Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Let's Celebrate the Season with a Contest!


Does anyone else feel like November is whizzing by? December will be here soon, and we all know what December means...Christmas! And this year, I have the honor of having one of my short stories included in a Christmas Short Story Compilation, called Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season

In the spirit of complete disclosure, even though the subtitle lists these as "award winning stories", my selection, "An Epiphany Gift for Robin", didn't actually win an award. I just entered it in a contest, and the publisher liked it so much that she decided to include it in her Christmas compilation anyway. That's still cool, right?

I'm excited, especially since I'm usually incapable of writing any piece of fiction in under 120,000 words, so to have a short story, of all things, find its way into a published book is almost a greater accomplishment for me than writing a novel. (Almost. Okay, maybe they're neck and neck.)

So I've decided to celebrate this lucky aberration on my part by giving away not one, but TWO copies of Stolen Christmas. One will be an e-book copy, the other a hard copy. If you have a preference, please note it in your entry, otherwise the first name I draw will win the e-book, and the second name I draw will win the hard copy.

Okay, this is how you can enter for a chance to win.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is "Good King Wenceslas". Why? Because I love medieval things, and even though it's not a medieval song, it talks about a medieval king. So go to http://www.carols.org.uk/good_king_wenceslas.htm and answer one, two, or all three of the following questions:

(1) During which century did Good King Wenceslas live?

(2) Good King Wenceslas is now the patron saint of which modern country?

(3) What lesson does the carol, "Good King Wenceslas", try to teach us?

Send the answer to one, two, or all three of these questions to me at jdipastena@yahoo.com. Please email me each answer SEPARATELY and include your name and mailing address! Type JDP NEWS followed by the question number in the subject heading. Example: JDP NEWS Question 1; JDP NEWS Question 2; JDP NEWS Question 3.

Each answer will count as one entry. Answer all three for THREE chances to win a prize! Deadline for entries will be midnight PST, December 6th, with the winners announced on December 7th.

Good luck! And may all your Christmas wishes come true!

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Addendum 11/14/09: In the event both winners prefer a hard copy of Stolen Christmas, two hard copy prizes will be provided.

16 comments:

Valerie Ipson said...

From the cover alone it looks like a very fun, festive book. Congrats to getting published. Again!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks, Valerie. :-)

Donna Hathc said...

What a fun contest. I didn't know anything about King W until I read your post. Thanks for the info.

SiNn said...

congrats Joyce your new story sounds fabulous if im so fortunate to win id love ahard copy of it i dont read many e book and sounds so wonderful would make a good gift

Joyce DiPastena said...

Tell you guys what. If the e-book winner decides she'd prefer a hard copy, just tell me when I notify you and I'll spring for two hard copies for the winners, okay? :-)

Rachel Andersen said...

Wow! Congratulations.
I love learning more and this time I learned a lot. I would take either or if I win.

Becki said...

Oh, fun! I will be entering for sure!

Rebecca Irvine said...

Looks like a good holiday read! Congrats!

LuAnn said...

Congrats on your inclusion in the new Christmas book. And thanks for this fun contest. That's a great site you used and I've bookmarked it for future reference!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun.
I love contests whethere I win or not always fun to play andtest ones knowledge
Blessing
Lynn

Tanya Parker Mills said...

Excellent idea for a contest! I'll be interested in the e-book (as long as its downloadable through Kindle or through Stanza). And congratulations on getting your short story published!

Tanya Parker Mills

Rachelle Christensen said...

CONGRATS! I'm sure your story is excellent. I just emailed you all 3 answers. :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Fun, you give assignments to enter. Now that's a plan!!

Melanie Hahn said...

I'm going to enter this contest! I LOVE Christmas stories, I lay on the floor by the light of the christmas tree every night in December and read. hope I win :) And congrats on being published in this book!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks, Melanie! And what a fun December tradition, to read by the light of the Christmas tree! :-)

Cindy Beck, author said...

Well phooey! I know I left a comment here, but do you think it's showing up? No! Something apparently ate it.

Anyway, congrats on getting your story in the book!