Today is Penguin's 75th Anniversary (Plus a Giveaway!)

Posted on July 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia
HAPPY 75th ANNIVERSARY to Penguin Books! 

(thanks to Lindsay at Penguin for providing the text about Penguin for this post!)

Penguin’s founder Allen Lane started the paperback revolution with that little flippant but dignified Penguin (his secretary came up with the name and he sent another colleague off to the zoo to make sketches).   One year later, 3 million Penguin paperbacks had been sold.  Today, the Penguin imprint alone has over 4000 books in print.  To learn more about the history of Penguin books, go here and here.
Check out the dedicated anniversary website for more information on how Penguin is celebrating such a monumental occasion!  Here are some highlights:

A bright-orange Penguin Mobile (an adorable mini-cooper with the Penguin logo) is driving to bookstores all over the US to bring some of their bestselling authors to parties in their hometowns, increase awareness of The Nature Conservancy, and promote literacy.  At each event, a set of 75 Penguin Books will be donated to a local library or literacy group. Each author will be signing the Penguin-mobile as it makes its way across the United States, and the summer’s events will culminate with a party at the New York Public Library in September where Penguin will auction the car with the proceeds going to the New York Public Library.  Penguin is also donating sets of books to numerous U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 Happy Birthday, Penguin!  Here’s to another 75 years!
Related articles by Zemanta

Giveaway: 

To celebrate Penguin’s 75th birthday, they are providing one of my lucky blog readers with any book of their choosing from this list!  Woohoo!  Thanks, Penguin!   

This isn’t required for entry, but what book would you choose if you won?

Rules for entering:  ="border-collapse: collapse;"> 

1. You MUST be follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect, E-Mail Subscription, or RSS Feed.
2. This contest is open to USA & Canada residents only!
3. You MUST complete the form below – do not leave information in the comments – it will not count!
4. The contest will end on August 13, 2010 at 11:59PM EST; 1 winner will be selected and contacted thereafter.
5. Once the winners are contacted, they will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be selected.  Make sure you check your spam filters!
6. NO P.O. Box Addresses!

7. Book will be shipped from the publisher. 

If you are reading this anywhere other than a feed reader, then this is not original content and was taken without permission from Crazy-for-Books.
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Book Blogger Hop: July 30 – Aug 2, 2010

Posted on July 30, 2010 · 2 Comments
CHECK OUT THE RULES, PLEASE, OR YOUR LINK MAY BE DELETED!  I’VE CHANGED THINGS SLIGHTLY BASED ON RECENT FEEDBACK!  THANK YOU!

Book Blogger Hop
Grab the Logo!


ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!


The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don’t have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get over 200 links every week!! 


Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

RULES:

1.  Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review:  eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc.  Please do not list every genre you review – if you are review a variety, please put eclectic!  The Hop gets jumbled up if the title is too long, so please limit to one genre.  I will be limiting the number of characters in the title to ensure the Hop doesn’t look messy!  Thank you!

Example:  Crazy-for-Books (literary fiction)


2. Post about the Hop on your blog.  Spread the word about the book party!  The more the merrier!  In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!).  I have to thank my friend, Lori, for this week’s question!  I was drawing a blank and she came up with this fab question!  If you have a question that could be used in a future Hop, leave it in the comments!  Thanks! 
Who is your favorite new-to-you author so far this year?

2.  Visit other blogs in the Linky List!  Make new friends!  Follow new book bloggers!  Talk about books!  Rave about authors!  Take the time to make a quality visit!  Check out other posts and content, make a new friend!  Don’t randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them!  No spamming please!  (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs – it’s just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

My Weekly Question Response:
To answer the weekly question, my favorite new-to-me author is actually a debut author whose first novel I recently reviewed (and am currently giving away)!

Claire Avery, author of Hidden Wives
Claire Avery is actually the pen name for 2 sisters who are writing partners.  Their first novel, Hidden Wives, is the exploration of polygamy from the eyes of two teenage girls.  It is incredibly well written and I have been raving about this book to everyone I run into!  I just loved it so much!
So, have fun HOPPING and enjoy your BOOK PARTY weekend!!!

If you are reading this anywhere other than a feed reader, then this is not original content and was taken without permission from Crazy-for-Books.
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Book Bloggers & Authors Online Conference

Posted on July 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment

I just signed up for the BBA Online Conference happening next weekend!  The registration fee is only $15 and it looks like a fantastic conference!  Lots of panels and discussions about a wide variety of topics related to book blogging.  I’ve copied the information below from the conference website for your convenience.  I hope you’ll join me in this exciting two day event!  Click here to go to the conference website to read more and to sign up!
 
