Contest Entry

Amazingly the Story Siren is offering yet again, another amazing contest.

Here's a list of just a few things she's giving away to one winner:

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert (PB)
Intertwined by Gena Showalter (ARC)
Initiation by Susan Fine (PB)
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer (ARC)
books for teens by Simone Elkeles bookmark
Silver Phoenix bookmark, featuring original art by Cindy Pon
Violet Wings bookmark
Ballads of Suburbia boomark

I probably haven't told you this, but another hobby of mine is collecting bookmarks. I would have entered if she was just giving those away.

I didn't say 'Lucky' winner because I'm not a lucky person and didn't want to jinx it. So the best to the one winner.

Super Cool Books Contest - Ends Sat., Aug. 1st, 2009, midnight ET. (she can and will if she feels like it, stop the contest at any time.) Extra entries: Yes

*US addresses only. If you are International, and have a friend in the US who will accept it, then you can enter. That's the only restriction I see.

Really want a Kindle

When it comes to contests. Which if you haven't noticed is one of my main hobbies; I'm usually too late, or don't have the means to enter them. Like this one they are having over at Engadget, who have partnered with Amazon and Adafruit Industries to give you the chance to win your own personalized Kindle.

It's pretty much an etch-a-sketch on the back of it. The Kindle is something I've been coveting (know I shouldn't) for months now. My mother refuses to let me purchase books, because I don't have any room for them. I am going to get ride of some, eventually.

Now, I read the entire article. It isn't showing me any love. I'm an artist, but I guess I don't have the means to enter. The entries have to be saved in EPS or Al format, black and white only, and composed of strictly vector graphics and all fonts converted to curves. Before yesterday, I had never heard - that I can recall - of any of that. I'm not a graphic artist.

I scoured the World Wide Web trying to find a free resource. I came across Inkscape, but it only saves in AVG format. Even if I found something the contest ends in a week.

All you graphic artists or people with the means should enter.

If you know of a free program that will let me save in EPS or Al format, tell me. Thanks and Good Luck (not that I believe in that). I believe in you all, though.


Link

Design Your Own Kindle (and win it) - Ends Friday, July 24, 200, at 11:59 ET
Extra Entries: No, you can only enter once.

Win some books

I Heart Monster is giving away some books this month and the next. She has a nice interview of Julia Hoban, the writer of Willow. I haven't read it yet, but might get lucky and win a copy from her (I'm assuming she's female).

She is also giving away a copy of Prada & Prejudice. I've been seeing the cover for months, finally learned what it's about today. Combines two of my favorite genres; historical fiction and chicklit. She said it was a quick read because of Mandy Hubbard's fluid, conversational tone, and that it's fun. I will add it to my list of to be read (TBR).

Links:

Willow (a new hardcover from Amazon) - I'm not sure when it ends. Leave comment about the fantasy book you wish existed. Extra entries: Yes
Prada & Prejudice - Ends Wednesday, Aug. 5th, 2009. Leave a comment with what year you would want to end up in if you bonked your head and magically appeared in a different time. Extra Entries: Yes

Traveling to Teens

I've seen this website's button on several blogs the past month or so. I never thought to look at it until today, when of course, they are holding a contest. They are having several, actually.

Traveling to Teens is actually a tour of Young Adult authors. They are from several genres. The purpose is like the title denotes, getting the word out about their books to their target audience. I know, more than teens read Young Adult. If I consider this a book blog, which I don't, I would love to help promote their work.

I entered one of the contests. It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann. (Ends Friday, July 31, 2009)

So many people have used that line when they are breaking up. It's an example of chiasmus. Which basically means, it is you. Though, that may not be the case, that's what they are really saying.

I'm looking forward to reading the book. Hope that the main character realizes she should be working on and cherishing herself, not chasing after someone who doesn't want her.

Still No Catching Fire Arc

Didn't win any of those contests. Boy, that really sucks. Guess I might have to actually read it, after it releases.

Luckily in my depression I have found another way for someone to win an ARC of Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games series.

Here's the link: ARC Catching Fire Contest - Get moving it ends next Tuesday (June 30)


The Shady Glade book blog is also giving away an ARC of Catching Fire. Here's the link: Shady Glade Catching Fire ARC Contest.

Catching Fire ARC finds

I may finally get that ARC I've been trying to get for the past few months. It's a giveaway, by random drawing, but that's better than waiting til September 1st. I'm a subscriber to YA Reads book blog. They sent me an email, and low and behold, an ARC of Catching Fire was included in it. Not the actual book, but a link to where I might get one. At the Linus's Blanket book blog you can enter to win a copy.

What are you most looking forward to in Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games?

If you can answer this you can, possibly, win.

There is another one I have found. It's from Reviewer X book blog.

Linus's Blanket Catching Fire ARC Giveaway - Ends June 22, 2009 EST
Reviewer X ARC Catching Fire Contest - Not sure when this one will end, it depends on response. You have to place a link directly back to them.

