April 29, 2013

Let's Talk Sheep - BAAH! A CAAHNTEST!!!

Well, folks, not only is there always adventure around here, there is always excitement! :)

First of all, I'm pretty sure my hair has grown at least a millimeter since last week :)

Really!

Pretty sure!!

But even more exciting than that, I just found out that Can't Sleep Without Sheep is being released to E-Book on May 7!!!
 It will be available on all platforms, and it is one of 4 books that Walker has chosen to launch their E-Book line.  For that reason, it is very important that it do well.  It is a representative!  Sallying forth and bearing the flag of honor!  So I really want to help spread the word so that Woolliam and Ava don't end up hanging their heads in disgrace!

Phyllis is sulking.  She thinks everything should be about her.  And usually it is.

But this week I really think Woolliam and Ava deserve their turn in the limelight.

illustration copyright Mike Wohnoutka 2010
So I put on my Old Thinking Cap and thought to myself, what can we do that will be fun and also help spread the word about the E-Book?

Right away I thought of cake.

Because, as you may have noticed, that is often my first thought.

But although I feel quite sure there will be cake involved, I think this occasion calls for even more than cake.

I know.

The mind reels.

But I want Ava and the sheep to have a chance to kick up their heels and have some fun.

So here's what I'm thinking...

LET'S HAVE A CONTEST!!!

You know how I love contests :)

Here's what we'll do:

Write a jingle that makes Can't Sleep Without Sheep sound irresistible!  So that everyone will want to read it!!  On whatever electronic device they happen to have!!!

You can do straight rhyme like the old roadside Burma Shave commercials, you know, like:

I've heard it praised
By drugstore clerks
I tried the stuff
Hot dog!  It works!
Burma Shave!

Or you can do it to a tune (just tell us what is is so we can sing it :)), like:

My bologna has a first name
It's O-S-C-A-R
My bologna has a second name
It's M-A-Y-E-R
I love to eat it every day
And if you ask my why I'll say...
'Cause Oscar Mayer has a way
With B-O-L-O-G-N-A!
(I'm assuming everyone is familiar with that one, but if not you can view it HERE :))

If you're REALLY feeling creative, you can post a photo or slide show to accompany your rhyme/jingle, or do a short video so we can hear your rhyme/jingle, preferably featuring the book cover, or a sheep in pajamas or tucked in bed, or a stuffed animal pajama party, or a pillow fight, or stuffed animals demolishing Lincoln Log fences..., or anything fun to do with the story whilst you recite or sing! (And I'll tell you right now, any entry like this is bound to get extra love from the judges! :))

Doesn't that sound fun?  Plus it can count as your Short & Sweet for the week :)

So that's it.  You have a whole week to come up with an awesome jingle to help Woolliam and Ava in their quest for fame and fortune :)

On Monday May 6 - Tuesday May 7, please post your jingle of awesomeness on your blog and include the link (which I will hopefully have by then to give you!) to the E-Book.  Add your post-specific link to the list that will be here on my post that day.  (And as always, if you'd like to participate but don't have a blog, you may either post in the comments or email me and I'll add your entry to my blog post.)

Earn extra points by spreading the word on Face Book and Twitter (and make sure I know by tagging me - Susanna Hill on FB, @SusannaLHill on twitter).  You may do this to your heart's content all week :)

Because of course there's a prize!

On Monday May 13, we will vote for a winner.  If we get fewer than 15 participants (*sob*) I will post them all here for popular vote.  If we get 16 or more (YAY! :)) my lovely assistant and I will select up to 10 finalists for your voting pleasure.

The winner will receive his or her choice of the following prizes:
#1 The Serenity Spa Gift Basket from It's Only Natural - a $55 value of organic soaps and lotions!
#2 A $50 gift certificate to Amazon!
#3 Tangy lemon bars, fudgy brownies, and sugared butter cookies from Sweet Sally's Bakeshop! (A $40+ value)
#4 Winner's choice of any 3 of my books, specially signed for whoever you like (A $30-$50 value depending on which books you choose)
#5 Winner's choice of my online picture book writing course (a $99 value) OR a picture book manuscript critique by yours truly (a $75 value)

If we get more than 25 entries, prizes will be given for 1st - 3rd!

IN ADDITION there will be a special contest FOR KIDS!

Download The Sheep Drawing Activity so your child/children/preschool or kindergarten class :) can draw something for Ava to count and/or The Sheep Hats Activity so they can draw hats on the sheep and/or write entertaining captions for what the sheep are saying.

Scan the gorgeous results and post them on your blog and link to the same link list that will be posted here on Monday May 6-Tuesday May 7 - just put (kids) so we'll know :)  (Again, if you want to participate and don't have a blog, just email me the scanned pictures and I'll post them for you.)

