Winning the Genetic Lottery

Victoria’s Secret supermodel, Cameron Russell, has been in the news lately condemning the hand that feeds her—the fashion industry, and their obsession with beautiful, skinny white women.  “I just won the genetic lottery,” she says.

Well, you know what? I feel like I won the genetic lottery as well…but not for the reasons that our comely Cameron has.  (I can only wish!)  I’m talking about health and spirit and a zest for life, no matter your age.  I’m turning 60 in about three weeks.  My sixth decade.  Wow.  How is that possible?  I look back on when I first decided I wanted to be a writer.  We were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington DC, and I turned a broom closet into my first office.  There, I wrote my first novel, GIFT OF JADE, on an old Smith Corona.  The year was 1984.  I was 31.  My first published novel, BORDER CROSSINGS, came out in 1999.  I was 45.  It’s almost impossible to believe that I’ve been a published author for 15 years. 

I don’t feel like I should be sixty years old.  And people tell me I don’t look like I’m sixty years old. (Love hearing that!)  So, yes, I feel like I won the genetic lottery, but not just because of those two things.  But because I won’t let age stop me from having fun.  You know what I’m doing on my birthday?  I’m going go-karting with my grandsons.  We’ve already planned a trip to Destin, Florida, and that’s what I’ve told everyone I want to do.  See, I don’t believe that just because you’re growing older, you’ve got to stop having fun.  That’s why I went to the water park on our visit to Myrtle Beach last summer and went down all the big slides with the boys.  These days, Grandmas don’t sit in rockers observing—they’re out there doing.

I have two people to thank for choosing to be a “doing Grandma” and not a “sitting Grandma.”  My mom, Lillian (the inspiration for LILY OF THE SPRINGS) and my grandmother, Opal.  My mom, before she got sick with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, always joined in the fun with her children and grandchildren.  I’ll never forget the time she went to the water park with my sister and me and her grandchildren, and had trouble getting out of the inner tube in the Lazy River.  My sister and I were laughing so hard, we could barely stand up. It was this fun spirit that kept Mommy young for so many years before she was struck down by cancer.

Her mom, Opal, may not have done water parks with us, but she was a gutsy little sprite all her life.  I call her a “sprite” because she was barely five-foot tall but had the courage of a lioness.  She loved to entertain her grandchildren with stories of her youth in the Kentucky outback.  According to her, she was quite the little troublemaker.  My favorite story was one I related in LILY OF THE SPRINGS about how she discovered a rattlesnake in the outhouse, and matter-of-factly chopped its head off with a garden hoe then went about her business.  (I may have inherited her spunk, but I can tell you right now you wouldn’t catch me going within spitting distance of a rattlesnake.)  Mother (we called Opal “Mother”) was the most energetic woman I’d ever met.  Even in her advancing years, she kept herself busy—cooking, cleaning, quilting, puttering about her little house, always doing something.  You never saw her just sitting around.  She lived to 93, and the week before her heart gave out, she was still going grocery shopping on her own. 

So, you see, this is why I feel like I’ve won the genetic lottery.  I really believe you’re as young as you feel.  And a good attitude is imperative.  You can’t lose your interest in trying new things.  A few years ago after joining my church choir, I remembered how much I loved to sing.  After years of longing to try it, I finally got the nerve to sing karaoke on our first cruise.  And I loved it!  Now, I’ve started my own local karaoke group, and we get together every couple of weeks at a local bar to sing.  That’s led to me appearing in the USO Show last March, playing Marilyn Monroe, Karen Carpenter and Nancy Sinatra.  And recently, I sang at a French bistro in Reston (not karaoke.)  I’ve even sang a couple of times with a live band.  If someone had come to me even ten years ago and said I’d be doing these things, I would’ve thought no freaking way!  But now I know to never say never.  It’s trying new things that really keeps you young.

I have a friend—and she’ll know who she is because she always reads my blogs—that’s a year younger than me, but if you heard her talk, you’d think she’s at death’s door.  This woman has the most beautiful skin I’ve ever seen—not a wrinkle to be seen.  She’s got a trim figure and looks great.  But she needs an attitude adjustment!  (And you know I’ve told you this to your face, J.)  I’ve begged her to come to yoga class with me because she’s complained of body aches and sleep issues, and I know yoga would help.  But she refuses to try it.  I think she’s of the Old Dog Can’t Learn New Tricks mind.  But I believe that’s exactly what keeps us young—learning new tricks. 

