HANK: Jungle Red is proud to welcome international best-selling author and good pal Brenda Novak--but she's not here to promote herself. Brenda is a treless fundrasier for Diabetes Research..and for the past several years, the writing community has banded together to join in the fun! And to outdo each other wiht donations. She's got an amazing array of prizes for this year--there's a...well, let her tell you! (But I've donated, among other things, signed books by every Jungle Red author! So stop by the auction and bid!) But first:
BRENDA: I’m SO excited! My 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research began May 1st (at brendanovak.com). With over 2,000 fabulous items, many of which you can’t get anywhere else, it's going to be a blast.
I started this fundraiser in 2005 and have made it an annual event in an attempt to help my thirteen-year-old son (diagnosed at 5) and the many, many others who struggle with diabetes. The need is there. Anyone who lives with a diabetic will tell you about the constant fingertip pricks, the shots, the pump insertions, the danger that comes with blood sugars that are too high or too low or swinging wildly from one side to the other. It’s almost impossible to avoid the fluctuations, no matter how hard you try. But you rarely hear about that, or about the tragic side affects. Diabetes affects every part of the body—the heart, the liver, the kidneys, the skin, the nerves, the eyes, everything. But thanks to my many, many generous donors--and shoppers--we’re doing what we can to help!
Last year we managed to raise over $280,000, which brings us to over three-quarters of a million so far. In 2010, we should break the $1 million mark! Judging by the increase in donations and web traffic, I think we’ll get there. Not only do I offer fabulous items like original paintings, handmade quilts, trips and stays and autographed books and baskets from Big Name authors, I offer fabulous opportunities for readers and writers.
BRENDA: I’m SO excited! My 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research began May 1st (at brendanovak.com). With over 2,000 fabulous items, many of which you can’t get anywhere else, it's going to be a blast.
I started this fundraiser in 2005 and have made it an annual event in an attempt to help my thirteen-year-old son (diagnosed at 5) and the many, many others who struggle with diabetes. The need is there. Anyone who lives with a diabetic will tell you about the constant fingertip pricks, the shots, the pump insertions, the danger that comes with blood sugars that are too high or too low or swinging wildly from one side to the other. It’s almost impossible to avoid the fluctuations, no matter how hard you try. But you rarely hear about that, or about the tragic side affects. Diabetes affects every part of the body—the heart, the liver, the kidneys, the skin, the nerves, the eyes, everything. But thanks to my many, many generous donors--and shoppers--we’re doing what we can to help!
Last year we managed to raise over $280,000, which brings us to over three-quarters of a million so far. In 2010, we should break the $1 million mark! Judging by the increase in donations and web traffic, I think we’ll get there. Not only do I offer fabulous items like original paintings, handmade quilts, trips and stays and autographed books and baskets from Big Name authors, I offer fabulous opportunities for readers and writers.
How would you like to have lunch with one of your favorite authors—authors like Barry Eisler, Diana Gabaldon, Linda Howard, Beverly Barton or Catherine Coulter?
John Lescroart and Christine Feehan are offering you an opportunity to name a character in one of their novels.
Jane Porter is offering a fabulous trip to Hawaii. Heather Graham has donated a trip to New Orleans, which includes her Writers For New Orleans Conference.
Nora Roberts is offering a stay at her inn. Hank has donated a whole category of wonderful items, including a visit to your book club and a manuscript critique. And Anna DeStefano has put up a whole category of Coach purses. For aspiring writers, we have more agent and editor evaluations and author critiques than ever before. There are too many items to list here, so hop over and check it out.
For those of you who have never participated in an online auction, don’t worry--it’s easy. This auction runs just like E-Bay. You shop the entire month of May (there are also one-day auctions so be sure to check the schedule), bid on whatever you like and pay for what you win via credit card or Paypal when it’s all over, at which point it will be shipped to you (in most cases, the shipping is free). The person who places the highest number of bids each week will be awarded a fabulous prize (the first week it's an iPad as well as an Advanced Reading Copy of my new book, WHITE HEAT, due out July 27th). There will also be lots of other prizes given away via random drawings.
And we have something new this year for aspiring writers. It's a writing contest that will be judged by New York Times Bestselling Authors. The winner will receive a 6-month mentoring package from me and guaranteed reads from my agent and editor. One other thing I should mention. To help promote the auction, I’m currently holding a drawing for a fabulous Trip for 2 to Curacao. This trip includes airfare and hotel stay at the Hyatt Regency. To enter, visit brendanovak.com and click on the Contest link.
Here’s hoping I see you at the auction!
Brenda Novak
New York Times Bestselling Author of WHITE HEAT, On Sale July 27th! http://www.brendanovak.com/
For those of you who have never participated in an online auction, don’t worry--it’s easy. This auction runs just like E-Bay. You shop the entire month of May (there are also one-day auctions so be sure to check the schedule), bid on whatever you like and pay for what you win via credit card or Paypal when it’s all over, at which point it will be shipped to you (in most cases, the shipping is free). The person who places the highest number of bids each week will be awarded a fabulous prize (the first week it's an iPad as well as an Advanced Reading Copy of my new book, WHITE HEAT, due out July 27th). There will also be lots of other prizes given away via random drawings.
And we have something new this year for aspiring writers. It's a writing contest that will be judged by New York Times Bestselling Authors. The winner will receive a 6-month mentoring package from me and guaranteed reads from my agent and editor. One other thing I should mention. To help promote the auction, I’m currently holding a drawing for a fabulous Trip for 2 to Curacao. This trip includes airfare and hotel stay at the Hyatt Regency. To enter, visit brendanovak.com and click on the Contest link.
Here’s hoping I see you at the auction!
Brenda Novak
New York Times Bestselling Author of WHITE HEAT, On Sale July 27th! http://www.brendanovak.com/
HANK: Thanks, Brenda! And for every comment we get today, Jungle Red will donate to the auction! So say hi--it's for a great cause!
This is a great event for a beastly disease. Many Thanks to Brenda and all the other authors.
ReplyDeleteAdd my thanks for all Brenda does. And she still manages to write fantastic books.
ReplyDeleteI'll add my thanks to Brenda and her efforts, and am on my way to the auction site now!
ReplyDeleteEdith
Hi everyone--Thanks for your kind comments. I really appreciate the support. I'm thrilled to report that the auction has been open for less than four days and already we're closing in on $100,000. I can't tell you how grateful I am to everyone who participates. And a big thanks to Hank for donating an entire section. Check it out, folks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea Brenda--we're delighted to have you on Jungle Red. Now I'm off to check out the items...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cause!!
ReplyDeleteHaving just returned from a visit to my diabetic specialist, I can only say: Brenda, I appreciate your starting this event and continuing it every year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, to you and to all our wonderful Jungle Reds!
Now I'm off to bid.