Kids Contest participants will also be voted on May 13, and of course there will be a prize for that too!  The winner of the Kids Contest will receive either the new Can't Sleep Without Sheep E-Book on the platform of his/her choice or a signed hardcover copy PLUS a Folkmanis Sheep puppet!

WHEW!  That is so much excitement I'm feeling a little faint.  I think I'm ready for a nap.  And a brownie.  Not necessarily in that order :)

I hope you will all join me in going hog-wild (well, I guess SHEEP-wild would be more appropriate in this situation... perhaps BAAHzerk? :)) to help launch this little e-book out into the wide world.  I will be truly and deeply grateful for any and all participation, and I hope the prizes will help make it worthwhile for you :)

Thank you, my friends, and have a wonderful day! :)





43 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I'll spread the word. How exciting it must be to be one of the 1st in the new line!

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  2. Yippee-aye-ay-YAY!!! I LOVE this! I'm in! (for the jingle) And Josie's in too! (for the kids contest)

    I can already hear my jingle! Listen:

    *jingle jingle jingle*

    ;)

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  3. Let's hear it for Ava and Wooliam! Hugs to Phyllis. Don't want her feeling completely left out :-)

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  4. delores @ thefeatherednestApril 29, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    Hmm...I shall have to put my woolie thinking cap on.

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  5. I just had an idea (not a jingle though :) ). Would you like to guest post on my blog with your book? If you're interested let me know: tdrecker (at) gmail (dot) com.

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  6. I like the sound of that, Delores! Thank you :)




























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  7. I'm not too worried about Phyllis, Angela. You watch. She'll end up in someone's video :)


























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  8. Oh, thank you, Tonja! I would love that!



























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  9. Oh yay! I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what you guys come up with! Jingle all the way! :)


























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  10. Congratulations Ava, Wooliam and Susanna! I can't stop thinking about cake though, and how yummy a red velvet sheep covered in fluffy cream cheese frosting would be...I may be baking today.

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  11. Congratulations, Susanna! How exciting to be one of the chosen four. :) Now that Poetry Month is over, I can play again. I'll sleep on it and see what I come up with..

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  12. Congratulations Susanna! That's such great news. I love you sheep book. Won't be here to participate as I'm leaving on vacation. Will look forward to reading the entries when I get back.

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  13. Susanna, I am super excited for you!! I have a niece(-in-law) named Ava who is the perfect age for this book, so I'll be buying this for her (and probably the e-book for myself...LOL!). Doing the happy dance with you!

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  14. Congratulations, Susanna, Ava, and Wooliam! I'm sure Phyllis will be joining you soon. It's nice to spread your wings. A contest is a fabulous idea, but I can't seem to think of anything ideas right now. How about I just spread the word about your contest.

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  15. Cathy Ballou MealeyApril 29, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    Shearly ewe'll get a flock of marvelous jingle entries!
    Congratulations Susanna!

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  16. If you bake a red velvet sheep cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting, A) it would make a GREAT accompaniment to your jingle :) and B) I totally want a piece! :)



























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  17. Thanks, Renee! :) And I will seriously look forward to a jingle from you! :) Sleep tight :)



























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  18. Oh, that's right - you'll be away! Well, I'm sorry you won't be able to join the fun, but have a GREAT vacation! :)



























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  19. Thanks, Rosi! I hope so too - mostly because everyone around here is so creative and I look forward to the entertainment! :)


























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  20. Thanks, Lisa! I have a kindle - I'm hoping I'll be able to get it on that, but mine's not color :(


























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  21. Aw, thanks, Teresa! That's so nice! :)




























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  22. Thanks for the good wishes, Romelle, and spreading the word would be lovely and very kind of you, thanks! And you have a whole week... maybe some words will come :)


























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  23. Hahaha! Very funny, Cathy :) I'm not sure about a lot of entries, though. I'm not picking up a lot of enthusiasm. Maybe I should have thought of something easier... I was thinking a jingle was so mice and short...!



























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  24. Oh, thank you, Vivian! If you and Erik participate, that will be 2! :)


























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    A new comment was posted on Susanna Leonard Hill




















    Vivian Kirkfield

    Wow, Susanna, I am sheepless...I mean, speechless...well, perhaps a little of both.:) What GREAT news!!!! Congrats on being in the ebook spotlight! The contest sounds like fun...and the prizes are FANTASTIC! I'll start thinking about my entry.:) 3:35 p.m., Monday April 29










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  25. Congratulations on the e-book, Susanna! That's great news.

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  26. YAY, that's fab news about the eBook, Susanna. I am thinking that Phyllis may yet have her electronic day. Awesome prizes for another zany competition!

