonderful editions in my little Bible collection that I consider gems. Until I found your blog I had no idea that R. L. Allan & Sons existed, one of their editions is now one of my most prized (and most used) Bibles.

If you get some sample editions from R. L. Allan or Cambridge along the way I feel you deserve it for the suberb service you are providing. My hat is off to you sir!

[Ben Ting]

Thanks Mark for this wonderful site. Keep those reviews coming!

[C. N. K.]

AMEN !!! Thank you so much for your excellent work!

[Ron Iveson]

I appreciate all that you do on this site and all the work that goes into it. You have helped me part with more money than my wife likes! Your careful analysis and photos are a great help in making choices for products that if we're honest, are expensive, so you help us to make imformed choices. My wife calls this 'bible porn' because of the excitment that a good review can evoke (sorry if some find that offensive I just think its very funny).

[Kyle Hedrick]

I disagree with all of the previous posters. I hate this blog. Stop posting such beautiful photographs, excellent reviews, and helpful links to make purchasing a snap. Mrs. Hedrick is AT LEAST as unhappy about your site as Mrs. Bertrand!

[gary]

You can now add "FTC Compliant"
http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=139457
Just a bad joke: thanks for the good work,
Gary

[Steve Robenalt]

Thanks for all the interesting and excellent reviews Mark! Keep it up.

[Tony]

Mark,
continue to do what you do...keeping us inform of the best.
Tony

[Mathew Maughan Jr.]

Yep, I agree that it's awesome to have a brother in the know as far as quality bindings goes. Thanks.

[Scott Davis]

Mark,

Frankly I see your blog as ministry ~ one servant in service to others ~ and the essence of ministry is sacrificing to meet the needs of others and to enhance their growth in the Lord. This you have done in a profound way through this blog as you have drawn together a community of Christians (such as myself) who believe God's Word should be wrapped in the very best materials that can be found on this planet.

Our Lord had his critics too. He silenced them by exposing their hypocrisy. And He taught us that being a part of His kingdom is to build up and support, not tear down and destroy. It doesn't take much effort (or mental capacity) to tear something apart, but it takes a lot of time and sincere devotion to create something that is a blessing to others. I, for one, am truly appreciative of the time and effort that you have put into this blog.

I appreciated your measured and wise response to your critic. I (along with many others I'm sure) want you to know that you have provided a service for the rest of us that will last for a lifetime. Stay the course.

Blessings,

Scott Davis
Wandering Friar

[Victoria Lynch]

Mark:
I just want to agree with all the comments and thanks above. I found your blog over 1 year ago and thanks to your reviews I now own the Cambridge Goatskin edition of the Pitt Minion Bible in NKJV and that beautiful Brown Goatskin ESV edition.

Because of you I own the Cambridge Wide Margin Goatskin NKJV,and most wonderful of all--I will be receiving my first Allan ESV in the next couple of days; again because of you reviews.

I just want you to know that I positively love every Bible I have purchased on you recommendation. These are Bibles I would never have forked out the money for, unless someone like you was reviewing them.

Victoria