So, come on, ladies.  Sixty is the new forty.  Let’s get out there and have fun. We may not be beautiful, skinny, white–or look gorgeous in a bikini, but we can adjust our attitudes about age and beauty.  As for me, I’m looking forward to my sixth decade and what it has in store for me.  J

As I mentioned in my last blog, BORDER CROSSINGS is now available at Audible.com.  Join Audible and get it for only $7.49.  http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360587261&sr=1-5

Also, I’m running a special this week at Kindle.  Get EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON for only 99 cents.  http://www.amazon.com/EAST-SUN-WESTS-MOON-ebook/dp/B0052OULD0/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361468956&sr=1-9

I’m off to Florida!  See you next time! 

Best,

Carole 

Calling All Angels

Isn’t it odd that we usually don’t realize the significant moments in our lives until long after they are over?  I was reminded of one on Sunday during an interview with Luke Abaffy of the Author Feast website.  I was talking about how obsessed I used to be with my career, and how miserable I was during those first years after BORDER CROSSINGS came out.  In other words, I wasn’t enjoying the ride; I was always looking ahead to the next mountain (goal) I wanted to climb.  And on Sunday as I gave advice to new writers hoping to break into the business, and urging them not to take it all too seriously, I remembered the moment that my life changed. For the better.

My career was in shambles.  My editor had left for another publishing house.  My publisher had turned down my fifth novel—and had informed me that my fourth novel would not be released in mass market (despite the contract.) My agent, having received several rejections of my new proposal, wasn’t returning my calls.  In other words, my “career” was crap.  I felt destroyed.  I even doubted my own talent.  I didn’t know where to go from there.  I wanted to give up.  Go get a real job…give up on my dreams and the destiny I’d always believed in. 

I remember I was out and about one day during the midst of this career crisis.  Had to get out of the house because I couldn’t write.  What was the point, anyway?  Clearly, I didn’t know how to write.  The first four novels had been flukes, apparently.  I’d gone into Barnes & Noble.  Not sure why.  That certainly wasn’t a way to raise my confidence—seeing all the published books from writers I’d met throughout my four years of being in the “in scene.”  Why them, and not me, I wondered?  What had I done wrong that my books weren’t selling, yet, everyone else seemed to make the New York Times Best Seller List with little effort at all (it seemed.)  I still don’t know the answer to that question.  Maybe I didn’t invest enough in promotion.  Maybe I was lazy.  Maybe I just didn’t have any business sense.  Or maybe it was because I wanted to be a writer, not a business person.  Looking back, I can see it was probably all of those things.  All I knew at that moment, though, was that I’d crashed and burned, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I left Barnes & Noble, got into my car, and burst into tears. And I prayed.  “God, I don’t know what you want me to do.  From the time I was a child, You had me telling stories, writing stories.  I know this is what I’m meant to do, but if that’s so, why is it I’m failing at it?  I don’t want to give up, but I can’t take this constant rejection.  I feel worthless, like I have nothing to offer.  What is it you want me to do?”

Of course there was no answer.  Not immediately. But it came within moments.  After I’d finally cried myself out, I turned on the ignition and the radio came on.  The song coming from the speakers was Train’s “Calling All Angels.” 

I’m not allowed to write more than a line or two of lyrics because of copyright issues, but it starts like this:  I need a sign to let me know you're here.  And then the chorus:  I won't give up if you don't give up.

I couldn’t believe it.  It was like God was speaking to me.  He wouldn’t give up on me if I wouldn’t give up on myself. 

It was shortly after that that I got my writing mojo back, and I finished TANGO’S EDGE, and then wrote LILY OF THE SPRINGS.  I tried selling them to New York, but it didn’t happen so I self-published.  The best decision I ever made!  I took back my power, and I never looked back.  I will never doubt my destiny again.  I am a writer, and I’ll never let anyone tell me I’m not.  Yesterday I read a quote on Facebook that I absolutely love: Do Not Underplay the Artist and Writer for they Create What Once Did Not Exist.  What a beautiful thought—a powerful thought.  We do create what once did not exist.  I’m going to print this out and tape it near my computer, so any time I’m feeling like I’m not good enough or talented enough…or lacking in any way, I can read this and remember that I have created what once did not exist.  How cool is that? 

