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Win-It Wednesday: Secrets of My Suburban Life
Thanks for sharing your summer plans last week and indulging my inner busybody! The randomly chosen winner of Not Anything is... Katie in NC, my East Regional Library friend! I know you're off with your grandparents, Katie, but let me know your address when you return.
Now, this week's contest is for a signed copy of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's Secrets of My Suburban Life. This book got to me because the main character, Ren, has such a great voice. And she writes letters to her mother, who died in an accident involving Harry Potter books. Not kidding. The plot was fun and intriguing, and the letters themselves broke my heart and then put it back together again.
So, to win a copy of this book, just comment below and tell me what you'd like to see during release week for Violet in Private. I'm thinking of daily contests, natch, but anything else you'd love? Let me know! Or just say hi if you don't have an idea, that counts too.
Happy Wednesday.
PS-If you want to get a copy of Violet in Private on August 5th, ask your bookstore or library to pre-order it for you. That will ensure they have it... (for those of you who've had trouble finding the Violet books). Also, that will make me really happy. Thanks!
PPS-If you give me an idea that I end up using, I'll send you an advance copy of Violet in Private... I just thought of that. And I'll do it!
PPPS-If you post about this contest, in a myspace bulletin or on your blog or wherever, I'll count your entry twice... just let me know in the comments below.
Ok, I'm done!
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Comments (29)
Yay it's Wednesday! I still think this my favorite day of the week-week. I definitely want to read the book you are giving away this week!
Oh man, what could you do! I know, you know that I've asked before about how authors are involved with their cover designs. I think I'd still love to hear about that but also maybe a peek into the whole process (or pieces of it) of how Violet In Private went from an idea in your head to a published book. Anything you find interesting about the process. I think that would be a great lead-in to reading the new book. Or in my case the whole series!
I think I might have to pre-order the book. I stalked two more B&N's this weekend in my state (far apart from each other), one had Violet By Design and the other, a really huge 2 story downtown story had neither! I think I'll march into Borders and Pre-order the new one, they don't know what they are missing! I guess I need to plan my next month or so wisely so I can have the first two read in time for Violet in Private's release *hatches plan to buy books online*
Or oooh, an advance copy would be wonderful as well, that would leave me no excuse to buy the first too!
I'm totally pumped you are going to have a fun release week!
Posted by Alea | June 25, 2008 12:11 PM
I already have Secrets of My Suburban life coming, but I am not sure about Violet in Private :) I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed - ha!
Anyway, I do like contests of course, but I think it would be cool to offer some that depended on skill and not just random luck. Now, I am not talking anything too involved, but maybe something like offering some clues that led to an "outtake" scene from Violet in Private that we could read. Then there would be a question that you could only answer if you had read that scene, and whoever sends in their answer first, wins.
Posted by Lenore | June 25, 2008 12:16 PM
Wow this book seems interesting. Death by Harry Potter books? I'd like to see how that's possible! Harry Potter books can do no wrong! :]
Anyway, my idea involves maybe some bookmark designs and you can make it into a contest and the winning design could be included with the books or something in that effect.
-Cyndi
mistique44952@yahoo.com
Posted by Cyndi | June 25, 2008 12:23 PM
I've already read Secrets, so don't enter me, but I've got soem ideas for you.
Did you visit Teri Brown's launch party? That was pretty cool. If you could do soemthing that involved hearing from other authors, that'd be cool. (Though getting a tattoo would not be required! =) ) And maybe possibly a Violet video or video contest? That too would be awesome.
Or (the ideas are really rolling now) you could do a video in which YOU talked about Violet or just talk about anything related to writing!
Hm...maybe you could pick people to become like the Violet Team, and they could be responsible for going around and telling people about Violet in all these creative ways.
I also like the idea of doing bookmark designs. You could even expand it to t-shirt designs, and maybe to a CafePress store so they could be available to readers.
I'll let you know if I come up with anymore ideas!
TCR
Posted by The Compulsive Reader | June 25, 2008 2:18 PM
OK ... this may be too outre, but I think you should have a fashion contest. You know, like in old Katy Keene comics where the readers sent in drawings of outfits and accessories for her and her friends to wear. Designs for Violet. Have people submit their fashion ensembles for Violet to wear ...
That may skew a little younger than the usual blog audience, but...
Posted by JoeKinski | June 25, 2008 3:16 PM
Contests are always great. I think I would also like to see you "interview" Violet about the newest book release and how she feels about it.
The book for this giveaway looks really good, too!
Posted by Meredith F. | June 25, 2008 3:19 PM
I need soemthing to read. Fast. I finished my last book the other day, and it'll take Amazon ages to deliver the new books I ordered. Any recommendations? (I have already read your books, and I can not wait for the new one!)
