A NEW YEAR...A NEW EASY CONTEST!

I know I'm a couple of days early, but I woke up this morning with what I think is a great idea.  The new year is coming, right?  How would you like to spend the first days of 2012?  


Like this?

Or like this with a published book or article?

HOW ABOUT KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A SIMPLE CONTEST WITH NICE PRIZES?

I have felt very fortunate this past month.  I started my blog as a way to show support and encouragement to the many new writers out there, like myself, who are trying to learn how to become a better writer on the path to publication.  I have collected a number of great "writers reference" books along the way and I woke up this morning with a great idea!  My blog currently has 29 faithful followers which I appreciate dearly.  But what if I could find a way to add to those numbers?

HOW ABOUT I GIVE AWAY "WRITER PRIZE PACKS" AS A WAY TO DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO MY BLOG?  

It's really, really simple...

1.  Tell all your friends to please visit my blog (www.donasdays.blogspot.com).  Let them know with a shout out on your own blog, through Facebook, Twitter, smoke signals, passenger pigeons...however you would like.

2.  Put a comment on THIS post letting me know how you got the word out and your name will go in the hat for prizes.  Please include your email address.

3.  If your friends list YOUR name in a comment  on ANY of my blogs, letting me know who encouraged them to visit me, then both THEY and YOU will get another drop in the hat for prizes.

4.  The contest will end Friday, January 27th and I will draw names by the 31st for the prizes from all the entries.  

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

GRAND PRIZE PACK

1.  The ABC's of Writing for Children compiled by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff.  This book includes 114 Children's Authors and Illustrators talking about the art, business, craft and life of writing Children's Literature.

2.  First Draft in 30 Days by Karen S. Wisner.  This book includes a novel writer's system for building a complete and cohesive manuscript in just 30 days.

3.  The Magazine Writer's Handbook by Franklynn Peterson and Judi Kesselman-Turkel.  This book has everything a beginner, or experienced writer needs to know on how to get an article published in a magazine.

4.  A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction by Elizabeth Lyon.  This book is a clear, practical reference for all writers of essays, memoirs, biographies, how-to, self-help, or technical writing.

5.  Cliffs Quick Review...Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style.  This book helps writers master the basics of core concepts and includes a pocket guide for easy reference.

6.  How To Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool.  This book is an easy-to-follow guide to writing professional queries that produce sales.  It is mainly geared toward articles and nonfiction books.

7.  No Limits But The Sky by Hallmark.  This gift book will encourage you to dream, dare, persevere and succeed in life.

FIRST PLACE

1. A Creative Writer's Kit by Judy Reeves.  This box set includes a book containing a year's worth of prompts and practices concerning a variety of topics.  It also includes a set of flash cards to encourage you in your writing.

SECOND PLACE

1.  The Everything Creative Writing Book by Carol Whiteley.  This book is all you need to know to write a novel, play, short story, screenplay, poem, or article.

THIRD PLACE

1.  Writing For Children & Teenagers by Lee Wyndham.  This book is filled with practical know-how and step-by-step instruction on how to write for this type of audience.

FOURTH PLACE

1.  Novel Voices edited by Jennifer Levasseur and Kevin Rabalais.  This book includes a wealth of practical and motivating insights from 17 award-winning novelists on how to write, edit, and get published.

FIFTH PLACE

1.  Creating The Story: Guides for Writers by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler.  This book is filled with short, no-nonsense, practical guides and exercises for improving technique.

SIXTH PLACE

1.  Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy.  This book includes 21 great ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time.

There you have it!  A lot of prizes that I hope will encourage everyone to take the time to help me get the word out about my blog.  I wish everyone great things for 2012 and I'm starting the new year off myself with a bang!