Contest? Did Someone Say Contest?

Remember PANIC! from Monday's post?

Still got it.

But I also have the beginnings of a plan.

Part of the reason for the panic is that I'm a week late - no, no...not THAT kind of late. I'm late starting promotion of any sort because I took three weeks off for vacation at the worst possible time, except for maybe July. It's a timing thing. I wanted to start running contests this week, to have one every week of June before IN NAME ONLY releases on July 10.

But I ran out of time.

So the first contest will be next week.

The rules are simple, and will be restated again next week.
1. To enter, you must be a follower of my blog, Under the Tiki Hut - where you are right now.
2. You must comment on one of my blog posts next week.
3. New followers will be eligible from the day they become a follower. The follower button to become a member of my Tiki Hut Team is in the right-hand sidebar near the top. Welcome!
That's it.

This is a contest for me to say Thank You to all of you who take time to visit and comment. I've enjoyed getting to know all of you, and I try to give you good reasons to hang here a few minutes every week.

If you comment on one post, you get one chance. If you comment on two, two chances. All three, three chances. But no more than one chance per post.

I blog three days a week, so I thought it fair to give away three copies of IN NAME ONLY. The contest will begin at 7:00am Central Time on Monday, June 11, and end at 11:59pm Central Time on Sunday, June 17. I will announce the winner here on Monday, June 18, and give you the rules for a new contest then. The second contest will be different. And the third, different again. All will be painless :) You can only win one book.

If you are one of the three winners and live in the U.S., you may choose between print or Kindle versions. If you are a winner and live outside the U.S., you will receive the Kindle version.

As of right now, I do not yet have books. As soon as I do, I will send them to you. Whenever that is - see PANIC! above - you will have them before they will be available on Amazon. Even if that turns out to be days, hours, or minutes.

I'm new to this game. Did I mention that?

See PANIC! above.

Comments

You're doing great! Count me in.

I'm so excited for you. Take a deep breath and live this wonderful time.

Teresa
Laura Eno said…
Panic makes you feel more alive. See? I found a positive use for it. :)
You're doing great. Breathe.
Linda G. said…
DON'T PANIC! You're doing great! :)
Colette Martin said…
Carol, this is so exciting! I am thrilled for you!
Anonymous said…
Exciting. You will be drowning in comments.
J.L. Campbell said…
Carol,
You sound like you're doing well considering that you have contests already thought out.

What if I told you I've been thinking about my new release for ages, but have done next to nothing in the promo department. I figure I'll catch up at some point.

Have fun!
Carol Kilgore said…
Teresa - Yea! I'm trying to enjoy every moment, including the ones where I want to pull my hair out or scream in frustration because none of the items on the list are crossed off.

Laura - That's for sure! Will do my best to remember that :)

Linda G - I'll try to remember that, too :)

Colette - It's exciting! I had no idea there was so much to do in so little time.

Delores - I hope so :)

J.L. - Promotion is a totally new mindset for me. I can feel my brain working differently. I'm fortunate to have a few good friends who do it well, and I'm taking notes.
LD Masterson said…
What are you panicing for? You're starting the contest on the 11th. You've announced it on the 6th. Plenty of time. Relax.

And if I win a copy and don't get it before it shows up on Amazon, big deal.
Summer Ross said…
So what- you started a little later than intended- You had a good reason- vacation. :) Your doing a good job!
Talli Roland said…
Oh, yay, how exciting! And you're doing great, Carol!
~Sia McKye~ said…
Carol, stop. Take a deep breath, let it out. Again. Here, have some dorritos and some of my excellent coffee. (here's a paperbag in case hyperventilation attacks again)

You're doing fine. This is a great idea. Builds up your followers and gets the word out. Every little bit helps with that. Some things, and you'll discover which ones, work better than others.

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
Johanna Garth said…
You're doing a wonderful job promoting! The cover already looks familiar to me.
Tracy Jo said…
Awesome! I am looking forward to entering. You are doing great...it is a lot and I think this time of year is always hard to keep up. Sending you calming vibes. ;-)
Unknown said…
Oh, I hope I win a copy. And if I do, I definitely want a Kindle version. You'll do great with your book; I know you will.
Luanne G. Smith said…
Yay! It's getting close! See you next week for the contest!
That's a great idea! Want me to plug in Monday's Ninja news?
Carol Kilgore said…
LD - I panic because I like to see an overview of everything about the process before I begin. And there are still parts of the process behind locked doors. One side of my brain is nice and orderly. The other side is throwing a hissy fit :)

Summer - That's right. First things first!

Talli - CONSTRUCT A COUPLE is exciting, too. Next week!!!

Sia - OK, I stopped. I took a deep breath. Maybe two. Wonderful coffee! I'm saving the Doritos :) I've heard I need to wait and see what works. Plays hell with planning ahead - LOL.

Johanna - Thank you. A little beginner's luck and a lot of Great Friends :)
I too think you're doing great.

Yvonne.
Liza said…
I too, am impressed with how well you are doing, and am looking forward to next week with my fingers crossed!
Carol Kilgore said…
Tracy Jo - I think those vibes have reached me. Today's definitely calmer. Thank you!

Clarissa - I love reading on my Kindle, too!

L.G. - Looking forward to it!

Alex - Yes, yes, yes! Thank you :)

Yvonne - I'm trying :)

Liza - I think it will be fun!
Kelley Lynn said…
SO EXCITING!!! You're doing great girl!
Carol Kilgore said…
Kelley - I am excited!
LR said…
Well you have a stunning cover and a story that sounds truly interesting. And I've read your short stories and know that you write well, too. :)

So that should all help with sales/promotion. :)
The contests are a great idea, the book cover is amazing, and we're all very excited for you! Like MTM, "You're gonna make it after all!" Julie
Carol Kilgore said…
LR - My new Promotion Manager! Seriously, thank you for such kind words.

Julie - The cover designer deserves all the credit for the cover. All I did was tell him what the book was about.

Jennifer - Great!
Julie Flanders said…
This is a great idea, Carol! And thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book. And try not to PANIC, I think you're doing an awesome job with the lead-up to your big release. :)
Breathe in, breathe out. . . all will be well. So thrilling that your book's birthday is coming up! And what a generous contest.
Enjoy the fun and excitements of it all!
Jan Christensen said…
All will be well. You have planned and planned, and things do tend to work out. Maybe not exactly as you planned, but they will. And BTW, here's your towel.
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - Good luck in the contest, and thanks for the kind words :)

Cynthia - I guess I'm nesting, but no labor twinges yet :)

Jan - I'm trying to remember those wise words :)
Sounds like a fun contest and a great book!
Carol Kilgore said…
Donna - I hope the contest is fun.
Nas said…
Panic may have made the adrenalin flow! So it's good!
I think you're doing just fine.
Panic less...enjoy more! It's what you worked so hard for!
Heather
Carol Kilgore said…
Heather - My panic has lessened a little. And I am enjoying every single moment - even the panicked ones :)

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