Giveaway...Plus!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:44AM 
Those of you who come to this site regularly know I like to give away books. And I particularly like to give away, to my US readers, books that are only available in the UK so far. But notice how that number is shrinking! Second Hand Heart is now available in a US edition. When I Found You will come out in the US this month.
But not this one, on the left. Not yet. This is my brand new Don't Let Me Go. It came out in the UK last Thursday. So it's not available in the US now. Except the ones I'm about to give away on this blog!
Here's where the "plus" comes in. I have a friend and former writing student (but she's no student now--she made it!) named Joan Swan, who did a giveaway for three copies of this book on her site. And she made me some genuine swag. I mean, not like my simple bookmarks swag. Fancy swaggy swag. Bookmarks with glittery ribbon, and a charm of the book cover on one end, and a charm of a key and a heart (what could be better for Don't Let Me Go, right?) on the other end. And when her giveaway was over...she sent the leftover bookmarks to me. To do with as I choose.
I want to give them away.
So here's the deal. I love my UK readers. And I don't want to ace you out of any giveaways. But you can buy the book very easily. So here's what I'm going to do. If I choose US winners, I'll send you a copy of the book, and a bookmark to go with it. If I choose UK winners, I'll send you just a bookmark to go in your own book. Fair?
Here's what you do to get into the running. I'm sure you know that I want to bring more people to my website. That's why I put giveaways on my blog, not on the social networking sites only. There's no obligation, of course, but I'm hoping that while you're here, you'll look around. So if you leave a comment on this blog post with any kind of site feedback, you're entered to win. This could be a page you like, a page you wish I had but I don't...I'm open.
I'll start by choosing three winners. But I have a few more author copies and a few more bookmarks. So if you don't win on the first round, please stay tuned.
Catherine
Okay, here's who came out of the hat. Elaine Allen. Nikki-ann. And Cathe Olson. Small bit of good news for the rest of you. I'm going to give away three more of these closer to the end of the month. And I'm holding your names over. You'll automatically get another shot in the next giveaway. Darn it! I want you all to win. I wish I had more books.
Reader Comments (33)
Joan's bookmarks are fantabulous! I absolutely loved Second Hand Heart and I would love even more the chance to win Don't Let Me Go with those beautiful bookmarks! I don't really have any feedback for the site except to say that it is very easy to navigate. Straight and to the point. Not difficult to find out where you want to go. And it is completely awesome to see my blog on your "blogroll of awesomeness"! Your recognition of your fans is gratifying and appreciated. Thanks so much!
Kendra
If I win your book and blog about it, can I be added to your blogroll of awesomeness? BTW, I enjoyed the vicarious hike. 21 miles?! Fantastic! I'm inspired.....
Just looked up and added the book to my TBR. The swag is blingylicious beautiful.
I have never read uk edition YA! I have read US editions of, but never the original and it definitely intrigues me :) Not to mention the super awesome book marks! Wicked cool :) Love seeing a different perspective on the field of things from across the pond.
Hi Catherine!
I am new to this whole entering-contests-on-twitter thing, but after I won a bookmark last week from another author, I realize that you CAN win if you enter! :)
I trolled around your site and read a few blog posts and I will definitely be back to visit! (I am bummed that I didn't check in earlier for those Pay It Forward ARCs...that is one of my top FIVE favorite books EVER!!!!) But, I do really want to read your new one, so, PICK ME! OVER HERE! *flails arms like a muppet*
Thanks for writing!!:)
@ The Loopy Librarian, you don't have to review one of my books to be on my blogroll of awsomeness. You just have to have an awesome blog. So I already added you.
@ Elaine Allen, I still have a couple more of those Pay It Forward ARCs to give away. So keep an eye out.
Those bookmarks look gorgeous! One can never have too many bookmarks :)
As you know, I've been a regular visitor here for a while now and, having just had another look around, I think it's a fine website and can't think of anything you should add. However, I'll pop back and let you know if I do think of anything (these things usually occurr to me while driving etc.).
Me, too! Driving or falling asleep at night. Just when I'm least prepared to act on them!
A new story, how exciting - patience, sigh - and a beautiful bookmark. I can't wait, pck me! please
Love Love your books...Especially Pay it Forward...it has had such a profound effect on my family that my kids have started Pay it Forward Kids....take a look....our goal is one million bracelets! Madi is 14 and Jack is 11. Thank you for writing such a meaningful book! Words we live by! Thank you!
Hi Whitney, I don't take credit for the fact that you have great kids, but I'm glad you like the idea. You want to be in on the giveaway, right?
I would say that besides the awesome book border around the site, my favorite part would have to be the "photos" section. It's rare that authors let you inside their lives and show you day-to-day instances that are not merely book-related. It allows the book reader to feel like an author reader, too! :)
That's a nice bit of feedback, Patty Ann. Because my goal with the "new" site (it was several years now that I switched from a professionally designed and maintained site to a keep-my-own) was to answer the reader feedback that they couldn't find personal info on the site. So...I guess now they can. Thanks!
Love a give away. Free books are essential for a teacher.
I absolutely love your blog, very inspiring and it is easy to navigate. Those bookmarks are beautiful. Your pay it forward book was a favorite of mine. Cant wait to read more!
I want in! Your awesome!
Thank you! I think you didn't mean to comment as Catherine Ryan Hyde, though. People get confused because it says "author." On another site it might be clearer that it means author of the comment. On an author site, it's confusing. So...I hope you'll come back and let me know who you are so I can contact you if you win.
@Sara, you're in!
You talk about US and UK - does Canada count at all? 'Cause I'm Canadian but I'd love to enter.
Canada would count the same as the US, because, to the best of my knowledge, the book is not readily available to you. I want to make a few free copies available to readers who can't buy them easily.
Thank you for sharing your good heart with us through your masterpieces Catherine!<3
I would loooove to win. As far the site goes Catherine, there is nothing I could say to take away or add to the site that I can see.
I'm excited you have another book out! Can't wait to read it.
Okay then, I always feel like I should let other people enter and win. But you convinced me.
As far as site feedback ..Matthew,my husband,is a Techie ~ he does html &programming along with IT stuff ~~your site is one of *the*most professional smooth user friendly sites we've ever seen!! <3
Alright, count me in. I think the one thing that you could easily add to your site that I don't feel like you do enough is embedding info about what's already going on in the Pay It Forward community - because there's so much, and it's so much what we all need to see more of...
I love this site and all of your books. I would love to read the new one!
The blog entries devoted to fans and their pets happens to be the part of your site that I like the most because it allows me to read about your fans and see their cute pictures of their pets, and of course Ella too. Even though my cats are mentioned, I still enjoy reading about everybody else's. Thanks for a great website :)
Wow! It's like magic! I ask for 8 more people, I get 8 more people. Okay. Choosing a winner. Please stand by.
Okay, here's who came out of the hat. Elaine Allen. Nikki-ann. And Cathe Olson. Small bit of good news for the rest of you. I'm going to give away three more of these closer to the end of the month. And I'm holding your names over. You'll automatically get another shot in the next giveaway. Darn it! I want you all to win. I wish I had more books.
what is a blog tour?
Patte
It's a virtual book tour, hosted by book review blogs. Instead of going in person to brick and mortar bookstores, you "go" on the Internet to a different blog a day. They do reviews of the book, interviews with me, excerpts, other kinds of features. It's a great tool for getting the word out, And no airports or hotels.