Showing posts with label Giveaways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giveaways. Show all posts

Dec 15, 2011

Giveaway-ers: The Book Depository DOESN'T ship everywhere. Better World Books DOES.

Being an international blogger, I'm often out of a LOT of awesome giveaways. Most of them are only US/Canada limited, and that sucks. BAD.

BUT, a lot of considerate people do hold international giveaways. Where do they buy the prizes? From The Book Depository. WRONG! TBD only ships to a number of different countries, and they claim their shipping is international, but this is not entirely true.

Last year, my Secret Santa got me a Gift Certificate for Better World Books. They DO ship internationally and their prices are great too!

Now, I don't want you to think this is a big advertising post for BWB, I just want YOU (who are thinking of holding an international giveaway soon) to think of buying the prize at BWB, so EVERYONE can enter. 

I'll be holding an international giveaway of my own soon, so stay tuned. 

xo,
Ella

Jan 24, 2011

Guest Post and Giveaway: Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud

Today we welcome author Michelle Moran (Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen, Nefertiti, Madame Tussaud), who's prepared a very interesting post about Madame Tussaud's history.

And read the end of the post to find a giveaway!



 

MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman
When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?
Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.
But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.
Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.
----------------------
Giveaway time!
For a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Madame Tussaud, by Michelle Moran; and these lovely earrings below just leave a comment with your name and email.
The giveaway ends on Feb 22nd, and it's open internationally. So enter away!

Oct 5, 2010

Free Story Download: WAKE's Cabel's POV!

Cabel, from WAKE
If you loved WAKE by Lisa McMann, then you'll love this:
You can download a free short story from his POV from the Simon and Schuester website!
Click here to go to the download page.

Simon and Schuester is also holding a giveaway for debut author, Lauren DeStefano's Wither, a new dystopian novel, the first in its trilogy.

Don't miss out on this! And check out the FREE Books page at the Simon and Schuester website for more free stuff!

May 14, 2010

The Official Cinderella Society Blog Tour Giveaway!

The lovely Kay Cassidy has kindly offered me to host a giveaway for some really cool TCS swag!

Isn't that cool? Bookmarks galore!
Fill out THIS form to enter.
This giveaway will end on May 28th. That's two weeks from today.
It's also open internationally!
Because Kay rocks.

You haven't read my interview with her yet?
Not only me, but some of her fans asked her a question, and she gave us some really cool answers! No joke!
Go here to read the interview.

Feb 27, 2010

Featured Author (& Int'l Giveaway): Laurine Croasdale (Aussie Month Post)

Everyone, help me welcome Author Laurine Croasdale,
who is sharing with us a really cool collage of her many work spots!

(click to enlarge)

Ah, so this is what it looks like, huh?
Me likes it!

And while working on her very cool novels, Laurine listens to this:



Really nice, Laurine! Love that song :D

Here are some of Laurine's Favourites:
FAVOURITE COLOUR: All colours, especially bright ones but most of all blue, green, purple and pink. (Same as me!)
FAVOURITE ANIMAL: Pelican.
FAVOURITE CONFECTIONERY: Toss up between Bounty Bars and Maltesers. Still researching this one.
LIKES: Simple stuff like being near a beach, park or in the bush, hearing birds sing, feeling happy, barbies with family and friends, travelling.
DISLIKES: Bullying, prejudice, arrogance.

Click here to visit Laurine's awesome site, and learn more about her books!

****

Laurine and her publicist have given me the opportunity to give away both of Laurine's books:

Surf School and Surf Sisters!

About SURF SCHOOL:
Fifteen-year-old Tilly, Fran, Marlee and Pink are surfer girls.

They have been meeting for the first surf of the season every year since they first met at the surf school run by Tilly’s dad, Phil, when they were eight.

Phil has big plans for the surf school this year, but when he is injured in a hit-and-run accident, everything suddenly seems uncertain.

While Phil languishes in hospital and the police track his attacker, Tilly is determined to realise his plans and keep the surf school open. To do this, she needs all the help she can get from her friends.

But Marlee is training for the surfing competition to win a new board and beat the moody Kyle, Pink is warring with her parents and intrigued by the stranger Kim, and Fran is busy making jewellery.

Laurine Croasdale has published three fiction titles for UQP (Trivia Man, Red Golf Balls, What Truly Counts), and a range of non-fiction titles (including two for Macmillan Education).

