Sunday, December 04, 2011

NEW GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

 WINNER WINNER WINNER!

Thank you all for reading and participating in my little blog and book reviews! I'm always soooo soooo very happy to share tidbits about my life and also especially excited to bring exciting authors and books your way. As you know, over the fall, I hosted an extreme book giveaway where the first grand prize winner never showed up to claim her 25 books. We had to choose another winner. I'm excited to announce the new winner here in a few seconds.

But first ... there's always a first isn't there? I wanted to gauge your interest on the blog, with a couple of questions since I have your attention... doing these extreme giveaways are very time consuming and I have only been doing them quarterly -- how would you feel if I offered instead like a book a week instead? It might give you all more options to win? I am trying to think of a way to make sure you all get info on all the fab books out there, but I also want to be able to offer huge giveaways like WOW, someone here has just won FREAKING 25 BOOKS! Maybe I can do 4 or 5 books in a month and then everyone who enters for those 4 and 5 books can have a chance to win all those books each month -- just trying to figure out how to save some time here for me and also optimize the chances you all have to win!

Also, what do you want to hear from me? My second book is on submission with my agent and I'm writing a third now. I am dying to share some pages with you -- are you guys writers? Do you want to know about the process? Would you rather hear about my debauchery in Vegas or how I get my ankle hobbled at the nail salon? I used to write such personal stuff on this blog and I feel like I've gotten away from that. I kind of miss the old me blogging. I am in a better place than I was before we moved to Scottsdale, and feel mostly settled and happy, so maybe that's why there's not so much angst here.

Enough! Enough! I know you're ALL dying to find out if you won! And I'm excited to announce the winner -- you have RANDOM.ORG to thank for choosing you .... so will this person please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com and we'll start getting the ball rolling so you can get your books delivered!

Congrats to HOMESTEAD JEN!

And thank you, thank YOU to ALL of you for continuing to read my blog -- I don't really get anything from this except the enjoyment of reading your comments, and I truly, truly LOVE reading, writing, and books and I hope you like to read MaNiC MoMMy, and I hope that someday you will be able to read a real book or two written by me!

19 comments:

Shannyn (Toni) said...

Congrats to the winner!! :)

Well, you know me. I love contests. I love the idea of couple (or a few) books a month. It would maybe ease up some of the pressure for you too? I'm always open for whatever works though!

I "want" to be a writer, but right now it's just something I do for fun. I like knowing the process, BUT, I miss reading about all the things you used to post about! Maybe you could do a mixture of both?

Either way, you're still one of my favorite bloggers that I keep up with!

[My word verification? "lervally" -- I think that's lovely... with an accent ;) ]

Ncsuloges said...

CongrAts to the winner! Whatever works best for u. I will be here excited to reAd!

Dani In Chicago said...

I like your idea of doing a book a week. I can understand how time consuming it would be. Also, as a fellow writer, I'm always open to hear about your writing process!

Dani

Nanette said...

Manic~ I love everything you write about. Of course, it was one of your book giveaways that brought me here but it was your wit and humor and stories that made me stay. I love everything you write about whether it be books or your family or your crazy girl trip to Vegas. I check your blog daily (OK...several times a day) to see what you are up to and what's happening.

Keep up the good work. I would love to win free books but that's not what keeps me coming back. I'm not stalking you btw...you just crack me up and I love reading what you are up to. I would say keep doing what you are doing...whatever you have time for that is. We are all busy so we understand it may not be easy to do the big giveaways like you have been.

Have a great Sunday! We are enjoying some mild 40 degree weather, staying home watching football. I'm going to update MY blog, too, as I enjoy doing that. I've gotten away from it but you inspire me to pick it up again.

Take Care!! Nan

HomesteadJen said...

Thank you, MaNiC!

I think a book a week would be more manageable (though I am so excited to be the big winner this time!). And I like reading whatever you post. Though the ankle pictures completely grossed me out. Blech. :)

Thanks, again!

Laura Kay said...

Hey Steph! Congrats to the winner!
I usually try to do giveaways that last a week or two and does seem pretty manageable. You have a strong following, so I think your plan would work great for your site! I always love coming here and seeing how you do it! I sure can't imagine the big giveaways you do!

I'm a want to be writer myself, so I'd love to read about that. I'm looking forward to finding more time to write as the kids get older!

EBrowning said...

I think a book a week would be a great idea! I am not a writer so I enjoy the personal stories you share...but I wouldn't object to learning more about the writing process either. :)

Margie said...

Congrats to the winner.
I like the idea of a book a week giveaway. Your blogs are always fun to read.

ludy2288 said...

I enjoy learning of new books to add to my 'to read' list, and the possibility of winning them is just a bonus.

I'm not a writer, but I find the lifestyle of writers intriguing, and its always interesting to me to get glimpses into the lives of others through funny writing

Joani15 said...

I enjoy reading about the process of writing. I have always wanted to write a book but unfortunately have not followed through. Work, family, life in general just takes up so much time and I do need my sleep or I am cranky.
I think that a book a week is a good idea. I love to read about new books and add to my list.
I have been reading The Marriage Plot and am wondering what all the raving was about. It is taking me very long to get through this book and I can usually read an average size book in a few days or a week at the most. Is anyone else having a hard time getting into this book? I am about 75% through and am still waiting for the wow in it.
Any way you want to keep up the blog would be terrific I'm sure. I enjoy reading it. (yes the foot pix were a little gross and I am now scared to get a pedi)
Have a great holiday season

Terri said...

Love to learn about new books to read, and love to hear your stories too! I'm definitely not a writer, but hearing about the process is also interesting. Your blog has just become a part of my internet world. I'd check in no matter what you write about. I think a few a month would be fair, and much easier for you to manage. Thanks for all you share with us, (I knew you'd be fun to meet!) :)

Congrats to the winner!

Terri M.

IandSsmom said...

Congrats to HomesteadJen!!
Whatever is easiest for you is great for us I'm sure! As a nurse I loved the ankle pictures!! Wish it hadn't happened to you but the pics were great!!! Not a writer but I do like reading about the process cuz I find it fascinating!

(my verification word is exemen- story of my life!!! :)

BrendaL71 said...

Hi Manic, there is nothing more fun that winning books. But yes, I think I agree that a book a week would be nice. I'm not a writer but I love everything about books and how it all works as well as the occasional fun story of your life. Just posting and giving us new things to read makes it all worth it. thanks for everything.

Ally said...

I would love to hear about your writing process.

Anonymous said...

Ditto on what everyone else is saying - whatever is easier for you and love to read all of it. Thanks. JillFay.

Melissa said...

I think you should do whatever is easier for you...but I agree, I think a weekly book contest would be great.

I love hearing about your personal stories, but I would love to read excerpts from your books too!

Jenn3128 said...

Congratulations HomesteadJen!

Manic, I really appreciate that you have contests at all, so I'm open to whatever is easiest for you!

I do miss your day to day posts, I like to hear about that kind of stuff. I would also love to read snipits of works in progress!!!

Twins + 1 said...

A "book a week giveaway" sounds awesome! I'd love to hear more about your writing process as well! I'm an aspiring writer!

buttah said...

I love that you give away books period...so what ever works best for you is fine by me! ;) I love to hear about anything and everything that goes on with you...loved the Vegas post! So mix it up for us. Give us some shenannigans one day and some literary stuff the next! I can't wait till you can give away YOUR book(s) someday too!!