Giveaway Winners!
Guess what? I have winners for the Darren Shan contest. I apologize for the long wait, folks, but some obligations came up and stole away my time, and part of my soul. But, I have winners now, and I’m going to tell you who they are…right after this message from our sponsors. Okay, so I don’t have any sponsors, but it might be funny if I did, right? Anywho, so there were three ways to enter the contest, as you might recall. You could leave a comment on this thread, you could send me an email, or you could leave a comment telling me the weirdest, scariest, most bizarre thing you had witnessed or had happen to you. Two winners would be picked at random, while the third (or first, depending on how you look at it) would be selected based on their little story. So, the first two winners (chosen at random by a computer program) are (after the fold): Dave Baxter and Teresa! The winner for the scariest or creepiest story is Tina, who said the following: The first time I went to India (in 1999), I went to Varanasi (aka Benaras) which is THE holiest of holy cities in India. It’s where the living and the dead collide. It is perhaps one of the most crowded cities in all of India, yet the river is littered with dead things (dead cows, dead fish) and, because mendicants (holy men who have forsaken all worldly possessions) travel to Varanasi to die (you gain a certain amount of karma for dying in such a holy place) it is not uncommon to see vultures picking at decaying human carcasses. True story–I saw it all. Varanasi is perhaps most famous in the western world for its ghats–you’ve probably seen those pictures in National Geographic of way too many people crowded together on steps that go down into the water.THAT’S Varanasi). One of the most famous ghats are The Burning Ghats–the place where Hindu’s cremate their dead. I was young, stupid, and totally out of line… I went as a sort of touristing expediton to the Burning Ghats. The Burning Ghats are lifeless. Literally. Dead bodies wrapped in white sheets rest atop pyres of dull brown logs. The men of the family–sons, cousins, nephews, sometimes fathers–huddle around the bodies. Also dressed in white, they look like wraiths waiting to welcome a new soul to their ghoulish brotherhood. The ghat is devoid of color–no flags, no colorful saries, no saffron robes for the sadhus. Only the brown, gray and white of death. Until they light the pyre and hot yellow, red, and sometimes blue flames lick up the side of the wood, devour the body. It smells like BBQ. But that’s not the worse part. Down towards the water, a man piles something into a boat. At first, it appears as though he’s stacking bundles of wood tied together by white cloth. It makes sense, but it doesn’t. If it were wood, he should be unloading it at the Burning Ghat for use in the pyres, not loading it from the Ghat into his boat. I squint and peer through the smoke that fills the air. I move down the steps, closer to the water. Babies. He’s stacking babies swaddled in the same white cloth as the burning corpses above. He rows out into the water. Solemnly, the boy that is with him lifts each white bundle, ties a weight around it and drops it into the water with a small, hollow plop. Babies can’t be burned. They have no soul. I’m not sure what is most terrifying about this story. Maybe it’s the end with the babies or just the general feel. I have no clue if it is real, but if it is, then that’s a place I don’t intend to ever visit. Sounds like something out of a really terrifying horror movie. So, congrats to the winners (who should receive an email from me soon). Thanks to everyone who entered! I appreciate it. Stay tuned for future giveaways!
Poll and Giveaway Reminder
There’s only one more day left to vote before the poll I’m running on the left sidebar ends. If you haven’t popped in and given your vote yet, I’d appreciate it if you could. Right now the numbers are about even between male and female. I’m hoping that is representative of my actual readership, but having more votes could definitely solidify the results. So, please come onto the main site and take two seconds to click an option on the poll on the left. Thanks! Also, for those that haven’t entered yet, I am giving away three copies of Darren Shan’s new adult dark urban fantasy novel, Procession of the Dead. The giveaway is here and it’s really easy to enter. Anywho!