She was also a writer on Hi 5 for Channel 9. She reviews books regularly on radio, and spent five years reviewing children’s and adults’ titles on Angela Catterns’ breakfast show on ABC radio.

Laurine had the idea for Surf School many years ago but felt that its popularity had not yet reached its peak.

The story weaves together her childhood on the northern beaches with her daughter’s experiences growing up today.

About SURF SISTERS:

Winter swells are rolling into Diamond Beach. But surfer girls Fran, Pink, Marlee and Tilly are still consumed by all things surfing.

Fran and Pink are collaborating on a surf label, and there’s news of a major surfing contest at treacherous Shipwreck Beach — a chance for Marlee and Tilly to dazzle on the world stage.

But parents and boyfriends are distracting the girls from their big plans.

Pink’s mother Christie is determined to control her spirited daughter; Marlee tells Kyle she has to concentrate on her surfing; and Jamie still can’t see that Tilly is anything more than just a friend.

The absorbing, dramatic sequel to Surf School.


*******
And this giveaway is open internationally!

What you need to do to enter is leave a comment with your e-mail. (please do this, you'll make my life so much easier!)

Extra entries:
+1 if you tweet about this giveaway. You can do this once a day (leave link, please!)
+2 if you post on your sidebar (leave link!)
+2 if you post on any other network, such as Facebook, Ning... (leave link!)
+5 if you tell us which is your favourite beach, in any place in the world.
Or if you've never been to a beach, where would you like to go.
+15 if you blog about this giveaway, and post a picture (could be of yourself along with friends or family, or just a pic of your fav beach) and leave a link.

You have until March 31st!
Spread the word, and remember to come back here and leave the links for me to see!

Feb 20, 2010

Author Interview & Giveaway: George Ivanoff (Aussie Month Post)


For today's Aussie Month Post,
please welcome author of Gamers' Guest: George Ivanoff!

*screaming crowd*
*crazy fans yelling*

Glad to have you here, George!

***

1. When and how did you start writing?

I think I first began to enjoy writing way back in high school. I was a huge science fiction fan and I began contributing to amateur publications — fanzines and club newsletters (remember, this was back in the dark ages before the Internet). I continued doing this while at university. Eventually I decided I should try to sell some of my writing and began to send out stuff to professional publications. After some minor success, my break came with the publication of a YA short story collection in 1999 called Life, Death and Detention. This is when I decided that writing for teens and kids was what I wanted to do.

I spent many years writing in my spare time while working a ‘day job’. But now, finally, writing is my career. I write a lot of books for the primary school education market, both in Australia and overseas. I like all sorts of writing — long and short, fiction and non-fiction, a variety of different genres… but it’s always science fiction that I find myself returning to.

2. Could you tell me a bit about your novel?


Gamers’ Quest actually began life as a short story called ‘Game Plan’, published in Trust Me! (Ford Street Publishing, 2008), a YA anthology edited by Paul Collins. I was inspired to write the story by a documentary about online gaming, which showed how people all over the world were immersing themselves in fantasy games because they considered their own lives mundane and boring. I wanted to turn this around and ask: If a person lived in a fantastical world full of exotic dangers, what sort of computer games would s/he play?

It was only after fellow author, Meredith Costain, suggested that it would make a good basis for a novel that I stopped to think about it. And once I did stop to think about it, there was no turning back — the characters and the environment seemed well suited to a longer story.

At its heart, Gamers’ Quest is science fiction, although it also has a healthy dose of fantasy elements, including mages and dragons. It is about two teenage thieves, Tark and Zyra, who live within a computer game environment. They are on a quest to reach Designers Paradise, where they will be able to escape the death and danger of their own world. During their quest they make some powerful enemies who then pursue then into Designers Paradise.

There is a definite computer game feel to the book. I wanted to tap into the excitement and non-stop challenges one faces when playing computer games and transpose that into the novel.

3. What inspires your writing? Are there any authors who particularly influence your work?

I find inspiration everywhere — from the people I meet, to the places I visit; from the music I listen to, to the stuff I watch on tv; from the books I read, to the movies I go out to see; from my family and friends, to the strangers I pass in the street. Yes, I’m that weird person who sits on the train eavesdropping on your conversation! Everything is fuel for the imagination.

