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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS AMAZING RACE & THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US & THE HERO'S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE GIVEAWAY

Hi Everyone! There's not going to be an Ask The Expert interview today. But I've got some good things to share with you.

First, sorry I wasn't around blogs, Twitter, or Facebook much last week. It's been crazy busy at work (more on that next week). And I organized the senior night program for Anna Li's high school swim team, which went really well. Plus there was a second swim meet last nigh. So yes, it was insanely busy.

Second, Stina Lindenblatt, one of our followers and a friend many of you know, just revealed the cover for her debut NA book, TELL ME WHEN. It's gorgeous! Stina lost her blog on blogger recently and is building up her new blog so you might not know about her big news. So go HERE to check out her awesome cover and congratulate her.

And here's the winner of NOT A DROP TO DRINK--Cherie Reich!

Congrats! E-mail me your address so I can send you your book. Please e-mail me by the end of Wednesday or I'll have to pick another winner.

Next, I'm helping celebrate Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi celebrate the release of their two new books. And to celebrate, they've got a plan for writers to help each other.

Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi at Writers Helping Writers (formerly The Bookshelf Muse) have added two more books to their Descriptive Thesaurus Collection: The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes and The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws. To celebrate, they are hosting a race, and not just any old race, either. It's the...



 

Writing is hard, isn't it? Create the perfect hook. Make your first page compelling. Craft an amazing 25 word pitch. Knock out a query that will blow an agent's mind. On and on it goes. And sometimes, well, you just wish someone would help.


WISH NO MORE!


From October 21st until October 27th, Writers Helping Writers is posting an OPEN CALL for writers. You can fill out a form, requesting help with critiques, book visibility, social media sharing, blog diagnostics, advice and more.


An army of Amazing Racers are standing by (ME INCLUDED!) waiting to help with your submissions. How many people can we help in a week? Let's find out! Did I mention there are Celebrity Racers too--amazing authors and editors who know their way around a first page. Maybe one of them will pick your submission to help with!


Each day this week, there's an AMAZING giveaway, too. So stop in at Angela & Becca’s new Writers Helping Writers website and find out how to take advantage of this unique, pay-it-forward event for writers. I'll see you there! 


Photo Credit: Tharrin

Next, I have an ARC of THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US and a print copy of THE HERO'S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE for a giveaway. I haven't read them, but have heard fantastic things about them.

Here's a blurb of THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.


And here's a blurb of THE HERO'S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE from Goodreads:

 Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You remember them, don't you? They're
the Princes Charming who finally got some credit after they stepped out of the shadows of their princesses - Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Briar Rose - to defeat an evil witch bent on destroying all their kingdoms.

But alas, such fame and recognition only last so long. And when the princes discover that an object of great power might fall into any number of wrong hands, they are going to have to once again band together to stop it from happening - even if no one will ever know it was they who did it.

Christopher Healy, author of the acclaimed The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, takes us back to the hilariously fractured fairy-tale world he created for another tale of medieval mischief. Magical gemstones, bladejaw eels, a mysterious Gray Phantom, and two maniacal warlords bent on world domination - it's all in a day's work for the League of Princes.


Thanks to Harper Collins and Walden Pond Press for providing these for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment telling me which book you'd like (no guarantees) through November 2nd. I’ll announce the winner on November 4th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, please leave it in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This giveaway is for U.S./Canada only.

Here's what's coming up:

Tomorrow I have a Tip Tuesday by J. Curtis Mace and a giveaway of KEEPING THE PEACE, his paranormal story.

On Wednesday, I’m interviewing my awesome critique partner Lori Sawicki, who recently self-published her MG contemporary story, THE POWER OF TWO. It’s a fantastic contemporary story about bullying and friendship. I loved the vivid, complex characters Lori created in Jamie and Pru. And she's got tips on marketing when you're not on Facebook or Twitter and don't blog.

Next Monday, I’ll be giving away my signed ARC of EXILE, book two in the MG fantasy series by Shannon Messenger and a signed copy of her YA fantasy, LET THE SKY FALL, and sharing about getting to meet Shannon. It was SO awesome!

Next Wednesday Kit Grindstaff will be doing a guest post and there will be a giveaway of her MG spooky fantasy, THE FLAME IN THE MIST. Kit’s interview was super popular so I’m excited to give you another chance to win this.

The following Monday I’ll be interviewing Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman and giving away an ARC of THESE BROKEN STARS. It’s a fantastic sci-fi story which really got me in touch with how similar sci-fi world building can be to fantasy, my favorite genre.

And don't forget our Tuesday Tips and Casey's Thursday agent spotlights.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

38 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

Looking forward to being part of the race too!
Both books sound fantastic! Love the idea of the princes getting their turn!

Kristin Lenz said...

Angela and Becca - you two have such great ideas! Natalie - thanks for continuing to share good news and books.

