The Winners of my Christmas Book Giveaway (is it YOU?)

Today's the day; the winners have been drawn.
Thank you to everyone who entered my Christmas Book Giveaway!

The Prizes are all ready to be dispatched: for two New Zealand winners and one Aussie winner, a signed copy of the book, a mix CD of my favourite Christmas Carols (to help you get in the Christmas mood) and some charming wooden Christmas decorations to hang on your tree. (The overseas winner's book will come direct from Amazon)

So who are they, these book winners? They're right here on the Rafflecopter gadget, randomly drawn from 159 entries...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations  Cass Henderson and Simone Jaunay in New Zealand, Sophie Blanc in Australia and Nikki Clark in the UK!

Tomorrow morning I'll be popping your prizes into the mail, so keep an eye on your letterbox in the next few days.

Thank you to everyone who has shared the book on social media and on their blogs; I really really appreciate it.

Here's some of the blog posts people have written:

Rachel from Our SouthSea Island Home

Miriam from Create Hope Inspire

Meghan from MNMs

Vicki from VegemiteVix

Sophie from Little Gumnut

(If I've missed your blog post from this list please let me know!)

I spent yesterday morning writing out envelopes and posting off all my book orders to date. I have now received all the books I've ordered from Amazon in the States to on-sell direct to my NZ readers and won't be ordering any more. Once they are gone, they're gone.

If you have bought a copy of my book, would you help me out by posting a review on Amazon for me, once you receive it? The more reviews it has, the more likely people are to find my book in searches. And if you love it (which I hope/think/believe you will), please show it to your friends and tell them where to get a copy of their own.

It has been a massive effort to pull this together in such a short time after my illness in September/October, I'm proud of how it has turned out and now I'd just love the world to discover and fall in love with my little story.

If you didn't win a copy of the book, here's where to get it:

• NZ readers (buy it direct from me and save on shipping; limited copies available to get in quick)
• Amazon.com (International readers; buy the print book and get the Kindle version for free)
• eBook now available on KINDLE

And in case you haven't seen it already... here's that brilliant St Pauls video clip of my story...

Merry almost-Christmas ♥

*if you liked this please share it* 

It's my Birthday... but You're Getting the Presents (GIVEAWAY)

Happy birthday to me! Today I am forty-four and to celebrate I'm giving away some copies of my book. A bunch of copies, to bless you or (if you've bought one already) a friend.

First let me give you a spiel (humour me - it's my birthday, after all)

The story was originally written as a gift for my children in Christmas 2011. The idea came to me as I was pondering how baby Jesus’ arrival on Earth was not at all what any of us humans (in all our wisdom) would have chosen if we wanted to change the world. The whole thing really was completely unexpected. The story just came to me all of a sudden, as I imagined the angels in heaven being shocked at God's crazy ideas and one (small but clever) angel saying "Brilliant! They won't be expecting that!"

I sat and wrote it down in twenty minutes flat then illustrated it  with photos of my kids (turning them into the angels); I printed it and gave it to them on Christmas Eve. 

[the original version, printed on Snapfish]

Friends I showed my homemade book to suggested I try to publish it, which I did (self published through Blurb) for the first time last year.

In Christmas 2012 I also submitted my story in script form to the creative geniuses at St Pauls in Auckland, who create "Glow - Carols by Glowstick". Each year they create a film for the event and then share it with the world on YouTube - They chose my script and made it into a gorgeous little five-minute movie.

 


After its release, An Unexpected Christmas quickly gained popularity, getting around 200,000 views in the three weeks leading up to Christmas. (We hope that this year it might go completely viral).

This year I've managed to find a way to make the book available on Amazon and Kindle.
I have refined the design and added other “angels” - gorgeous little ones borrowed from friends and family. They represent the children of the world, with roots in the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as my own angels from Downunder.

The story still gives me goosebumps. I think you will like it too.

