Monday 10 January 2011

Publication Party! Everyone Welcome! Authors! Writers! Friends! Prizes!

Get out the Jimmy Choos, pick up the tux from the dry cleaners, dust off that sexy little black dress - it's party time! Pop the corks! Set out the nibblies! Er, what is the occasion? Well, I'm celebrating passing 300 followers, which is awesome and thank you my lovely followers, but that's not the main game. The main game is getting published! That's what all the hoopla is about. Read on...

Well, dear readers (to coin author Jane Austen), I've been studying your 2011 Resolutions and seeing a trend - so many writers are looking for publication this year, moi included. We've spent 2010 writing our drafts, editing, revising, now we want to find a way to get our work in print. So, where to from here? And what is print these days anyway?

We know the world needs our books, our magazine articles, our works of brilliance. But how can we show the world what we've been doing? How do we get our work published?

Let's ask the experts.

So! I'm hosting a Publication Party with guest speakers and they won't be boring I promise! They've been where we are today -polishing their stories until they shine and wondering where to go next..?..?..?

I've spent the latter stages of 2010 reading up on traditional publishing, self-publishing, e-publishing, mystic publishing (just kidding)...but I really need some guidance. And it doesn't just have to be a book you want published - I, and many of you write magazine stories and are always looking for a new market, so I had this idea...I want to read about how writers like us reached the Holy Grail of becoming a published author, so I have asked authors who many of you may know to come to our party and tell us about their journey: I've asked them to speak on the topic - How did you get published?! What did your journey look like? 

Starting this Wednesday, 12th January, the Publication Party will kick off with author Christine Bell who is giving away a book and a critique to a lucky commenter or two.

There will be a guest post every Wednesday following into mid-February, with some guest authors offering a book giveaway or a critique or a prize of their choosing, to commenters to their post. I assure you there will be a book given away at each party! Names will be drawn and good news will be whizzing to your place! You will have 5 days to comment on each post. The draw will close each Monday at 8pm NY time (check the clock on my blog!) 

I will be tracking the comments, and all of you who follow me and comment on EVERY POST during the Party Season will be in the draw to receive a book (paperback) from yours truly, as my way of saying thanks to you for attending and thanks for being one of my 300+ followers. There will be a GRAND PRIZE for the first commenter drawn who attends every party - I have put together a writer's package of Aussie Awesomeness for you! I have several books to give away so you are in with a chance no matter where you live. Every time you comment you will need to leave your email address to be in the draw to win a prize! We're all too busy writing to be hunting for email addresses!

What are you waiting for? Get ready. Grab my button (copy the code) in the top left sidebar so you won't forget to come back this Wednesday and every Wednesday into February! You can delete it once the party is over if you wish but why would you want to? There's always a party of some sort happening here, lol!

I can't wait for this party to kick off!

PARTY SPEAKER SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Jan 12th - Christine Bell
Wednesday, Jan 19th - Clarissa Draper
Wednesday, Jan 26th - Alex J Cavanaugh
Wednesday, Feb 02 - Helen M Hunt
Wednesday, Feb 09 - Lisa Maliga
Wednesday, Feb 16 - N R Williams
Wednesday, Feb 23 - Ann Best

So in the above list there are fantasy authors, a mystery author, a sci-fi author, a short story author and memoir authors. No matter what their area of expertise, we can all learn about how they were able to take that giant step from writer to author! Join the party on Wednesday January 12th! Tell your friends! The more the merrier!

Any questions, just ask.

RSVP below...

Denise

59 comments:

Len Lambert said...

Oh I love this, L'Aussie!!! Congratulations on reaching 300 followers! Woo-hoo!

Len Lambert said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
alexia said...

Congrats and what a great idea! Thanks so much for this great line up!

Denise Covey said...

Len: Thanks!

Alexia: Hope you'll join us!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations and looking forward to being part of the celebrations!

The Words Crafter said...