Every writer that I read influences me in some way. Sometimes it’s simply a case of inspiring me to try harder. Sometimes it’s a case of me thinking, “well, damn, I can do better than that”. Sometimes there are specific writers who have influenced specific stories. I very much admire Terry Dowling’s writing, and I do remember once writing a story and consciously trying to give the piece a Dowling-ish flavour. Whether or not I succeeded is another matter. I’ve got a story coming up in Ticonderoga’s Belong anthology, which was inspired by the writings of Neil Gaiman.

4. What are you working on now? (if you're working on something)

I’m always working on something… usually more than one thing! At the moment I’m working on a series of educational books about nutrition and healthy eating. I’ve also started making notes on a new novel — the working title is Tornado Riders. They are just random notes for the moment. They may or may not result in a completed novel.

a. Do you write with music on or off? Have you ever made a "writing playlist"? (a playlist you listened to while writing certain book) If so, share it!

No music, I’m afraid. I tend to zone out when I write, ignoring everything around me. I share a home office with my wife, and she always has music playing… but when I’m writing, I don’t hear it.

5. Name 3 (they can be more or less) books from last year that you loved/really liked.

My favourite YA books for 2009:

4. The Slightly Skewed Life of Toby Chrysler by Paul Collins
Funny, inventive and quirky with some great characters.

3. Vulture's Gate by Kirsty Murray
Thoughtful and exciting, edge-of-your-seat science fiction adventure.

2. The Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe
A magical, modern-day fairy-tale.

And in the Number 1 spot — Worldshaker by Richard Harland.
Actually, this book has shot into my all-time top 10! It’s a great steampunk adventure with Harland’s typical bizarreness.

Other than The Loblolly Boy, which is by a New Zealand author, the others are all Australian.
6. What Aussie YA author(s) do you think people should read more of? (Authors that most of us don't know, since we don't live in AU, and it's hard for us to get ahold of their books).

At the top of my list would be Richard Harland and Carole Wilkinson. Aside from Harland’s Worldshaker, I would highly recommend his Heaven and Earth trilogy. Wilkinson’s books include the Dragonkeeper series.

There are many more Aussie authors writing for kids and teens that I would recommend, including Meredith Costain, Paul Collins, Jen Storer, Kate Forsyth, Isobelle Carmody, Sean McMullen, Michael Prior, Gary Crew… the list goes on and on.

I’d also like to mention a couple of Aussie adult authors who I really like. Terry Dowling, who is best know for his Tom Rynosseros stories, writes beautifully lyrical science fiction and dark fantasy. Narrelle M. Harris has a brilliant vampire novel set in the city of Melbourne called The Opposite of Life.

Follow George on Twitter, Facebook.
Visit his website.
Visit Gamers' Quest's website.
***

And now for the Giveaway:

George has kindly agreed to give away a copy of Gamers' Quest to one lucky winner!
All you have to do to enter is:
Leave a comment with your email address. No email, no entry.
For extra entries, you get one for each time you link to this giveaway (leave link for me to see).
This is open to EVERYONE!
And it ends on March 15th.

There has to be at least 15 entries for this giveaway to carry out.

Sep 6, 2009

Cleopatra's Daughter Giveaway

Michelle Moran has kindly allowed me to hold a giveaway for her upcoming novel:
Cleopatra's Daughter

Watch the Trailer:


Now isn't it exciting?
I'm sure it is!
*adding it to my Wishlist*

So, to win a SIGNED copy of this awesome book,
as well as an ancient Roman coin complete with certificate of authenticity:
(This is open only to Followers, so if you don't follow TCM already, join!)

+3 if your a current follower
+2 for new followers
+1 if you Tweet it, Facebook it, post on sidebar, etc. (Make sure you leave a link!)
+5 if you translate the hieroglyphics on the bottom of The Heretic Queen
(these ones below are the
hieroglyphics) and tell me what they mean in a comment.

The code can be found at MichelleMoran.comIsn't it fun?
I already know what is says there!
You try it now!

This giveaway is open Internationally (cause Michelle is the coolest)
and it ends on the 23rd.

So enter away!

Cleopatra's Daughter is released September 15th!
A few days from today!

Aug 24, 2009

Living Your Five Worldwide Site Launch!


These awesome four authors have joined forces and created a site with a unique purpose:
Living Your Five is all about knowing what matters most to you and making a difference in your world in ways large and small.
Alyson Noël, Becca Fitzpatrick, Kay Cassidy and Tera Lynn Childs
will be posting their Fives (or goals) this week, so stay tuned!

