Monday, February 4, 2013

It's That Time Again...Calling All Authors!







Last May I had the opportunity to participate in my city's annual Children's Festival of Reading.  I was an unpublished author who wanted to show my gratitude to the fabulous writing community I had become a part of.  I decided the best way to give back to the community would be to create a wonderful giveaway of books and in the process, promote the lovely authors I had come to respect.  I sent out my first author calling...you can read last year's post here (http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2012/03/calling-all-authors.html) and I was hoping for maybe a dozen people who might want to participate.  I never in my wildest dreams expected the floodgates to open.  I received 350 autographed items (books and swag items) to give away to the children which made my booth a very popular spot for the more than 15,000 people who attended the festival.  I was even able to help Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen get in contact with the people in charge and she recently let me know she will be attending this year as one of the celebrity authors!

The festival committee has asked me to participate again this year and I would love to be able to promote even more authors!  Everything I do to promote the books is FREE as my way of saying thanks for all the support, and friendship I've received over the past year.  Here is my post of the event itself after the big day last year (http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2012/05/festival-time-in-tennessee.html).

I know there are many of you who have books coming out this year.  There were others of you who expressed a wish to participate last year but the timing was off.  And I had parents of the children visiting my booth wondering if there would ever be a chance for them to win autographed copies of books for themselves?  So I am putting out a call for ALL authors to be able to participate in this year's festival.  I put out flyers, send articles to the local papers, create posters, post on all my platforms, and generally let the world know about your wonderful books!  

Anyone interested in donating an autographed book or finding out more about the biggest family festival held in the southeast and how they might be able to participate...even if you are self-published...please drop me an email at donasdays (at) gmail (dot) com or leave a comment here.  Why even I have a book now I can donate to this wonderful event!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to break last year's record?

Here are just some of the books you donated to the FREE giveaway last year:













17 comments:

  1. I would be happy to donate one of my books.

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    1. Hi Darlene!

      I would be thrilled to add your books to my free giveaway. Last year's event was such a success I know it will be even greater this year! I will send you an email with information on where to send your donation (autographed book and/or swag items). The event will be held in May but I want to promote early and often...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Good job Donna. I'll definitely donate a few of my books and bookmarks.

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    1. Hi Genevieve!

      I'm glad you want to be a part of my free giveaway. The world needs more books like yours! I will send you an email with information on where to send your donation (autographed book and/or swag items). The even will be in May but I want to promote early...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. If it won't be too boring that I have nothing new out, I'm happy to donate again :) It's such a great thing you do there!

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    1. Hi Susanna!

      What are you thinking? Of course it wouldn't be too boring for you to donate again! Don't you remember it was one of your books some of my youngest visitors were fighting over to take home last year? ;~)

      I will send you an email with information on where to send your donation (autographed book and/or swag items) The event will be in May but I want to promote early...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. I will happily donate a couple of books but as you are aware it may squeeze into the YA category but would give others nightmares.

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    1. Hi JP! I would LOVE to add your book to the free giveaway! I will have books for the parents as well as the children so don't worry about if it will fit in...they will LOVE it!! Please leave your email address here so I can contact you with information about being able to participate in the festival...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    2. jphillipson@rocketmail.com

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  5. I would be happy to donate again this year, Donna. I can't believe it is almost a year already.

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    1. Hi Alayne!

      Of course I would love to have Butterfly Kisses as part of my free giveaway again this year. I will send you an email with information on how to participate in this year's festival...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. I WISH I had a book to donate. Maybe next year... ;)

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    1. Hi Teresa!

      There is an easy way to participate in this great event and that is by helping to get the word out that I am looking for author donations so tell all your author friends and mention it on your platform...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. My Mom said I could do it again! :D

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    1. That's great news, Erik! I wish you could have seen the look on people's faces when I would tell them about your wonderful blog and then tell them how old you are! ;~) I will send you an email with the information in a few days...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. Hi Donna .. I can do someone else's book - just not mine as I don't have one ... if it's good - then I'll happily fit that in ..

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi HIlary! Maybe it's because I'm fighting bronchitis and strep throat right now but I'm a wee bit confused...you want to do someone else's book? The purpose of my author shout out is to help promote the books of published authors so if YOU don't have a book out, I'm not sure how you could participate? Are you saying you know of an author who would want to be a part of my event? If so, please give them my information so that I may speak to them...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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