Hey Denise! I'm trying to get caught up and blogger is being a real stinker!!!!!

So ANYWAY!!! Congrats on 300+ followers, wow!

This is going to be a super series to follow. I'm in and thanks for taking the trouble to arrange it for us!

Grandpa said...

Hi Denise, thanks for dropping by The Farm with your comment, despite being terribly busy. I really appreciate that.

Congratulations on your 300 followers - awesome!

It's a big challenge and a formidable task you've put up for yourself and your readers - a praiseworthy effort, and I wish you every success.

Btw, I moved my eyes quickly away upon seeing the middle photo of your "you might also like.." LOL!

Denise Covey said...

Alex: Looking forward to having you with us!

Words Crafter: Blogger can be so annoying! Great that you'll be joining us!

Mary Mary said...

This is a great idea! I'm very interested to see what each author has to say. What a smart cookie you are!

Iris B said...

Congratulations on 300+ followers - well deserved though!

AND what a great idea: a publication party - I'm looking forward to it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR btw :-)

Laura Eno said...

Congrats and it sounds like a great idea!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for including me in your authors' list. I'm looking forward to participating; to hearing what everyone else has to say!

Denise Covey said...

Grandpa: I'm intrigued what it was that you turned your eyes away from. It changes all the time! Now I'm intrigued!

Mary Mary: Oooh, if you say so. You're pretty sharp yourself!

Iris: will be great to have you here!

Laura: Thanks. It will be great.

Ann: Can't wait to hear your journey!

Elizabeth Twist said...

This looks like great fun! I'll be back to check out subsequent posts throughout the entire party season.

Kari Marie said...

Wow! This is really cool. What a wonderful idea. I'll post a note on my blog later this week.

Denise Covey said...

Elizabeth: I promise you fun!

Kari Marie: Thanks for posting about the party! That's cool and appreciated! Woo hoo!

erica and christy said...

Yay! Going to grab and add your button right now! Christy

Jemi Fraser said...

Total awesomeness! Looking forward to it - and congrats on the 300!!! :)

Christine Bell said...

Can't wait! It's going to be so much fun!

Denise Covey said...

erica and christy: Thx for your support!

Jemi: Great to have you with us!

Christine: Can't wait for that first cork to pop!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! on the 300 followers. And I know these people for the Party Speaker Schedule. Looks like a power packed series!

notesfromnadir said...

This is a brilliant idea & congratulations on 300+ followers! Thank you so much for inviting me to participate & I'm looking forward to reading more about the other authors.

Denise Covey said...

Stephen: I think it's going to be really fabulous. All the speakers are topnotch. I hope you can come to the party and offer valuable comments also.

Lisa: As you can see we are all enthusiastic! It's great to have you speak!

Joanna St. James said...

Kewl what a great idea! consider me intrigued L'aussie

Denise Covey said...

Joanna: I take it you like it!

Unknown said...

I can't wait! You've got some great posts and bloggers coming up.
CD

Denise Covey said...

Clarissa: Yes, I have, and you're one of them! Can't wait!

Kate Pilarcik ~ absolutely said...

Will there be those little umbrellas in our drinks? Shall I send over the jazz combo from AT THE BIJOU? I wish your *300* Basharama to be really swank!

HappyTimes to a spirit who cheers so many of us along . . .

RSVP: Absolutely*Kate

Nas said...

Congratulations on reaching 300 followers!

And looking forward to all the posts.

Denise Covey said...

Absolutely Kate: Yep, little umbrellas and jazz. Oh. Like your style!

Nas: Glad you're coming!

Elissa Graham said...

And here I was lamenting that the party season was all but over and me with so many pairs of new shoes to try out! I'll be there - with heels on ;)

Congrats on the HUGE following.

Denise Covey said...

Elissa: Ha ha, the party's not over til it's over! Get out those dancing shoes and come on over! Be great to have you here!

Tony Benson said...

