authors

10 Book Giveaway Winner Announcement

July 1, 2016 by lauramcneill 4 Comments

I am so pleased to announce the winner of our month-long giveaway of 10 fabulous books by 11 amazing authors!

The winner of the giveaway, chosen by Rafflecopter from more than 3,000 entries, will be mailed the grand prize back with ten signed novels from:

Kerry Lonsdale

Mary Kubica

Pam Jenoff

Laura Lane McNeal

Cynthia Luhrs

Kimberly Belle

Kristy Woodson Harvey

Nicole Waggoner

Karma Brown

Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

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I am pleased to share that Laura Bryant from Fort Riley, Kansas is our 10 Fabulous Book Giveaway winner! Here is a recent photo of Laura and her children …

Thank you to everyone who entered! Stay tuned for news about next month’s giveaway, which will be announced after the July 4th weekend!

xo,

Laura

Halloween BOOK Hop – 130+ Giveaways to Win!

October 19, 2015 by lauramcneill 24 Comments

Happy Monday!

This month, I’m taking part of PageCurl Publishing’s Halloween BOOK Hop – which means that there are 130+ prizes up for grabs from now until Halloween!

I’m giving away one BIG prize pack – a $10 Amazon gift card, a signed Center of Gravity paperback, and a set of elegant book plates – to one lucky winner. Other authors are also offering gift cards, eBooks, signed paperbacks, swag, and more!

All you have to do to enter to win MY prize pack is LIKE my Facebook page and subscribe to my NEWSLETTER). The drawing for my prize will be held on Halloween!

*** Once you like and subscribe, please post in the below comment section indicating the ‘like’ number and that you subscribed to my newsletter***

Thanks again for visiting me, and please check out this Facebook post all of the 130 authors giving out treats and tricks. Happy Halloween!

xo, Laura

Whirlwind Report from #Publish15

June 13, 2015 by lauramcneill Leave a Comment

Book enthusiast? Aspiring author? Interesting in pitching a literary agent?

Consider attending Publish15! If you live near Atlanta, there’s still time to attend today (Sunday, June 14). If you’re outside the area, make plans to attend next year’s event!

Jonathan, David, Me, & Bennett

Publish15 is a 2-day convention for new and experienced writers — featuring topics like blogging, book proposals, and the business of being an author.

On Saturday, I participated in two panels, Go Big or Go Indie and The Business of Self Publishing. I was joined by author Jonathan French (far left), David Hancock, founder of Morgan James publishing, and Canadian author Bennett Coles, who also runs Promontory Press.

My Booth!

More than 400 people attended the day’s events, which included workshops on using mobile technology, advice on targeting the right audience for your novel, and agent pitch sessions!

When I arrived, I found my booth already set up and ready in the bright and sunny Forsyth Conference Center in Cumming, Ga.

On breaks between panel discussions, I talked about writing, editing, and Center of Gravity‘s July 14 release, as well as answered dozens of questions from writers, sponsors, and visitors.

On Day 2 of Publish15, I’ll serve on the Curating Digital Communities panel. Sheri Stauch and I will be talking about how to build an author brand, what defines an author ‘platform,’ and techniques for using social media effectively.

xx, Laura

Report from the #RT2015 Booklovers Convention!

May 16, 2015 by lauramcneill 2 Comments

It’s been a whirlwind this week! I flew out of New Orleans bright and early Wednesday morning and landed in Dallas, Texas for #RT2015. The RT Booklovers Convention is a fabulous meet and greet for readers and authors, and includes workshops, parties, and tons of book and prize giveaways!

Kellie Coates Gilbert

Melanie Dickerson

I was so fortunate to room with the wonderful Melanie Dickerson, who writes historical fiction for HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson (my publisher).

I also had the chance to meet and talk with Colleen Coble, Tamera Alexander, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Rachel Hauck, Amy Clipston, Katherine Reay, Kristy Cambron, Sarah Ladd, Lisa Wingate, and Denise Hunter, among many others!