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  27. POSTED FOR TRACY at www.tracycampbell.net/blog

    Glad to hear your hair is growing, but honestly the shorter cut really suits you. :-)
    And a BIG SUPER-DUPER CONGRATULATIONS on Can't Sleep Without Sheep coming out as an e-book!!!
    I'll be sure to announce this on Facebook and Linkedin.
    I'm hoping to participate in the contest, but the way my hectic life is going, I won't make any promises.

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  28. Thanks, Tracy! :) And I hope you'll have time to participate! if you do, that might make 3!

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  29. Thanks, Joanna! Actually, Phyllis was supposed to have her day about 2 years ago but it fell through. I don't know if it will happen for her.


























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    Joanna Marple

    YAY, that's fab news about the eBook, Susanna. I am thinking that Phyllis may yet have her electronic day. Awesome prizes for another zany competition! 6:07 a.m., Tuesday April 30










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  30. Congrats on the pending release of Can't Sleep Without Sheep. I started working on my Jingle last night . . . so count me in!


    Great prizes!!!

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  31. 'A sleep that knits the ravelled sleave of care'
    Is what you need to reach, from anywhere,
    'Can't sleep without sheep'
    Will get you there, deep,
    So this is something we all need to share!

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  32. Wahoooo! Congrats on the e-book! I love this book and I can't wait to download it on my shiny new Kindle this Tuesday. Goooo Susanna!

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  33. Oh, thank you, Hannah! I'm so glad you like the book and are considering the e-version! If it falls on it's face that will not go over well with the powers-that-be so I really appreciate it!



























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  34. This response is far too late for the contest, but I enjoyed
    reading about it and wish you great success on your newest book. I wrote this little poem about someone who couldn’t
    sleep without sheep. It bears no
    relationship to your charming book, but I’m sending it along just for what I
    hope will be your pleasure. If I had my
    good computer with me, I could probably even sing it for you, but it definitely
    does not count as a jingle! Best to you
    and thanks for all you do to keep our creative juices flowing!

    Leaping Sheep are
    Best for Sleep

    Paula Tohline Calhoun



    Have you ever tried falling asleep in your bed,
    When your eyes want to close, but stay open instead?
    I tried reading each book I had to be read,
    gargling peanut butter while I stood on my head!

    When that didn’t send me to slumber-land
    I listened to the music of a marching band.
    But wonder of wonders, despite what I’d planned,
    I think being awake had the upper hand.

    There were so many dreams to look forward to
    I was worried I’d never find the right clue!
    I’d used all the tricks for sleeping I knew!
    Some unheard of, and some tried and true.

    And then an idea popped into my mind:
    Was there something more soothing I could find?
    Maybe gargling peanut butter wasn’t the kind
    Of thing that should be frequently combined

    With trying to get a good night’s sleep!
    So I asked for advice from my friend Bo-Peep.
    “Have you ever seen my little sheep
    Leap over the fence to my garden keep?

    “Whenever your eyes refuse to close,
    Imagine you’re counting each one as it goes,
    jumping, to land where the sweet clover grows.
    Quick as a wink, you’ll begin to doze!”

    I was doubtful then that such a peaceful thing:
    Restful as hearing cows moo or birds sing
    Could ever in a million years bring
    Sleep to me sweet as a day in spring!

    So, if you’ve tried sleeping by tumbling around
    On your mattress to make the bedsprings sound
    As though they might break, dashing you to the ground
    So loud that Bo-Peep’s sheep won’t be found

    Remember my story, about how to sleep:
    No peanut butter, marching, or falling in a heap!
    Just let the lambs do the hard work and leap -
    Don’t ever try going to sleep without sheep!

    I wish you the best! I am a very close and dear friend of Jean Gralley - are you familiar with her - she too is a successful and brilliant children's book author and illustrator. See her website at:

    www.jeangralley.com
    Cheer! I wish you all the blessings of the abundance of enough. . .
    Paula Tohline Calhoun

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  35. Oh, thank you, Paula! This is lovely! And you must have put a fair bit of time into it. Not a jingle, it's true, but such fun! I'm not familiar with your friend, but I'll follow the link :)

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  36. I wish I could tell you that I put in tons of time, but I definitely did not - I didn't have any! It only takes me about 5 minutes for such nonsense, and as you can tell = this one was definitely NOT edited! :-D But it was fun. I have written many children's story-poems, but I've only put them on my blog. I would love for you to check them out, but I know your time is valuable, and my pockets are empty! But if you want to waste a little time some day, just let me know at calhounpaula@ymail.com and you can read them without having to make one single critique! Maybe just to give you a smile or two. Glad you liked my non-jingle!

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  37. I'm glad you had fun writing it - I certainly enjoyed reading it :) What is your blog address? I'll come check it out!

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