Thursday, December 29, 2011

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!




58 comments:

  1. Great idea, Donna! Fun contest for lots of great prizes!

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  2. Great contest! Incredible prizes! I've linked to your blogpost on both my personal Facebook and my writer Facebook (the latter should have shouted it onto my writer Twitter). I would post on my blog, but want to wait until I have my new blog set up. At some point in January, you'll be on my Wednesday Worthies list on the new blog.

    (And the fish have been fed twice this morning. Hungry little rascals...)

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  3. What a great way to encourage writers.

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  4. Cool Idea Donna. Great Prizes.

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  5. Susanna and Diane...thanks ladies! I am hoping these prizes will help other writers answer questions about improving their skills. If either of you decide you want to help me by giving me a "shout out" on either your blog or other social media means, just come back here and post HOW you got the word out so that I may cheerfully add your names to the prize drawings! Happy New Year to you both!

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  6. Thanks, Janet! I have found many books to help motivate me and teach me how to improve my writing...what better way to "pay back" than sharing? Happy New Year!

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  7. Thanks, Beth! I am hoping that the line up of books I'm going to provide will entice others to nudge their friends into coming here for a visit! I already have another new follower...woot, woot...I'm up to 30! I would do a happy dance if I could break 100 by the end of January...that's my goal at least...;0)

    Happy New Year!

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  8. Hey Donna!

    Fabulous contest! I can't wait to help spread the word. However, I'm going to wait until after the New Year when I think more folks will be on the lookout for stuff like this and when I have more time myself- LOL. For now I'm going to tweet it and post it on Facebook, but I'll also blog about it in the New Year and leave another comment when I do. Thanks!

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  9. Awww, Julie, thank you! It is so nice of you to help me with a "shout out" now and later! Can you hear it? Your name just fell into the prize drawing hat! ;0)

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  10. Great idea Donna! I will be sure to post it on FB and Google+. Good luck on expanding your blog!

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  11. Sorry Donna, I forgot my address sandihershenson@gmail.com

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  12. Ooh! What a great way to start the year. I'll post it on facebook. -Hannah
    Also I saw it on Julie's facebook page first. :)

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  13. Julie posted it on Twitter. I reposted on Twitter and it will be on my mash up this Saturday.

    That's a lot of awesome books. Is there a regional restriction (I'm Canadian).

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  14. Thanks, Sandi! I added your name to the drawing just for stopping by. May I ask how you found out about my blog? I want to give the right person credit if they asked you to stop by...;0)

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  15. Thanks, Hannah for stopping by. I added your name to the drawing and another one for Julie!

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  16. Hi, Asrai! Great question...I didn't think about that. There are no restrictions for people living in the US or Canada...I'll get the books to you. If you live outside the US or Canada, I'll figure something out. Thanks for giving a shout out to your friends. I added your name to the drawing and another one for Julie! Please provide your email address...thanks!

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  17. Hannah, could you please give me your email address? Thanks...

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  18. I tweeted your link, and also mentioned you in my blog

    http://writersblockgame.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/day-23-possible-writing-opportunities/

    Hope this works for you!! My email is Brittney19@gmail.com
    And I found you through Asrai Devin on twitter!

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  19. Thanks, Brittney, for stopping by! I really appreciate the shout out for my blog. I will add both YOUR name and Asrai's name to the drawing. I hope you come back and visit sometime!

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  20. Just tweeted again on my writing twitter (@lizannewriting), as I wanted to be sure to get the word out. Also, I realized I hadn't put my email address on my previous comment. elizabethannewrites at gmail dot com

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  21. This is a wonderful idea Donna! I will share my link on my FB. I have lots of illustrator/writer friends that will love your blog!

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  22. Thanks, Beth, for the shout out! I have 5 new followers...I'm crossing my fingers for at least 100 by the end of January...but no matter what, I'm grateful for each and every one!

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  23. Thanks, Loni, for stopping by! I was wondering how you found out about my blog? I want to make sure I give the right people credit for their "shout outs" for my blog! And I hope your friends will enjoy the posts, too! Please also include your email address in case I need to reach you for prizes...

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  24. I'm going to share it right now through Twitter: jarm@me.com
    Great idea, Donna!

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  25. Thanks, Jarm! I'm going to add you to the drawing right now. Can you tell me how you found about about the contest so I can give the right people credit for their "shout outs" for my blog? Thanks...

