Thursday, June 29, 2017

This is How it Happened Graphics Contest!

It's time for another great graphics contest! Do you want to win a copy of any of my novels, including a pre-order of FEROCIOUS or my forthcoming NA novel THE KEY TO EVERYTHING? I'm looking for cool fan art or quote/image pairings to share on social media related to my next release THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED. You don't have to have read the book to enter.

These images should include the title of the book somewhere and can include quotes from the novel, suggested taglines, your own taglines, etc. You can use your own photography, draw something, make word art, create an image in Canva, use the official cover art, etc. (Click the Books or Media tab for access to the official book cover.)

Here are some examples from previous contests.


By Irene from Boghunden.dk


By Kim from Divergent Gryffindor



By Eli from The Silver Words


By Agustina Z


I made this one with Canva.

I am picking at least two winners for this contest (assuming I get at least 2 entries), one based on the artwork I like the best, and one randomly selected from all of the other entries that follow the rules. It's not always just about who has mad design skills--it's also about the fact you took the time to help me promote my book <3 I have extra ARCs and physical copies, so I might award additional prizes if I have trouble picking winners.

Each winner of this contest will get a signed hardcover of This is How it Happened if you have a U.S. address or a Book Depository or Wordery pre-order of the novel + a signed bookplate if you live outside the U.S. If you want one of my other books instead, just ask. I have no problem subbing in a different title as long as it's available. Everyone who enters, regardless of location, will receive swag to include signed bookmarks and either magnets or stickers. All submitted designs remain copyright of their creator but will be fawned over by me and may be shared via my social media ;D


Possible text for your graphic:
Your graphic does not need to have text (aside from the book's title if you're not using the cover image), but it can. If you've read the ARC, you can use anything that stood out to you. If you haven't read the ARC, you can check out this four-chapter sample. You can also use part of one of the quotes that are listed on Goodreads.  You can make up your own tagline or phrase or use one of the ones below.
  • Sometimes the simplest explanation is wrong.
  • You have more power than you know. Be careful what you do with it.
  • There are some mistakes you can't take back.
  • When the internet wants blood, someone is getting sacrificed.
  • We can't define people by their worst actions.

Rules: 
  • You must share your graphic on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, at least once before July 10. Caption/tag the image similar to: #ThisIsHowItHappened by @pstokesbooks releases July 11th from @HarperTeen 
  • Aside from the book cover, which can be freely used/adapted, any photography or imagery must be open source or belong to you.  When in doubt, don't use it.
  • Designs can be any shape or size and do not need to be high resolution.
  • You can enter up to three graphics, but each one must be shared on social media.

Final designs need to be emailed to me as a .JPG or .PNG for easy sharing at pstokesbooks [at] gmail [dot] com by July 10, 2017, subject: TIHIH graphics contest. In your email, also include your mailing address if you want swag and a link or enough information so I can find your shared image on social media.

General questions? Put them in the comments.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

BOOK BLAST GIVEAWAY: This is How it Happened

Hi lovely bookish peeps :) It's Book Blast time and I'm giving away the first finished copy of my newest contemporary novel, THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED.

About two-thirds of the book takes place in Springdale, Utah, near or in Zion National Park, one of my favorite places on Earth.

View of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River from Scout Lookout.

This is the view behind the Zion Human History Museum. When I visited,
an artist was back there painting it, which I totally understand.

Here’s more about the story:

When Genevieve Grace wakes up from a coma, she can’t remember the car crash that injured her and killed her boyfriend Dallas, a YouTube star who had just released his first album. Genevieve knows she was there, and that there was another driver, a man named Brad Freeman, who everyone assumes is guilty. But as she slowly pieces together the night of the accident, Genevieve is hit with a sickening sense of dread—that maybe she had something to do with what happened.

As the internet rages against Brad Freeman, condemning him in a brutal trial by social media, Genevieve escapes to her father’s house, where she can hide from reporters and spend the summer volunteering in beautiful Zion National Park. But she quickly realizes that she can’t run away from the accident, or the terrible aftermath of it all.

Incredibly thought-provoking and beautifully told, Paula Stokes’s story will compel readers to examine the consequences of making mistakes in a world where the internet is always watching…and judging.


Here's what ALA Booklist thought about the novel:



Enter to win a finished copy of THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED by filling out the Rafflecopter below. The comment question is about the best book you’ve read in 2017, so don’t be shy—share the love :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want a sneak peek? You can read the first four chapters of the book here.

I'm giving away a second finished copy of This is How it Happened with this Book Blast on Instagram. Check my feed (@pstokesbooks) after 2pm Pacific on June 26th for another chance to win. Both contests are international. Both contests end on July 7, 2017

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Summer 2017 Pre-Order Incentives!

Are you planning to buy THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, VICARIOUS, or FEROCIOUS? If so, you might want to order early and take advantage of one or more of these awesome pre-order incentives :D Three books = three different sexy giveaways, plus a bonus grand prize giveaway for one lucky reader who pre-orders multiple titles!


THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED:
Everyone who orders a new hardcover, e-book, or international paperback edition, from any store or website, by July 16th (so yes, if you ordered last week or 6 months ago it counts) is eligible to receive 2 signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate, a round sticker, and a magnet. Buying an ARC from e*Bay or a marketplace seller does not count. Please don't buy ARCs in general, and especially not this ARC because I'll be unpinning the link to the missing page after release.