So…just remember…no matter what your challenges are, if you ask God for help, He WILL answer.  Just be prepared to listen.  You never know when God will speak to you…or when the angels will come when you call on them.  J

Congratulations to Marilyn Nowlin of Houston, my January website contest winner.  Be sure and stop by my website and enter this month’s contest. 

Good news!  BORDER CROSSINGS is now out in audio, and available at www.audible.com.  http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_2?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360712623&sr=1-2

And did I tell you about my daughter’s book?  Yes, writing runs in the family.  My daughter, Leah Speer’s, first book came out in December titled MUST.HAVE.WINE. A TOAST TO MOTHERHOOD.  http://www.amazon.com/Must-Have-Wine-Toast-Motherhood/dp/0615716792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360712459&sr=1-1&keywords=Leah+Speer  If you’re a mom, you need to read this book—a collection of heartwarming, humorous and sometimes dead serious articles about motherhood. 

Happy Valentine’s Day.  Hope you get lots of chocolate.  J  That’s what I’m hoping for.

Best,

Carole

P.S.  If you’re familiar with Train’s song, “Calling All Angels,” check it out at YouTube.  It’s an awesome song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaG9SDxwPBg

American Idol and the Publishing Business

 

 

How many American Idol contestants can you name?  I’ve been watching AI from the get-go, so I’ll go first.

 

1. Kelly Clarkson
2. Carrie Underwood
3. Clay Aiken
4. David Cook
5. Jennifer Hudson
6. Phillip Phillips
7. Colton Dixon
8. Jordin Sparks

 

Well…that’s it.  American Idol has been on…what?  Twelve seasons?  And I can remember only eight contestants.  I know I liked a lot more than eight.  Yet, I can’t think of their names.  I remember the female country singer in last season’s AI—I really liked her, but darn if I can remember her name.  She had it all—talent, charisma, beauty, and a rockin’ country voice—but I can’t remember her name.  (I know I could look it up on the internet, but that just proves my point—I shouldn’t have to.)  This must be so disheartening for all those talented singers who make it to the AI top ten, and then after the tour is over, they vanish back into obscurity.  Oh, sure, some of them go on to become household names—Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson and…well, that’s about it.  But even some of the most talented winners of AI—David Cook, for one, kind of disappear after their initial, if moderate, success.  Why, I wonder?

 

I have my suspicions, and this is where American Idol and the publishing business have something in common.  The winner of American Idol gets a record contract and big-name producers like Jimmy Iovine get them in the studios, and with their star-making know-how, try to turn them into the next Britney Spears or Justin Bieber, even if it bleeds every bit of originality out of them.  Because they don’t care about originality.  They only care about the big bucks.  They want these young artists to fit into a box, following a proven formula that will churn out mega-billion dollar sales.  Unfortunately, it rarely works.  Why?  Because these kids, talented as they may be, when trying to emulate a Britney or a Justin, turn out to be nothing but a pale imitation.  And in a blink of an eyelash, they’ve faded into obscurity.  Once the record sales dwindle, I suspect the initial interest from Hollywood disappears as if it had never been there in the first place.  These poor kids end up going back to producing their own records and doing gigs in small-town bars close to home.  And this is another similarity to the publishing business.

 

As you know, I’m sure, I’ve been out of the New York publishing circles for many years now, so this may or may not still be true.  But I’m going to tell you how it used to be, and how the publishing industry is exactly like American Idol.  Let’s just assume it hasn’t changed much since my experience, okay?  Publishers are always looking for their “next big star.”  That unknown author who is going to write a book that generates huge buzz in the publishing house, which is a real indicator that the book is going to be HUGE—selling millions of copies and landing on the NY

Times Best-Seller List.  That’s why you hear about a first-time author’s book going into a bidding war and ending up getting six and seven-figure offers.  It happens more frequently than you would think.  It didn’t happen to me, alas, but I did get a pretty good advance for my first novel, BORDER CROSSINGS, that came out in hardcover, retailing for $25.99.  I remember thinking at the time: Who on earth is going to pay $25.99 for a book by an author they’ve never heard of?  Turns out I had reason to be concerned.  Not many people did pay $25.99 for the book.  And although I went on to sell my publisher another three books, the death knell for my career was already sounding.  Sales were low, excitement was diminishing, my editor left for a job with a different publisher—and eventually, no one at my publishing house had ever heard of me.