Because of this being the site's launch week,
the authors are holding a BIG giveaway
in which you can win:
The lucky grand prize winner will win:

A $100 Barnes & Noble gift card
(because we know you love books!)

A $100 donation in your name to the non-profit of your choice
(because we know you love making a difference!)

And the latest book (or ARC) from each Founding Fiver
(that's four signed books!)
That is really cool!
Just imagine all the books you could buy with those 100 dollars!

But that's not all!

You can also enter to win the latest book (or ARC) from a Founding Fiver by commenting on her debut Five post this week. Here's the launch week schedule:

** Tuesday - Kay shares her Five
** Wednesday - Alyson shares her Five
** Thursday - Becca shares her Five
** Friday - Tera shares her Five

All winners of the daily contests will be announced on Saturday 29th along with the grand prize winner.

So get over to LivingYourFive and make a difference!


Jul 28, 2009

I'm almost home... (and a question to you all)

...not yet though.
I'm getting home and still waiting for my books and mail to get to me!
I've been waiting for some stuff for more than a month!
I asked my mum if there was anything for me at home, and she said no... So, I wonder, why haven't I recieved my books yet?

I won 3 -maybe 4- in giveaways, and most were being sent by the publishers. So, I have a question:
How long does it take before publishers sent the books to their winners?
It must take longer to people outside the US, so that's why I have been waiting patiently until now... I thought that was the reason. I'm starting to think there could be something else behind it.
And I'm also starting to think the PO has something to do with it. Argentinian PO, that is.

So, I'm going to keep on waiting, I'm bound to get something eventually.

A question to you:
How long does it take
you to receive something you've won in a giveaway -book or not? Does it take longer if it comes from a publisher rather than a blogger?

I'm going home tomorrow so I'll be back with full energy to monkey around with you all!
Have a good Tuesday,
Ella

Jul 16, 2009

Willow Giveaway @ IHM.com

My friend Shesten @ IHeartMonster.com is holding a very cool giveaway for Julia Hoban's Willow.
Go to IHM.com and enter NOW.

Jul 10, 2009

Giveaway Winners! (with Blossie's help)

So, I was ready to pick the winners for the giveaways, but of course, Blossie had to participate. So I let her pick the winners instead (she was really excited about this, it was her first giveaway!).

Here she's about to pick them...

And here they are!

Soul Survivor Winners:

JANETFAYE
DIXIE
MJ
ROSERED
ETIRV

Off Season Winners:

AIMALA
CARLENE
LUVDAYLILIES
ROSERED
ETIRV

Congrats to all winners!
I'll be sending you an e-mail soon, please reply with your mailing info
48 hs after you received the e-mail.

Thanks for participating!

Jul 3, 2009

Crash into Me by Albert Borris (+Awesome giveaway!)


Look at that. Wouldn't you want to win that? I know I would. That's why I'm entering in the

Beautiful Creatures Book Club Contest: Crash Into Me Hardcover & Swag!

You will win: A hardcover of CRASH INTO ME by Albert Borris, a brown suede journal, purple nail polish, a Nirvana Nevermind CD, blueberry Pop Tarts, Twizzlers, 30 Temporary Tattoos & a Necklace made by Kami & Margie + Beautiful Creatures SWAG
Enter NOW!

This is a very special giveaway, for an even more special book.

About the book:

"Owen, Frank, Audrey, and Jin-Ae have one thing in common: they all want to die. When they meet online after each attempts suicide and fails, the four teens make a deadly pact: they will escape together on a summer road trip to visit the sites of celebrity suicides...and at their final destination, they will all end their lives. As they drive cross-country, bonding over their dark impulses, sharing their deepest secrets and desires, living it up, hooking up, and becoming true friends, each must decide whether life is worth living--or if there's no turning back."

"In December, Albert Borris suffered a stroke so severe that he almost died. Although he was lucky to be alive, the stroke robbed Borris of more than his health. He lost his ability to express himself. Crash into Me hadn't even been released and Albert Borris, whose mind was as sharp as ever, was fighting to recover his physical abilities. Ellen Hopkins, who is close with the author, wrote to tell me that he is doing well and making great progress. Last week, Liz B posted a press release to help get the word out about Crash Into Me.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be unable to promote the release of my debut novel, let alone to lose my ability to speak and write." Kami Garcia

I couldn't agree more with her.
I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't speak, or write, or even laugh.
That would be a grim life. Certainly not one I'd want to live.
I'm here to spread the word, to help this author get the recognition he deserves.
Now you help me.