Well done on reaching 300! I'm still working on it and I have a way to go :-)

Publication Party is a fantastic idea. Great that you're organising it, it's going to be really interesting, and it's come at the right time for me.

Margo Benson said...

This is a fabulous idea, I can't wait to hear all the advice from such a great and diverse bunch of authors. It'll be exciting and expiring! Congratulations on your 300 followers!

Amie Kaufman said...

This is a fantastic idea! I RSVP with pleasure, can't wait.

Su said...

Great idea!

Bast said...

Congrats on passing 300 followers! I can't wait for Wednesday. This is such a great idea.

Rula Sinara said...

Congrats on passing 300 followers. Great blog idea!

Ellie Garratt said...

Congratulations on reaching 300 followers! I love your enthusiasm and idea behind the blog tour.

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss denise! woweee i love a party! im gonna skip the tux and drinks and grab up bunches of those nibblers. i love reading stuff on how a author got where they are. mostly it gives lots of people hope. how cool is that! for sure im gonna be at your party!
...hugs from lenny
lennylee@rocketmail.com

Francine Howarth said...

Hi,

Congrats on 300 + fans! ;)

Pass some plonk, then. It ain't a party until a few glasses have been downed! :o
((( pops a streamer )))

best
F

N. R. Williams said...

40 comments Denise. You rock! I'm looking forward to the fun.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

JJ said...

What an awesome idea! I'll be following this :)

Also, got a blog award for you:

http://writersblocknz.weebly.com/1/post/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html

Denise Covey said...

Tony & Margo: Thank you! It'll be lovely to have you both on board! We'll all learn a lot.

Amie: This might just be what we need this year!

Su: Thanks!

Quinn: It should be great!

Rula: Hope you can make it! Thanks.

Ellie: It's going to be wonderful.

Lenny: What are your favourite nibbles? Coming your way!

Francine: Let's keep a clear head for awhile!

Nancy: And it ain't over yet. Be great! Thanks for contributing.

Writers Block NZ: Glad you can come. Thanks for the award! Cool! I'll post as soon as I can!

Sylvia Ney said...

This is a great post! Thanks for checking out my blog. Everyone is welcome to enter my free contest: http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

MTeacress said...

This sounds like fun. You've reached 300? That's a lot! Way to go! I'll be sure to check back. :)

Denise Covey said...

Sylvia: I hope people pick up your free contest! Hope you pick up a pri

MT: I hope you can come to the party!

Talei said...

Woo hoo! I'm slipping on my gold Jimmy's for this one and I'll be stopping by with bubbly. Fantastic idea Denise, and a great list of guests authors, I'm looking forward to it! ;)

Jai Joshi said...

Fabulous! How fun that you're having a publication party! I'll look forward to the posts and all the information that is bound to come out - always great!

In the meantime, congrats on reaching 300 followers! Brilliant.

Jai

Denise Covey said...

Jai: Thank you for coming!

Anonymous said...

Fab party what a wonderful idea and such great organisation! I am impressed. :O)

Denise Covey said...

Madeleine: It's great! Make sure you come along!

Deniz Bevan said...

An awesome idea! And congratulations on reaching 300 followers - make me 301!
Hope you don't suffer too much with the flooding, or that you have a safe haven to get to.

Denise Covey said...

Deniz: Welcome! Great that you can come to the party! Yes so far so good with the floods. Just watching the river rise and rise.

Rachael Harrie said...

Ooh, congrats on 300 followers! Great idea, can't wait to hear from all the fab authors you have lined up!

Rach

Denise Covey said...

Rachael: Glad you're coming!

kerrie said...

what a fantasic blog and idea so generous of you
thanks I be here every wednesday
K

Denise Covey said...

kerrie: Thank you! Glad you're coming!

Arlee Bird said...

Congratulations on the 300!

Sounds like a promising event. I'll check it out.

Lee
Tossing It Out