BooksALatte » Contests

2nd Thomas Nelson – $10,000 Contest Giveaway

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:07:56 +0000

From Thomas Nelson:

One of the highlights of our days in the Fiction department at Thomas Nelson? Receiving reader letters—either directly addressed to us or passed along from our talented authors. It’s critical to be reminded that at the end of our long days acquiring, editing, designing, selling, marketing, and publicizing books, those stories are reaching readers, striking nerves, changing lives. We want readers’ feedback. How stories have given you hope. Which authors’ series you can’t help from sharing with everyone you meet. We want to know what makes you stay up late in the night to finish a story, and conversely what turns you away.

We’re conducting a series of surveys—seeking answers from readers who love Christian fiction. Up for grabs is a free ebook for every respondent who completes the survery, as well as a $10,000 prize for one entrant. The responses we gather will help shape the future of the books we publish for years to come. As well as the data we’re collecting here, we’ll also seek more in-depth feedback from a panel we’ll develop over the next year. More details to come. The note below from one of authors gives a specific picture of how reader feedback shapes her work. In short, your opinion matters! We thank you for your time and appreciate your responding.

–Thomas Nelson Fiction

Dear Friends–

Your opinion matters. It really does. I love hearing from readers about what worked for them in a story and about what doesn’t work. Reader feedback changed the balance between romance and suspense in my novels. After the Rock Harbor trilogy, I wanted to write more suspense in my novels because that’s what I personally like. But readers really wanted more relationship and romance in the books so I moved back that direction to about the same mix of 50/50 that the Rock Harbor novels contained. I write for you even more than for myself.

I had no intention of setting a whole series of books at Bluebird, Texas. It was going to be only one book, but readers sent me requests in droves for more books. The fourth book in the Lonestar series, Lonestar Angel, will be out in October. The Rock Harbor novels were going to be complete at three. There are now five and I’m thinking about another one! All due to reader demand.

I’ve often asked for reader input on names and locations too. When I was struggling for a name for my hero in The Lightkeeper’s Ball, I turned to my readers. Harrison really fit my character, and my readers told me. Love that! When I was trying to decide on a location for the new Hope Beach series I’ve started, I asked readers. Their overwhelming response was for a series set in the Outer Banks so guess what I’m writing?!

That’s why we’re coming to you for answers. We want to give you what you really want! Don’t be afraid to let us know what you really think. We value your honesty and the time it will take to share with us. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Your friend,

Colleen Coble

Wacky Wednesday

admin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:34:26 +0000

We are feeling a little crazy today!

In lite of our insanity, we are offering 25 winners FREE advertisement on Books A Latte!

Simply “like” our Facebook page and you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win!

Click here to like our page!

Thomas Nelson Survey – Chance to win $10,000

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:16:01 +0000

From Thomas Nelson:

–Thomas Nelson Fiction

Dear Friends—

Publishing books is a team effort, and there are a lot of players—authors, editors, cover designers, marketing staff, and a host of other behind-the-scene folks who help get the books on the shelves. And readers are also a large part of the process. Your input matters, probably more than you know.

When I hear from readers, I really listen to what they want. This is particularly true with my series books. For example, Seek Me With All Your Heart (book #1 in the Land of Canaan series) wraps up nicely at the end, but one of my minor characters (Katie Ann) was left pregnant after her husband left her. I received lots of emails about Katie Ann from readers, so book #2 in the series—The Wonder of Your Love—is Katie Ann’s story.

With the popularity of social media resources such as Facebook, it has allowed me to keep in close contact with readers and to seek opinions and advice. Several times, the publisher and I couldn’t decide on a cover, so we posted the cover options on Facebook and let readers decide. And if you’re posting anywhere on my Facebook Fans Page, your name could end up in a book. I often scan the names there, so you are unknowingly helping me just by being on the site.

Readers also made it clear that they wanted books in digital format, large print, and audio versions. Authors and publishers listened, and most (if not all) of my books are available in multiple formats.

As an author, I hope to write entertaining stories that will be enjoyed for many years. As a reader, I have favorite authors, and I’m not afraid to let them know what I want in future books. We listen to the likes and the dislikes in our effort to bring you the best stories we can, so don’t be shy. Tell us what you think!

Warmly,

Beth Wiseman

Article Marketing… Does It Work?

progressivebookmarketing — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:10:06 +0000

Immediate gratification, you have to love it. I know I do.

But when it comes to book marketing it’s more of a hurry up and wait type of business.

You have to wait while the book is being edited, and while it’s being formatted, while it gets printed and delivered. Well you get the idea anyway.

Article marketing offers some immediate gratification because once you have posted your article and it is approved you can track it to find out how many people have looked at your article. Boy does that feel good. People read your article then they go back to your web site. That’s the goal, to get them interested enough in what you have to say to get them back to your site. Then it becomes a numbers game. The more people that visit your site, the better the chance that you will sell books. It won’t happen overnight but it will happen.

It isn’t just people back to your site but you will become the leader of the pack when it comes to a Google and Yahoo search.

You also will have your article picked up by other web sites that are interested in what you have to say. That introduces you to that persons following.

