Assume any typos and limpy wimpy writing are due to extreme exhaustion. Not the topic, which happens to be glorious.
Anyway.
Today a bunch of us are celebrating independent book stores. Because they're awesome, see. If you're not sure why, check out this article by Bruce Somerset, which highlights some of the reasons why we need independent book stores. Comfy and cozy, personable and supportive of communities and authors, indies are like the doting grandmas of bookstores, except way cool, like the grandmas who also ride motorcycles and play the drums.
I don't frequent any independent bookstores, primarily because there aren't any near to me, so it's impossible to feature a loved local indie without being a liar. But I do know Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL, an indie I'm quickly falling in love with. If it were closer than 3 1/2 hours away, I'd probably wear a hole in their carpet with all my foot traffic.
I first discovered Anderson's Bookshop when the ever so amazing Erica Chapman and I attended Veronica Roth's launch of DIVERGENT*. It's while Erica and I were visiting Veronica that we discovered another major signing would be taking place the following week for Lisa and Laura Roecker (the organizers of the I <3 Indies blog fest), Julia Karr, Leah Clifford, Courtney Moulton, Sara Bennett-Wealer, Sarah Rees Brennan, Saundra Mitchell, and Christine Johnson. So of course we went. Lots of adventures were had, and I walked away having had two new super experiences and a love of indie bookstores. I'll definitely go back again.
Win a SIGNED copy of A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford
Okay, so in honor of independent bookstores, how about I give away a super awesome book that I purchased in this store? Just for fun? I purchased others there, too, but I'm not ready to let go of all of them yet. For now, I'll just give away a SIGNED copy of A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford. If you'd like to win, just click on the link below the summary and fill out the short form!

Summary: Eden didn't expect Az.
Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.
Yeah.
So long, happily-ever-after.
Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.
She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.
And that's only the beginning of the end.
Signed A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford International Giveaway
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and ends next Tuesday, June 7 2011.
Oh, and before I forget!! The winner of the SIGNED copy of DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth is:
Michele S.
************
Be sure to check out the other I <3 Indie Blogfest blogs. A lot of them are having giveaways in celebration of independent book stores.
Lisa and Laura Roecker
Sarah Frances Hardy
Shana Silver
Elana Johnson
Stasia Kehoe
Shannon Messenger
Carolina M Valdez
Mundie Moms
Myra McEntire
Sara Bennett Wealer
Janet Gurtler
Joy Preble
Ty Drago
Kate Walton
Julia Karr
Randy Russell
Adele Griffin
Helen Landalf
Andrea Higgins
Beth Revis
Tess Hilmo
Sheela Chari
Gail Handler
Crystal Allen
Christine Fonseca
If you tweet about the blog fest, please feel free to include the hash tag #Iheartindies and @ reply me with @cvaldezmiller if you want me to see it.
*I'll blog about this con soon, too. Mega fun, and seriously. Made friends I know I'll have the rest of my life. SCORE.
**I intend to fully blog about these trips with Erica very soon. Talk about wild adventures.
P.S. I'll be back on a regular blogging schedule next week. Or you know, maybe not a schedule. But something like way more than not at all. Been missing you guys loads.
Great giveaway! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletedarkangel231988(at)gmail(dot)com
Memrie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this awesome give away!!
ReplyDeletebrearne.busco@hotmail.com
-Brearne
Thank you, Carol! I'm going to check other blogs as well and I reposted the link for the giveaway. Unfortunately the indie shop we have near me is a posh big thing for students with almost no paranormals, so I never feel confortable there :))
ReplyDeleteimpy80(at)hotmail(dot)com
Fabulous giveaway, thanks so much! I absolutely love Indie bookstores. The people are so nice. I've even had great experiences getting signed copies from another state.
ReplyDeleteI love Indie Authors!! Thanks for the giveaway =D
ReplyDeleteGreat post! (Oh, and I hear you on the blogging schedule. I'm having to reconfigure mine. lol) Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning Divergent, Michelle. I just finished it, and it was great.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win A Touch Mortal.
Sounds like a great book. And congrats to Michelle.
ReplyDeleteSometimes life is too busy for regular posts. So don't worry. And thanks for the contest.
4:00 am blogging...you are amazing Carol! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteA Touch Mortal sounds really good. Thank you for making this giveaway international! :D
ReplyDeleteTHIS is dedication--4 AM? I thought I was up late at 12:30. Ha. Thanks for spreading the love, Carol. We heart Anderson's too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway! Book has very beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteGiveaways! *confetti* I can't wait to read ATM
ReplyDeleteicklefruit@yahoo.com
Sounds like a cool book!
ReplyDeleteMargay1122ATaolDOTcom
thanks so much! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE indies :) I have two that I visited in Colorado and fell in love with and will totally be posting about them someday. What a fabulous idea to post about :) Seriously, it's my goal to find a new Indie whenever I travel. Well, except at WisCon this year because it was too packed with fun with YOU and everyone else <3
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
This book sounds great--thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOMG! You ladies have to tell me when you are going to an Anderson's event! I'll totally meet you there! I've been to Carrie Ryan and Rick Springfield signings there. Anderson's is AWESOME!
ReplyDeletesah-weet! I'm filling the form out RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteAlso, indie stores rock. Hard.