Book Bloggers & Authors Online Conference
August 6th & 7th
Goals of the Conference (from the conference website):

Authors and Bloggers are both working together online to reach out to readers and spread the word about the books we read and love.  We all face challenges with online promotion that can be alleviated by working together.  By streamlining the process of co-operative work between Authors and Bloggers we can move forward using social media and online outlets to expose more readers to more books.

How it Works:
Never been to an online conference?  Well here is how ours works.  It is hosted through a private Ning.  The panels are audio using Blog Talk Radio and each has a corresponding chat room so listeners can discuss the topic together.  Panels can be heard live and will accept callers and questions.  After the conference, they can all be listened to in archive on the Ning till the end of the month. There is a $15 registration fee and spaces are limited.  This 2 day event is a great resource to network and meet fellow book lovers.

Schedule:
Thursday Night – August 5th – to make sure your set up is working.

9 – 9:30pm – Fix Your Facebook
Authors and bloggers, face book is important.  It is an easy location to use for us to learn about each other.  It allows you to use links, display info and get together with readers and other industry folk.  Get yours set up the right way and get the biggest benefit from having a Facebook account.  

FRIDAY 6th

Time TBA – Panel for International Bloggers -
What do international bloggers face that is different from other bloggers?
Panelists Larissa of Larissa’s Bookish Life, and Doug the SciFi Guy!
Moderated by Jessica of Novel Reaction an What do international bloggers face that is different from other bloggers?

6 – 6:30 pm – Opening Event – How the conference works – what we will be talking about.  Meet the Moderators.  Ask any Questions you might have and bring up any points you want to make sure we address. 

6:30 – 7:30pm – The Art of the Review
Hear how reviewers approach writing their reviews as well as authors weigh in on what they look for and appreciate.
Panelists – Sabrina of Cheeky Reads
Moderator – Jessica of Novel Reaction
 

7:30- 8:30 pm – Be a Better Guest Blogger/How to Guest Blog
Learn what bloggers and readers are looking for.  What is important to include when you guest blog.  What is the blogger’s part and what is the author’s/guest’s.  How to bring more attention to your guest blogs.
Panelists: Rachel Smith – Bitten By Books
Moderator:  Terry Kate

9 – 10:30 – Should Authors have Blogs?
A round table discussion on the benefits and downsides of authors having blogs and what other possibilities are open to them.
Panelists – Author Gail Fraser,
Moderator – Terry Kate

SATURDAY 7th

11am – 11:30 EST- Opening Panel


11:30-12:30 – Finding the Right Blogs
What makes a blog a good match for what you write?  How do you find them?  What can you do to work with them, how to get in contact, SEO and web search secrets.

12 – 1pm – Approaching Authors and Publishers
Bloggers, how do you approach authors and publishers?  What makes your blog stand out to them.  ARCs, Authors, Interviews, the important parts and procedures.
Panelists: Rachel Smith – Bitten by Books,
Moderator: Terry Kate
 

1 – 2pm – The Book Trailer Debate
So to make or not to make a trailer.  Where can you put it, and who can you get to watch them?
Panelists - 
Moderator – Jessica
 
2 – 3pm – Time Management – Promotion
This is a good thing for all of us in life.  We are bringing in some pros to talk about time management and the benefits it can have on your promotion.

3:30 – 4:30pm – Live Events and Happenings – Important to Bloggers AND Authors
We need to reach out as authors and bloggers – so lets talk about how to go about it.  Book signings, conferences, libraries, book stores and more.  Where to go and how to go about it.

