Good News and Giveaways!

“I hate it when I win free stuff,” said no one ever.

I love to give away free stuff, I say to myself all the time (seriously! I would do a giveaway every week if I could).

You’re a starving artist, my bank account chimes in, staying my hand for the moment.

Alas! I’m ignoring my bank account for a bit, friends. IT’S TIME TO GIVE AWAY SOME TETHERED WORLD SWAG! Woot-woot!

While doing life in this topside world, I keep an eye out for fun stuff from the Tethered World below. You know, *wink, wink*, the world that I supposedly made up? Yeah, well, there are a surprising amount of goods that make their way topside if you know what to look for. Don’t let that “made in China” sticker fool you 😀

Before I divulge the nature of my giveaway, let me tell you what prompted the timing . . .

The Genesis Tree is a finalist in the Realm Maker Awards! Realm Makers is a large community of Christian speculative fiction authors whose “first priority is to help foster excellence in the speculative arts, whether fiction, film, illustrations, or whatever way we can imagine to tell our stories.” This incredible group is chock full of talented Christian writers. With nearly 1300 members on Facebook, it is a thriving fellowship of creatives.

When I saw The Genesis Tree listed as one of the three finalists in the fantasy category, I did a double take and instantly felt as if I’d been fuel injected with adrenaline (in other words, I was an excited, trembling, mess!). With the amount of competition in this group—I mean EVERYONE writes speculative fiction!—I didn’t think my chances were all that realistic.

But God is gracious, and this amazing story that He has given me managed to shine enough to become a finalist! I’m humbled, elated (going to take my mum to the award’s banquet in July), and ready to give away some celebratory loot!

How can you win?

Well, I have a bit of a dilemma as an author (as so many of us do).

MY BOOKS. NEED. REVIEWS.

Writing success is, most unfortunately, largely related to the number of reviews on Amazon (among a few other elite places). For now I’m mostly focusing on that platform. The number of reviews affect whether my book will be suggested by Amazon when people search for a fantasy book, as well as my publisher’s ability to buy ads for my book on a few other platforms such as Bookbub.

Yes, Bookbub turns down money for ads because a book doesn’t have enough Amazon reviews for them to bother promoting.

Although I can’t trade prizes for reviews—they must be voluntary—I can set goals and give away prizes when that goal is reached! So, that’s my plan 🙂 Are you with me?

Here’s how it will work:

First, make sure you are a part of my Facebook group. Winners will be drawn from among the members in this group.

Second, would you consider leaving a review of one or more of my books? Short and sweet is totally fine. A sentence or two is groovy as gravy. Is there a book of mine you haven’t read and therefore can’t review? Allow me to send you one eBook of your choice for free. Just leave me your email in the comments and I’ll make it happen!

Third, here are my review goals and prizes ( aka the fun stuff!):

When The Tethered World reaches 100 reviews I will have a drawing for this beautiful necklace made with stones from the amber, dome-like sky described in the book. An autographed book of your choice will be included!

When The Flaming Sword reaches 50 reviews, I will have a drawing for this adorable gnome bottle opener and wooden mushroom figurine. Pretty sure this little guy is Sir Noblin from Vituvia. Also, an autographed book of your choice!

When The Genesis Tree reaches 35 reviews, I will have a drawing for this awesome Tethered World Chronicles mug (that I reeeally want to keep for myself!), wooden mushroom figurine, and this magnet made from a large chunk of the glowing, crystalline sky from the Tethered World. And of course, an autographed book of your choice!

 

BONUS! I recently set up my author profile on Bookbub and I need followers (and reviews, too, to be honest). When I get 100 followers on Bookbub I will draw a name from among THOSE followers for a $20 Amazon gift card!

Let me know what you think of the prizes…do you have a favorite? I hope you feel like this is a creative way to encourage follows and reviews. Love and appreciate each of you dearly. Wish I could give everyone some book swag to say thanks for your support and friendship.