Thursday, April 05, 2007

An Opportunity Too Good To Pass Up


Before we get to today’s topic, a bit of housekeeping. I recently discovered that my computer has been dropping quite a few emails. Actually, Norton has been eating them. I had no idea Norton was that hungry. (Down, Norton, down!) I think I now have this fixed. At any rate, if you’ve emailed me in the past two weeks, and I haven’t responded—I never received your email. Please resend.

Now for today--an opportunity for you novelists to gain new readers.

Over on Callapidder Days, one of the Christian mom blogs I enjoy reading, Katrina has set up a "Spring Reading Thing." Yes, not a Club. A Thing. Let me tell you, these moms stick together. When Katrina announced her Thing, asking folks to comment about the books they plan to read this spring, 204 people responded. Read the post and their comments here.

Well, next thing you know, Bethany House gets wind of the Thing thing and ships Katrina a box of nine books to give away to participants (hereafter called Thingies). Each week she will post a blurb about a book, and those Thingies interested in reading it will leave a comment. The lucky Thingy will be chosen randomly to win the book.

Not to be left out, I asked Katrina if she wouldn't mind a few authors honing in on her Thing. She said the more Thing Authors the better. So here's the deal. They're readers. We're writers (well, most of us, anyway). If you have a published book or books you'd like to give away through the Thing to interested Thingies, all you need to do is email Katrina and tell her so. Your book will be blurbed on her site, and salivating would-be readers will come rushing to comment. (Yes, readers do salivate--especially when there are free books involved.)

To become an official Thing Author, visit Callapidder Days to find the link for Katrina's email. In your email include:

1. Title(s) of your book(s)

2. Blurb about the book(s)--back cover copy, if you like.

3. Book's genre

4. Links to your web site and/or blog

5. Where you are willing to ship your books. This is important. Some readers are international. If you don't want to pay for international shipping, Katrina needs to know that.

Please respond by Monday the ninth. Katrina will see how many books are made available and will portion them out over the next couple months for give-aways. She will email the Thing Author with the address of the Thingy--and it's up to you to get the book out.

Now, really--is there any reason not to participate? We love readers, don't we? And what's a better way to market than to give away our product and gain a new reader? Let's show these readin' moms what awesome writers and sisters in Christ we are. Let's load 'em up with books!

If you choose to participate, please leave a comment here to say so. Know that you'll be speaking to the readers in your comment, as Katrina is sending her Thingies over here today to see what we're up to.

Do try to behave, BGs. We have a reputation to keep.


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd love to participate! Oh, wait, I don't have a book out yet. Maybe next time.

But I am going to check the blog out. I'm one of those Christian SAHMS, too.

Deborah said...

ahhhh!!! i'm a Thingy on the list!!! you can check out my TBR list at no. 158.

yes i'm already salivating over here...

Cara Putman said...

Oh man, I wish one of my books was out. What fun to participate in that! Next time. I'll have to check it out anyway. That's an amazing number of comments!

Lynette Eason said...

I'm with Cara! As soon as my book comes out, I'll sign up! Thanks for the info.

Lynette

Anonymous said...

I got my first one on the list, self-published as it is.

Thanks, BC.

Richard L. Mabry, MD said...

Brandilyn,
Katrina has assured me that non-fiction books are welcome, so I've signed up to provide copies of The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse. Thanks for letting us know about this opportunity.

Susanne said...

Well I'm definitely not in the author category. I am in the salivating reader catagory. This was so great of you to do, Brandilyn. Hope most of them will be Canadian eligable to win. Us northerners need our "win a book" fixes, too! :v)

Unknown said...

I'm a Thingy, too (leave it to a writer to come up with such a creative name). This is great for authors to jump on board. Free stuff for the Thingies and free publicity for the authors.

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Yes, non-fiction books are great. I should have noted that in my post.

I'll be offering two of my suspense novels--Violet Dawn, first in my current series, and Brink of Death, first in my last series.

Deena Peterson said...

I think you are all WONDERFUL! I love to read and read a lot...but it is difficult to keep up with all things readable. I share my reviews and always appreciate when an author responds...I think this idea is nifty-keen, and I've always been a fan of yours, Brandilyn (so was my mom)...love seeing your heart for your readers. Christian authors ROCK!!

(I loved Brink of Death...and Violet Dawn...just got Coral Moon, and I'm hoping to have a review up by the end of next week!!)

Eden said...

Brandilyn, you are a doll! I'm so glad you are encouraging authors to connect with us readers by helping out Katrina with free books!
Yes, I'm a Thingy salivating for a book!
Speaking of which, I'm almost done with Coral Moon. Love it! Will be posting a review soon, and I'm telling everyone I know all about it!
Hugs,
Eden

Rhonda Gibson said...

Hi Brandilyn,

Thank you for this opportunity. As a new author I'm thrilled to have this chance to meet new readers. I'm in :) I'll be contacting Katrina with as soon as I'm finished with this note. Thanks again!! Rhonda Gibson

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, I'm in! Everything Rhonda said above, ditto. :O)

Blessings,
Delia Latham

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

I am going to participate.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to be Thinged by the Thingies. I'll be contacting her to be included. What a neat Thing! Thanks, Brandilyn--(and a sneaky way to get me to delurk, too!)

Anonymous said...

It's been my dream to be a Thing Author! Count me in.

Terri Blackstock

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

I've heard from some authors who are going to participate, but didn't stop to comment here. You'll see their books showing up at Callapidder Days for giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I love the idea! I'll get this all down and e-mail Katrina. Woo Hoo, Brandilyn, thanks a bunch.

Brad said...

OK, OK, you talked me into it.

Charlene Ann Baumbich said...

Dude! What a THING, this Things for the Thingies with all kinds of thing-related possibilities ya'll can WIN! (Okay, that is a variation of what Brandilyn told me, but it's MY variation and I'm sticking to it.) At 61 years of age, I can barely sort it all out, but count this author IN since I've always ADORED things, which is why my house looks the way it does.

Shelley Adina said...

Ooh! I want to play and give away one of my books, too. Hustling over now ...

Shelley B.
http://www.shelleybates.com

Christine Lynxwiler said...

Yep, this sounds like just my Thing. :) I contacted Katrina and will be giving away Promise Me Always--Open to USA & Canadian authors! Thanks for the heads up, Brandilyn.

Cindy Woodsmall said...

How cool! I've sent my e-mail to Katrina. Thanks for the opportunity, Brandilyn!

As Meredith said, it's a great way to make us delurk.

Peace,

CW

Cindy Thomson said...

I'm in. Thanks!

Cindy Thomson

Amy Wallace said...

Awesome opportunity! Thanks so much!

I've send my email to Katrina and am tentatively stepping out of lurkdom to let you know. ;-)

Easter blessings you all!
Amy

Dawn ;) said...

Thx for the wonderful post of us "Thingies." I see from your comments list, there are a couple of authors I am interested in learning more about.
Thx again ~ looking forward to reading more from you all.
~ one happy "Thingie" reader ;D