Riding With The Top Down

Hey gang. It's Cindy. We are thrilled to have Brenda Novak as our guest rider in the convertible today. She's here to talk about an amazing event that we can all participate in if we want to. On top of that, for all you fans who have been waiting for it, Brenda's new and thrilling release, TRUST ME will hit the stands on on May 27. What is not to love about that?

Here's Brenda. I know you'll all give her a rousing and warm welcome and make sure you ask her lots of questions about everything from her new release to this super cool event she's going to tell you about right now .....

Spring has arrived, and with it the fundraising season. American Idol Gives back was on a couple weeks ago. Most of the major charities are holding Galas, Walks and Golf Tournaments. And I’m launching my 4^th Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research, which runs at http://www.brendanovak.com/ May 1 – May 31st. I know, as much as we all want to help, this “F” word (fundraising) is a little daunting because we have bills and obligations that need to come first.

But the good news is: I’m not asking you to sacrifice! I’m giving you the opportunity to bid on over 1300 items, many of which you can’t find anywhere else. That means you can make a difference to my son and all the other people in the world who suffer from diabetes by SHOPPING. What could be more fun than that?

Think about it. We all buy books. Why not buy an advanced reading copy of your favorite author’s next novel and have the chance to read it before anyone else? Or do your gift shopping for the coming year by purchasing something personal and unique for those on your Christmas list—like the opportunity to have your loved one’s name used as a character in a book? Or the chance to have lunch with such Big Name authors as MaryJanice Davidson, Christine Feehan, Diana Gabaldon, Jayne Ann Krentz, Debbie Macomber, Ridley Pearson, and JR Ward?

There will be items to fit every budget from a drumhead signed by a whole slew of famous music artists (Michael Jackson, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springstein, and far too many others to list) to a treasure trove of miscellaneous items donated by aspiring author Lauren Hawkeye.

And that’s not all. For those who are aspiring to become a novelist or to advance their writing career, there will be AMAZING opportunities. Many of the most powerful agents and editors in the business have donated evaluations—some with the promise of a 24-hour response (which is unheard of in the publishing industry). There will also be mentoring packages from NYTimes Bestselling authors, media training, web designs, publicity packages and lunch with Sue Grimshaw (National buyer for Borders/Waldenbooks).

How does it all work? Just like E-Bay. You register, you bid, you win what you want. When it’s over, you pay with Paypal, credit card or personal check/money order. In most instances the donor even picks up the shipping. Can’t get any better than that, right? Well, it does. The person who places the highest number of bids over all, even if that person doesn’t win a single item, will receive a fabulous prize package including a brand new camcorder (worth over $1,000), Your Name in My Next Book, an autographed copy of my new novel TRUST ME (released May 27^th), and chocolate (lots of chocolate!).

Check out the auction at http://www.brendanovak.com and while you’re at my Web site, enter to win a spectacular trip to Port Orchard and Bainbridge Island (sponsored by Allison Brennan, Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs and myself), and receive a $10 gift certificate you can use toward your auction purchases.

What cool items have you won in past charity auctions? Do you prefer on-line shopping to brick & mortar shopping? Do you think this “wave of the future” will eventually overtake traditional fundraising?

Here's to making a difference!

Brenda