Today's blog is twofold--first, I want to let everyone know that my spring book giveaway contest is starting tomorrow, April 1st. You can go to my website (below) to enter. Follow the directions at the site. You can read a teaser scene from my upcoming The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series, too! 
Secondly, I said I'd help my friend, Sherry James, do a little research for an article she's writing about the promotional value of authors hosting their own contests for the Romance Writers Report. If you have the time and an opinion 
, I'd love to have your input on a few questions. Your information will remain anonymous, of course, when I pass it on to my friend. You may answer any or all of the questions, or just share what you think.
1. Have you ever entered an author-sponsored contest?
2. If so, why? The prize? Getting to know a new author? Keeping tabs on a favorite author? Contest junkie? etc.?
3. What prizes draw you to a contest? Free book(s)? New releases? Backlist titles? A unique gift? etc.?
4. If/when you enter the contest, do you take some time to explore the author's website?
5. Has entering or winning a contest ever led you to discovering a new author whose books you will read, check out and/or purchase in the future?
Thanks for your help! And please don't feel obligated to answer the questions AND enter my contest (though you're welcome and encouraged to do both ).
Take care,
Julie
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS (Edward's story)--Intrigue (coming in November!)
OUT OF CONTROL--Blaze, 2009 www.juliemiller.org
Julie - I'll answer your
Julie - I'll answer your questions here:
1. yes - many of them
2. usually the prize and getting to know a new author's books
3. free books especially new releases for an author I read all the time and new realeases + backlist books for new authors
4. yes if I have enough time - sometimes I come back to the website at a later date
5. yes - frequently - even not winning may send me to check out books by that author
ELLEN TOO
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
I'm answering you too
1. Yup all the time
2. I'm a contest slut so if I'm at a favourite author's website and the are having a contest, I have to check it out.
3. The prize- don't matter
4. Yup enjoy wandering around the site.
5. All the time, if it's a book you win you kinda get a feel for the writing and need more from that author.
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Thanks, Ellen and
Thanks, Ellen and Christa! I'll be sure to pass the info along to Sherry.
Julie
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS (Edward's story)--Intrigue (coming in November!)
OUT OF CONTROL--Blaze, 2009 www.juliemiller.org
Answers!
1. Yes
2. The reason- - to win a book by an author I like or one I recently discovered.
3. Usually to win a book but sometimes for something else.
4. If it is a new to me author yes. If it is an already favorite author I probably visit her/his website to keep up on latest releases or enter contests.
5. So far I have only won from authors that I already loved their work. I also like authors that have bookmarks we can send for. They are very useful & I change the one I'm using a lot! They last longer that way.
Thanks for letting us know about the survey. Saw it on the Blaze thread.
Take care, happy reading,
Donna M, Dream Team member
Author Sponsored Contests
Hey, everyone. Thanks for your input. And thanks, Julie, for starting the thread. I'm saving this all for my research for the article. Please keep the comments coming. I really want to hear from readers and get your take on contests.
BTW, you can stop by my blog and leave some comments there as well. www.sherryjamesromanceauthor.blogspot.com I put up a new post today in regards to contests and have a few questions of my own.
I can't wait to hear more!
Sherry James
Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, Black Velvet Seductions
Studs for Hire: Woman on Top, Black Velvet Seductions, 5 Angels, Fallen Angel Reviews
Cowboy Fling, Ellora's Cave, 5 Hearts Romances & More
I'll Answer
1. Yes, many
2. The prize and favorite author
3. Usually a unique gift like gift card to Barnes and Noble, Borders, Starbucks. Sometimes a book.
4. Sometimes
5. Yes.
Great cover Julie!
Hi Sherry ... for your survey
1> Yes - only a few
2> the prize and getting to know the author
3> books - new books for new to me authors; both new and backlist for my favourite authors ... so books, lots of books!
4> usually
5> I've never won an author contest
Having answered those questions, it's not the contest that brings me to an author's website ... it usually my interest to know more about the author and esp. their upcoming books ..... I love author sites that give information on linked series or books that have a character that was mentioned in previous books .... I'm a linked book / series junkie and that's usually why I go to an author's site .... Julie does a great job on her site .... as does Leslie Kelly .... it's so important to keep the upcoming books section up-to-date
hope this helps!
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Hope it's not too late to give my input
1. Rarely. Sadly, I usually get there just in time to find out the contest has closed. Might just be my luck, though.
2. I think you're on to something with the contest junkie bit. It doesn't really matter what it is...there's just an inherent appeal to the possibility of winning something!
3. Who wouldn't want a free book?
4. I love to explore author websites, mostly 'cuz I'm dreaming about what mine would look like if I ever get published. It's like going to open houses that way.
5. Oh so totally! I'm always finding new authors to love!
This is a good one!
1. Have you ever entered an author-sponsored contest?
Yes, often!
2. If so, why? The prize? Getting to know a new author? Keeping tabs on a favorite author? Contest junkie? etc.?
LOL... a little bit of all of those, but I guess the main reason is that, yes, I'm a contest junkie!
3. What prizes draw you to a contest? Free book(s)? New releases? Backlist titles? A unique gift? etc.?
I'm usually more drawn to contests that have a book (or books) as a prize ~ new release, backlist title, doesn't matter.
4. If/when you enter the contest, do you take some time to explore the author's website?
Always! If the contest is something that I'm interested in, I love getting to know more about the author... and I'm a serious book-aholic.
5. Has entering or winning a contest ever led you to discovering a new author whose books you will read, check out and/or purchase in the future?
Very definitely!
October's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Thanks for all the input--more comments are welcome
No, Olivia, you're not too late at all. And I love your metaphor about exploring author websites being like going to an open house. Sounds spot on to me.
Julie
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS (Edward's story)--Intrigue (coming in November!)
OUT OF CONTROL--Blaze, 2009 www.juliemiller.org
Author Contests
I won a contest, I don't believe it. It was a Dianne Castell from Fresh fiction. The prize is a tee shirt. I know it won't fit so I have a extra gift for someone.
1. Have you ever entered an
1. Have you ever entered an author-sponsored contest?
Yes, sometimes
2. If so, why? The prize? Getting to know a new author? Keeping tabs on a favorite author? Contest junkie? etc.?
Keep tabs on a favorite author, or to find out something about a new-to-me (or new) author.
3. What prizes draw you to a contest? Free book(s)? New releases? Backlist titles? A unique gift? etc.?
)
Books? Free books? (Great hook
4. If/when you enter the contest, do you take some time to explore the author's website?
Always! If the contest is something that I'm interested in, I love getting to know more about the author... and I'm a serious book-aholic.
5. Has entering or winning a contest ever led you to discovering a new author whose books you will read, check out and/or purchase in the future?
Very definitely!
Nancy