Hank Phillippi Ryan: And we're not kidding. Can you imagine the possibility of winning a free book--EVERY day? Well, the amazing Barbara Vey (you know her, right? If not, whoa, read on!) ) has put that together, and we couldn't resist telling you all about it.
HANK: SO Barbara, you are at it again! Tell us about it!
BARBARA: For years people have been asking me for my website and it's finally ready to go! I wanted to do something special that would give readers a reason to visit the website daily, so I came up with 365 Days of Free Books. Every day I'll feature a different author and their book and the next day I'll post the winner of the book. The website is http://www.BarbaraVey.com
HANK: Why’d you decide to do this? What’s the goal?
BARBARA: I've always been about giving back. Books have been there to get me through some tough times in my life and talking with other readers, many have had the same experience. Another thing I'm asked a lot is to recommend new authors and books. I thought a different book a day would expose readers to a variety of authors and genres. Everyone wins in this situation.
HANK: So, um, has it been difficult to get authors to participate?
LOL, here's the thing, I sent out an email and within one day had pretty much filled the calendar for a year. At this time I have a few Saturdays left. Every day will be covered, including holidays. The response has been much more than I ever expected. The authors will get the much needed exposure and readers will get a chance to win books and find out what's new and exciting out there.
HANK: SO—how will it work?
To get an entry to win, readers only have to sign up for my newsletter and/or leave a comment on the website. Once they sign up for the newsletter, they stay entered for the entire year. Comments will be added daily to win that particular book. The next day, the winner will be announced and the book sent to them and I'll post the new book of the day.
HANK: Tell us when it begins, and some of the authors-and books!—that will be involved!
BARBARA:The website goes live January 1st and runs through December 31, 2013. Readers will have to go to the website daily to see who's being featured that day. It will always be a surprise, but just know that over the year there will be books by New York Times bestselling authors, debut authors and everyone in-between covering all genres. Definitely something for everyone. Some authors are even throwing in something a little extra for the lucky reader.
HANK: What’s the latest with your PW blog?
My Beyond Her Book blog will continue as they have for the past 5 years. I'll be talking books, news, author interviews, attending conferences and my Drive By Videos where I (ambush) talk to authors and celebrities about all kinds of things. My 6th Anniversary Bash is coming up in March and last year we gave away hundreds of prizes and had over 28,500 comments for the week. Blog is http://www.BeyondHerBook.com
HANK: Are you doing your author luncheon this year?
BARBARA:The second annual Barbara Vey Reader Luncheon will be held on April 27, 2013 in Milwaukee, WI. James Rollins will be the keynote speaker and I have 40 other authors signed up to sponsor tables. There will be 7 readers at each author's table and we'll be giving away tote bags of books, door prizes and a raffle to benefit local libraries. We sold out last year with 250 readers and are expecting 300 this time around.
HANK: Anything amazing happen recently? You always have the best adventures…
BARBARA: This year I will be spending January in Florida, so I put out the word on Facebook and Twitter and lined up several authors to meet with. I'll also be doing a workshop for the Florida Romance Writers on January 12th in Ft. Lauderdale. I love to travel, meet new people and see old friends while talking books, books and more books.
HANK: When do you EVER have a moment when your brain isn’t going a million miles an hour?
BARBARA: I had no idea what I was getting into when I started with this whole blogging business, but it's been an amazing journey. I'm always trying to find new ways to hook up readers with authors and books. I guess I've come to believe it's my calling. Books have always been in my life and sharing that love with others makes it all worthwhile.
HANK: Whoa. Told you! So before you run off to enter, make sure you sign up for the Jungle Red newsletter..see the sign-up place on the sidebar? Over to your right. Down down down. There. Good. And tomorrow, come back--as the Reds try to better themselves. Tuesday is a surprise, Wednesday the amazing Brad Meltzer comes to visit! And after that..you'll just have to come and find out.
************************************
As Contributing Editor for Publishers Weekly, Barbara Vey brings readers and writers together with her popular Beyond Her Book blog. Recipient of the 2012 RWA Vivian Stevens Industry Award. From her entertaining “Drive By Videos” to reader feedback on books with WW Ladies Book Club BHB continues to grow into a must read daily adventure. An avid reader, Barbara consumed a book a day before taking on the glamorous life of a roving reporting. Traveling all over the United States to conferences from Romance to Thrillers, Mysteries to Horror, Historicals to Comic Con, Barbara has even broken through the barrier into the entertainment industry by covering Red Carpet Events and interviewing the likes of Richard Dean Anderson, Joshua Jackson, Joss Whedon, Chris Evans and others. But her love of Romance and the Happily Ever After keeps her grounded while she offers readers a place to step away from life’s daily trials to take a positive journey through the world of books.
40 comments:
This is amazing, Barbara . . . what an exciting opportunity for readers and writers alike!
Offering readers “a place to step away from life’s daily trials to take a positive journey through the world of books” . . . what a wonderful thought. Life, in many ways, really is all about the books . . . .
Hi Barbara, welcome! Great to see you here. It sounds like your dance card is totally full. I think we originally met at Crimebake a few years back. What other shows are you planning to attend this year? (Although how you'll find the time with all of your other projects, I can't imagine....)
Barbara, you are a book angel! we're so excited to hear about all these projects. Hope to run into you somewhere along the way....
How do you have time to read??
What an amazing and wonderful idea! and those of us who love to read say "Thank You!"
