Category: Giveaway!

MAY I tell you about… A Giveaway?!

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Okay, technically I’m supposed to be telling you something about myself today, so… I’m all moved in to my new house in California, and what a relief it is to have my life back! I’m so over living out of a suitcase and constantly eating at restaurants and sifting through boxes to find random things like coffee mugs. I don’t want to think about moving ever again. Well, at least not until eighteen months from now when the Army ships us somewhere new all over again…

Anyway.

To celebrate my return to normalcy, I think a giveaway is in order.

May I present the… Reading is Sexy Giveaway!

FIVE winners will be chosen randomly to receive ONE of the following:

A SIGNED copy of The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour…


A copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins…

Picked these gems up for a future giveaway. :) #books #yalit #reading #sexy
Or, a totally awesome Reading is Sexy bumper sticker!

Wondering about the rules of  the Reading is Sexy Giveaway? 

1. To enter, simply leave a comment completing this sentence: “Reading is ______.”

2. Want to earn additional entries?*

+1 for subscribing to this blog today (right column, top —->) or click HERE to easily subscribe via Google Friend Connect
+2 if you are already a subscriber
+1 for following me on Twitter (new or current)
+2 for tweeting about this contest (@katyupperman, please!)

3. The giveaway will close one week from today, Tuesday, May 29th, at midnight, PST. (I will post the winners’ names Wednesday, May 30th).

4. Once the five winners’ names have been posted, the first to email me will have first choice of the prize he or she prefers (the signed copy of The Disenchantments, OR the copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door, OR a bumper sticker). The second winner to email will have second choice, and so on.

*Please tally up your entries and include the total in your original comment!

Good luck!

N is for Noteworthy

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First, an important bit of business: The announcement of the TWO winners from my Lucky Me, Lucky You book giveaway, chosen randomly. Congratulations…

Jaime Morrow and Sophia Richardson

The first winner to email me at katy(dot)upperman@live(dot)com will have her choice of either a signed copy of John Green’s The Fault in our Stars or a free book of choice from The Book Depository, up to $20. The second winner to email will receive the remaining prize. (Don’t forget to include your mailing address in your email so I can get your book to you!)

Congrats again, Jaime and Sophia, and thanks so much to everyone who entered and helped spread the word about Lucky Me, Lucky You!

🙂

And… Here’s a super fun idea you might be interested in participating in, especially if you’re looking to rejuvenate your blog, or get into (or back into) the habit of blogging regularly:

Gorgeous banner created by crazy-talented Tracey Neithercott! 

The brainchild of writer/blogger/all-around-awesome-person Sara McClung, Blog Me MAYbe is a weekly blog format for the month of May, an easy schedule to follow with topics built right in. Of course, if posting every day sounds like too much, or if you miss a few days, or only do a couple posts a week, no biggie. Blog Me MAYbe is all about ease and fun! You don’t have to worry about following every blogger who participates or commenting on everyone’s daily posts (though if you want to do that, feel free!). The intent of Blog Me MAYbe isn’t to gain followers — although that could very well happen — but to branch out, make a few new friends, share information, and get into the head space where ideas for blog posts flow freely.

Here’s the schedule:

  • Mondays: May I tell you something about writing?
    • This can be anything writing-related. A post on craft. A post on your process. A snippet of your WIP, if you like to share. A book on craft that you want to recommend. Things you struggle with. Things you rock at. ANYTHING at all!
  • Tuesdays: May I tell you something about myself?
    • Pretty self-explanatory… Share something about yourself that your followers might not know. Or, maybe they do. It doesn’t matter–this is just so people who read your blog can get to know you a little better. 
  • Wednesdays: May I ask something about you?
    • Ask your followers something about themselves.
  • Thursdays: May I tell you something about someone else?
    • Make this post about someone else. A writing friend. A critique partner. A person from history who’s fascinating. A character from a book. Have a guest poster. Give an interview. Get creative, but let the spotlight shine on someone else!
  • Fridays: May I share something funny?
    • Fridays = The start of the weekend… BOOYA! A reason to celebrate and laugh on its own — plus, who doesn’t want to see something amusing after a long week?