SHARING THE BOOK WITH THE WORLD THIS CHRISTMAS
Now that I've worked so hard to get my book onto Amazon and Kindle I need to let the world to know about it. Which is why I'm holding this giveaway, in an attempt to entice you to share the book with your friends and followers.

• View a PDF of the book's interior here

Some of you wonderful people may have bought the book already. That's OK. You can pass the prize onto a friend if you win and I'll send them the book as a Christmas prezzy from you. I'll even giftwrap it.

Four books to be won:

• Two to be won in NZ - plus a bunch of Christmas goodies 
• One to be won in Australia - plus a mix CD of my favourite Christmas tunes
• One to be won in the US or UK - sent direct from Amazon.

Here's where to get the book:

• NZ readers (buy it direct from me and save on shipping)
• Amazon.com (International readers; buy the print book and get the Kindle version for free)
• eBook now available on KINDLE

Use the Rafflecopter gadget to enter the giveaway. there are lots of ways to get extra entries. And remember - you can keep the book for yourself or nominate a recipient xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be announced here on the blog next week on November 25th and will also be notified by email.

Sleepless in Auckland...

I know not where to begin, so I'll make this brief.
Life is crazy for me right now.
Sometimes I simply cannot sleep from all the things racing through my brain: book worries, things to do, life with kids, party prep.

Self publishing a book is like opening Pandora's box. You have no idea what you're in for until it's too late. this by itself will keep you up at night, channel-flicking.
And Google locked me out of my admin account the other night, which actually made me cry. There I was at midnight crying over my keyboard - who does that?
People who can't sleep, apparently.

[Power cut in Auckland last week - the kids play Dominoes while I rush madly to light candles]

My poor dyslexic brain has been thrown in the deep end with figuring out US tax requirements, PDF creation, calculating profit-loss and agonising over how many books to order (How many is too many? How many is not enough?)

[my gazillion jar lanterns came in handy during the power-outage]

I have just had to decide, enough is enough.
I can't turn my book into a bestseller overnight through sheer force of will. I simply don't have the numbers. (How many times can I ask my friends to "share" and "like" my book? I'm sure some of them have turned my feed to "mute" already.)

I've done what I can. It's on Amazon. It's on Kindle. I'm selling them through my blog.
A number of kind blog friends have given me a shout out on their blogs.
So what if umpteen of my emails have gone unanswered?
I have done what I can in the very short time I've had  - I only discovered how to do it two weeks ago, after all.

[Miss Fab gets a certificate for "a great effort all year and a sunny positive attitude"]

There's always next Christmas - it's not going anywhere.
And who knows? It could take off all by itself. It could.
But I can't make it happen myself, as a one-woman PR crew.
And there's no point lying awake at night agonising over it all.

[Jar lanterns at Guy Fawkes Party,  where my camera finally died and all proper photos were lost - hence no blog post]

I have children to parent; parties to plan, a birthday of my own to "celebrate"... and then before I blink it'll be Christmas already.

So let the chips fall where they may and the book sell itself... or not.
I need my sleep. I've prayed and put it in God's hands. I think He gave me the story two years ago when I sat down and wrote it as a gift for my kids. It's up to Him now (He has way more FaceBook friends than I do).

And if you want the book? Go here
I'm off to have a weekend, and live my life (and hopefully GET SOME SLEEP).

Please Forgive Me

I need to get off this thing, that's what the caption says.
And it's true I do.
I have been sitting at this darned computer since 8.30am this morning - apart from a rescue dash up to school with a child's forgotten swimming togs and a delightful half hour spend unloading groceries.

I've been sitting here so long now it actually hurts.
I've been making .PDFs and re-formatting pages (to get my book Kindle-ready); I thought I was done, but I'm not.
And now it's nearly 3pm and I haven't even had lunch.
Eek I haven't even had breakfast.

I had plans to bring you the story of my mother-daughter day with Miss fab on Saturday (photos taken on my old mini Sony point-n-shoot cos my camera had gone completely kaput).
It was going to be a Grateful post, but it looks like I've missed that boat.
Sigh.