Yay for independent book stores! Sadly, I don't have one anywhere near me either, for like 200 miles. But then, I live in the middle of nowhere. Obviously. And hey hon, I didn't see a single typo. ;) Get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteI love my local indie booksellers! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteIndie Stores rock my books! I love seeing pics from other people fav booksellers. This was great seeing the links of the other authors!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Glad you're out enjoying bookish events! Anderson's must be extraordinary since so many people talk about it! When you get some rest, stop by and check out my favorite indie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!!! Really looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of A Touch Mortal! Being broke sucks :(
ReplyDeletelovereadingx[at]gmail[dot]com
woo whoo! thanks for hosting this giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteDiana
Great post... now get some sleep.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Love indie bookstores :)
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway!!! Thanks for this!
ReplyDelete-Em
http://sashandem.blogspot.com/
Just wanted to stop by and say HI! Hope you are well. And great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE all the Indie bookstore love going on today. Such a great idea! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat blogfest - I put up my tribute to my local bookstore too. And of course I'd love to win A Touch Mortal. But really I'm commenting on your previous post, because I found that same review by Aleeza and started following her on Goodreads and A Northern light and Revolution are on my summer reading list. Gosh I wish I had been that well-read and well-spoken at 17 years!!! What a future that girl has!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you're celebrating independent bookstores. It's a shame they don't always get the attention they deserve.
ReplyDeleteNahno ∗ McLein ™
Um, Carol? I'm thinking you might need to sleep for the next twenty-four hours. Thirty-six? Forty-eight? *hands you a pillow and blanket*
ReplyDeleteI *so* want a signed copy of ATM. It's one of my favorite books. I think EVERYBODY (er, well, upper YA+) should read it. :D
Thanks for the giveaway! Get some sleep!
You are SUCH a trooper, C!!
ReplyDeleteYAY for indie bookstores! We need to keep them alive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSadly, many of our local indie's have closed. They are a great tradition I hate to see dwindling. I'm hoping they make a comeback!
ReplyDeleteAn indie bookstore opened up in my town, and I really like it. Maybe if I frequent it enough, they'll broaden the YA section. One can dream, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I <3 indie bookstores!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! This is a book I've been wanting to read!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much about Anderson's today. I hope someday I can make the trek. Sounds amazingly like heaven on earth.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! This sounds like a fun read and I would love to win it. :)
ReplyDeleteliedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for the contest. You have a great, easy-to-navigate blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOMG, I want this book! Thanks so much for the contest! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that there's this much support for indie bookstores. There are great stores that are overshadowed by the big chain stores.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! :)
I love the coziness of my local indie.
ReplyDeleteI already have Leah's book. I should move it higher up the pile.
I really do love Indie stores!!! This idea to spotlight them is so awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/75769098025451520
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
you rock girl!! I love indie books sadly there aren't any in my country!T-T
ReplyDeleteI entered under Krysta Banco (Google won't let me comment) Just wanted to leave my tweet and FB post links:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/75785409476558848
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=107303426026026&id=1227339860
wow! thanks for the amazing chance to win this! would love to read it, I've heard nothing but good things about this! it is FOR SURE on my TBR list :D I LOVE LOVE LOVE Indie Books♥
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/tfalick/status/75795989805531136
http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=123699841046237&id=1017363641
Really wish I had an indie book store close by, any bookstore would be great. The closest book stores of any kind are about 45 minutes away in a direction we rarely ever go.
ReplyDeletemy facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507275666
@shericallander=twitter
I feel way more comfortable perusing an Indie Bookstore for hours on end than I do a larger chain. And near me there are so many second hand/cafe bookstores too. So Good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and especially for opening it to worldwide entries.
ReplyDeleteCarol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
This just won post of the week for proper use of the term macking on.
ReplyDeleteWhen's your birthday Carol? I would like to buy you the gift of a good night's sleep. Also, a Jared Leto poster, but that's irrelevant to today's discussion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great occasion for a giveaway! I have to admit that the convenience of online ordering sometimes drives me to Amazon.com, but there's no replacing the experience of actually visiting a bookstore where it's actually about BOOKS, and there's no greater place for that than Indie stores. Indie comic book stores are like that too, and I could never give those up! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I am visiting every one else as soon as I can. Yay for Indies!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I SO wish we had more Indie bookstores! I'm glad you had ohso much fun at WisCon, and look forward to hearing about it! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteAw, I love Anderson's! I just moved to Naperville and feel lucky to have found it. What a gem. And it was great to meet you there (at Anderson's Adventure #1) :). I need to get in there more often.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love my local indies! There are two in NYC that I frequent all the time: Books of Wonder (fab children's) and the Strand.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway. I wish we had more Indie Bookstores in Australia.
ReplyDeleteAlishia R.
What a great opportunity. I think it is great that you are supporting them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading a lot of YA lately. I'd love a chance to win this . Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this giveaway!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteajiehuang1997@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemiss.little.eve AT gmail DOT com
Awesome giveaway, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this amazing giveaway!!!
ReplyDeletepriya.1dt@gmail.com
Thank you for this giveaway! I really really want to read this book! :)
ReplyDeleteNikita
bookworm.nikita (at) gmail (dot) com