5 – 5:30 pm – Get your books Reviewed
Authors roll in getting reviewed and why that is important.  Is it all on your pub?  What is the proceedure and what falls to the reviewers.  Discussing why it is important to get reviewed.
Panelists – Larissa of Larissa’s Bookish Life, Rachel Smith – Bitten By Books,
Moderator – Terry Kate

5:00 – 6:00pm – Bloggers Working Together – Co-o
peration
Blog hops, memes, networking, and reaching out to fellow bloggers.
Panelists – Rebecca – Dirty Sexy Books
Moderator: Jessica – Novel Reaction 

6:00 – 7:00pm – Blog Tours Pros and Cons
Are they good for bloggers?  Do they benefit authors?  Hear from bloggers, authors, and those who organize the tours.
Panelists: Rachel Smith – Bitten By Books
Moderator: Terry Kate

7:00 – 8:00pm – What makes a Great Interview-
Authors Weigh in on what they like to be asked and bloggers what makes the returned answers stand out.
Panelists  -  Ilona Andrews  http://www.ilona-andrews.com/ 
Stacia Kane   http://www.staciakane.com
Moderator:  Phoebe Jordan 

9 – 10:30 – How Can Bloggers and Authors do it Better?
Wrapping up the ideas covered during the conference and discussing the future of Blogger author relations.
Panelists: Marta Acosta – Author and Vampire Wire
Moderator: Terry Kate 


Even if you can’t make it to the two days, all panels will be recorded and available for you to listen to at a later date during the month of August!
I hope to “see” you there!  :)
If you are reading this anywhere other than a feed reader, then this is not original content and was taken without permission from Crazy-for-Books.
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Feedback on the Book Blogger Hop Needed!

Posted on July 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Hello Book Blog Hoppers!  Since I started this wonderful event back in March, it has grown beyond my wildest expectations.  We get close to, if not over, 300 book blog links WEEKLY!  That’s insane!  I can’t thank you all enough for joining me in the Hop each week, visiting new-to and old-to-you blogs, and talking about books!  Because, really, that’s what the hop is all about – to promote books and book bloggers.

With so many links each week, it is nearly impossible for us to visit all of them.  I feel bad for those people who weren’t able to join the Hop until late in the weekend and may be missing out on some visitors.
So, I’d love some feedback!  With the Hop growing each week, should any changes be made?  Here are some ideas that have been muddling around in my head:
1. Splitting up the Hop by genre – having a day each week devoted to a specific genre (i.e. eclectic blog hop, paranormal blog hop, literary fiction blog hop, etc.) and then doing the full blog hop Fri-Mon as always.
2. Starting a blog hop just for NEW bloggers, who have been blogging 3 months or less (maybe Mon-Thurs?) and keeping the regular blog hop Fri-Mon.
3. Limiting the current blog hop to just Friday only and not Fri-Mon.
Please throw your ideas out there!  This is supposed to be fun for us all and I want everyone to LOVE participating in the Hop!  So, if you have a suggestion, leave a comment!  If you don’t want to leave it publicly, please email me at:  jennifer (AT) crazy-for-books (DOT) com.  If you hate all of my ideas, tell me!  If you have a better idea, tell me!  :)  I want to make this fun for all!
Thanks for your help, Hoppers!
If you are reading this anywhere other than a feed reader, then this is not original content and was taken without permission from Crazy-for-Books.
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Book Giveaway: The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall

Posted on July 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The Jewel of St. Petersburg 
Author:  Kate Furnivall
Publication Date:  August 3, 2010
Publisher:  Berkley

The national bestselling author of The Russian Concubine takes us back to Tsarist Russia for a sweeping novel of love and intrigue.

Russia, 1910. Valentina Ivanova is the darling of St. Petersburg’s elite aristocracy-until her romance with a Danish engineer creates a terrible scandal and her parents push her into a loveless engagement with a Russian count.

Meanwhile, Russia itself is bound for rebellion. With the Tsar and the Duma at each other’s throats, and the Bolsheviks drawing their battle lines, the elegance and opulence of Tsarist rule are in their last days. And Valentina will be forced to make a choice that will change not only her own life, but the lives of those around her forever…

Giveaway: 
Thanks to the publisher, I have 4 copies of this book to give away!

Want to double your chances of winning?  Head on over to Lori’s blog at  Lori’s Reading Corner and enter her giveaway!  She is also giving away 4 copies of this book!  


Rules for entering: 

1. You MUST be follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect, E-Mail Subscription, or RSS Feed.
2. This contest is open to residents of USA only!
3. You MUST complete the form below – do not leave information in the comments – it will not count!
4. The contest will end on August 9, 2010 at 11:59PM EST; 4 winners will be selected and contacted thereafter.
5. Once the winners are contacted, they will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be selected.  Make sure you check your spam filters!
6. NO P.O. Box Addresses! 

7. Books will be shipped from me.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery via USPS Media Mail.

If you are reading this anywhere other than a feed reader, then this is not original content and was taken without permission from Crazy-for-Books.
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:
«Older Posts