Wow and Thank You, not only for having a chance to win daily, the scoop on a new book and author daily!! :
Wow, Barbara. I thought I was crazily busy, but this sounds like a huge project. A lot of work but so worthwhile. As Joan said,you're doing a great service to writers and readers--introducing readers to so many new books.
Hi Everyone, sorry I'm late to the party, but I was up late last night nursing my wounds from the Packer loss.
Joan, thanks for stopping by. I'm excited to be an advocate for readers.
Congratulations on your new website, Barbara! You're right, books are a wonderful gift.
Wishing you all the best with the new project!
Rashda/Mina
Rosemary, this is what I have coming up so far this year:
March 1/2 – NOLA Conference, Shreveport, LA http://nolastars.com
March 15/17 – SoCal Conference, San Diego, CA http://socalrwa.org
April 25 – Cudahy Library Author Event, Cudahy, WI
April 26 – Q & A with Authors, Milwaukee, WI
April 27 – Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon, Milwaukee, WI www.BarbaraVeyReaders.com
May 1/5 – RT Convention, Kansas City, MO www.rtconvention.com
May 29/June 1 – BEA, New York www.bookexpoamerica.com
June 21/23 – RomCon, Colorado Springs, CO www.romcon.com/romcon-2013-schedule
July 17/20 – RWA, Atlanta, GA www.rwa.org
Lucy, I read every spare moment. I use my iPhone, iPad, carry around a paperback and have audio books in my car. I'm never without a book. :)
Kaye, believe me...it's my pleasure. I feel blessed to be in this wonderful position.
LMcLendon, speaking to readers, I know how much they appreciate it, so I don't mind doing it. Besides, what's more fun than talking about books?
Rhys, now that I'm retired, I've never been busier, but in a very good way.
Thanks Rashda, the website is a big undertaking as I try to update it daily, but totally worthwhile from my point of view. Kind of therapy for me.
Welcome, Barbara!
All of us who love to read would willingly enter into your kind of busy life! To know that this is how you have chosen to spend your retirement is inspirational. I will check out your website immediately.
Thanks Deb. My goal is to make my website extremely reader friendly, where authors and readers can come together in a fun and safe environment. With lots of giveaways...of course. :)
Hey Barbara,
Your projects sound fabulous.
Would love to snag one of your debut author empty slots in the 365 project if you still have one open. The Jungle Reds know all about me (see my appearance here on Sept 26 last year). Tried to leave you a message on FB but your friend limit has been reached.
Thanks,
Edith Maxwell (aka Tace Baker)
Would also love a free spot, if one is still available. Sigh, see what happens when you get sick and can't be online that much? You miss out on all the good stuff...
:)
HOme from New YOrk! I took a train at 7 am--arrived in Boston, came home and took a shower. then went to the Needham LIbrary and made a speech! It was terrific..and now lovely to be home.
Yup, can you believe what Barbara is doing? amazing!
And sorry about that, Barbara...we're watching football right now!
And the winner of Jenny's book COVER OF SNOW is LARK! Email me at
h ryan at whdh dot com and send me your address!
I know Barbara...we do it, too. But not EVERY DAY!
Wow, Barbara!Your schedule is amazing. Do you not sleep? Congrats on the web site. Love your idea of a book-a-day. My good friend Jerrie Alexander, whose first book THE GREEN EYED DOLL came out in December, and I will be at Rom Com this summer. Hope to meet you then.
Hi Barb, this sounds fabulous. If you're looking to fill another free slot, I can help you after "Kneading to Die" is released on May 7 :)
Let me know! And I look forward to hanging out on your site!
Liz Mugavero
Thank you for an opportunity to discover new authors and the wonderful books they write. I like the idea of being able to win a free book too.
So you've all signed up, right?
Edith, you can email me at barbaravey365@gmail.com . At this time only a few Saturdays are left at the end of the year.
Terri, same thing, barbaravey365@gmail.com
Barbara
Hi Hank, I watched football yesterday, so I know what you mean. Happy to be here.
Marsha I don't sleep much. LOL But I don't mind. Looking forward to seeing you at Rom Con.
Liz, again, all are welcome to contact me at barbaravey365@gmail.com for info on the 365 Days of Free Books.
lytechaser, good lcuk in winning free books.
Many thanks to Jungle Red and Hank for having me stop by today. And to all of you who took the time to make comments.
Sounds like fun!!
Goodness, Barbara! When do you find time to sleep and do laundry, things like that? Such a whirlwind! Like most authors, I'm truly grateful for all the work you put into connecting readers and authors. We live by the efforts of angels such as you.
I've emailed you to see if you'll have room for my next book, Every Broken Trust, after it comes out May 7. (I do realize you have hardly an spots left.)
Many thanks for all the hard work you do for authors and readers!
Wow! This is so generous of you Barbara & the donating authors!! I hope you do sell millions of your own books!! ;) Thank you!
Robin in NC
RW620 AT aol DOT com
Hi, Barbara:
What a fun and generous thing for you to organize. I love visiting a blog on a daily basis because I get to know so many new authors. Your idea of a new blog every day for a whole year with LOTS of different authors is even more fun! I'm so excited about it and I promise you I will be your daily haunt!
Thanks so much for your ingenuity! All the best.
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
What a Very nice thing you are doing, a winner a day and helping author's get new readers and readers find new author's, which I for one and always looking for (new authors)
Nice Website !
Mar
great way to get books noticed! and maybe win one !
thanks for the chance!
I'd love to win this. What a fabulous idea for the avid reader!
Post a Comment