[Quick note for writers: be sure to check out my latest post at LitReactor, “When Writers Do It Wrong: The Top 10 Ways To Annoy Your Twitter Followers,” and the third and final part to my query series at Writer Unboxed, “Query Letters Part 2: The Extras.”]
Anyone who’s a writer or lives with or loves a writer knows what a hard road this is. It’s full of dropped hopes and rejections and failure and disappointments. It really is. It’s a lot (a lot a lot) of hard work for very little pay. It’s big dreams and usually small realities.
The best way I’ve found to not just survive, but keep the love, is to celebrate! It’s too easy to let the happy little things fly past without stopping to savor them, much less announce them. There’s always the next submission, the next big goal, the next deadline, but if we don’t pause to appreciate how far we’ve come, we burn out fast. I do, anyway.
So I’m celebrating. And what better way to celebrate than with a giveaway?
My absolute favorite thing to celebrate (besides maybe initial acceptances, which I usually can’t share) are contributor copies. It is so much fun to get my very own copy of a publication I have work in. There’s something extra special about holding a print copy in my hands, but even digital release days are thrilling.
Lately I’ve been lucky enough to get a handful of contributor copies in the mail all around the same time. It’s made me stop to savor even more. Big or small, all of these lovely books contain my writing in them, and I’m awfully proud and grateful. Just look at all the pretty copies:
What’s in the bouquet?
The Beauty of Death includes my sci-fi horror story “Vestige.” This one is more on the graphic side. Cool tidbit: this story was accidentally accepted at two different markets. (Market error; not mine, thank goodness.) I’m very happy with where it ended up. This anthology has tons of great horror by authors both famous and new. You can buy the ebook for $9.99.
The Texas Poetry Calendar is an annual favorite for many here in my home state. It’s packed with talent every year, and the upcoming weekly calendar is no exception. 2017’s edition includes my poem “Rocking” – sort of a free verse love poem to my husband. Texan yourself or just a poetry-lover: You can order your calendar from Dos Gatos for $14.95.
HWA Poetry Showcase Volume III includes my poem “The Shed.” This is one of my favorite creepy poems, and I’m happy to be included in the Horror Writers Association’s annual anthology for the third year running. It’s always a nice array of styles and content. You can buy the ebook for $2.99. And for the first time you can order a print version for $7.99 at Amazon.
Blurring the Line includes my weird short story “Honey.” I don’t know what to say about this one, honestly. It’s some of my craziest work, but so far several reviews have listed it as a stand-out. You can get a paperback for $14.81 or an ebook for $3.99 – now that’s a steal.
Strange Little Girls includes my short story “The Cottage of Curiosities,” which is – you guessed it – a strange little story about a girl in an eerie situation. This one is horror-ish but not too steep for most scaredy cats. You can get the gorgeous paperback for $16.95 or an ebook for $6.99.
And finally, it is always an honor to have work in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies’ annual prize anthology Encore. 2015’s includes my poem “Strolling in Iambic Pentameter.” Ordering Encore is a bit of a chore, but for the determined, you can find the order form and information on this page and get yourself a copy for $15.
Back to that celebratory giveaway! I’m giving out three copies: one paperback each of Blurring the Line, Strange Little Girls, and HWA Poetry Showcase Volume III. To enter, simply leave a comment below. Since I’m shipping these, you must be in the US to be eligible. I’ll choose three names at random; the first person drawn will get to pick their first preference, etc. If you’d like to comment but don’t want to be entered, just make that note. You have until 11:59pm (CST) September 18 to enter. That’s one week, so please do spread the word! I’ll announce the winners on the 19th.
Good luck, and thank you so much for celebrating with me. And to anyone and everyone who buys and/or reads any of my work: thank you, thank you! It means more than you know.
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YIPPEE and Congratulations! Celebration is the very best way to keep the fire of inspiration and awareness alive. Thank you for sharing that spark and keeping us motivated <3 Yes, I would love to be entered in your giveaway 🙂
Thank you! Fantastic; you’re in, Ronda!
Pick me, pick me, pick me!
Yay! 😆
I just asked my magic 8 ball if I would be one of your giveaway winners and it said, YES! Hoping it’s right this time. 🙂
Haha! Good luck! 🙂
These all look teriffic.
Thanks, Traci!
It’s a hard life whether you’re a writer or not. That’s why I have a Celebrate the Small Things weekly blog hop. It’s so important to appreciate what’s going right in one’s life, and searching for the silver lining can become habitual. Congrats on having your work in so many venues!
I enjoyed reading your Twitter post, and the part about the exploding poop cracked me up! I agree that Twitter doesn’t sell books, but I’ve still gotten a lot out of it, including meeting great writers and reviewers, getting freebies, getting 10x more hits than usual on special blog posts that I plugged on Twitter (where I almost never plug my blog), and filling my Thunderclap w/100 supporters in 6 days. I’m a happy Tweeter! 🙂
That’s so true, Lexa. It’s hard for pretty much everyone, isn’t it? I’m all about celebrating, so I love your blog hops. And thanks! For sure, Twitter has so much value to offer beyond selling books. It’s how I got my Writer Unboxed and LitReactor gigs, in fact (through friends I made there who recommended me), so even if sales isn’t what you’re after I think all writers have something to gain, if they want to put the time there.
Congratulations! These all look great, and I’d love to win a copy!
Thank you! Wonderful; you’re in!
I would love to be entered in your drawing! Thanks to my sister Jennifer August for sharing!
Yay! Thanks, Jen! You’re entered, Amy. Good luck!
I always celebrate the small stuff. It’s a minor victory on the way of doing something great.
Good for you. I’m trying to do it more and more. <3
waving! jumping! shortperson in the back! 🙂
Hehe. I see you! You’re in!
Ceeeeeeelebrate good times, come on! (And gimme one a those books)
😊❤️
I’ve been feeling the writer-disappointment in myself quite a bit lately, so this made me smile. Thank you. I really enjoyed the first HWA Poetry Showcase, so I wouldn’t mind another one of those. But I’d take Blurring the Line too, just sayin’! I already bought Strange Little Girls, and it’s awesome so far!
Aw, I’m so glad! I’m sorry you’ve been feeling it, though. You’re in! Hopefully if you win you’ll be in the position to choose one of those two. Thanks, lady.
I’m in. Would love the option of a free copy.
Great! Thanks, Jay!
Alright folks, it’s midnight; the contest is closed. You’re still welcome to comment, but any comments appearing below this one won’t be entered in the giveaway. Thanks to all who played!
Looking forward to reading done of your 📚…:D
Thanks! Enjoy!
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