 

Something similar happened to a friend of mine.  She was already published in category romance, but when she wrote a big women’s fiction novel, her savvy agent got several publishers interested, and although it didn’t sell at auction, one publisher offered her a six-figure deal.  She was headed for the big-time.  The publisher promised they’d get behind her, and promote the book with ads, book tours and a huge New York City launch party—the dream of every author.  Days before the book hit the stores, the publisher flew her to New York, wined and dined her, and had her doing appearances even before the book was officially for sale. Sadly, her appearances were poorly attended, and the night before her official launch party, she received a phone call from her editor telling her the house was “disappointed” that the pre-orders for the book were lower than they expected.  Her book tour was canceled, and she flew back home, feeling like a whipped puppy dog.  I saw her book in a Barnes & Noble one time shortly after its release, and I don’t know if it ever came out in paperback or not.  This author—the rising star that the publisher had proclaimed her to be—suffered a devastating case of writer’s block and ended up leaving the business altogether. 

 

Sound familiar?  I wonder how many AI contestants totally give up on their dream after their brief brush with fame?  It all comes down to two different animals—artists and corporate business.  Artists just want to create their art, and corporate business wants to back artists who make them money.  And if they don’t, it’s goodbye and on to the next. (Because there is always a hungry “next.”) Sometimes, everything comes together and an artist gets to make their art—the art they want to make, and the money flows in. Those are the lucky ones.  The rest of us?  We turn to self-publishing and self-recording, and sharing our art wherever and with whomever we can.  And who knows?  Maybe in the long run, we’re the ones who are happier. (Although I’m betting Nora Roberts is pretty darn happy.)

 

So…if you loved some of those artists on AI who didn’t make it big, search them out and buy their self-produced CDs.  And while you’re at it, support your local indie authors.  J  For us, every little sale counts.   

WHEN SPIRIT TALKS, YOU LISTEN

The older I get, the more spiritual I’ve become.  Spiritual, not religious.  I’ve never been a big fan of organized religion.  Maybe it had something to do with my “fire and brimstone” upbringing in the Baptist church.  But even as a child, something didn’t sit right with me about a punishing God who glares down from above, waiting for you to screw up so He can send you to Hell.  Somehow, that just didn’t jive with the Jesus who loves me that we’d sing about in Vacation Bible School.  Thus, after years of searching to fill my spiritual void, and visiting various churches throughout the many places we’ve lived, the moment I walked into Unity of Fairfax in Vienna, Virginia, I knew I’d arrived in my church home. That was many years ago, and I still feel the same way. 

So when I walked in last Sunday, I had no idea that one five-minute conversation would change the course of my life.  (Or at least, the course of my year.) Now I know it was Spirit, and I’m so glad I was open to it.

I had a few minutes before the choir met to rehearse, and sipping my coffee, I saw Lisa across the atrium and decided to join her.  Earlier in the week, I’d seen her post on Facebook about going to Ireland in the spring, so I asked her about it.  She told me all about a writer’s retreat she was attending in Dublin.  It sounded like so much fun, and I told her how envious I was that she was going.  (When I’d first read her Facebook post, I remember thinking how I wished I could shrink myself down to the size of a ladybug and crawl into her luggage.) 

“You should go,” Lisa said, smiling.

“Oh, no!  I couldn’t,” I said quickly.  “Can’t afford it.”

But then I heard the voice inside me.  Spirit, I know now.  It’s a tax write-off.

Lisa went on to tell me the cost of the retreat, the flight, the hotel, and mentally, I’m calculating.  I shook my head.  “Too expensive.  It would practically clean out my checking account.” 

But Spirit spoke again.  You’ll get your income tax refund in April.    

It was time to head into the sanctuary for choir rehearsal.  I gave Lisa a wistful smile and said, “I know you’ll love Dublin!  Wish I could go, but I just can’t swing it.” 

During church, my mind kept returning to my conversation with Lisa.  Ireland!  It had been eight years since I’d been there.  Way too long.  And to be able to go there to write?  How cool would that be?  Suddenly I tuned into the minister’s message.  It was about taking risks.  Imagine that! 

On the way home, I broached the subject with Frank.  Guess what my wonderful, supportive, The World’s Best Husband said?  “You should go!”  And then later, the Most Fantabulous, Sweetest, Adorable, Man of My Dreams said, “What can I do to make this happen for you???”