Fun, right?! I’m already committed to participating, as are Sara, Cambria, Tracey, Jessica, Lola, Alexandra, and Alison. Blog Me MAYbe begins on the first of May, so head over to Sara’s blog if you’re interested in signing up, and feel free to grab our banner or the button in my sidebar to use on your own blog.

Tell me: Will you participate in Blog Me MAYbe? 

G is for Giveaway! (Lucky Me, Lucky You!)

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If you’ve read my blog and/or followed me on Twitter for any length of time, you might know that I’m pretty lucky when it comes to giveaways. Random number generators must love me, because I win books much more often than is reasonable. It’s exciting and wonderful, and I’m always incredibly grateful for the generosity of my fellow writers and for the new books that appear magically in my mailbox. So, I think it’s time to spread the love. 🙂

Lucky Me, Lucky You!

Two winners will be chosen randomly to receive either:

A SIGNED copy of John Green’s The Fault in our Stars (open internationally)…

The Fault in Our Stars

OR

A book of the winner’s choice (up to $20) from The Book Depository (winner must live where The Book Depository ships!). Might I recommend a few of my recent favorites? Pandemonium, The Disenchantments, Wanderlove, A Million Suns, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but, of course, if you win, you choose!

The Book Depository

Wondering about the rules of the giveaway? They’re simple:

1. For one entry, leave a comment telling me about a 2012 release you’ve read and loved OR name a book that’s coming out in 2012 that you’re dying to read.

2. The giveaway closes one week from today, Saturday, April 14th, at midnight, PST. (I will post the winner’s name on Monday, April 16th).

3. Once the two winners’ names are posted, the first to email me will have first choice of the prize they prefer (The Fault in our Stars OR The Book Depository book). The second winner to email will receive the remaining prize.

4. Want to earn additional entries?

+1 if you subscribe to this blog today (right column, top —->;;;) or click HERE to easily subscribe via Google Friend Connect
+2 if you are already a subscriber
+1 for following me on Twitter (new or current)
+2 for tweeting about this contest (@katyupperman, please!)

*Please tally up your entries and include the total in your original comment!

Yay! I love giveaways, even my own. Good luck!

Winner!

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Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the Apple Cup Book Giveaway Sarah Enni and I hosted last week! We had so much fun talking college football with all of you!

While I’m disappointed that my beloved WSU Cougars lost to the UW Huskies, I’m thrilled to announce that Kathy Bradey guessed closest (at 60 points) to the actual final combined score of the two teams, which was 59 points (Huskies 38, Cougs 21). Fantastic guess, Kathy, and congratulations! You win copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins! Please email me your mailing address (at katy(dot)upperman(at)live(dot)com) and I will get your books in the mail right away.

In case you’re wondering, Joanna Farrow was the grand prize winner, since her guess (at 58 points) was closest AND was made on Sarah’s blog. Joanna wins copies of Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me and Laini Taylor’s The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Congratulations to Joanna!

Thanks again to all who participated. This giveaway was so much fun! Hopefully it (like Busch Light) will become an Apple Cup tradition. 🙂

Thankful…

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

One year ago I was full of dread concerning 2011. I knew my husband would be spending the year in a war zone halfway around the world, I was frustrated with the seemingly stand-still status of my writing, and overwhelmed by family stuff that seemed too big to ever improve. In my mind, 2011 was nothing to get excited about. And, looking back, 2011 has had some incredibly trying moments. This deployment has, in fact, sucked. My writing still has its challenges. A few members of my family have gone through some very scary health scares. But, 2011 has had some amazing moments as well, and in hindsight, the good far outweighs the bad.

This last year has given my so much to be thankful for:

1) My husband, who’s brave, selfless, loving, and forever supportive of me and my writing. He’s also the world’s best daddy. And my daughter, who makes me smile every day–no matter what!–and is the sweetest, funniest, smartest little girl around.

2) My family, the people who love me no matter what and endlessly remind me that things will be okay–good even! On a daily basis, my family members reassure me that I’m capable of getting through anything, but without them, I’m not sure I would be!

3) My friends, those I’ve known for years and those who’ve come into my life more recently. You (if you’re reading this, you know who you are!) make the days go by quicker and add great heaps of fun to the most mundane activities: Project Runway, dinners at Red Robin and Los Pinos, long bike rides, shopping trips, and so much more! Thanks for being there through thick and thin!