Posted by Irene | June 25, 2008 4:23 PM
Death by Harry Potter books, huh? How clever is that. I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with being buried by Harry Potter books that happen to fall off of a display or something. Hey, it could totally happen - those books are heavy!
As for what you can do during Violet in Private release week...I'm thinking maybe you could:
1) Give out a violet-colored prize for every day of the week (i.e. violet colored bangles, violet colored necklace, etc.).
2) Hold a contest where people have to create their own Violet book cover. You know, people could dress up as Violet, and have someone take their picture in all different ways that would be similar to the real Violet book covers.
3) Name the next Violet book contest! People could submit their own titles for the next Violet book. You could pick the best one, or the one you like the most, and maybe even use it for the next Violet book!
4) Each day post a different way that you would strive to keep your privacy if you were a celebrity. You know, like "Wear a wig whenever I leave the house." "Pay a lookalike to fool the paparazzi while I slip out the back." Stuff like that.
5) Violet week. Turn your whole site violet, and have readers wear a different violet-colored piece of clothing every single day during Violet in Private release week. It would be the perfect way to spread the news about Violet, and have a little fashionable fun! :)
Posted by Erika | June 25, 2008 7:07 PM
Ooh great giveaway, it sounds like an awesome book!
During Violet's release week you could get people to send in pictures of the book in stores, since sometimes they show up early. I love seeing posts like that, so just an idea!
Posted by pepsivanilla | June 25, 2008 10:42 PM
Please do NOT enter me, for Secrets of My Suburban Life, as I have already read it. I just wanted to tell you my idea...
1. You could interview real life young models.
2. Since Violet struggles with figuring out what's a healthy weight, it might be cool to do something about how girls can say fit, and strengthen their bodies without harming themselves. You could try to get an expert on teen body issues to interview, or perhaps to do a series of live chats with.
3. You could do a series of blogs about where the ideas for certain parts of the book come from.
Posted by Ren | June 25, 2008 10:48 PM
I think daily contests will definately be cool!! And maybe an exclusive preview...or a short story off of Violet in Private or the other Violet books.
Posted by Grace L | June 25, 2008 11:07 PM
You have such great book recommendations!
Some ideas for Violet in Private release week:
1. some carefully selected quotes and have readers predict what may happen in this third installment
2. quick reviews from real-life models about their favorite Violet characteristic/moment
3. have fans sketch an outfit for Violet...basically Project Runway fiction style and perhaps that outfit could be used by some top name designer
4. have readers list an appropriate soundtrack (5 songs) for top Violet moments.
Posted by TG | June 25, 2008 11:57 PM
After reading all those amazing ideas by other fellow commentors, it's really hard to follow up and think of something new. Hopefully, I didn't skim through someone's idea, and repeating it now:
Something I love about books are how sometimes you can relate to the characters and feelings in the book. I'm thinking that there can be some kind of forum-like event, where readers can just share their own personal experiences that are somehow similar or connected to that of your characters.
I know my idea isn't really all that thought out, so hope you get some more awesome feedback. haha. =)
Posted by Carmen T | June 26, 2008 1:43 AM
Oohh ideas!
You could hold a contest where the winner gets to interview you, and post it during release weak.
*or*
A music playlist for the Violet series, created by you, or a contest where you pick a reader's playlist to be featured on the site.
*or*
Make a video of yourself doing a happy dance for the release of the third violet book. (YOU MADE IT!)
*or*
Give a sneak peak (or synopsis) of your newest book that's coming out next summer [idk if this is possible, b/c of publishers and such]
Anyway, Have an awesome Thursday!
Posted by Ink | June 26, 2008 2:09 AM
Ha - I like Erika's idea number 4!
Maybe you ARE a celebrity who is trying to hide from all of us adoring fans and we have to try to find you in order to get our prizes. That could be so funny.
Posted by Lenore | June 26, 2008 4:02 AM
LOL, this books sounds so funny.
My idea: It would be cool if there was some kind of Violet in Private e-card people could send to all of their friends to let them know about the release.
Another idea: PARTY!! You sooo need a release party, Melissa!
Posted by Kelly | June 26, 2008 8:15 AM
Oh gosh I read this book a week ago and loved it.
Quote: "No,it's not what you think--Harry Potter didn't come to life and stab her or anything. A stack of those thick books crushed her." ;D The book is great, and then she thought she knew who the perv was but it turned out to be someone else!
