March Madness Writing, Reading, and Blogging Challenge! #WIPMadness

It’s almost March and time for an Almost-Nano Challenge! If you have a writing project you’re ready to start, or a work in progress you’re ready to finish, come and join the fun. Accountability is our main aim and the more support we have, the easier it will be to sail on through the month of March, bouncing along on each others successes!

And, like last year, we're opening up March Madness to readers who want to challenge themselves to read more, bloggers who want to challenge themselves to blog more, and illustrators who want to challenge themselves to illustrate more! Basically, anything to do with books!

And did I mention there will be PRIZES? Prizes will not be awarded based on how much you write, read, draw, or blog, but simply on how involved you are in the Big Accountability Plan. There will be check-in points every day through the month of March. Each time you check in and record your progress, your name will be entered into a draw for some great prizes, including some high demand books and even critiques! And not only that, but the more you encourage others along the way (in the comments), the more times your name will go into the hat!

Spread the word, and check out http://denisejaden.blogspot.com Friday, March 1st, to put your goals officially in writing and find out the locations of the check-in points. If you’re ready to get serious, don’t do it alone…Get serious with us!

Now is the time to be setting your Ambitious Goals for the month of March! (Trust me, you will be able to accomplish much more than normal with the added camaraderie and support, so don't be afraid to set the bar a little higher.) If you haven't already, start meeting up with us on Twitter under the hashtag #WIPMadness .

 As writers, we can tend to think that other writers have an easier time than us. We see people breaking ridiculously high word-count goals, or selling books they seem to have just started writing. But I want to share a little secret: It's hard for all of us. It really is. And I'm going to tell you a little more about my personal experience with that on March 1st.

Please spread the word about this Challenge. There will be lots to win throughout the month and the more support we have, the better all of our goals will go this month! Let me just show you a little peek at some of the books I'll be letting you choose from (don't worry if you can't see. I'll have them listed on the 1st), but believe me there will be many more prizes yet to come!

So check back in here March 1st. If you're such a proud participant that you want to let everyone know, grab the March Madness badge from the sidebar (Thanks to Kelsey Macke for that!) and put it somewhere prominent.

Everyone is welcome and the more the merrier! Let's march into March like the mad group of writers we are!!!

Random Acts of Kindness Winner!

Congratulations to Brittany Utley --the winner from my recent Random Acts of Kindness blog hop! Brittany will have lots of new books to enjoy! If you're a writer, reader, blogger, or illustrator, make sure to check back this Friday, as I'll be launching into MARCH MADNESS, which will include a whole slew of great prizes throughout the month of March. Congrats again, Brittany!

Random Acts of Kindness Blog Hop!

When I saw the title of this blog hop, I knew I had to be a part of it. I love random acts of kindness, or any acts of kindness, really. They renew my faith in humanity.

My first thought, as I considered this hop, is what I could do as a kindness to others. I thought of writers first, because that's what I do, and I wondered, "What is the one thing I would want as a writer?" More people to buy my books, of course. But, don't worry, I don't expect you all to go out and buy books as part of this hop!

My next thought was about reviews. Many people probably don't know the value of reviews. The more reviews a book has, the more visible it will be and the more it will come up on searches online. I try to leave short reviews on Amazon or B&N or GoodReads for books I really love, and I will be doing a little extra of that sort of thing this week, but then I had an idea: What if I had all of YOU help me spread this kindness to authors?

So to enter this contest, you can give me up to three links of places you've left reviews (they can all be on Amazon for different books, or you can leave one for the same book in three different places--it's up to you!) ALL REVIEWS MUST BE NEW ONES, POSTED DURING THE DURATION OF THIS CONTEST. Even if you've written stockpiles of reviews, I'll bet you can find three books that you haven't taken time to write a quick review for yet. You'll get an entry for each.

As my act of kindness to you (besides the prizes below), I'll give you one free entry just for stopping by.

You may wonder why you should bother with all this reviewing. Well, if I haven't sold you on the ACTS OF KINDNESS reason, let me sell you on this: I'll be offering this box of books to one lucky winner:

In case you can't make them out from the picture, here is what is included in the box:

A sneak preview of SOME QUIET PLACE by Kelsey Sutton

An ARC of THE SUMMER PRINCE by Alaya Dawn Johnson

An ARC of AVENGER by Heather Burch

An ARC of YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO by Bonnie Shimko

An ARC of PERMANENT RECORD by Leslie Stella

An ARC of THE 5TH WAVE by Rick Yancey

An ARC of THE SWEET REVENGE OF CELIA DOOR by Karen Finneyfrock

A finished copy of SHADOW GIRL by Patricia Morrison

A SIGNED ARC of BRUISED by Sarah Skilton

An ARC of SKETCHY by Olivia Samms

An ARC of SHADOW LANDS by Kate Brian

An ARC of THE WHOLE STUPID WAY WE ARE by N. Griffin

An ARC of PIECES by Chris Lynch

A finished copy of ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons

And...I"m throwing in a signed copy of LOSING FAITH, my debut novel.

You have to admit, that's quite a haul! Due to mailing costs, I can only mail out to a U.S. address (crossing my fingers that one day Canada will have media mail). Your reviews do not have to be full of flowery words and descriptions, or even long. Just say a little something nice about the books you love, and you will be entered! (And, no, they do not have to be my books, but I will give you extra cyber hugs and thank you's if they are). This hop will run from as soon as it is live until February 24th.