Giveaway: Procession of the Dead by Darren Shan (3 copies)
Guess what? I have three copies to give away of the U.S. edition of Darren Shan’s new book, Procession of the Dead! Most of you will remember Mr. Shan as the author of the Cirque du Freak vampire novels (which recently hit the big screen) and The Demonata Series. Procession of the Dead, however, is his first adult novel and part of a trilogy called The City. It debuted in the United States on June 4th from Grand Central Publishing. You can find out more about Darren Shan and his books on his website. Details about the giveaway are at the bottom of this post (contest is international). Here’s the cover image (after the fold):About the Book: The City trilogy is a noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling author otherwise known as Darren Shan. Quick-witted and cocksure, young upstart Capac Raimi arrives in the City determined to make his mark. As he learns the tricks of his new trade from his Uncle Theo — extortion, racketeering, threatening behaviour — he’s soon well on his way to becoming a promising new gangster. Then he crosses paths with The Cardinal, and his life changes forever. The Cardinal is the City and the City is The Cardinal. They are joined at the soul. Nothing moves on the streets, or below them, without the Cardinal’s knowledge. His rule is absolute. As Capac begins to discover more about the extent of the Cardinal’s influence on his own life he is faced with hard choices. And as his ambition soars ever higher he will learn all there is to know about loss, and the true cost of ultimate power! Here’s the author talking about the U.S. release: About Darren Shan:Darren Shan was born in London but at an early age he moved to Limerick, Ireland, with his parents and younger brother. He is a New York Times bestselling author. An extended biography can be found on Mr. Shan’s website. Giveaway Details:Anyone may enter, unless you live somewhere where I cannot ship the books, like the bottom of the ocean or the Moon. Otherwise, it’s open worldwide. To enter to win a copy of Procession of the Dead you may do any of the following things:1. Leave a general comment (you can say anything you like)(if your email is not attached to your profile, then leave a way to contact you)2. Leave a comment telling me a weird, bizarre, scary, or downright creepy thing that you have seen or done (it can be anything, just tell me about it, briefly or at length; you can even make something up)(again, please make sure I have a way to contact you)3. Send an email to arconna[at]yahoo[dot]com with the subject line as “Darren Shan” (you can put whatever you like in the email) The first two winners will be selected at random from a list of all entries. The third winner, however, will be selected based on the most entertaining response to the 2nd option above. Additional entries:–Follow this blog on Google (the follow widget is on the right-hand side)(+1 to follow; +1 if you already follow)–Subscribe to this blog via RSS, Email, or the Kindle (links on the right; let me know which or if you already subscribe)(+1 to subscribe or be subscribed)–Tweet about this giveaway with @shaunduke in the message (+1)–Blog about this giveaway (provide a link in your comment)(+1)–Share this giveaway via Stumbleupon, Digg, or any other social network (+1 for each; provide links) Contest runs until June 25th, 2010. As long as it’s still the 25th for you, you can still enter. Thanks and good luck!
Book Giveaway: Num8ers by Rachel Ward
Guess what? I have three copies of Num8ers by Rachel Ward to give away to three lucky readers! See the bottom of the post for details on how to enter and earn extra entries (it’s easy, so don’t fret). First things first, the book: Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London . Jem’s world is about to explode! If you’d like to learn more about the book and the author (and read the first chapter), check out its Scholastic webpage. Here’s the book trailer: How to enter:Leave a comment below. If you do not have your email attached to your Blogger account (or don’t have a Blogger account), then please leave me a way to contact you in your comment. Contest is only open to U.S. residents (sorry folks, but I don’t have control over that). Contest closes at 12 PM (EST) on March 22nd. Winners will be announced within a day or two. Ways to get extra entries (+1 for each; provide a link or a note as appropriate):–Tweet this giveaway–Blog about this giveaway–Subscribe (or already be subscribed) to my blog (links on the left sidebar at the top)–Stumble this giveaway–Become a fan of the WISB fan page (or already be a fan) Good luck!