The Night Gardener Winner

Sorry Kath, but since you didn't leave an e-mail address for me to reach you, I've drawn another winner.
*drumroll* The winner is: MJ!
Congrats! And
please contact me within the next 48 hs with your mailing info ;)

xo,

Jul 1, 2009

The Night Gardener Winners!

Congrats to:
Belinda
Pam

Christin

Jwx4

and Kath!


They've won a copy of The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos!

I've e-mailed all of you, but Kath, she didn't leave her e-mail address.
You have 48 hs to e-mail me,
if I don't hear from you by then, I'll have to draw another winner, sorry!

Thank you all for having participated!
I had 57 entries for my first Giveaway ever!
I think it went perfectly! Don't you?
Remember to enter my other 2 giveaways!

xo,


EDIT: jwx4 said it was OK to give her book to someone else, seeing that she'd won it in another giveaway. So, I selected one more winner!
*drums please*
And the winner is...
Wanda!
I'm e-mailing you right after this, congrats!
Kath, remember to e-mail me soon, or I'll draw another winner. If anyone knows Kath, please tell her.

Jun 30, 2009

LAST DAY TO ENTER THE NIGHT GARDENER GIVEAWAY


Today's the last day to enter my first giveaway:
The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos.
Enter now!
Tomorrow I'll draw five winners!







Don't forget to enter my other 2 giveaways:


*Soul Survivor by Andrea and Bruce Leininger, with Ken Gross,











*and Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons

both open until Thursday, July 9th.


Stay tuned for an awesome Guest Post by IHeartMonster!
Up next!

xo,

Jun 25, 2009

Off Season Giveaway

Courtesy of the Hachette Book Group, open to residents of U.S. and Canada only please and no P.O. boxes, ends Thursday, July 9th.

Book Information:

Acclaimed novelist Anne Rivers Siddons's new novel is a stunning tale of love and loss.

For as long as she can remember, they were Cam and Lilly--happily married, totally in love with each other, parents of a beautiful family, and partners in life. Then, after decades of marriage, it ended as every great love story does...in loss. After Cam's death, Lilly takes a lone road trip to her and Cam's favorite spot on the remote coast of Maine, the place where they fell in love over and over again, where their ghosts still dance. There, she looks hard to her past--to a first love that ended in tragedy; to falling in love with Cam; to a marriage filled with exuberance, sheer life, and safety-- to try to figure out her future. It is a journey begun with tender memories and culminating in a revelation that will make Lilly re-evaluate everything she thought was true about her husband and her marriage.
********

I have 5 copies to give away to five lucky people!
All you have to do to win this is
leave a comment with your e-mail address in it. If you don't leave your e-mail address, you will not be entered in this giveaway.

Extra entries are as follows:

+2 Existing Followers/Subscribers (tell me!).
+1 New Followers/Subscribers (tell me!).
+3 Link to this giveaway (blog post/sidebar, and leave link for me).
+1 Tweet this contest (make sure you put @EllaPress in the tweet somewhere, and tell me in your comment).
+1 New or Existing Twitter followers (tell me and leave your username in the comment).
+5 if you tell me about a book you liked/know of that featured love that ended in tragedy.

I'll ramdomly select a winner on July 9th, and blog the result on the 10th.
Good luck!


Jun 20, 2009

Soul Survivor Giveaway!

I just found a way to express my happiness with y'all!
I'm doing a Giveaway!
Courtesy of the Hachette Book Group, open to residents of
U.S. and Canada only please and no P.O. boxes, ends Thursday, July 9th.

Soul Survivor by Andrea and Bruce Leininger, with Ken Gross.

Book Information:
This is the story of James Leininger, who-- a little more than two weeks after his second birthday-- began having blood-curdling nightmares that just would not stop. When James began screaming out recurring phrases like, "Plane on fire! Little man can't get out!" the Leiningers finally admitted that they truly had to take notice.