Of course, I turned down his generous offer of monetary help.  After all, this is a business trip, and it’s my responsibility to pay for it, but the fact that he offered melted my heart.

I mused it over for a full afternoon and night, and on Monday morning, I woke up, knowing this was meant to be.  Spirit spoke and I listened.

I’m going to Ireland in April!!!!! 

Now, if only I could win the lottery so I could take my daughter, Leah, and my sister, Kathy, with me.  But you never know.  Spirit moves in mysterious ways.

NEWS

At last!!!!!  LILY OF THE SPRINGS is out in audio!!!  It’s available on Audible.com, and if you join the Audible book club, you can get it for only $7.49. 

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00B0WQMPO&qid=1358263220&sr=1-1

My third novel, EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON, will be reissued in print in a few days.  If you haven’t read this steamy older woman/younger man novel (the most erotic of all my titles) you’ll want to pick up a copy.  Check out the book trailer:

http://animoto.com/play/cpkmNTk0cwO1zbowNeEZag

Happy New Year to all of you!  And don’t forget…listen to Spirit. 

Best,

Carole Bellacera

WHEN WORDS WON’T COME

I planned to write a holiday blog.  That was my intention on December 14^th, when I arrived at Panera’s for my usual Friday afternoon writing session.  I’d been running around all morning, delivering cookies to a friend recuperating from surgery, going to my yoga class, to the post office to mail goody tins to family.  An ordinary Friday in December.

 

But when I opened my lap top, I immediately saw this was no ordinary Friday.  The headlines on Yahoo glared out at me.  “26 Killed in Elementary School Shooting.”  At first, I thought it was a hoax.  I mean, how could this be possible???  But I knew in my gut that I was hoping for a miracle.  It had happened, and the world had become a darker place.

 

That’s all I can say.  There are no words to express my horror and grief…so I won’t even try.

 

On Saturday morning, my daughter, Leah Speer, had an op ed published in the New York Post, and with her permission, I’m going to share it with you. 

 

After the Massacre: What We Can Know

 

After tragedies like the Sandy Hook massacre or the Clackamas shooting, you try to make sense of the world you live in. You find yourself trying to find answers. You are needing an answer to the why.

Through it, you come abruptly face-to-face with what you do have, what you’re so thankful for.

But you fear that you can never be sure.

You can’t be sure when you tuck them into bed tonight that they’ll be running down the stairs to climb on your lap tomorrow, way earlier than you had wished.

You can’t be sure when they roll their eyes at you in the school drop-off line after you shout “I love you” embarrassingly loud that you’ll hug their warm, soft bodies again.

These days, you can’t even be sure you’ll be returning to their soft kisses after a quick run to the mall.

So what can you be sure of?

You can be sure that tonight, when the entire house is quiet and his little lips are allowing such sweetness of small breaths to exit his dreaming body, that you are so very thankful for all of your blessings. With his blue satin blanket laced between his little fingers, grab his face and kiss it — don’t be afraid that kiss might wake him!

You can be sure to let go of the three meltdowns from earlier and the spilled Crystal Light on your newly steamed carpet. When you look down at her body snuggled comfortably in her bed after she’s exerted all of the day’s energy, really see the depth and the magic of her being.

Exhausted from that 2:00 a.m. wake-up call? Be sure to snuggle with your beautiful baby, hold her tighter than ever. Be sure to let go of the stress that you feel being behind on holiday shopping.

Let go of the guilt you feel when you lay in bed with your child until they fall asleep because some book told you not to. Be sure to grab your children in a tight embrace.

In the madness of an ordinary day, it’s so hard to take the time to visit those questions . . . to really take it in. The magnitude of what you truly have. Every lesson taught; every kiss sealed onto their forehead. Every “I love you” realized.

In every waking moment, be sure they know they are loved.

While your heart is aching for those affected by such horrible tragedy, pray for them. And in every single moment you wish you could have just a little space to breathe, a little extra sleep, or have it be just a bit quieter — be so grateful for all that you have. And breathe . . . you can be sure of that.

Leah Speer, a Sandestin, Fla.-based writer, is co-author of “Must. Have. Wine. A Toast to Motherhood.”

 

 

To all of you, I wish a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace and Love.

