102 Contest Ideas

 

 

 

NOTE:  CONTEST WINNERS ARE LISTED AND OCTOBER CONTESTS ARE ANNOUNCED BELOW!

 

I was having breakfast with Beth Revis who wrote ACROSS THE UNIVERSE the other day and we were talking about different contests that we've done and it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to keep a running list not only for myself but for other authors to borrow from.  These ideas would work for bloggers too so feel free to borrow and let me now how it turns out.  Here is THE LIST.

 

102 Contest/Event Ideas for Authors

 

          1.         Scavenger Hunt with other authors

          2.         Recipe Contest based on foods in your book-give a restaurant gift card or a cookbook

          3.         Goodreads Giveaway

          4.         Amazon Contest-write reviews, create listopias, vote on reviews, create tags

          5.         Live Author Chat-Goodreads, Ustream, etc

          6.         Surveys

          7.         Back to School writing contest-you write a paragraph and they finish it-prizes for most humorous, most romantic, most shocking, etc.

          8.         Vlog Contest-Fans create and post Vlogs reviews, or talk about why they love your book

          9.         B & N Contest-Participants write reviews, vote on reviews, & "like" the book pages

        10.        Best Photo Caption-Post a photo that inspired your book and ask fans to create a caption.

        11.        Live Text Chat-on Facebook, Twitter, blogs

        12.        Offerpops on Facebook-participants leave comments under a "do you like A or B?" format

        13.        Solve online jigsaw puzzles featuring your new book cover or a picture that inspired you

        14.        Crossword Contest-create online puzzle

        15.        Trivia Tuesday-Post a five question trivia blog about your book every Tuesday and have fans submit their answers

        16.        Wordsearch Puzzle-Create online wordsearch for words found in your story

        17.        Art Contest

        18.        Poetry Contest

        19.        Design a (monster, dragon, hero) Contest

        20.        Valentine's Design a Date contest-Describe your perfect date with the literary hero of your choice

        21.        Why Do I Deserve Contest-Give away international copies by asking fans why they deserve your book in that language.

        22.        My Dream Movie Cast Contest-Participants submit their choices a cast of your characters-movie prize pack

        23.        Slogan Contest-Fans come up with slogans to fit your series-example is "Let the Games Begin" (Hunger Games)

        24.        Book Trailer Contest-fans create their own book trailers for your book

        25.        Have an online Birthday Party for one of your characters

        26.        A Day In The Life Of-Have your editor, agent, producer, publicist, marketing director, and you, etc. write a short summary of a typical day in their life and have fans vote on their fav

        27.        Make a Wish contest-Each person submits a wish related to your series and you grant one

        28.        Thankful Contest-Thank authors who have influenced you and ask fans to submit stories of authors who influence them. Give away a basket of books by your fav authors.

        29.        Trick or Treat contest-Which sections of your books "tricked" your fans the most and which parts are "treats" they read over and over again. Give away a basket of treats.

        30.        Picture Contest-Fan snap a picture of themselves holding your book

        31.        The "Guess How Many" Contest-post a photo online and have fans guess how many of something you have IE Steampunk boots, scarves, tigers, etc.

        32.        Mother's/Father's Day Contest-Talk about a mother/father character in your book and encourage fans to write about those figures in their life-give away a related prize

        33.        Guess Where Game-Post a picture of you somewhere and have fans guess where you are

        34.        Favorite Quote-Fans post a favorite quote and the one with the most "likes" wins

        35.        Storyteller Contest-Post three random pics and ask fans to come up with a short story idea tying them together.

        36.        "Like" Raffle-Fans "like" one of your comments to be entered in a raffle

        37.        Tweet-A-Pic Contest-Fans tweet a pic to you of interesting things or places and you can choose one to feature in a short story or a book

        38.        Merchandising Contest-Ask fans to submit ideas for what merchandise they'd like to have related to your book-good for market research

        39.        Tweet A Picture of Your Book-Fans send a picture of your book and you choose one to win a signed copy to give away to a friend

        40.        Patriotic Contest-Submit a patriotic photo or short essay

        41.        What I Would Most Like to Win Contest-Fans submit ideas for what they'd like to get, a signed book, a signed tee, a charm bracelet, dinner with the author, etc.

        42.        I Spy Contest-take an up close picture of one of your books, products, or favorite things and have fans guess what it is.

        43.        Unusual Holiday Contests-http://www.brownielocks.com/may.html

        44.        Adventure Contest-Describe an adventure you'd like to go on with a character from your book-give a gift card relating to that adventure

        45.        Name a Character Contest-Names are submitted and one is chosen that will be featured in your next book or short story

        46.        Dress Up Contest-Participants dress up like characters in your book and submit photos

        47.        Submit a Song Contest-Fans submit ideas for your playlist-choose one as a winning song

        48.        Pick a Number Contest-You choose a number and let fans guess. They can only submit a number once.

        49.        Oldest Fan/Youngest Fan Contest-Prizes are given to your oldest and youngest participants

        50.        Ugliest Contest-Apply to your book, photos are submitted of the ugliest tree, dog, building, flower or whatever applies to your book.