Article marketing is kind of like that old shampoo commercial. You know the one tell two people and they tell two people and so on and so on. I know I dated myself but you get the picture.

So should you partake in article marketing? Yes. Will it pay off? You’d better believe it!

Remember, book marketing is a marathon not a race.

What has your experience been with article marketing?

Those that comment will be entered for a chance to win some great books.

Happy Writing!

Denise

Progressive Book Marketing, LLC

http://marketyourbookwithprogressive.blogspot.com

Book publishing and marketing doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive.

WINNERS WINNERS WINNERS

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:15:52 +0000

Congratulations to all the winners of the giveaways! The contests for a few of the giveaways have been long over due so my staff and I decided to do things a little different: We are going to post all the winners on one post. Some people entered multiple contests and therefore won multiple books. Keep posting those comments everyone! There are more contests and prizes on the way!

CONGRATULATIONS to:

Esther Feng – Secret Keeper Girl!

Patti Bright – Stray Affections, The Friends We Keep, Unexplainable, If God Is Good

Duane S - Finding Organic Church

Wanda – A Different Dream For My Child, When Your Heart Cries Out to God, Extraordinary

Krista Dunk – You Were Born For This

CanCan Mom Most Traveled – Christianish

Becky – Stray Affections

Rhonda McKnight – Not So Fast

Mark – Meltdown, Through the Fire

Jen Nutzhorn – Blue Like Playdough, Boy-Sterous Living

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

admin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:25:36 +0000

For all you Amish lovers & Cindy Woodsmall fans out there, here’s a chance to win a copy of her latest book! Post a comment and your name will be automatically be entered in the drawing!

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Author Bio:

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:12:19 +0000

Allison Bottke is a dynamic speaker and author and my heart rejoiced when I learned I would have the opportunity to interview her. This woman of God is full of energy and spunk and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Allison is a boomer babe who thrives on empowering and inspiring other boomer babies around the world. Allison is the creator of the best-selling God Allows U-Turns anthologies. To learn more about her visit www.BoomerBabesRock.com

Listen to Allison and I as we chat about her latest novel You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, and how it rocks to be a boomer babe!

Clutter-FREE Christianity WINNERS

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:51:10 +0000

Congratulations Kim and Tina!

Thank you for your comments regarding the book Clutter-FREE Christianity.

Your names were randomly selected to receive a FREE copy of Clutter-FREE Christianity!

Keep visiting for more contests and giveaways coming soon…

Is Your New Year’s Resolution to Diet…

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:11:07 +0000

well…

NEVER SAY DIET

…again!

I have extra copies of these, post a comment for your chance to WIN the set of both books!

After years of failed diet attempts, Chantel Hobbs discovered the missing ingredient to permanent weight loss: to change your life, you first have to change the way you think.

She developed a balanced plan for exercise and nutrition and lost two hundred pounds. Now, through writing, speaking, and her work as a personal trainer, she inspires others to achieve far more than they thought possible.

In Never Say Diet, now available in trade paperback, Chantel provides everything readers need to lose weight for good, including:

* Simple, step-by-step workout routines that fit into a normal weekday schedule
* A realistic approach to nutrition that helps people break their bondage to food
* Strategies for staying motivated when life takes unexpected turns
* Keys to dealing with discouragement by relying on God’s strength
* The secret to moving beyond past failures and getting over old excuses

Chantel helps readers make the five commitments that are necessary for changing their lives. Her high-energy, no-nonsense approach inspires readers to achieve results that last in body, mind, and spirit.

Personal Trainer: Her newest book, The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Coach, now allows readers to have Chantel show up each week to inspire, encourage, and energize them on the journey to a healthy life that centers on body, mind, and spirit.

This fitness guide helps readers set new weight-loss goals and create an exercise schedule that works in the midst of life’s constant demands. Readers will be inspired with Scripture, and they will welcome Chantel’s healthy eating plan with simple, energy-and-nutrition-packed recipes. Weekly checklists and personal evaluations direct readers in reaching their goals. Plus, Chantel’s personal and entertaining stories provide the motivation needed to get through even the most frustrating days.

With Never Say Diet and The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Coach readers will establish new fitness habits that burn off excess weight, increase strength, and establish a new, healthy way of living.

First Place 4 Health

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:25:43 +0000

Post a comment for a chance to win a free copy of First Place 4 Health!

Join us today as Carole Lewis, co-author of First Place 4 Health enlightens us on healthy living for the mind, body, and spirit!

Just give us one year…
…We’ll show you a whole new approach to balanced healthy living.
Based on proven techniques 25 years of experience, First Place 4 Health invites you to try the most complete Christ-centered healthy living program available. If you are tired of going up and down on the dieting roller coaster, of not feeling confident in public or with your friends and family, of suffering from ill health, then we invite you to give us a year to discover a new way to healthy living. Not simply another diet plan, First Place 4 Health will show you how to create balance in the four core areas in your life – spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. The results? Weight loss and positive life change.

In this all-new inspirational book you will read about the heart and soul of the First Place 4 Health program. You will experience real-life stories of people who learned to make healthy choices while following the program with trusted group members. Regardless of your current level of weight, fitness or spirituality, you will find motivation and inspiration to succeed with First Place 4 Health.