One of our Kindle Fire Winners!

We had a blast playing Saddle Up and Draw Pictionary with readers. The theme was Texas (of course) and we had a blast scribbling, laughing, and guessing.

We gave away twenty $15 Amazon gift cards and two Kindle Fires to 17 lucky winners!

How Sweet it Is, Y’all! Breakfast

Alyssia from Dothan, Ala.

On Friday morning, Thomas Nelson hosted a “How Sweet it is, Y’all!” breakfast. We had 350 fantastic readers attend the event, which was amazing and wonderful! I spoke with readers from Alabama (woot!), Australia, India, Seattle, Iowa, and from all over the state of Texas. Everyone received a big bag of books, sparkly rings (see photo), swag, and delicious treats.

I gave away a huge basket worth over $200 full of Lauren Clark books, a Vera Bradley, a phone case, earrings, a cookbook, and swag!

I’m so excited to share that Rhonda Doiron of Baton Rouge, La. won my gift basket! Congratulations!

If you are a book lover, author, or aspiring writer, I highly recommend attending #RT2016 in Las Vegas or #RT2017 in Atlanta, Ga.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~ Laura

Reader Feature: 20 Questions with Hailey Fish

May 7, 2015 by lauramcneill 8 Comments

Today, I’d like to introduce you to fabulous reader and blogger Hailey Fish. She’s been a joy to get to know, always has something positive to say about other people, and loves to talk about books!

On her website, she has two really awesome lists of authors she’s met and authors she’d like to meet! Hailey has met Jane Green, Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Charlaine Harris, Lee Child, and many more! She would like to meet Stephen King, Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hannah, Sarah Dessen, Liane Moriarty, & Anita Hughes (and about a few dozen more).

Here’s the 411 on Hailey:

Full Name: Hailey Ellen Fish
Hometown: Westerly, RI
Where you live now: Pawcatuck, CT
Family members: Jim and Sharon, two older brothers Will and Chris, an older sister Mallory, two nieces Grace and Jill and two nephews Devon and Colton.
How did we “meet?” Through Facebook
Five words friends would use to describe you: Sweet, loyal, loving, friendly and compassionate
Name of your blog: www.fishlovesbooks.blogspot.com. How and why did you start blogging? I’m not as active as I would like, but I started blogging because ladies who blog have a great camaraderie with other women around the world, always talking about great books, things going on in their personal lives, their families.
What is the most rewarding thing about it? Being able to meet great, inspiring women.
Finish this sentence. “When I’m not reading, I’m working or hanging out with family but try and sneak in moments to read.”
Finish this sentence. “I love it when people compliment my eyes and recommend books.”
What would you do with a million dollars? Put money into trust funds for my nieces and nephews, buy myself a new car, buy my parents new cars as well as my brother in law and sister, go on vacation and put a lot in the bank as a nest egg.
Favorite book: That would be like asking who is your favorite child, if I had any kids. I guess if I had to choose, it would be 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult. It captured how people would feel during a shooting at a school, the repercussions of the shooter and the family of the shooter.
Favorite movies: Billy Madison, Practical Magic, The Little Mermaid, Growns-Ups.
Favorite treat/snack: Smart food popcorn, goldfish crackers, creme brulee
Favorite vacation spots: Las Vegas, NV; Orlando, FL: Universal Studios
Romance or Suspense? Romantic Suspense!
Coffee or Tea? Tea with milk and sugar in a nice big comfy mug
Beach or Mountains? Beach
Sun or Snow? Sun, the temperature in the 70’s
Where can people find you on the web or on social media? Facebook: Hailey Fish Twitter: @hailey_jam91

I have to say that I also love Jodi Picolt’s 19 Minutes, SmartFood Popcorn, and romantic suspense! Thank you so much to Hailey for taking time to sharing all of this.

Love & hugs, Laura

xo, Laura

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