End of 2009 Book Giveaway (Contest)
So, I’ve been thinking of how I can spread the word about Survival By Storytelling and do something cool for my readers and anyone who happens to stumble along. So, what a better way to do that than to give away a book! So, I’m giving away a copy of Survival By Storytelling OR a book of equal or lesser value (if you already have SBS). I’m doing a giveaway like this for a reason, which will be discussed below!How to enter:All you have to do is blog about Survival By Storytelling and our current charity drive. That’s it. Doesn’t matter what kind of blog it is, just write about those two things, briefly, or in-depth. This is why the giveaway is an either/or thing, because if you get SBS to help us give a good contribution to our chosen charity, you can still get a little something for yourself! If you don’t have a blog, then tell folks about SBS and the charity drive on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever else you can. Just spread the word. Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you either in your profile or in the post. How to earn extra entries:–Buy a copy of Survival By Storytelling before the end of the contest and you’ll get an additional 25 entries. If you already own a copy, let me know and you’ll get the same extra entries.–Donate at least $10 to World Education and get an additional 25 entries. That’s all you have to do. Contest will run until January 5th, 2010 and is open worldwide.
1000th Post Massive Giveaway
In celebration of my 1,000th post here at WISB, I’ve decided to host a huge giveaway to all my current and future readers. Special thanks to SQT for offering up a few books she has in her pile for this giveaway. I’m giving away four different prizes, all of them books or comics. They are as follows (click the Read More to see the whole post): Prize #1 (Comics/Graphic Novels)Welcome to the Jungle (The Dresden Files graphic novel) by Jim Butcher and illustrated by Ardian Syaf.Undead Evil (special edition) from Asylum PressWarlash: Dark Noir from Asylum PressWarlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis from Asylum PressDTOX (special biohazard edition) by Frank Forte and Nenad Cucunja (from Asylum Press)Prize #2 (Novels)Low Man by T. J. VargoArthas: Rise of the Lich King (World of Warcraft) by Christie GoldenPrize #3 (Novels)Where Angels Fear (short story collection) by Ken RandInto This Mind by Lisa NevinLow Man by T. J. VargoPrize #4 (Novels from SQT)The Devil’s Eye by Jack McDevittThe Princep’s Fury by Jim Butcher Here’s how to enter (open to US Residents only, unless you can pitch in for international shipping; open to everyone except myself, because that would be ridiculous): Leave a comment or email me at arconna[at]yahoo[dot]com saying one thing you like about WISB and one thing you dislike or think could use work (criticism if you will). No, it need not be elaborate. You can say “I like green” if you want. I don’t care what’s said, so long as you say it. Please provide an email so I can contact you (either in your profile or in the comment). For additional entries, and there are many, you may do any of the following (put them all in one post to make it easier to track, please)(options with *s by them are favored options by me, but by no means mandatory): **Subscribe to my blog using one of the options in the upper left. If you are already subscribed, let me know in your comment and through which method and you will still get an extra entry — +1 Entries **Blog about this giveaway and leave the link here — +1 Entries Tweet this giveaway on twitter with @shaunduke and a link to this post and leave a link to it here — +1 Entries **Stumble and review this giveaway and let me know where (your stumble name, etc.) — +1 Entries Stumble and review any other significant post on WISB (not my rejection posts, but my actual post posts) and let me know where (your stumble name, etc.) — +1 Entries per Stumble (let me know where they all are if you do more than one; maximum of +5, because otherwise you could get +500 and that’s ridiculous) Become a fan of the Facebook Page for WISB (let me know who you are in your comment) — +1 Entries (if you are already a fan, let me know too and you will get +1 anyway) Follow me on Twitter and tell me who you are (if you’re already following me, let me know who you are and you’ll still get the +1) — +1 Entries **Leave a comment on this page letting the artist know what you think about his project to turn The World in the Satin Bag (my blog novel) into a graphic novel (more than just a sentence, please) — +2 Entries **Write a review of my blog on its Kindle page (more than just a sentence, please) — +5 Entries Buy any one item from the YWO Zazzle Store (lots of shirts and other fun things there; let me know what you bought) — +20 Entries And that’s it. There are a heck of a lot of ways to improve your chances of winning (most of them really easy, actually). Hopefully it’s not too overwhelming. Giveaway will be open until June 11th. Four winners will be chosen on the 12th using a random number generator.