Holiday Gifts for Readers
Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 8:31AM 
I don't know if you've noticed this, but I tend to give a lot of stuff away for free. I think it's because I have so many lovely, faithful readers who I feel deserve the gifts.
This hit me rather suddenly this morning:
If you've followed my blog for a long time, you'll know that a little over two years ago, I closed out a storage space and brought the many, many cartons of books home to my garage. At first, they barely fit. So I started giving some away. I wrote a blog post asking readers to send me a self-addressed, stamped mail bag. And I sent them books.
Now it's about to be the holidays. The books fit in my garage (barely). But there are still plenty. Stacks upon stacks of boxes. I don't travel and speak the way I used to, and I don't intend to die of old age with books in my garage. So...
Do you have readers on your Christmas list? Want to give them some signed first-edition hardcovers? And, you know what? If you don't have these books yourself, it's fine with me if you want them as a present for you. And both is fine, too, provided you don't mind covering the postage.
Here's what I have to spare: Funerals for Horses, Earthquake Weather and Other Stories, Electric God, Walter's Purple Heart and Love in the Present Tense. Requests for multiple books are fine.
Here's how to take me up on it:
Send me a self-addressed, padded mailbag. It will need to have enough postage to cover the books plus the bag itself from my zip code to yours. Some of the books are just over a pound, some just under, so figure it at one pound per book, and if you're a few cents off I'll take up your slack. (If you prefer, you can email me a list of the books you want, and I'll give you an exact weight.) You might want to put your own address as both the “to” and “from” on the mailbag, because if we make 
a postage mistake, it’ll come back to you instead of me. Tell me what books you want, and if you want them inscribed to someone. Send it to me at P.O. Box 552, Cambria, CA 93428.
That's it. No catch, no fine print. Just the spirit of the holidays, which I think...if I'm remembering correctly...is no-strings-attached giving.
I firmly believe that the purpose of a book is not to sit in a carton in a garage, its cover never cracked open. Books are meant to be read. So let's get them out there to be read for the holidays.
Catherine
So, I'm pleased to say I'm getting a good response on this, and I'm learning some happy news about postage. I just put together a box of ten books, two of each title (one each for a faithful reader and one each for her library) and the postage is only $6.99 for Media Rate. But Media Rate is slow, especially in a rush time. Like, say, the holidays. So if you want me to box up a larger set than will fit in a padded bag, and you want to save money on postage, and you want it to arrive by Christmas, you might want to get in touch with me sooner rather than later (ryanhyde at cryanhyde dot com). Happy Holidays!
Reader Comments (20)
What a wonderful gesture, Catherine. I just may take you up on this for my friends. I have, love and treasure all of my signed copies so it's time for others to appreciate this special gift. I'll email you.
All the best,
Paul
Maybe we can meet for a cup of coffee, Paul, instead of mailing. It's been a long time...
Sounds good. Let's try and do that before things get too crazy over the holidays.
Catherine,
I love this! Will definitely take you up on your generosity. My sister's Christmas will be complete. Thank you.
That's perfect, Danna, especially since you indirectly put the idea in my head. I'll watch for your SASE in the mail.
Oh my gosh. This is amazingly generous. I am going to send an envelope for my mom. Living on Social Security and an avid reader. What a sweet gesture!!
We lived in SLO for many years and moved to WA a few years back.
My husband and I got married at the Santa Rosa Chapel in Cambria! Always a special place for us.
Thank you Catherine! <3
What a perfect way to use this offer, for your mom reading on a fixed income. That makes me feel good. Too bad you don't still live close by, you could just pick them up. But a stamped mailbag will do.
Catherine, you're so generous... what a wonderful thing to do! If I lived in the states, I'd take you up on your offer. :)
I love to give books at Christmas... I've already bought one for a friend.
You're such a good friend and reader, Nikki. Hate to see you miss out. What if I split the postage with you? That way it wouldn't be too much for either one of us.
By the way, Laura, my late mom used to be the caretaker at the old Santa Rosa Chapel. Depending on when you got married, she might have been there at the time.
Hi Catherine, My granddaughter Jenna is only 6 but is reading on a 5th grade level. She reads anything & everything she can get her hands on, she graduated to "chapter books" as she calls them, when she was only 4. I know most of these are a bit beyond her comprehension level at the present time, but I am going to send you an envelope and you can just pick out whichever book you think she would grow into first. I will hang onto it until I feel her comprehension skills had matured to gift it to her. I am sure she will someday really appreciate a signed copy of one of your books and will treasure it forever. There will be no hurry on getting it to me in time for Christmas as I will probably put it away for her. This is a very nice and generous thing for you to do. Thank you so much, Tammie Fleming
Hi Tammie. Beyond reading apprehension, I'm afraid these books have a good bit of adult material. But...no fear. I have a book for Jenna. And since it's just one, I can spare it. It's intended for 12 and up, but you read it and decide when she's ready. It's light, and will only require 12 ounces of postage plus the weight of the padded envelope.
What a very sweet thing to do. Merry Christmas.
Does that mean I should expect to see a mailbag from you? Hope so!
Thank you so much Catherine, I know she will treasure your book when the appropriate time comes to give it to her. I will read it and make sure she is ready. I have collected a couple of signed books for her already to someday go in her own library, but I knew that I would most likely never get an opportunity meet you in person because of geography, so this is extra special to me and for her. I would be glad to send you money for the book as well if you will let me know how much. I will get an envelope out to you next week, like I said no hurry on one for her, get out the Christmas books first. Thank you again for your kind generosity. HUGS, Tammie
No charge for the book, Tammie. It's Christmas. I just need the mailer.
What a lovely gesture! Would it be possible to send two of each, one set for Patty Ann and the other set for the library she works at and would a large padded envelope be large enough? Can't wait to receive this wonderful gift. By the way, I have not forgotten about making your house pants - I promise to get to it as soon as I can <3
You're more than welcome to ten, Pat. But I think I'd better pack them in a box. If it's not absolutely essential that they arrive by Christmas, Media Rate on ten books has only been running about $6.99.
Catherine - Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, and for sharing your time to send out the books. The books I requested have already started to arrive at their destinations and everyone is so happy. One of the books went to a close friend of mine and she was especially touched by your warm inscription. Thank you - Cheri
Oh, I'm glad they're starting to arrive, Cheri. I got a lovely email from your friend Dana yesterday. I hope all your friends enjoy the book.