Stina said...

*hugs* for the shout out, Natalie.

I'm looking forward to the race. And The Distance Between Us looks great. I want to read that. Love the cover!!!!

sjp said...

The Distance Between Us is a beautiful cover! and good luck with the race :)

Old Kitty said...

Storming the Castle sounds like such a fun fun fun read! Yay!!! Take care
x

Barbara Watson said...

The race sounds great! Thanks for word about it. I haven't read Healy's books yet...

S.P. Bowers said...

Thanks for the heads up on the books and race. I'll have to add Healy's books to my TBR list. I'd take either but put be down for The Distance Between Us.

David P. King said...

So much awesomeness here, not sure where to begin, but I know I could use a few tips on storming a castle. Those things are huge! :)

cleemckenzie said...

Joined the race and running on the outside track. Look for me. I'll catch up on the straight away. Hard to choose what book I'd like to read. Both sound interesting. I'll just say either one!

Brenda said...

Sounds like you've been incredibly busy, but having fun too. Thanks for the info on the race. Book 1 of The Hero's Guide was really funny, I wouldn't mind an opportunity to read the second.

Cherie Reich said...

Yay! So excited to win a copy of Not a Drop to Drink!

Both books sound so awesome!

Unknown said...

The Writers Helping Writers Amazing Race sounds really cool! I'd love to win "The Distance Between Us", but, sadly, I'm not in the US/Canada...

Christine Rains said...

Congrats to Cherie! And what a wonderful giveaway. Either book is awesome!

Laura Pauling said...

Ooo, The Distance Between Us is on my list. I loved Pivot Point!

Jocelyn Rish said...

The Amazing Race for writers is such a wonderful way for writers to help each other. Both books sound great, but I'd probably lean more toward The Distance Between Us.

Jocelyn Rish said...

The Amazing Race for writers is such a wonderful way for writers to help each other. Both books sound great, but I'd probably lean more toward The Distance Between Us.

Crystal Collier said...

Oh, I think I saw Storming the Castle or something like it at the library, and my fingers were twitching to snag it, but I'd already met my quota for the week. We have to things other than read on occasion, right? ;)

The Distance Between us...TBR list...

mshatch said...

Holy Cow is there a lot going on! I actually like the description of both those books! Too hard to choose :)

Joanne R. Fritz said...

You are one busy person, Natalie! Congrats to Cherie!

These books both sound like great reads. But since I haven't read the first Hero's Guide, I think I'd go with The Distance Between Us.

And I went over to congratulate Stina, so thanks for the heads up about the cover.

jpetroroy said...

I'd love The Hero's Guide ;)

Rebecca L Sutton said...

I've been dying to read The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle! Thank you for sharing the info on the Writer's Amazing Race. Going to check out right now!

Natasha said...

I would love The Distance Between Us.
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

Rosi said...

Wow. Lot's going on around the blogosphere. These two books sound great. Thanks for all the info and for the chance to win.

Carrie Butler said...

Whew! What a busy Monday. I just love Angela & Becca's ideas. :D

HeatherCRaglin said...

Writers Helping Writers Amazing Race has been great. Super helpful. I'd love to win The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle. It sounds like fun.

Danielle H. said...

These two books sound like great reads. I hope to win a copy of either one. I'll post on Facebook! Thanks for the giveaways!

MeganC said...

I love the idea behind the Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle. My kids and I would all love that! Sounds like you have tons on your plate, Natalie. Good luck to anyone who participates in the Amazing Race. It sounds like tons of fun.

Carmen said...

The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle sounds awesome. Would love to win a copy!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Patchi said...

Both books sound great, I'd be happy with either one (but if you want a pick, then I'll go with The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle).

Emily R. King said...

What great books! I look forward to next week, and I hope your week is less crazy than last week, Natalie!

Beth said...

What a great post! Congratulations to everybody! I'd love to win a copy of The Hero's Guide.

Kel said...

Interesting writer's event. It's nice to see a community coming together like that.

And I'd love to read The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle. It's predecessor was hilarious!

kmpeterson89 (at) gmail (dot) com

Mart Ramirez said...

Whoo hoo! Love that you gave a shout-out Stina!! And of course love that you shared WHW too! It's all about helping others!! XO :-)

Becca F (ReadingTeen) said...

I'd love to read The Distance Between Us. I have heard such great things about it just haven't picked it up yet!

thanks for the giveaway!
beccaboo97200(at)att(dot)net

Unknown said...

The Distance Between Us sounds like a great book.

Rachel Stones said...

I would love The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle. :)

Jolene and Family said...

I would love The Distance Between Us

GFC follower- Jolene and Family

june111(at)att(dot)net

Jolene and Family said...

Tweeted https://twitter.com/joleneallcock/status/395608027274833920

june111(at)att(dot)net