Laptop Memorial and Countdown to The Lost Saint - Final Contest!

11/28/2010

So this last week has been a bit harrowing and a little sad, but in the end it turned happy. Poor, poor Laptoppy has finally passed on. She gave a hard fought battle to the Virus O' Doom that was contracted sometime before Halloween. Laptoppy was a good laptop. A friend even. She gave me a good solid 4 years of shared memories and immeasurable service. It was with her that I spent so many months revising THE DARK DIVINE. It was with her that I first "penned" THE LOST SAINT. And it was with her that I drafted the outline to TDD3. She will live on in my heart forever. Rest in peace, dear Laptoppy. Rest in peace.

In Loving Memory...
But the good news that made it a happy week? Well, hubby had known for awhile that Laptoppy was fighting a losing battle, and in his infinite goodness and wisdom, was planning on purchasing me a new MacBook Pro for Christmas to replace Laptoppy due to her inevitable demise. Of course, she died a few weeks early, so unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective), I had to have Christmas a little early this year. But I'll get over it, and Macky is already making a great impression. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to my new best friend.

Macky, say hello to your awesome readers.


Hi!
Seriously. I love him. I didn't know if anyone could fill the void that Laptoppy left, but he's just so pretty (oh, and functional) it's hard not to love him right away.

Anyway, on to why you are likely really here. The COUNTDOWN CONTEST! Yes. It is that time of the month again. The 28th. Of November in point of fact. Which means... wait for it.... THE LOST SAINT COMES OUT IN 1 FREAKING MONTH!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Sorry. I'm a little excited. And anxious. And panic stricken.

But don't worry fair readers. It may still be a whole month before THE LOST SAINT is released, but my publisher and I have plenty of fun stuff planned over the next month to keep you teased distracted. And that's where the contest comes in. Participation in each of this month's activities is an entry in the contest.

So lets go through the details shall we?

What's happening and what to do:
First, I will be posting my THE LOST SAINT soundtrack here on the blog-- one song a day for the next couple of weeks. The soundtrack consists of songs that helped inspire TLS, and help to convey the emotion of the story as it progresses. (Those that have been long time followers of the blog may remember I posted the soundtrack to THE DARK DIVINE as well, here.) Comment on each TLS song post and you'll get an entry per post.

Second, Starting December 7th, The Romantic Times will be doing a preview of the prologue, first chapter, and second chapter of THE LOST SAINT on their blog. Comment on the posts here to let me know you checked them out and you get an entry.

Third, THE LOST SAINT trailer is nearly complete. I hope to debut to you all right here on the blog next week. Comment on the post and... I think you're getting the idea.

Fourth, Remember how I've been teasing about a super Top Secret TLS project? Well, it's still Top Secret, but it's coming this month. Ditto on the getting an entry.

And as always- comment in the posts with links to your tweets, facebook posts, and blog posts spreading the word for each item and you'll get an additional entry (only one per medium).

If this is confusing, don't worry. I'll be posting a lot this month with everything and will give further details and instructions on how to get your entries as we go along. Basically, its a month long contest with tons of opportunities to enter.

What is it all for (i.e. what can you win):
Boo-ya! I will pick one random, lucky winner who will receive one of these bad boys-
Yes. That is a 6" Kindle with WiFi.

The first place winner will also get a $10 Amazon gift card (so you can buy an eBook version of THE LOST SAINT) and a $20 gift card to iTunes (so you can buy the songs on THE LOST SAINT playlist :D).

Second and third place winners will also be chosen, and each will get signed copies of both THE SCORCH TRIALS by James Dashner and BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.


Contest Rules:
Only 1 comment per post counts as an entry.
Only 1 tweet, facebook post, etc. counts as an entry per activity.
Only US residents can win 1st place, but 2nd & 3rd place prizes are open internationally (Sorry, customs, you know?)
Contest ends at midnight MST on Dec. 26th
Contest winners will be announced the morning of Dec. 28th (TLS release day!).

Awesome, huh? So let's begin:

I give you the first song of the TLS soundtrack. This is one of my favorite Postal Service songs and was a big inspiration for the prologue of TLS (which you'll get to read on December 7th on the RT blog).

Don't forget to comment to get your first entry in the contest. Tomorrow I'll post song #2.