Yesterday, while flea-bombing the house (for the second time in a week–the first time didn’t work!), I spent the time banished from the house out on the porch going through boxes of books. I’m still–slowly–working on getting unpacked around here.
Coco had to be banned from the porch for fear she’d decide to chew on the books.
Coco isn’t used to being banned from the porch. She didn’t like it.
She was very sad about it.
And confused about why her giant puppy shoulders couldn’t fit through the porch gate.
And hurt that Dookie-the-farm-shih-tsu got to be on the porch and she didn’t.
Dookie: “Sometimes it’s good to be little.”
I love books and have collected far too many over the years. I’m a compulsive book buyer. I’m trying to be ruthless about cutting down clutter. Part of my goal in living a simpler life is to not surround myself with a lot of stuff. I rarely reread a book–there are too many new books in the world to reread ones I’ve already read–so I’m making myself give away most of my books to new homes and new readers by donating them to the library in Spencer. But books I’ve read are just one part of the problem. I also have boxes and boxes of extra copies of books I’ve written.
I’ve always used these copies of my books in giveaways, extras for booksignings, charity donations, freebies to friends or relatives, etc, but after twenty-six published books, the numbers of extras are getting out of hand and stacking up faster than I can use them at my usual pace. I’m not sure the library would be thrilled to have hundreds of copies of the same books by the same author, so I’m going to try giving them away in greater numbers–starting today. If you’re one of the recipients of the 20 books I’m giving away today, you’ll need to send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Postage for a paperback book is about $1.50, or at least that’s what I remember from the last time I mailed one. When I take the packages to the post office, I’ll make up any difference if there is some. The envelope must be large enough to fit a paperback book. (If you’re not sure, try putting a paperback book in the envelope you intend to send to make sure it fits.)
For this round–I’ll be giving out 20 books, 5 copies each (and I’ll give a “heat” rating) of: Third Sight (a PAX League book, paranormal romance, very hot), The Bride, the Trucker and the Great Escape (light romantic comedy, sweet, not overtly sexy), Cole Dempsey’s Back in Town (Louisiana murder mystery, hot), and Her Secret Stranger (romantic comedy, a little hot).
The book is free, but remember, I’ll need a self-addressed, stamped envelope. I’ll autograph the books. (I hate autographing books–it just makes me feel very silly–but people always seem to want me to, so I will.)
U.S. addresses only, please. (Sorry about that!)
POST HERE, in the comments, where people can keep track of when a book has hit 5 requests so they’ll know to pick another one, and say which book you want. The first 5 people who request each of the books get it, so if you count 5 people who already said one book, then ask for one of the others. I’ll be emailing the first 5 for each book to give you the post office box address where you can send your envelopes.
Of course, I’m not sure there are 20 people who want a copy of one of my books and are willing to pay $1.50 for the postage and send the envelope, so this is a test-run to see if I should do this again or not! If it looks like there’s enough interest, then I’ll do this again, repeatedly, until I get rid of all these books that are trying to swallow my house, so if you miss this one, catch the next one!
P.S. If you did miss this one (or even if you didn’t and you want another book), please let me know in the comments. I’ll plan the next giveaway based on the interest. I have hundreds of copies of my books. If there’s enough interest, the next giveaway will be a biggie. I’ve got to do something about all these boxes!
UPDATE: All the books are taken for this round, but please leave a comment letting me know if you are interested. I’ll use the info to plan the next, even bigger, giveaway. Thanks!