        51.        Embarrassing Contest-Talk about your most embarrassing moment and ask fans to share theirs

        52.        Worst Date Contest-Fans share their worst dates with you and you pick one for a prize

        53.        Limerick Contest-Choose a theme or use your book as a theme

        54.        Joke Contest-Submit a joke that one of the characters in the book would say.

        55.        Character Interview

        56.        Blog Commentor Contest-Tell fans you'll give a prize to the person who comments most frequently on your blog that month

        57.        #1 Fan Contest-What extremes have your fans gone to? Ask for a report and select your #1 fan.

        58.        Celebrate Your Inner Child Contest-What were your favorite books as a child?

        59.        Fan Fiction Contest-Fan fiction chapters are submitted and judged and a prize is awarded

        60.        A Picture is Worth 100 Words-Let fans write 100-300 words about a picture you post.

        61.        Vacation Getaway Contest-Readers write an ad describing a vacation destination from your book

        62.        Name the Chapter Contest-Participants submit possible names for a chapter

        63.        Book Cover Contest-Fans submit possible book covers-best one wins a signed copy

        64.        Back Story Contest-Readers pick a secondary character and write a short paragraph describing his/her backstory.

        65.        Collage Contest-Fans create a collage inspired by your book and then submit a picture of it.

        66.        Romance Contest-Ask readers to talk about their favorite literary romantic couple other than your own.

        67.        Career Change-If you could have the chance to go back again and get your dream job what would it be?

        68.        Favorite Books of the Year-Fans create a top ten list of favorite books they read this year.

        69.        Survival Kit-What would readers pack in a survival kit if they had to live in the world of your book

        70.        Paranormal Faceoff-Would you rather date a shifter, vamp, werewolf, fairy, angel, etc. and why?

        71.        Audiobook Giveaway-What was the first audiobook you listened to? Why do you like audiobooks?

        72.        Shifters-If you could shift into any creature what would it be and why?

        73.        Genre Contest-What is your favorite genre and why?

        74.        Bad Boys vs Good Guys-Which do you like better and explain your reasons

        75.        Change the Book Contest-If you could change one thing about my book what would it be and why?

        76.        Savor the Danger-Which scene of the book had you on the edge of your seat? What scared you the most?

        77.        Talent Contest-What talent do you have that you wish you could loan to a book heroine?  Which skill of any of my book characters do you wish you had?

        78.        Reading Quiz-What time of day do you do most of your reading and where do you like to read?

        79.        Pick a Partner-If you were to go on a paranormal adventure what five traits would you like your traveling companion to have?

        80.        The Major Game-Fans list what your characters would major in if they went to college

        81.        Inspiring Women-What women have inspired you?

        82.        Overcoming-Describe how you overcame an obstacle in your past.

        83.        Pack Your Bags-If you could have an adventure with a handsome stranger where would like to go?

        84.        Worst Gift Ever-What was the worst gift you ever received from a boyfriend, a husband, for Valentine's etc.

        85.        Traveling Author-If you were an author packing for a trip what is the worst possible thing you could leave at home?

        86.        Based on a Book-What is your favorite movie/television adaptation of a book or series?

        87.        Relationship Tips-What's the best tip you ever heard about making a marriage/relationship work?

        88.        Battle Contest-If you had to fight a monster, demon, villain from one of my books, which one would you choose and why?

        89.        Find the Cover Contest-Hide your new cover on your website somewhere and ask fans to find it.

        90.        Weapons-If you could fight as a superhero using any type of a weapon, which weapon would you choose and why?

        91.        Create a Character Contest-Describe a new character that would fit into my book. What do they look like, act like, do?

        92.        Name a Nail Polish-If you could create a series of nail polishes reflecting the themes in my book what colors would you pick and what would they be called?

        93.        Dystopia or Paranormal-which type of book would you rather live in?

        94.        Skype Visit-Teachers, book clubs, bookstores, even individuals why would you want to host a Skype session with me?

        95.        Guess the College-Fans guess where you attended college and prize pack is a college themed gift pack

        96.        Book Scavenger Hunt-Take a picture of yourself holding not your copy of a book but another one in a library, at a bookstore, or with a friend. Key your friend, the bookstore manager, or the librarian must be in the picture with you.

        97.        Design a Cake/Cupcake/Cookie Contest-that matches the theme of your book

        98.        Dress a Character-Fans would pick a character from your book, select clothing for them, and explain why they chose it. Prize gift cert to a clothing store.