Affiliate Love Project

Are you involved in affiliate marketing, or interested? Why not give to charity while you're at it. When you sign up for affiliate networks through their site, they get a percentage of your commissions for life (on top of what you already are earning) that they donate to a different charity each month. According to the site, they don't earn a dime because they exist to help people. You don't have to sign up for any networks to donate, but if you would like to, go ahead. Also, they choose a different charity every month.

I'm thinking I might do it, but I'm not much of a salesperson. There's probably more to it than that, but I figure it deals with marketing.

Now, the part I'm really excited about-a contest-isn't that hard. You go over to the Affiliate Love Project site, and follow the instructions. You have to have a Twitter account, but by now, I'm sure you might already have one. There will be a random drawing, and the winner will receive a $250 Amazon Gift Card.

The Affiliate Love Project Contest - Ends Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:59pm PST

Smoke

This is probably another reason why this blog may never be a book blog. I'm still sticking with it though.

Everytime I ask my brother in law, 'Why do you smoke?' he gives me the same answer, 'Because I can.' That is about one of the dumbest things. I really can't stand him some times. Now, on to a more important matter. Not that I don't care about his health, though I admit, not as much as my sister's and her childrens, it's just that he needs to take better care. They have two young children, and even though he doesn't smoke in the house, the residue can still lay in furniture and carpets.

I got him some of that nicotene gum, that's supposed to help, no good. He has to want to commit to the change. He has to want it. He doesn't. Smoking is like unprotected sex; we all know it's risky, but some of us feel like 'screw the consequences, just give me pleasure.' Since I don't smoke, and never have I, and hopefully, never will; the love of it is beyond me.

I remember when I was twelve, maybe. One day I just decided to get rid of my father's cigarettes. He always smoked. If he wasn't smoking, he was getting drunk. If he wasn't getting drunk, he was eating. If he wasn't eating, he was sleeping. If he wasn't sleeping, he was working. You get the point. He's a good man though. It's a shame he had to have a heart attack to quit smoking. Now, there are probably plenty of other things that factored in to that, but I won't get into specifics. You shouldn't have to have a heart attack, or something else awful happen for you to stop smoking. When he initially quit smoking, my father felt better. He got into shape for the first time; started exercising and just generally being more active. He has recently suffered a relapse - the exercising, not the smoking- but we're working on that.

If you quit smoking, you and your family will probably have a few less diseases to deal with. I know, not the most convincing argument.

Whether you can do better than this or not, head over to the site. They have a lot of tips.

http://cigarest.info/cigarest/cigarest-contest/

What You Can Win By May 15, 2009

This isn't a whole lot, but these are a few things you can win, if you're eligible.


Chuck E. Cheese's Where A Kid Can Be A Kid Photo Contest - Today, May 11, 2009 - Just vote to see if you're instant winner.

Subscribers Contest Win $5 Cash - May 12, 2009 - Really self-explanatory, simply subscribe via email, and come back, and say "Hey, I entered the contest. Give me five dollars. " You might not want to say that, but that's all you have to do.

The Big Welcome from Hyatt - May 13, 2009 - This is an amazing prize. You have to be a Hyatt Gold Passport member, it's free. After you register, go to the site. Once you get there there are some questions that need to be answered. Don't worry, you can save and come back later if you have too. The Grand Prize is 365 Hyatt Gold Passport Free Night awards valid through June 30, 2014 at Hyatt Hotels worldwide of winner’s choice and 1 million frequent flyer airline miles to be applied to a Gold Passport travel partner program of winner’s choice, subject to the terms and conditions of the selected program. (They'll help the winner as much as possible with it's selection and paying off the taxes.)

Win Nickycakes’ 40″ Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV - Ends Midnight, May 15, 2009 - You have to follow him on twitter. Then you head on over to his site to get your own personalized link to the contest. After you get your link you twitter it. After the initial twitter you can do like I'm doing now. Place your link in as many places a possible. Having the most doesn't mean you'll win, but it increases the odds, I suppose. He clarifies things better on the site.

The Hunger Games Writing Contest - May 15, 2009 5 p.m. EST - How would you survive the Hunger Games? If you can answer that question in 500 words, or less, and meet all of the other eligibility requirements as well, you could walk away with a nice prize. There's an ARC of Catching Fire (Which I'm still hunting for by the way), An autographed copy of The Hunger Games, a mockingjay pin, and of course the chance to meet Suzanne Collins, all up for grabs. Enter Today.

Drive of Your Dreams Sweepstakes - May 15 , 2009 - There are two grand prizes that consist of: A trip to Birmingham, Alabama for winner and one guest to attend Porsche Sport Driving School North America. Includes hotel for four days/three nights; $200 in spending money; round trip air transportation and two (2) tickets to the Porsche Sport Driving School North America.

I'll be sure to gather as many of these as I can within the next few days for May 30, 2009.

