Thank you *all* for entering to win an ARC of  A CUP OF NORMAL and sharing your stories of wins and almost-wins. 

I just wish I had more copies to give out so everyone could win.  Maybe I should hold more giveaways...hmm....

Now, without further ado, ye old random number generator says today's winners are:

chibicharibdys who wrote:  Ooh! I'm leaving a comment right now!

ltlpengy who wrote: Oh, I am so glad you will mail internationally.

mardelwanda who wrote: I've been lucky enough to win a book here and there. Until I won a book, I had never, ever won anything before in my life. Came close in a spelling bee, but that was it.

Congratulations!  Winners, please send me your mailing information to: devon_monk (at) yahoo (dot) com  and I will get these in the mail to you tomorrow!

I'm giving away three SIGNED advanced reader copies of A CUP OF NORMAL this weekend!  Just leave a comment, and I will draw names tomorrow night and put copies in the mail by Monday.* (for people viewing this on my web page, comment here: http://devonmonk.livejournal.com/116178.html )

This is my collection of 22 short stories.  "Advanced reader copy" means you will not only get a chuckle out of the typos and formatting mistakes (this is, after all, an uncorrected proof), but will also get to read the stories before the actual collection is available! :)

There is ONE stipulation...(well, more like a request).  If you do win the collection, and read it, I'd love to hear which story is your favorite!

Here's the review from Publisher's Weekly:

Urban fantasist Monk (Magic on the Storm) has collected a delicious sampling of her short fiction, including four stories original to this volume. In "Dusi," the gorgon Medusa has survived into modern times, making her living selling remarkably detailed wildlife statuary and longing for love. In "That Saturday," a little girl steals a neighbor's supernaturally endowed lawn ornament. In "Ducks in a Row," a story that feels like early Bradbury (but perhaps with more teeth), a child abuse survivor gives a cheating carnival operator his comeuppance. In "Here After Life" a man in spirit form joins four younger versions of himself outside the hospital where he is presumably dying. Featuring quirky, well-developed protagonists whose decisions have significant moral consequences, these stories also show a strong sense of place. Sometimes funny, sometimes dark, often both, they are varied in form and invariably rewarding. (Sept.)


And to kick off the comments: Have you ever won anything before?  If so, what was it?  If not, what was the craziest contest/drawing have you entered that you wished you'd won?

*Giveaway open to everyone, I'll mail internationally

Here is the video interview Penguin (my publisher) did with me a little while ago. 

I talk about the Allie Beckstrom books!  I talk about magic!  I talk about other stuff, like writing and closets!  Want to see? 



P.S. I don't embed video very often, so if that doesn't work, you could click on this link