I tell you what - it is a whole lot of hard work to self-publish a book!
I am a one-woman PR team. I have RSI from typing emails.
I am sure you are sick to death of hearing about it now, aren't you?

So if I told you that due to popular demand and super-quick book sales (of my batch of 50 for NZ readers) I had taken a leap of faith ordered another 50, well you would probably put your hands over your ears and start going "LALALALALALA!" to block out the sound, wouldn't you?
Oh no, that's right, you're READING this.

You would just click away and come back when Christmas is done.
Sorry. I know I'm rather boring lately.
It's all "Book... blahblahblah... book... blahblahblah..."

What can I say? I don't have megabucks to launch a marketing campaign. All I have is this space, and you guys and a few hundred Facebook friends. These things do not a bestseller make - without a lot of hard work and boring one-track conversations.
I'm really sorry about that. I promise that tomorrow, I WILL NOT MENTION THE BOOK.

I'll just say this one last thing for now... and then I'm getting off this gosh darned thing and making a quick cup of tea before the kids burst through the door...

View a PDF of the book here

Prices (incl. postage)
1 = $16.00
2 = $26.00
3 = $35.00 no longer available

KIWIS ORDER THE BOOK HERE

42 SOLD. ONLY 8 LEFT.
Due to demand I have ordered another batch of 50, which will arrive shortly after the first lot. the next batch will be at the same price but +P&P of $2.50. (So get yourself a free shipping bargain while you can).


See ya tomorrow. When I'll be back and I won't say the word "CHRISTMAS BOOK".

My Book Will Be Available on Amazon soon!

Last Thursday I had coffee with a lady called Joy. Neither of us can remember how we were introduced, or by whom, but I am so very grateful that somebody virtually "introduced" us (mystery person, I thank thee).

Joy is a New Zealand author of children's eBooks. She specialises in helping new authors get self-published. Joy is a fount of knowledge; I thought I was going to find out about formatting my book better for eReaders, but Joy knew so much more than that.

She put me onto CreateSpace - a print-on-demand publisher which is associated with Amazon, Kindle and the like.
Instead of being hamstrung by Blurbs' high prices and unreasonable shipping costs, I can now self-publish my book through CreateSpace and get it onto Amazon. For one third of the cost to the public.

We are talking about A REAL PHYSICAL BOOK! (It's a Print on Demand service, so when you order it through Amazon, they print and send it to you.)

Joy and I had only just met, but i felt like hugging her (you'll be relieved to know I restrained myself, just).

So this week, while juggling invitation orders, dust bunnies and a headcold, I have finally done it. Navigated US Tax Law, figured out the intricacies of PDF-making and got my book republished and accepted onto Amazon. (Kindle will follow soon; Joy is helping me with that).
Soon dear people, you will be able to buy my book for a mere US$11.95 (instead of $30+)
I am dancing on the inside.

But wait. It's not there yet.
Don't go rushing to Amazon and search for "An Unexpected Christmas" - it takes 5-7 days for a new title to appear in the store, but it's on its way, YIPPEE.
Next Thursday (they tell me, but they're American so they probably mean Friday) my book will be available to purchase on Amazon, all over the world.

OR YOU CAN GET THE BOOK RIGHT NOW: GO HERE and use this discount code to get 20% off when you buy it direct from my CreateSpace page: 4FXUJ2SX
(I just found that out; It will be on Amazon next week but you can get it right here right now)

View a PDF of the book here

P.S. The shipping costs all the way down here to NZ are rather atrocious, so I am going to bulk order 50 copies of the book and sell them to my Kiwi friends and readers through my blog.**

BUY THE BOOK DIRECT FROM ME (NZ residents only)

Prices (incl. postage)
1 = $16.00
2 = $26.00
3 = $35.00 no longer available

42 SOLD. ONLY 8 LEFT.
Due to demand I have ordered another batch of 50, which will arrive shortly after the first lot. the next batch will be at the same price but +P&P of $2.50. (So get yourself a free shipping bargain while you can).

