I’ve got this crazy idea of doing a gift exchange here on my blog. Or more precisely, a book exchange. I don’t need to comment on the state of the economy, and we all heard the unpleasant news in the publishing industry last week, but I thought if we - and by we I mean all of my writing/reading friends - gathered together we could do our little part to bolster book sales and get a treat for ourselves at the same time. You never know unless you try something. So here I am, trying to get get together a little online holiday cheer. If you’d like to participate, put a “I want to exchange” in the comments. Please let me know your thoughts too or ways this might work better. I love suggestions! If I get enough participants, we’ll move forward.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
1. Anyone who wants to participate, leave a comment. And if you don’t you can still leave a comment, just be sure to tell me you’re not participating. You’ve got until Thursday. Spread the word! Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate.
2. Once I’ve compiled a list of participants, I will randomly match people up. It might be someone you know. It might not, and you’ll make a new friend!
3. Each person will buy a book to send to another person and receive a new book from that person in exchange. You can buy the book at a bookstore, at Amazon, wherever you’d like. But it needs to be new so we help book sales.
4. I’ll post the pairs on Friday. Please visit that person’s website/blog to email them and get their snail mail address. For anyone participating who does not have a website, I will forward the mailing address. So all you lurkers out there, come and play! Note that postage is involved too so that’s another cost to consider when deciding if you want to exchange.
5. Books must be mailed to your counterpart by Tuesday, December 16th, so that they get their gift before Christmas. And I’m thinking there is no need to ask them what they want. Surprise them! Make it a romance, a mystery, sci fi, whatever you want. After all, it’s good to read many different genres, right?
6. You must enjoy your new book and jump up and down when it arrives in the mail.
Did I forget anything? Is this a totally lame idea? Please don’t hesitate to let me know if it is, and we’ll skip it. I’ve always enjoyed gift exchanges with friends during the holidays, so thought I’d try to spread some of the joy with my blogging friends.
Happy Monday!
December 8th, 2008 - 9:33 am
Awesome idea! Count me in. And match me up with someone who likes edgy/different stories.
December 8th, 2008 - 9:48 am
I think it is an awesome idea. I love secret Santa…and mail!
I also love quirky and edgy, sweet and traditional, murder and mayhem…match me up any old way!
Will go spread the love on my blog right now.
December 8th, 2008 - 10:46 am
Oh, yay! I was nervous checking in this morning, thinking this idea wouldn’t translate well, but Kath and Lainey, you’ve made my morning! I’m so glad you think it’s a good idea. Skipping off to make breakfast now…
December 8th, 2008 - 11:37 am
Thanks to Lainey for the idea of spreading the word at my blog. Gonna do it post haste. (Whoever came up with that word?)
December 8th, 2008 - 12:52 pm
Robin, I’ve already bought more books this year than any other, but it sounds fun. I’m in!
December 8th, 2008 - 12:53 pm
I’m also going to post my book wish list at my blog.
December 8th, 2008 - 1:09 pm
Thanks for spreading the word, Kath and Lainey!! And GREAT idea, Kath, posting a book wish list on your blog!
Edie, I’m so glad you’re in! Thanks for participating even though you’ve bought tons of books already this year. The more the merrier!
December 8th, 2008 - 2:35 pm
Wow, Robin, that’s a wonderful idea! I think that sounds awesome! I’ll post about it tomorrow, definitely!
December 8th, 2008 - 3:15 pm
Robin, I LOVE it!! Sure, I’ll do this…gives me another excuse to visit Borders (not that I need one :). Match me up with whomever you’d like!
December 8th, 2008 - 5:13 pm
Thanks so much Spy and Marilyn! I’m happy you guys are on board!
December 9th, 2008 - 10:47 am
Heck yeah–sign me up!
P.S. I love historicals!!!
December 9th, 2008 - 3:32 pm
December 9th, 2008 - 3:58 pm
Hi Pam and Jessica! I’m so glad you’re joining us!
December 9th, 2008 - 10:51 pm
Sounds like fun! I’m in. I will post about it on my blog also (though I don’t have many readers, but you never know!)
December 10th, 2008 - 10:47 am
Thanks, Kristi! I’m happy you’re here!
December 11th, 2008 - 1:54 pm
Just to prove Kristi wrong! Well, not entirely, though I heard about it on her blog and it seems like a fabtastic idea! Count me in!
December 11th, 2008 - 2:59 pm
Hi, Kate! Thanks for stopping by and joining in!