Monday, July 02, 2007

So Lucky!

I won the Lottery.

Really. I did. I actually won the Lottery.

Lottery, by Patricia Wood.

From now on, I can say for the rest of my life, I can truly, really, honestly, unequivocally tell people I won the Lottery!

I first heard about this up-and-coming new author probably through Publisher’s Marketplace and Miss Snark's blog (may she R.I.P – We miss you Snark!). And the minute I heard about this book, I thought to myself, “This is a book I must have. This is a hardcover book I will no doubt go out and purchase the day it goes on sale, whether I have a Barnes & Noble-Get-15%-Off-Coupon or not, I will buy it.”

Turns out, instead, I won it! Pat felt so sorry for me (I know, it’s easy to do!) that she awarded me the winner of the top secret contest that even she didn’t know she was holding! Yay me! So, Pat emails me on Saturday, FROM HAWAII, where she is living the life I could only dream of someday – the ocean, Hawaii, time every day to dream and write, spending time with the man I love – she informed me I have won a copy of her book, and that she would like to mail it to me.

OK!

Then I think, “Oh, I’m going to Ohio for ‘Little Granny’s” 95th birthday on Wednesday, and wouldn’t it be great to get the book before I left so I could read, read, read on that dreary car ride?” Then I think, from Hawaii to Chicago, it probably won’t arrive in time and I may have to wait until I get home to devour the book.

Nope! Today it arrived. Today, as in Monday. I cannot believe the US Mail got a package to Chicago from a boat in Hawaii in this short of time. And I’m thrilled! See how thrilled I was:

I won the Lottery!

I ripped the package open, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. I am dying to rip through and read the inside cover, the acknowledgment, the dedication, the first page, but I like to draw out good things too, so I'm going to wait until I have no children around so I can just emerge myself in the experience. It’s kind of like having a frozen chocolate treat in the freezer, and I have to wait till the kids go to bed so I can relish in it and completely enjoy everything about the book.

I just love books, the whole idea of them are amazing! And they are to me like some shoes are to women, but not really because how much enjoyment does one get from shoes? Sure, they protect your feet, but sometimes they cause calluses and blisters and can make your feet stinky. But not a book. You get something out of a book. And I cannot wait to get the message I know I am going to love from Pat’s Lottery.

And Pat signed it too. She wrote: To a faithful blogging buddy – have a great time reading!!! Enjoy! Much aloha – Pat Wood

Thank you Pat! I will! And when I get back from what will probably be another Jerry-Springerish-type-family-trip to celebrate Little Granny’s 95th birthday, I’ll tell you all about the prize I will certainly gain from reading the Lottery.

15 comments:

The Anti-Wife said...

I'm so jealous!

la bellina mammina said...

LOL! CoNGRATS!!

B. said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and referring me to babyzone! If you have ANY advice along the way, just stop by. Thanks, again.
Congrats on the Lottery!

Hello from Julia said...

Nice!

The only thing I ever won in my life was a book. A little art booked called Lordie Jones about a little boy who turns into a pig. It was great but twisted, and much too scary for children.

I'm happy you won the lottery! :)

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

You will love it. Love it. Love it. As a writer. As a Mom. As a human being. You will love it.

KS

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

I am LOVING it!!!! I only stopped reading last night because I was so tired. I ripped through the first 78 pages in like an hour, and can't wait till bedtime tonight so I can keep reading!

(I have a teeny little problem reading during the day--it's called 'my children! LOL!)

Patti said...

i love me a package in the mail! go you!

Unknown said...

Congrats! Can't wait to see how you like it!

I was hoping that reading would become easier as my child gets older, but alas, I see it doesn't. I finally finished my first fiction book since she was born, though I admit I let several things fall by the wayside while I was reading it.

Appletini said...

Yeah! YOU WON THE LOTTERY!
I wish I could say that :)

Holly Kennedy said...

You truly did win the lottery.
It's an incredible book and I know you're going to love it :)

BTW, you know that fancy-dancy lil gold 'autographed by the author' sticker carefully placed on the cover to make it that much more extra special?! It came from me! So we are now officially tied -- sort of. I gave Pat 2,000 of those little stickers as a CONGRATS on your publication gift, and now they're traveling all over the world -- with you receiving the FIRST ONE. You're a double winner Manic Mom!

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Andrea--when my kiddies were little little, I never read. I just wanted to drop into bed when they went to sleep. You'll be able to read again someday... and shower, and take naps, and put on makeup... I promise!

Appletini--Yep, I sure did win it! Best prize! I was sitting here last night thinking, what would I rather do, win the 'real' lottery, or have my novel(s) published. I really think I would choose publication over twelve-mil. Is that corny?

Holly--that sticker is the first-ever one sent out!?!?!!? How cool! So yes, now we continue on with the Six Degrees of Separation... Turns out Pat and I even went to the same college--too cool! Thanks for stopping by Manic's!

Travis Erwin said...

Congrats. I too am looking forward to reading Lottery.

Anonymous said...

This is soooo on my to be read list you lucky thing!

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!! Congratulations!!! I will now have to check that book out the next time I am at Barnes and Noble. It is nice to get surprises like that, can really make your whole week. Enjoy your kid free, quiet reading time, with some really good chocolate.

ORION said...

Oh wow I just found this!
I am late to the party.
But thanks everyone!
As Perry would say-
"This is just so totally cool!"