Order your book (s) here now today

**Postage within the US is a bargain, at around $2.50; to the UK it's around £3 at the priority postage rate
................


I am beyond happy. I feel like a proper author, with a book for sale on the world's biggest bookselling website.
Ecstatic. It will be in time for Christmas, at a reasonable price. Just think what a nice gift if will make. Hint hint.

Of course I will let you as soon as it appears, and I hope to figure out the website enough to offer my dear readers a special discount as well (fingers crossed). Then there will be trumpet shouts and celebrations the length of the G-house. In my imagination.

Anyway, by way of thankyou to Joy, for simply meeting me (a stranger) for coffee and sharing what she knows so generously, I'm going to post the details here for her next self-publishing workshop, for anyone in Auckland or nearby who is interested in learning how to self publish their book.
(Joy did not ask me to do this, I just want to)

Findlay Books - Joy Findlay 

10am Saturday 16th November 

Venue: Liberty Christian Church, 96 Lansford Cres, Avondale Auckland 

Cost: $60 

To register: ph 0273257070 or email findlaybooks@gmail.com

*if you like this please share it*

My Book "An Unexpected Christmas" (2nd Edition) OUT NOW

This is what I've been working on. The Second Edition of my Christmas Book, which I started months ago, long before I got sick. Only now -this week, today - have I finally finished updating the layout and design. It's now available on Blurb ON AMAZON!!!
*Sigh* Yes I'm still stuck with Blurb I have self-published through CreateSpace and my book is now available on AMAZON at a much reduced rate. Wahoo!

I love the new version of the book.

[this angel belongs to Hannah and Byron]

I have simplified it, keeping the feel of the original but eliminating some of the fussiness.

I've gone with the simple idea of "angels" - and now they are not all my own offspring with wings attached. I've "borrowed angels" from some of my friends, who supplied me with quirky photos like this one.

[this angel belongs to Remaliah]

I've simplified the fonts too, made it cleaner, but still just a little off-beat, like my story.

[the angel on the right is my adorable Spanish neice]

Scragger is still there, of course. the story hasn't changed, or the main characters...

I just found better images of my Warrior Angel, and my Wise Angel...

[This photo was taken by Meg; I've properly photo-credited everyone]

Likey?
Here's a preview of the whole book, so you know what you'll be getting:
(this is what the book looks like on Blurb; don't buy it from here - buy it from AMAZON (much cheaper).

You can also download the eBook version (for iPad only) for $US3.99
It will shortly be available on Kindle. I will keep you posted.

Phew. I did it. Now to go and order a copy for myself, and the friends who supplied their angels for me.

The profit I make on each book is small, but there is immense satisfaction in knowing that people around the world are reading my story to their kids this Christmas.

So if you like the look of my book, please share it (and I'd love to hear what you think).

P.S. Readers in New Zealand you can order the book directly from me to save on shipping. I have a limited number of copies and they are going fast. NZ Order form HERE

Angels Wanted - Apply Within

Do you have a little angel or two lurking around the place?
I am working on updating the illustrations in my Christmas Book, in readiness for a publisher (crossing fingers), or failing that, for an updated version on Blurb in time for Christmas until the book deal comes...

I'm simplifying the layout and just using lots and lots of angels. Kid angels.
Real kids, photographed happy, sad, angry, shocked, thoughtful, dreamy, gorgeous, cheeky...
With the magic of Photoshop I add wings and turn them into angels.

Til now I have just used photos of my own three kids... but I'd like to invite you to send me photos of your little (cheeky, quirky, adorable) angels for inclusion in my book.

What's in it for you? If chosen, your child will be in my book. You will get a photo credit and (if wanted) your child's name in the credits. If I get a book deal, you'll get a bunch of copies of the book, starring your child as an angel (amongst others).