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  26. Donna, I follow you in my rss feeder. Sorry, I don't like putting my email on the web because of spam-bots. But I friended you on facebook, so you can message me that way. :)

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  27. I completely understand, Hannah. I will hop over there and "friend" you...;0)

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  28. I googled plused, facebooked, and tweeted! :)

    Nicole
    Nicole.Zoltack@gmail.com

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  29. I just came over to say hi and Follow, from Nicole Zoltack's post in Facebook! I didn't know you were having a contest. :)

    Blogfests are also GREAT ways to dramatically add Followers, specifically Rachael Harrie's Writer's Campaign fests she has periodically--check 'em out! :)
    Rach Writes

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  30. I came by this via a FB link my niece, Hannah Holt sent me. Wonderful ideas and prizes!

    Virginia Wood

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  31. I came from Nicole Zoltack's tweet. I'm retweeting her tweet. I'm a follower now. Thank you!

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  32. Hi, Nicole, and thanks for the shout out about my blog! I have entered you in the drawing and given you a second chance because Carol mentioned she found out about the contest through you. Thanks and Happy New Year!

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  33. Thanks, Carol, for stopping by! Let me know if you decide to give a shout out about my blog...let me know what social media you are using so I can add you to the drawing! Thanks about the information concerning the "blogfests"...I'm relatively new to the writing industry and not sure what that is exactly, but I will find out! Happy New Year!

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  34. Thanks, Virginia, for stopping by! I've added another ticket in the drawing for Hannah. If you decide to give a shout out to help promote my blog, please leave a comment here with your email address so I can add your name to my contest. Happy New Year!

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  35. Thanks, Diane J, for stopping by! I have added another ticket in the drawing for Nicole. Should you decide to give a shout out to help promote my blog, please leave a comment here so I can add your name to my contest. Happy New Year!

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  36. Okay so I have just given a shout out on my facebook.... and my address is dianestoy@ihug.co.nz.... This is a geat idea. Thanks again Donna.

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  37. 'tis done Donna...I think you've read my blog post already.
    Happy New Year to all.
    Enter me!

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  38. Thank YOU, Diane, for helping to get the word out about my contest. I have added your name to the drawing!

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  39. Thanks, Mona! You are the latest entry in the contest!

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  40. Hi, Donna, what a great idea to garner attention for your blog! I tweeted and +1'd. Thanks! - the 'other' Donna. :)

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  41. Thanks, Donna, for the shout out to your friends about my blog! I will add you to the drawing for prizes!

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  42. Super contest, Donna!

    I'll definitely give my critique partners the link to your blog ;~D

    Ciao for now,

    Lori Mozdzierz

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  43. Thanks, Lori, for stopping by. I will add your name to a drawing. Come back any time!

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  44. Oh yeah, Lori, I forgot...can I get your email address? Just in case I need to contact you about possible prizes? ;0)

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  45. Hi, there! Me again. Just posted again on my personal Facebook and my author Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/ElizabethAnneWrites/130363953712427 . Posts on my author page automatically are tweeted on my author twitter, @lizannewriting

    Will be blogging about your blog and your contest on Wednesday. I'll post a link here then.

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  46. Thanks, Beth! Your name is in the drawing and the January 27th deadline for entering isn't far away!

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  47. Hi Donna,

    My email: lj.mozdzierz@gmail.com

    Lori Mozdzierz

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  48. hi Donna :) What a great idea :) Your doing awesome since your first post! I'm soooooo proud of you!

    I've shared on facebook and on twitter. Blogged about it too http://deniseofingleside.blogspot.com/2012/01/writing-contest.html

    I must get blogging.. i'm terrible at keeping up with it

    Thanks Donna!
    Love,
    Denise of Ingleside, PEI

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  49. Thanks, Denise! I'm glad you like my blog posts. I have added your name to the drawing. Thanks for the shout out!

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  50. What a wonderful resource list! I found this link from Denise's blog (see her post above) - whether or not I am a "prize winner," I appreciate this helpful list of resources. Many thanks! :)

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  51. Hi, Angie...thanks for stopping by! If you are planning on giving a shout out to my blog, just let me know what form of social media you use so I can add you to the drawing for all the prizes. Come back there any time!

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  52. Great idea for a contest! Love the prizes! I'm sharing your blig through Facebook. :)

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  53. Thanks, moonduster! I will add your name to the contest under "moonduster", but it would be nice to have a name and email address just in case I get to contact you with prize information!

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  54. me, yet again. I blogged about your log and the contest today, which means that through networked blogs it showed up on my FB, my FB author page, and my author twitter again.

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  55. Great contest, Donna! I'm sharing it on FB.

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  56. Thanks, Lori! I will add your name to the drawing! And thanks for "following" me!

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