Anyway I'd love the see daily contests! I'm super excited! Posted a bulletin! I'll write about it in my next blog too. =D
http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=249165800&messageID=5931869762&MyToken=b2fda577-fcf7-4904-9378-41f3a5c16db9&hash=MIG%2fBgorBgEEAYI3WAOkoIGwMIGtBgorBgEEAYI3WAMBoIGeMIGbAgMCAAECAmYDAgIAwAQIJxp2ll6EdTUEECt1XXvjHXvbZd%2fyeEEvq0MEcHamo6nQ6Lo3VhKwsmLmIW5gbCWVwR0uvzYy6dA5t%2bBHiqiIe1j%2b%2bR8cEhZOMtilD073g3alWUXaSSuX7BcFbzyW5nxSOwJDXlhBGsLWmJOwS9fjOBCnxjKHMAq7hv6HNRf%2fMlsPrxwy0ZSw3JHzNd0%3d
Posted by Regina | June 26, 2008 9:27 AM
Such, such great ideas, guys. I'm keeping a list so I'll know who suggested them... and Kelly, don't worry, there will be a big party! Anyone in NYC is welcome to come: August 12th!
Posted by Melissa Walker | June 26, 2008 10:54 AM
Maybe some behind-the-scenes material? It would be nice to read a deleted scene (or idea for a scene) and why it got cut from the finished novel.
(I will be on vacation next Wednesday.)
Posted by Liviania | June 26, 2008 2:09 PM
Death by Harry Potter? Oh, that is just tooo funny. So now you've totally piqued my interest (as a suburbanite and a mother of Harry Potter fans!)
As far as release week? Well, give-aways, always. Maybe some background on the book? Or a which character are you quiz. Check out quizilla.com (I think there's a way to set up your own quiz...Alyson Noel had a quiz that related to Saving Zoe (http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/7349835/which-character-from-qsaving-zoeq-are-you)---though I don't think she created it herself, but someone must have, so maybe something like that?)
Posted by Amy | June 26, 2008 5:14 PM
ya know, i'm really not sure. i think what Liviania wrote sounds like a great idea. maybe anything model or fashion related sounds good...maybe tips?
but dont enter me tho. i already have a signed copy of this book!!! (not that i've read it yet tho...)
Posted by The Book Muncher | June 26, 2008 6:12 PM
Definitely LOADS of contests and cool prizes!!
Posted by bunny | June 27, 2008 1:19 AM
I love contests (not just "enter me" tags!). Winner is still picked randomly, but we have to *do somehing constructive* to enter the giveaway.
How about having interested readers write a paragraph about what Violet's life might have been like 5 years ago? or 5 years in the future?
(I'm ducking from the "enter me" people!)
I've posted about this contest and your upcoming release week at my blog:
www.sheIsTooFondOfBooks.com
Posted by Dawn | June 27, 2008 12:12 PM
I would love to win this book and I'm thinking that the idea (already written about) to hold a fashion contest where readers submit photos (perhaps fashion disaster photos) to win sounds really fun.
Posted by Tasses | June 27, 2008 1:44 PM
Secrets of My Suburban Life sounds like a great read.
How about having a violet theme week with violet colored prizes.
Posted by Elaine | June 27, 2008 11:41 PM
Here are some ideas:
1. Create a book trailer to post on Youtube.
2. Post interviews with the characters on a blog.
3. Host a Q&A session with fans.
4. Do a scavenger hunt where fans have to scour the internet looking for things related to the book. For example, find other books with a color in the title.
There are a lot of good ideas here, btw.
Posted by Margay | June 28, 2008 6:55 AM
I got a little chuckle when reading what this one was about, sounds fun! Don't really have any ideas but the ones mentioned sound good.
Posted by Teresa W. | June 28, 2008 9:30 AM
How about daily contests for giftcards to different cool stores? (since it is a fashion book.) :) or... GIVEAWAY SCHOLARSHIPS!! Haha, I need those. Majorly. Or giveaway cute fashion-y things each day, like three pairs of super-cute socks, or a nice purse, or super-cool sunglasses, or an adorable hat, etc. Those kind of things are always fun.
For non-giveaways, I like the idea of videos having to do with the books, or maybe have a contest for US to design a violet fashion t-shirt (I love creative assignments) or... more interviews with authors! I love those.
That's about it. =)
Posted by Stephanie Wade | June 30, 2008 12:10 AM
I think some fashion-y contests sound like a good idea since it is a very fashion related book. Everyone loves giveaways.
I'll be creative tomorrow and think of something!
PS- I saw the Teen Vogue thing today that you wrote and I loved it. It was one of the few things I actually read out of it!
Posted by Hillary | June 30, 2008 11:20 PM