Can You Help Me Come up with a Prize Idea?
First, I may be slightly absent this week, as far as a new blog post goes, though I’ll check your comments at least once a day, I promise. My work-in-progress (formerly known as The Waif–still waiting to hear which title the publishers like) is due a week from today and that means I’ll be tied up big time for a few days. I’ll try to keep you up to date with what’s going on, though.
Here’s something new: I now have a Readers’ Page in addition to my Personal Page on Facebook, so if you’re on FB and would like to keep in touch that way, please hop over to my Readers’ Page and “like” me. I’m giving a Kindle to one of the first 1000 readers who click that “like” button, and we’re closing in on that number quickly. I’m addicted to FB, so you can be sure I’ll be popping in there no matter how busy I get.
Now for the prize: To celebrate the reissue of Keeper of the Light, this month’s contest prize is a beautiful figurine that reminded me of Annie, the central character in Keeper. But now I need to come up with an idea for the contest that will celebrate the publication of The Midwife’s Confession. . . and guess what? Midwife will be my 20th novel! I think that calls for a special prize, don’t you? I welcome any ideas you might have, the only requirement being under $100. Of course, a copy of the book will accompany whatever prize we come up with. To help you think about it, the central theme of The Midwife’s Confession is friendship between women. A secondary theme is the bond between mothers and daughters. It might help you to check out my website page on Midwife where I have an interview about the book to get a real understanding of it. (And while you’re there, feel free to preorder it from your favorite bookseller!)
I’m heading back out to the porch right now, where I’m up to my eyeballs in revisions. I look forward to your ideas, and thanks so much for being there!
I have two suggestions. First is Willow Tree figurines. There are so many possibilities that would fit the theme(s) of Midwife’s Confession it would be difficult to choose. They are simple yet lovely and the varieties speak to almost any emotion you choose to highlight.
My second thought is a collectible from Harmony Kingdom. You’ll have to research the figures online. They are more intricate than anything from Willow Tree, but also have the variety to choose one that represents the theme you desire.
Thanks for asking,
Ann
A prize is a great idea Diane. Maybe a pendant or charm in an overlapping or knot design that signifies the ties of friendship and love…it would be gorgeous in silver or hammered copper.
Congrats on your 20th book, a real milestone!
Cheers,
Jo
P.S. I’m not on facebook but I like you all the same 😀
Well, I wrote this once, now here I go again.
You are so kind to spend so much time with us when you have a deadline to meet. I think that maybe it keeps you focused. That would just be the opposite for me.
A gift suggestion would be either a gift card to Amazon or a book store. Another suggestion would be a small piece of jewelry, perhaps a charm that would depict the love and friendship portrayed in the book. Maybe a locket/keychain with the an inscription.
I am not very creative.
Thank you for sharing your time with us Diane. I know that time is the most precious resource we have. And it is sparse…So for you to share yours with us, we are surely blessed.
When all else fails, a gift certificate for some place like amazon.com is always a winner. That way they can buy more books. That is always a big plus.
Thank you for your wonderful books and for being such a wonderful person. : )
I really like autographed books. Perhaps a set of books ?
The most appropriate prize might be your selection of books that you personally find to set forth the best qualities of friendship.
I would treasure a autograph book from you
To me the greatest treasure would be a personal autographed book from YOU
Diane, this might sound strange but I would treasure some of your original notes or outlines for MIDWIFE’S CONFESSION…even the little yellow ‘sticky’s’ that you use for your WIP that you mount on a board. Maybe you keep these and don’t want to part with them, but to me, it would be an outstanding prize…the actual WIP!!
Sounds like I need to learn more about Facebook…if you’re on there all the time, it must mean you are chatting with fans and I’m missing out!…I’m not sure how to become a member but I better find out…I don’t want to miss out on any conversations with you! (-O:
Margo, you must join Facebook. It’s alot of fun and Diane is on there all the time. She always has such great posts and statuses. Come on over, you’ll love it. And, I love your idea on Diane’s notes as a prize.
Diane, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness about giving away a prize. You are just the sweetest author I know. Can’t wait for your book to come out. Only a few more weeks now.
Diane, I can’t help but notice the different colors of paper on your desk, stacked half-hazardly…this must be significant…do they represent the different points of view for your novel?
Gina, I think I’d like to join but don’t know the first thing to do!…can you help me out?
I think a gift card to amazon so I can buy more of your books. As You know I love reading your books. Another idea would be to give your next releases for a year, I would love that!!! You are too good to us…
Sure, Margo. All you need to do is go to http://www.facebook.com and setup an account. It’s free. There’s a link on the homepage where you can setup an account. All you need is an email address. Let me know if I can help further.
Gina…by giving out my e-mail address on the Facebook form, doesn’t that make it available to everyone?…not sure if I like the world having access to that?
Margo – Your email address is not given out to anyone. When you setup your account, just make your settings private.
Thx Gina…as you can see, I’m pretty new at this. (-O:
I like the idea of the love knot necklace or signed copies of all your books for the winner, but I also thought maybe a garden bird bath/fountain with a little girl as part of it like in the book. Maybe gardening supplies? Or, since best friends plays a theme a gift certificate for dinner for two or a beautify treatment for two.
Some great ideas here! I’m going to think about all of them. Margo, part of me loves your idea of sharing notes and early drafts. Another part of me is afraid they could be used for blackmail purposes! My early drafts are BAD. 🙂
Colleen, didn’t you just love that garden fountain in The Midwife’s Confession? I tried to find something similar on line, but it seems to exist only in my imagination.
Margo, you belong on Facebook! Hope you can figure it out.
As for the different colored papers, I use a different color for each draft. They eventually end up all mixed up together. What a mess. The picture is actually from my work on The Midwife’s Confession. I don’t quite have my nice neat white finished copy of The Waif (or whatever it is!) yet. A few more days!
I was looking up a charm/pendant for the fountain too for a gift.
Another idea is the gift card.
And I’m not sure but everyone wants that Kindle… 🙂 but I have no idea what it costs. Maybe I should look it up before suggesting it.
I also liked the collection of your books, signed of course. 🙂
Thanks! And good job on all your hard work. I read the Midwife’s confession and I loved it but you never disappoint!