4) My agent, who believes in my work  like I do, envisions it on bookshelves in stores everywhere, and works her tail off to get it there. She also has excellent taste in books and food and accessories. 🙂

5) My generous and gracious CPs and betas, who’ve slaved over my writing with their metaphorical red pens, gracing it with their genius. I’m a better writer (and a better reader!) because of you. Thank you for your time and support and brilliance!

6) Books, because they’re equal parts professional development and escapism, and I can’t go a day without spending at least a few minutes lost in a good one.

7) My writing friends, the lovelies I’ve come to know through blogging and Twitter. I love talking books and social media and writing and healthy food and hot boys with you. You make this wild ride so much more fun, and you make me feel just a *little* less crazy. 🙂

8 ) My wonderful blog readers, who take a moment from their days to drop by, read my ramblings, and leave thoughtful comments. To echo the eloquent words of Alison Miller, I HEART you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I anticipate a little blogging break over the long weekend, but before I go, here’s a friendly reminder to check out the football-inspired book giveaway Sarah Enni and I are having this week! Sarah’s prize pack includes copies of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Shatter Me, and I have copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door up for grabs. All you have to do is guess the TOTAL POINTS SCORED for Saturday’s Apple Cup football game (the combined score for both the Washington State University Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies). Sarah and I will pick a winner from our respective comments–whoever came closest to the actual final total score. (This means you don’t have to know anything about these teams or football to have a great chance to win!). Enter to win HERE!

A very COUGAR giveaway!

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We’re coming up on rivalry weekend in college football, and this year I’m even more excited to watch my Washington State University Cougars play our across-the-mountain rivals, the University of Washington Huskies, because one of my very lovely and sports-literate writing friends, Sarah Enni, is a Husky herself! So to bring a little college football love to the blogs, we’ve decided to host an Apple Cup Contest!

The contest will be hosted on both our blogs, and we’re both offering prizes! Sarah’s prize pack includes copies of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Shatter Me, and I have copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door up for grabs.

Here’s how the contest works. On either my blog or Sarah’s blog, leave a comment with what you think the TOTAL POINTS SCORED (the combined score for both teams!) for the Apple Cup will be. Both Sarah and I will pick a winner from our respective comments–whoever came closest to the actual final total score. (This means you don’t have to know anything about these teams or football to have a great chance to win!)

If the Cougs win, my prize pack will go to the first place winner, and Sarah’s prize will go to the runner-up. If the Huskies win, prizes will be awarded vice versa.

This means you can enter the contest twice if you leave a comment with a total score estimate on both our blogs!*

You have until Apple Cup kick-off (Saturday, November 26, 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT) to make your guesses! There are no extra points for Tweeting/blogging about this giveaway (because the rules are a little different and we don’t want to add any confusion) but we’d love it if you spread the word.

*Tie breaker will go to the first person to guess (according to comment time-stamp), so make your guesses early!

Best of luck!

(My hubby and I made the five-hour trek to Pullman, Washington for the game last year. The experience was just about this blurry, and tons of fun too!)

Five on a Friday…

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Happy Friday!

1. Guys. I’m in over my head. May I present you with… my To-Read piles:

So intimidating, I don’t even know where to start! I’m working on The Piper’s Son now (LOVE) and up next is The Scorpio Races for Fall Book Club, but then what? How do even begin to tackle all of these books?! (Oh, and in case you’re tempted to plan an intervention, I’m not, like, a compulsive shopper or anything. Many of the books pictured above are on loan from wonderfully generous friends, and I’ve won quite a few in online giveaways.)

2. Speaking of online giveaways… I’ve been on a bit of a lucky streak lately. In the last few months, I’ve won A LOT of books. Probably around fifteen. This week alone I’ve won three books, plus a t-shirt! Though my good fortune has become a bit of a joke (How have I managed to rig random.org?!), I am nothing but grateful for my incredibly charitable blogging/writing/tweeting friends. If I haven’t said it enough, THANK YOU to everyone who’s hosted one of the giveaways I’ve been fortunate enough to win. 🙂 And, since we’re on the topic of giveaways, I’ve got one coming up RIGHT HERE very soon! Feel free to sign up for an email subscription to this blog if you haven’t already. The button is there in my right sidebar. —> Go ahead… give it a click. I wouldn’t want YOU to miss out on free books!