When details of planes and war tragedies no two-year-old boy could know continued-- even in stark daylight-- Bruce and Andrea Leininger began to realize that this was an incredible situation. SOUL SURVIVOR is the story of how the Leiningers pieced together what their son was communicating and eventually discovered that he was reliving the past life of World War II fighter pilot James Huston. As Bruce Leininger struggled to understand what was happening to his son, he also uncovered details of James Huston's life-- and death-- as a pilot that will fascinate military buffs everywhere.

In SOUL SURVIVOR, readers are taken for a gripping ride as the Leiningers' belief system is shaken to the core, and both of these families come to know a little boy who, against all odds and even in the face of true skeptics, harbors the soul of this man who died long ago.

This is a story about reincarnation, something which I truly believe in.

And I'm giving it away to five lucky people!
All you have to do to win this is
leave a comment with your e-mail address in it. If you don't leave your e-mail address, you will not be entered in this giveaway.

Extra entries are as follows:

+2 Existing Followers/Subscribers (tell me!).
+1 New Followers/Subscribers (tell me!).
+3 Link to this giveaway (blog post/sidebar, and leave link for me).
+1 Tweet this contest (make sure you put @EllaPress in the tweet somewhere, and tell me in your comment).
+1 New or Existing Twitter followers (tell me and leave your username in the comment).

I'll ramdomly select a winner on July 9th, and blog the result on the 10th.
Good luck!

-organize the giveaway, done! (Bloggiesta goal achieved!)-

xo,

Jun 11, 2009

Spanish Magnolia Giveaway

EDIT: I'm postponing this giveaway due to lack of funds. I recently sent a book to a friend, and I need to save some money this month. If this book is still available by next month, then I'll resume the giveaway.
Thanks for understanding,

Jun 9, 2009

Today's Book: The View From A One-Man World, The Way I See It by J.S. Buckingham (+ interview!)


In a world with too much political correctness, or complete lack thereof, J.S. Buckingham delivers a spicy, witty written book about today’s society. He explores almost every aspect of the US inhabitants: not just your average middle-class man/woman, but the country’s old people, teenagers and southerners, to name a few. He explains why the US have become such a poor country, culturally speaking.

I had the honour of having been given this book by J.S. himself, but not because of that did I have to love it. J.S. makes excellent points, which he cleverly disguises as jokes, trying not to give them too much importance. Underneath all of the fun layers of this book, lay very important real issues, like obesity, unemployment, teenagers’ lifestyles, racism, materialism, teen pregnancy, the degradation of modern music and illegal immigration, among other things.

Funny, well written, you’ll even laugh out loud while reading!

So open your mind, and go and get a copy of this book now! You won’t regret it.

Monkey Rating: 3 Monkeys: Not that bad, but... it wasn’t what I’m used to read, so it kind of threw me off balance. WARNING: If you’re thinking about reading this book, you must have an open mind, and read it imagining that you’re in a theatre watching a comedic act. Do NOT take any of the contents of this book personally.

INTERVIEW WITH "THE VIEW FROM A ONE MAN WORLD"'S AUTHOR: J.S. BUCKINGHAM!
  • Basic Inquiries:
Ella: What's the title of your book?
J.S.: The View from a One-Man World; The Way I See It.

E: When did you start writing it? How did the idea for it come to your mind?
J.S.: I started actually writing it in book-form late last Spring. A lot of the ideas I had been carrying around in my head for a long time. Others I had written on sticky notes and hung all over my apartment so I wouldn't forget them.

E: Which are the main characters?
J.S.: There really are no "main characters" in this book, which I guess could be called a social commentary, unless you want to consider self-righteous church goers, rednecks, Beckys, Kipps, old people, fat people, cell phone abusers and others as "characters".

E: How many chapters does it have?
J.S.: The book really isn't broken down into chapters per se, but it has 98 pages. I know that much.

E: How long did it take you to write it? When did you finish writing it?
J.S.: It took me about 3-4 months on and off to put it together in book form, but as I said I had most of the ideas down already; they just weren't organized at all. I finished writing the book late last summer.

E: Does it have a sequel?
J.S.: The View volume two is currently in the works.

  • Ella's Q's:
E: Did you ever think you'd be writing this book, or did it just happen?
J.S.: I always knew that I wanted to write, but I didn't think this would be my first published work. It just seemed to work out that way.

