BLUE IN PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY: December Winner

Remember that contest?  The one where I give away a copy of BLUE in paperback on the lst of each month?

Well it's that time again and this month I actually remembered! So with a little help from my dear hubby I have a winner to announce. 

Julie Penley.  You're the woman!  Congratulations and thanks for participating!

I now have 7 winners as you can see in the sidebar.  Five more to go before this year-long contest is fully wound down.  If you haven't yet entered but want to, simply leave a comment saying, I want BLUE in paperback!  (Or send me an email if you prefer!)

I guess the book giveaway turned out to be a bit of an April Fool's joke after all. I intended to post a winner at 4:00ish and instead I was in the yard pulling weeds and helping my hubby open our water garden!

I simply forgot! So my apologies if you've been looking and have decided that I cannot be trusted.

At any, Author Mary Morton Cowan has picked a number. Look how happy she is!

Mary lives in Maine. I think that explains the warm coat!

Mary picked # 8!

Which, as it turns out, is Donna Earnhardt!

I suggested begging for the prize and boy, did Donna comply! She submitted the following poem. Don't you think she totally deserves to win?

I'm begging here.

I'm on my knees.

(And boy, My floor needs cleaning!)


I'd love a prize,
any shape or size.
(Is this post too demeaning?)


The DVD
is fine with me.
The books would be fantastic.

I'd love them all,
but it's YOUR call
(either way, I'm enthusiastic!)

How was that for begging? :)

Mighty fine, Donna!  Mighty fine!  Congratulations!  You're still entered for the DVD and other books so who knows?

Donna, email your address to me at moyergirl at charter dot net and I will pass it on to Mary who will send you the book!

HISTORY DVD GIVEAWAY + TEACHER CRITIQUE = SATURDAY BLOG POST

2 THINGS.

1. Time to announce the winner of the DVD giveaway!

Ruthie Voth of Clayhole, KY is the lucky ducky today. Congratulations, Ruthie! I hope your family enjoys and also that you can share it in your schools!

One copy of Papa said, "We should never forget." is coming your way. I'm thowing some popcorn in with that. But you'll have to buy the Ale 8.

Thanks to Dr. Eric Groce of Appalachian State University for providing the DVD and doing the meticulous research that led to its production!

CONSOLATION TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T WIN. I HAVE 2 MORE COPIES FOR GIVEAWAY. (NEAR FUTURE)

2. Remember yesterday's post in which I suggested that Mrs. Cunningham, my 7th grade teacher, might be scary?

I hope I didn't miscommunicate. The whole point of my entry was, that being critiqued is always a little scary but this is a lady I love and trust. My description of her as a teacher was an attempt to say what I think middle graders feel about their teachers. They have so much power and that alone makes students quake a little.

But Mrs. Cunningham was a teacher who used her power for good - speaking hope and promise into students' lives. I remember her classroom as a place of art projects, music, preparation for fun field trips, and always learning in unexpected ways.

I remember a Christmas caroling trip on the activity bus with my classmates after hours - topped off with hot chocolate and cookies at Mrs. Cunningham's house.

Yesterday, I sat in her livingroom and she oh-so-gently led me in an exploration of my work-in-progress. She had three pages of suggestions and questions but she didn't reveal them until I was ready to leave. By then, we'd discussed nearly everything on the list and I don't think she even referred to those pages while we talked. We simply conversed. She could have thrust her wisdom and insight on me but she allowed me to have lots of aha moments for myself. And we had a few revelations together as we realized missing elements to the story and ways my character could communicate more effectively.

The only scary part of the day was realizing I'm not as ready to submit as I thought I was.

Oh, well, what's new?

I can do this and I will. Thank you, Mrs. C.! And thanks to Mr. C. too! (for green tea and muffins, and recollections of the draft)

AND THE WINNER IS...

As sure as Punxatawny Phil saw his shadow, as sure as we are predicted to have 6 more weeks of winter, so is Becky Levine giving away her book. To one of you, dear readers.

I love how many of you spoke up both here and over at my LiveJournal to say how much you really need it.

You're right! You do.

I do too.

So here's the deal. I'm reaching my hand into the hat. Yep! It's a hat this time! A furry little number that my son brought back from Chile a few years ago. Looks like I'll be needing it for awhile. 10 inches of snow in my part of NC is unusual and even more unusual is the succession of winter storms in our forecast.

This would be a great time to be in California with Author, Becky Levine. (Tell me it's warm where you are, Becky!)

What? Oh yes, the hat. The contest. I'm shuffling the names. I'm reaching in. Pulling it up.

I - oh wow! Look who won!

It's Judy Wirzberger. Congratulations, Judy! Send your address to me at moyergirl at charter dot net and I will make sure Becky signs it for you and sends it your way.

And to the rest of you, as well, congratulations for playing along, for being such great sports, and for seriously considering buying this amazing book. You would not regret such a purchase. And I won't either.

Thanks Becky! It was fun.