 

Carole Bellacera

Thankful for the Kids I Raised

 

 

Today, hours before Thanksgiving Day, I’m thankful for so many wonderful things in my life.  To name a few—my wonderful husband, Frank, of 38 years, my beautiful daughter, Leah, fantastic son, Stephen, two gorgeous grandsons, Luke and Zealand, my loving sisters, Kathy and Sharon.  Family, of course, is foremost, even though I have many other things to be thankful for.  But if you don’t have a family you can depend upon, especially in times of need, not the greatest of career success, the best of all the material riches in the world, can ever make up for it. 

 

I am so lucky to have the kids I do—Leah and Stephen not only appreciate me, they would move mountains to help me in my time of need.  That, I am 100% certain of.  Not every mother is that lucky.

 

That point was driven home this week when I took a friend in for her doctor’s appointment after she had hip replacement surgery.  Last year I’d done the same thing for her after her first surgery.  At that time, I hadn’t realized she has a daughter who lives in the area. But that fact came to my attention a few months later, and I remember wondering then why the daughter wasn’t taking her in for her appointments.  It just seemed weird to me. 

 

So, when I received a phone call from my friend last week, asking if I’d take her in for her appointment this week—the week of Thanksgiving when I have a million things to do, I couldn’t help but wonder again.  Why was the daughter MIA? 

 

But it wasn’t my place to ask. 

 

But me being me, I asked.  My friend told me, rather of matter-of-factly, that her daughter couldn’t take time off from work to take her to the doctor.  But then she added dryly that she seems to have no trouble taking off for things she wants to do, though.  Well, I was just appalled.  But it got worse.  Apparently, this daughter hadn’t even come to the hospital when her mother was in surgery.  I just can’t fathom that.  I lost my mother when she was only 63.  I can’t imagine ever living close to her and not being there for her when she needed me! At the very least, it’s called obligation, on the other side of the scale, it’s called generosity and love.  What I wouldn’t give to have my mother with me right now, even if I had to run her to the doctor twice a day.  Maybe I’m sounding sanctimonious here, but I think unless your mother was a monster—someone who abused you or, worse, allowed someone else to abuse you, a daughter or son should be there for their aging mother. 

 

I feel so bad for my friend—and so lucky to have children like Leah and Stephen.  As far as I’m concerned, I won the lottery when it comes to family.  Frank, Leah, Stephen, Luke, Zealand, Kathy and Sharon, God bless you.  He has already blessed me with you. 

 

NEW SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY

Take the Trip of a Lifetime!

And you can win a free travel mug! Announcing the release of Trip of a Lifetime: An Anthology.

What is your idea of the trip of a lifetime? Is it relaxing on a sandy Caribbean beach? Traveling through parts of Europe? Or do you prefer to stay closer to home and travel through your imagination? Sometimes the trip of a lifetime can be the one you never expected to take. And sometimes a trip becomes quite memorable for the wrong reasons.

In this collection of short stories, poetry, and non-fiction, you will find our contributors' ideas of the "trip of a lifetime." Perhaps you'll find your own ideas in these pages, or perhaps we'll spark the desire for you to go out and make your own memories!

To celebrate the release of this anthology in both paperback and ebook formats, Sleeping Cat Books will send a Trip of a Lifetime travel mug to one reader chosen at random (see website for image). The rules for entering this drawing are below.

Trip of a Lifetime: An Anthology is now available in paperback (http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html) and for Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9ZJWYQ), NOOK (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-storm-is-coming-various/1109651115?ean=2940015727876), and Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Trip-of-a-Lifetime/book-R8iEe9djM0qE1mXzG57BoQ/page1.html?s=ep0CfocqHk-fAKdoh4lw6w&r=1).

Rules for Entry

·         One entry per paperback copy ordered.

·         Only orders placed through Sleeping Cat Books (http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html) are eligible for entry.

·         Orders placed and paid in full prior to 12:01 am Saturday, 1 December 2012 are eligible.

·         Contributors to this anthology and their family members are eligible provided they place orders through the website at full retail cost.

·         The winner will be chosen at random on 3 December 2012 from all of the eligible entries. The winner's first name will be announced on the Sleeping Cat Books blog (http://www.sarah-holroyd.com/blog/) that day.

·         In the event that we are unable to contact the winner by 10 December, a second name will be chosen at random and announced on that day.