E: When you'd finished writing it, what did you think would be the readers' reaction to it? Because many people may understand and even relate to the book, but others could find it offensive.
J.S.: Being what many consider to be "controversial", I knew that a lot of people would probably be offended or even pissed off by it. I also knew that there would be people who could appreciate the sarcasm and understand the humor in it. I know some people will be offended by it, but I didn't really write the book to befriend everybody. If people disagree with what I've written and want to get angry, that's their business.

E: What's your favourite chapter of the book, and why?
J.S.: I couldn't really pick a favorite section of the book because each and every one of them is so near and dear to me. I'm passionate about every one of them. If I had to single any out, I guess the sections on music, rednecks, dope-smokers, and the UAW would be some of my best, I think.

E: Are you planning to write another book, separate from this one?
J.S.: I do have other writings in the works which have nothing to do with The View from a One-Man World.

  • Monkeyshines:
*How long did it take Ella to read the book?
-5 hours in total. Read it through the course of 3 days.

*Did she like or relate to any of the characters?
-There aren’t distinct characters in this book.

*What was her favourite line/part of the book?
-Her favourite chapter was definitely “Word Play”, that explains the subject of the wrong usage of the English language, especially by young people.
From “Word Play”:
‘“Jumping up and down” is a stupid term. A person jumps up, and
gravity does the rest by pulling the person down. No one who jumps up
has to jump back down.’ LOL ;P

*Was this a good read for Ella? Did she get stuck at some point?
-This was definitely something completely different from what Ella usually reads, therefore, she did get stuck a couple of times, but managed to read on; she’s glad she did.

*Author's Website?
http://www.jsbuckingham.vpweb.com/
J.S.'s site on Book Blogs.
J.S.'s site on FiledBy.

Book Statistics:
• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica, Incorporated
• ISBN-10: 1607030640
• ISBN-13: 9781607030645

Get It!
-AtFiledBy
-At Target
-At Amazon

I had a wonderful time chatting with J.S., and organizing the interview! Read my review of this book on FiledBy, B&N, and Amazon.
Oh, one more thing: this was my 1st interview to an author! How awesome is that?!
Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Trilogy author, Nadine Laman :) (another brilliant author).

Hope you enjoyed your visit!
Before I go, I want to give a very big hug to J.S. for having been amazingly cool! (we Argentinians tend to hug and kiss people a lot, even if we've just met them!) THANK YOU!

May 28, 2009

My very 1st Giveaway!


I'm hosting my very first Giveaway to celebrate the fact that I had a great party last night! lol :P
I'm super happy, and I thought this would make
you happy!!!

The book I'll be giving away to 5 (yes 5) lucky people is
The Night Gardener By George Pelecanos, courtesy of Hachette Book Group
(open to residents of U.S. and Canada only please and no P.O. boxes, ends Tuesday, June 3oth).

Starred Review: Pelecanos (Drama City) delivers a dignified, character-driven epic that succeeds as both literary novel and page-turner. In 1985, the body of a 14-year-old girl turns up in a Washington, D.C., park, the latest in a series of murders by a killer the media dub "The Night Gardener." T.C. Cook, the aging detective on the case, works with a quiet, almost monomaniacal, focus. Also involved are two young uniformed cops, Gus Ramone, who's diligent, conscientious and unimpressed by heroics, and Dan "Doc" Holiday, an adrenaline junkie who's decidedly less straight.

Fast forward 20 years. Detective Ramone, now married with kids of his own, investigates the murder of one of his teenage son's friends. The homicide closely resembles the earlier unsolved Night Gardener murders. Holiday, now an alcoholic chauffeur and bodyguard, follows the case on his own and tracks down Cook, long retired but still obsessed with the original murders. While the three work together toward a suspenseful ending, Pelecanos emphasizes the fallacy of "solving" a murder and explores the ripple effects of violent crime on society.


To enter, just leave a comment saying that you would like to enter. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!

Extra entries are as follows: (PLEASE leave ALL entries in the SAME post!)

+2 Existing Followers/Subscribers (tell me!)
+1 New Followers/Subscribers (tell me!)
+3 Link to this giveaway with the button I'm leaving at the beggining of the post (blog post/sidebar, and leave link for me)
+1 Tweet this contest (make sure you put @EllaPress in the tweet somewhere, and tell me in your comment)
+1 New or Existing Twitter followers (tell me and leave your username in the comment)
+1 if you become a George Pelecanos fan on Facebook. (tell me!)

I'll ramdomly select a winner on July 1st, and blog the result.
good luck!

greetings from the dark road,

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