If I'm not successful (yet) I'll send you copy of the book at my expense, as a way of saying thank you.

What I'm looking for:

• Kids of all shapes and sizes and colours
• A wide range of facial expressions - the angels are surprised and shocked a lot in my story, after all.
• Good quality photos, nice light and clarity, decent resolution
• A couple of photos of the same child if possible
• Clothing - white or light coloured clothing preferred but not essential, angel outfits not required

If you would like to have your child/ren considered for inclusion in my book as angels, please email photos to: greatfun4kids@live.com.

Be sure to include your name (for photo credit) and your angels' names, and write this line in your email: I give my permission for Simone Graham to use my photos in her book, An Unexpected Christmas.

Thanks!

An Unexpected Christmas (the Movie of my Book)

[Photos taken during filming An Unexpected Christmas by Jerome Box]

This is it. The lovely Movie-version of my humble Christmas book. It "premiered" at Glow tonight, to an audience of nine-and-a-half-thousand. I had goosebumps most of the night and more than anything, felt an overwhelming sense of joy at being part of something so wonderful which shares the timeless story of Jesus' arrival on our planet. I got to help tell the Greatest Story Ever Told. What a privilege.




I suspect you'll like LOVE the movie. It's not just cute and whimsical, clever or creative. There's something more to it which raises the hairs on the back of your neck. And as I watch this over and over I am in awe of my young neighbour who plays "God"... When you watch it you will see what I mean.

[Photos From Glow - taken by Glow Team]

The film is at last up on YouTube and I just couldn't wait to share it with you here on my blog. So watch it. Share it. Get your kids to watch it. Get your kids' friends to watch it... and most of all ENJOY and have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS full of Peace and Joy.
xx

My Book: An Unexpected Christmas

I did it.
Finally after nearly a year of tweaking and figuring out stuff, my Christmas Book is ready to sell.
(Ready for you to buy for your kids / nephews / nieces / neighbours for Christmas).

I feel like a proud mother.
This little book is the beginning of a dream coming to fruition.

It's the Christmas story but from a whole different perspective...

It all began last year when I wanted to make my kids a personal gift for Christmas. I'm not crafty, I don't crochet or quilt, but I write. And I fiddle in Photoshop. And I love Christmas.

So I sat down one afternoon to put down some ideas for a story I could turn into a book and print up for them to read on Christmas Eve...

In the back of my mind was the idea that the way Jesus came to Earth was not really what you'd expect in any way. The whole idea is so out of the box, so radical... so unexpected I thought it would make a great basis for a story. Tell it from the perspective of the Angels (who must have surely been surprised when God told them his plans?)

Central to the story is a cheeky little angel called Scragger. Originally his name was Bob but when I came up with the idea of using the multitudinous photos of my kids and turning them into angels, well, Scrag just had to be that cheeky little chap...

After I started working on the book for my kids, I began to dream about getting it published and having it ready for sale this year.

But I had no idea where to begin. Until I stumbled across Blurb.
Through them I can self-publish and make my book available as both a printed book (soft or hard cover) and eBook.
You can order the book online and have it sent to you anywhere in the world.
Now all I need to do is sell some books...

Wanna help me out with that? Check out the book and if you like what you see, please spread the word to your friends and family.

I know the printed version is not exactly cheap (sorry about that; it's how it has to be unless some giant publisher discovers me and wants to take it on and print them by the truckload nice and cheap). But the eBook version is cheap-as. (now only AUD$2.99)


****UPDATE****
to get 25% off enter code "PERSONAL" at checkout!

Here's a full preview of the book so you know what you're getting...

An Unexpected Christmas by Simone Graham | Make Your Own Book

Pssssst! And guess what else?
My little story has been made into the Christmas film which was shown at Glow this year!
(And my little angels are in the film too, but you'll have to look really hard to spot the boys).



I am so excited about all this... can you tell?