I want a Kindle 2, too

Enter Today

Ends on 6/1/09 at 11:59 pm PDT

Everybody is raving about the Kindle, Kindle 2, and now the Kindle DX. That's all fabulous. Now, where is my Kindle?

Yeah, you should really go and get a job if you want the gadget. That's hard to do if you are trying to save money for school. So, what I try to do is find Kindle contests/giveaways/
sweepstakes a few times a month. Well, a few times a week actually. They are sent to me via GoogleAlerts. Most of the time they arrive a little to late, or I simply don't check my email. Now I've gotten in the habit of using Twitter search. It doesn't always yield the results I want, but it's effecient enough.

To make a long story short. I want a Kindle 2, or Kindle DX. Again, I might win one if this What Would You Do 4 A Kindle 2? (WWYD4AK2?) Contest hosted by Bitten by Books goes well.

Summer on Blossom Street Sweepstakes

Summer on Blossom Street, is one of Debbie Macomber's new releases for this year. I haven't read any of her books yet. I plan on doing so soon.

This month she has a sweepstakes with a cash prize of $10,000. If you aren't fortunate enough to win that, you could instantly win a copy of the book.

Summer on Blossom Street Sweepstakes (Daily entry) - Ends Monday, June 22, 2009

If you don't already know, she has a monthly reader's contest (I don't think trivia's involved), for those who are in her guestbook. If you like reading, knitting, and maybe crocheting by chance, you might like it. Since I haven't read her novels yet, you might want to consult with someone else about that.

Monthly Reader's Contest (Once registered, automatically entered into all subsequent Monthly Reader's Contest) - Drawing to be held, Friday, May 29.

The grand prize winner in Debbie's May contest will receive an autographed, hardcover copy of Summer on Blossom Street and the companion Leisure Arts booklet, Knit Along with Debbie Macomber, Summer on Blossom Street. A beautiful folk art bird picture, tea light holder and Greenleaf Ginger Tea room spray top off this summer-themed prize package. Two other prize winners will each receive a Blossom Street book.

New Author, New book Giveaway

Isn't this cover beautiful?

Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about writing a story that had to deal with Asia. I really like Asian culture. If I ever learn more about it, you know, other than what I read in manga and watch in anime, I might be able to write something. Yes, that is mostly Japanese, though.

There are probably plenty of minority authors in the U.S. Unfortunately, I don't think I support too many. Most of my books come from the library. Then my own collection is mostly classical literature, so, you get my point. Today, I came across, Cindy Pon. She just released her first novel, Silver Phoenix. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing it. In honor of the release she is having a giveaway. Depending on how many people enter, there will only be one winner.

The winner will have the choice between an original framed brush painting, done by Cindy, or a $100 gift card to a bookstore of your choice. No matter what they choose, a copy of Silver Phoenix will accompany the selection.

You get raffle tickets for entry into the giveaway, by promoting this through completing simple tasks. This post is one of two entries I plan on getting.

Now, that you know what's up, head on over to enter.

Silver Phoenix Contest - Ends Monday, June 8, 2009

Before I forget. She will ship anywhere.

Found three book giveaways + a camcorder contest

These giveaways are in the order I found them.

Authors Melissa Walker and Susane Colasanti have a pretty big giveaway going on this month. This month will be the release of a few of their books. In honor of that they'll be giving away some good stuff.

They both have a first and second place prize. I won't go into all the details, because they have a video they want you to watch. It's kinda funny to me, because of the subs. (You'll have to watch it, but you might not find it funny. )

Melissa is giving away a signed copy of her new book, Lovestruck Summer, and a special treat for some lucky person. Susane is giving away a signed copy of her new release, Waiting for You, and a something extra (It's a special permanent marker and John Mayer Official Fan Club Set List Journal).

The next giveaway I came across is being hosted on BookLuver-Carol's Reviews blog. She is giving away three Jennifer Echols books to one lucky winner.

Lastly, but not least -I know how cliche that is- Toni is giving away a Vado Pocket Camcorder. It looks really cute. Comment about the memory you wish you could have captured with the Vado Camcorder.

Well, that's it for now.

Here are the links and deadlines:

Walker & Colasanti Release Giveaway Until June 1st.
Jennifer Echols Book Giveaway Not sure when it ends actually. So, you might want to enter as soon as possible.
A Daily Dose of Toni Camcorder Contest Ends Monday, May 11, at noon.

The Hunger Games Writing Contest

An update to a previous post.

The deadline to enter The Hunger Games contest is Friday, May 15, 2009 at 5 pm EST.

It must be nice to be between the ages of twelve and seventeen. I can't find an Advanced Reader's Copy of Catching Fire, to save me from the agony of patience. Being that it's Scholastic, I should have know in advance before I got my hopes up, that this contest wouldn't apply to me. Darn it. This really sucks, for me, and anyone else ineligible.

Hope you all, who can enter, win an ARC. Wish you the best.

If you are a little late learning about this, head over to http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/contest/index.htm to get the details.