Spreading the word about this contest will not earn you extra entries, but it is still a nice thing to do. :-)

I commission you...go forth and show some kindness to your favorite authors...

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Friday Five!

1. There are so many things I'm excited about right now. First, I'm putting together a contest and giving away an entire BOX of ARCs from ALA. It will be up later this weekend, in honor of Random Acts of Kindness day, and so you will have to perform some specific acts of kindness to enter. Stay tuned!

2. The audiobook for LOSING FAITH is in production! I didn't want to say anything until it was confirmed, but it is, and so now I can blab it from the rooftops! There will be an audiobook for LOSING FAITH (and hopefully NEVER ENOUGH - more on that coming). The best thing about this is the narrator, and I can't tell you who it is yet, but let's just say I'm super-excited about it. I've always wanted to have at least one of my books in audio, as I am a huge lover of audiobooks, so I'm thrilled that this is finally happening.

3. My awesome mother is taking me on a cruise! I'm terribly excited about this, as I haven't had a relaxing vacation in a long long while. Plus, I am so very ready for a piece of the sun. I've been dieting and working out strenuously to try to fit into some of my summer clothes before I go, so I'm a little bit grumpy these days, but still, terribly terribly excited!

4. Have you read CATCHING JORDAN by Miranda Kineally? If not, I highly recommend this book and I'm not even finished reading it. It's living in my gym bag right now and it is honestly my number one motivation for getting to the gym these days. Read it. You'll love it.

 

5. March Madness! It's just around the corner and it's going to be AWESOME this year. If you don't know what it's about, you can check my blog for last March's posts - basically a lot of cameraderie and prizes for sticking to our writing goals throughout March. I encourage you to start thinking about your goals for March now. They should be ambitious goals, more ambitious than you make for the rest of the year (except perhaps if you participate in NaNo). They can be anything, though, and we will hold you accountable. There are some really amazing prizes to be won as well--critiques and books and ARCs. You'll want to be here, trust me. And if you're up for it, display the little badge below on your blog or wherever. Tell people you are a proud participant in March Madness and help us spread the word.

Thanks for helping spread the word, and don't forget to check back here on Sunday or Monday for my HUGE contest! Happy weekend, everyone!

#Free For #Writers

Hey, Writer Friends!

I have a 3-day promotion going on for my book WRITING WITH A HEAVY HEART: USING GRIEF AND LOSS TO STRETCH YOUR FICTION.

It's absolutely and totally FREE! I'm doing this to help spread the word about this book, and my writing, and to garner reviews. For those of you who are not aware, the more reviews a book has, the more visible it will be in searches.

So if you're interested, please download your free copy here. I would offer you my undying gratitude and multiple cyber-hugs if you would post a review once you've read it, or if you spread the word about this promotion.

Here is a little more about the book...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-With-Heavy-Heart-ebook/dp/B009DRLA32

In her first non-fiction book, Denise Jaden explores the stages and outlets of grief and how to implement them into your fiction to create more interesting characters and a more engaging plot. Some topics of this book include: grieving before the loss, spiritual matters, and how grief affects different ages, personality types, and genders. Find out how to implement heavy emotional scenes authentically, without crossing over into melodrama. Learn which authors have done this well, and how they did it.
Denise Jaden's first two YA novels are infused with grieving and loss, and she'll explain some of the revision process of getting to the depth of her stories.

Here is some of what others are saying about Writing With a Heavy Heart...

  "Jaden's Writing With A Heavy Heart is a must-have for any writer's craft shelf. The combination of clear guidance and practical exercises allow writers to take their manuscripts to a deeper level."
- Eileen Cook Author of Unraveling Isobel and The Almost Truth

“Writing With A Heavy Heart absolutely nails the grieving process. I love the exercises included, because, to me, they make the whole thing a tangible help in applying it to a work in progress.”
- Janet Gurtler, author of If I Tell and Who I Kissed

"Writing With A Heavy Heart has a lot of really good insights on grief and suggestions on how to incorporate them to fiction."
- Lee Strauss, author of The Perception Series

"Jaden's Writing with a Heavy Heart helped me add layers to my characters who experience loss. The tools provided in this piece make it practical in my writing projects."
- Cindy Callaghan, author of Just Add Magic and Purses, Palaces and Photographic Proof

YA Blog Hop Winner!

Congratulations to Holly Letson, who was the winner of my recent YA Blog Hop, and will get to enjoy her TEN new books!

If you're not the winner, not to worry. I have a free book for you too! You'll have to check back here on Friday to see what it is.

Congratulations again to Holly, and thanks to all who entered the YA Blog Hop!

Cover Reveal and Win a $200 Gift Card! VOLITION by Lee Strauss

 

What doesn't kill you ...

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.

They're in love.

Or at least that’s what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.

Mark to read on goodreads. 

To celebrate Lee Strauss is giving away a $200.00 Amazon, Nook or itunes gift card!

Read on to find out how to enter.

VOLITION is the exciting continuation of Noah and Zoe's story from Perception.

 Eternal Life is To Die For

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t.  He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn.  She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

 Want to read PERCEPTION? It's available on Amazon, Kobo, itunes, and Nook.

About the author:

LEE STRAUSS

Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for upper YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss. To find out more about Lee and her books check out her facebook page. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/elle_strauss To find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com

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