3. My husband recently told me that his soldiers agree: I send the BEST care packages. How cool is that? A definite point of pride for any good military wife. The key to a better-than-average care package? Theme! I’ve been focused on autumn for a while, but now I’ve moved on to Christmas. I’ve already got one big box full of Christmas-y treats ready to go, and I’ve got this in the works:

A countdown to Christmas! My husband is horrible with patience and gift-receiving and waiting out surprises (when deployed, he opens ALL packages IMMEDIATELY), so I thought this would be a fun way prolong the holiday spirit and inject a little extra cheer into his December. Each of these ten bags has a little treat with a cute coordinating card and a Why I love you… message inside. Notice: I had to write dates on the cards to indicate when he’s allowed to open each one, and I tied everything closed… he BETTER not peek! (Here’s the LINK to the printable tags if you want to do this for your loved one. So fun!)

4. Two awesome opportunities to give:

  • My fellow Bookanista and agent sister Carolina Valdez Miller is going on a medical mission trip to Haiti this January and needs your help. Please consider donating to this very worthy cause!

Support a good cause!

  • My longtime friend and aspiring literary agent Kari Bradley is spreading the word about a Barnes & Noble Bookfair, raising funds to benefit Curtis Junior High School’s library. If you’re planning to do any book shopping this weekend (in-store or online), please consider using Book Fair ID #10511327.


5. And, no Friday is complete without a funny…

What are you up to this weekend? Prepping for Turkey Day? NaNo-ing? Reading? Early holiday shopping? Watching Breaking Dawn Part I (eek!)? Tell me in the comments!

A MARA DYER Winner and Friday Five…

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Thank you so much to everyone who entered my The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer ARC giveaway. I’m thrilled that so many people are excited about reading this book! I used random.org to select a winner from the many entrants and the lucky winner is…

Tracey Neithercott!

Yay, Tracey! Please email me your mailing address at katy(dot)upperman@live(dot)com and I will have Mara to you in a few days.

An unexpected perk of hosting this giveaway were the awesome book recommendations you all left in the comments of the original post. So, for today’s Friday Five, I’d like to share a countdown of the top five most anticipated book releases selected by you, my lovely blog readers. Here they are:

5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (October 18, 2011)


4. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (September 20, 2011)


3. (TIE) Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (August 23, 2011)


and Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (September 5, 2011)


2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (September 27, 2011, and no surprise, since the giveaway was for this very book!)


1. And, with by far the most mentions, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (September 29, 2011… this is my most anticipated release too!)


Happy Friday… Have a wonderful weekend!

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER: A Giveaway

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So, yesterday I finished this book…


…and I’m still sort of reeling from, um, everything about it.

In the interest of not giving any details away, I’m going to keep my opinion of MARA DYER to myself (at least for now). There’s just no good way to discuss this book without spoiling major plot points. I will share the GoodReads blurb though:

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.

And I will say this: I enjoyed the strange creepiness of this book. I liked that I never really knew what was going on as far as Mara’s brand of crazy was concerned. I loved the sometimes hilarious banter between Mara and hot-boy Noah (I also love the name Noah). I thought Miami was a very cool, very unique setting. And I was blown away by the ending, but I won’t tell you why, because what fun would that be? 🙂

Want to read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer before its September 27th release? You can win an ARC right here!

Here are the details:

1. For one entry, leave a comment telling me about a recent new release you’ve read and loved OR name a book that’s coming out soon that you’re dying to read.

2. This giveaway is open internationally.

3. The giveaway closes one week from today, August 18th, at midnight, PST. (I will post the winner’s name on Friday, August19th!)

4. Want to earn additional entries?
+1 if you subscribe to this blog today (right column, top —->)
+2 if you are already a subscriber
+1 for following me on Twitter (new or current)
+2 for tweeting about this contest (@katyupperman, please!)

*Please tally up your entries and include the total in your original comment!

GOOD LUCK!