VICARIOUS:
Everyone who orders a new e-book or paperback edition, from any store or website, by August 13th is eligible to receive 2 signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate (it's signed--you just can't tell in this picture), a sticker, and a magnet. Buying an ARC or used book from e*Bay or a marketplace seller does not count. Buying a hardcover technically does not count, because I ran a giveaway for the hardcover last year. However, if you decide you want to get a Vicarious hardcover to match your Ferocious hardcover and you really want the swag, send me your proof of purchase and if I have leftover swag I will hook you up.



FEROCIOUS:
Everyone who orders a new hardcover or e-book, from any store or website, by August 13th is eligible to receive 2 signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate (it's signed--you just can't tell in this picture), 2 stickers, and a magnet. Again, ARCs do not count. Please don't buy and sell ARCs.



All pre-order incentives are international. In order to get your free goodies, you need to email your mailing address to pstokesbooks [at] gmail [dot] com subject: [insert title] pre-order by the deadline listed for the book you bought, and include a photo, scan, or screenshot of your order confirmation or receipt. Lovely international peeps: It helps me a ton if you type out your address on multiple lines like my super-clueless self should address the envelope. Also, don't forget to include your postal code if that's something you're not used to using. Please allow four to six weeks for arrival.


MEGA BONUS SWAG PACK:
If you pre-order at least two of my three summer 2017 releases, you will be entered to win the super-swag deluxe prize, which includes:

from THE ART OF LAINEY: a postcard signed by the characters + two pin buttons
from LIARS, INC.: a black T-shirt, size 2XL
from GATU: a set of five blank inside notecards + envelopes
from TIHIH: a pad of desert sky at night sticky notes
from VICARIOUS: a notebook featuring both covers
plus surprise bonus gifts, which might include swag from other authors and/or mystery gifts/gift cards!





To be eligible for the bonus, either order multiple books on the same receipt or be sure to tell me in your second pre-order email that you also pre-ordered an earlier title. I don't want to miss anyone :)

Questions?? As usual, put 'em in the comments :)

Friday, June 2, 2017

Early Order Incentive: Girl Against the Universe Paperback


Are you planning to buy Girl Against the Universe? Everyone who pre-orders/orders a paperback of the novel (or makes a new order for the hardcover or e-book) during the month of June is eligible to receive a signed bookplate, a magnet, and a fun postcard drawn by Aila from Happy Indulgence books. Offer is international. Offer good while supplies last.


Did you buy your copy of GATU outside of the promo window? Email me your receipt/proof of order if you really, really want the swag and I'll hook you up if I have any left over.


In order to get your free goodies, you need to email your mailing address to pstokesbooks [at] gmail [dot] com subject: GATU pre-order, and include a photo, scan, or screenshot of your order confirmation or receipt. Lovely international peeps: It helps me a ton if you type out your address on multiple lines like my super-clueless self should address the envelope. Also, don't forget to include your postal code if that's something you're not used to using. Please allow four to six weeks for arrival.

Wanna try before you buy? Click here to read the beginning of Girl Against the Universe.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Girl Against the Universe: Seven Days Seven Giveaways Winners



Hi :) Before I get to the winners, just a quick update on my do-it-yourself MFA program. I am still working through the course of study I designed for myself, but I started a new nursing job and a new volunteer job in April/May, and I'm also trying to promote four books (2 paperbacks, 2 new hardcovers) that are releasing in June-July-August while revising one book for 2018, drafting a hopeful 2019, and working through the self-publishing process for a book that's releasing this fall.




So, long story short, I absolutely plan to meet my overall reading, writing, education, and community goals for the DIYMFA program, but I've had to cut back for May so I'm going to wait and do an official update in June or July, once things slow down for me a little bit :)

Now for the winners! Names below. All books have been ordered or mailed.


Day 1: Winner of the #MentalHealthBooks Instagram challenge is Marie

Day 2: Winner of the #InspirationalQuotes Twitter/IG contest is Kaitlyn

Day 3: Winner of the Twitter #Haiku contest is Maria M

Day 4: Winner of the Twitter/IG #Happy book contest is Irma J.

Day 5: Winner of the fears and strategies contest is Sarah R

Day 6: Winner of the Twitter/IG #LuckyCharms contest is Khae

Day 7: Winner of the GATU promo Rafflecopter is Adik

Day 7: Winner of the bonus Rafflecopter is Khayzelle


Other recent winners: 

Winner of The Art of Lainey is Sandra

Winner of any book (via the Liars, Inc. RT contest) is Denise


I just want to say a huge thank you to my amazing blog hosts and to all of the people who entered the contests. The winners were chosen randomly via Rafflecopter or random.org, but I had a lot of fun going through all the posts :)

If you didn't win and you're sad about that, I highly recommend joining my newsletter :) I only send out 8-10 issues a year so it's not overly spammy, and almost every issue has an exclusive international contest. Another perk of newsletter subscription is that if you win one of my books that you already have or don't want in a newsletter giveaway, I will let you substitute in a different one of my books that you'd prefer. Newsletters also contain writing/editing tips and book recommendations. And subscribers get first crack at participating in blog tours, book blasts, and other ways you can earn awesome swag.

Speaking of awesome swag, if you're planning to order Girl Against the Universe, This is How it Happened, Vicarious, or Ferocious in the next couple of months, I'll be running a pre-order signed swag giveaway for all of those books, with a larger prize that anyone who pre-orders two books will be eligible to enter to win. Here's the first incentive, for people who buy the Girl Against the Universe paperback. Stay tuned for more!


Random kitty pic: Happiness is a fresh haircut and a big bed ;)