        99.        Flag Contest-Design a flag that would fit the theme of your book.

      100.      Door Decorating Contest-Fans decorate their bedroom or library door and send a picture.

      101.      Retweet Contest-The person who retweets my tweets the most in the month gets a prize.

      102.      Password Contest-Fans search for letters or clues left in different places on your website or social media sites to put together a password that unlocks a secret fan page.

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I know many of you have been asking about the upcoming tour and I still haven't gotten many details.  All I know for sure is Portland, OR at Powell's on November 8th, Boston the first week of November, and the Miami Book Festival around the 14-16 of November.  Stay tuned for more details.  I've heard rumors of NYC, Penn, Atlanta, and Mississippi.  I will confirm what I know as soon as I can.



Thanks to all of you for the awesome birthday wishes.  You guys are the best!  This month is all about editing TIGER'S DESTINY, jury duty, a trip to Arizona to see the family, and attending the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Conference.  Sorry this one isn't open to the public but hope to see many of you on tour.



Next Tuesday Oct 11th visit THE BOOK NERD BLOG HERE!  I will be doing a live interview and hope to be able to answer some questions!  It's at 5pm Pacific Time.  Don't forget to check the time in your area!



And now...here's Suki with contest info!



Hugs to you all!



Colleen

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 OCTOBER CONTEST INFO!
This month's giveaway is brought to you by Halloween! Up for grabs is a Halloween prize pack from Sterling Publishing! 



This giveaway is EASY and FUN. All you have to do is answer the following questions and email them to me (Suki) at contests@colleenhouck.com. That's it! Only one email per person, please!



Giveaway ends October 31, 2011. Winners will be announced soon thereafter. :)

 

HALLOWEEN SURVEY

1. Which character or monster would you dress up as for Halloween?

2. If Ren or Kishan came to your house, what trick would you play or what treat would you give?

3. Would you be scared if a tiger came to your house to trick-or-treat?

4. Are you hoping that a tiger comes to your house to trick-or-treat?

5. What treat do you think Mr. Kadam would give out if you went to his house to trick-or-treat?

6. Which character would you invite to your Halloween party?

7. Which food or beverage from the Tiger Series would you serve at your Halloween party?

8. If Ren and Kishan were having separate Halloween parties, which one would you crash?

9. Which Tiger Series monster would you hate to meet on Halloween night?

10. If you were in a haunted house, which scene from the Tiger Series would scare you the most?

11. Would you give a special treat or trick for someone who came to your door dressed as a character from the Tiger Series?



 

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

This one only lasts until October 7th! Click HERE to win a copy of TIGER'S VOYAGE!

TOTALLY AWESOME RANDOM GIVEAWAY!

I happen to have a few galleys left of TIGER'S VOYAGE and I want to give them away before the book actually comes out so leave a comment on the blog page on my website telling me just why YOU should be the one to get one of my last copies.  How many I give out is determined by how many I have left in the box. Good Luck!  PS I'm not waiting until the end of the month to send these.  They are going out next week so leave a note now for a chance to win!

 

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CONTEST WINNERS!

Suki here. It's time to announce some winners!



Before I announce them, however, I need to say something. Both of these contests had a specific task you had to do in order for any of your entries to be valid. For the first, you had to do one of several options on the Barnes & Noble website. For the second contest, you had to post a vlog on either Tiger's Curse or Tiger's Quest. Unfortunately several entries were disqualified because they didn't meet the requirements for the contests and didn't email me to get it taken care of. Please read the directions that come with each contest! I want everyone to be able to win the contests they take the time to enter and the best way to do that is to make sure you are doing it right.

 

Barnes & Noble Contest Winners

Prize is a bell anklet similar to the one Ren gave Kelsey at the end of TIGER'S CURSE!



Cassandra Askelson

Amanda Barnett

Christina Farlow

Marissa

Daely Andersen

 

Vlog Winners

Prize is an advanced reading copy of TIGER'S VOYAGE!



Awesome Vlogs, everyone! I'm not brave enough to talk in front of a camera but I watched all of yours and I loved them all.

 
Kelah Cash
 

Cynthia Garcia

Book Reader Addicts Blog

 

Jessica Haas
 

Stefanie P.
 

Diana M.





 

 

 

 




Puzzle Contest

The persons with the following usernames won a signed bookmark!

 

cfarlow said "31102! It took me a few tries to figure out how to select words, but it was so fun. Thanks for sharing your inspiration for Durga...all of her arms sure would come in handy (pun intended!) for me on a daily basis!"



TeamPhet Okay this was my last shot... I hope more than one bookmark is going around because I'm not very good at this game. It was fun anyway though! :) Score:32392



mujhe/tumse/pyarhai Forgot to add on the 32439 score that the time was 59:12



veeney369 I finished at 58:24 and i have a score of 32,183 it was fun especially since you were being timed! Thanks colleen!!!!!!!!!!.)



SeaGlass Is it too late? :) 31533! It didn't tell me the time, but I think it said 56 something? This was fun! Can not WAIT for Voyage.....

 

Congratulations, winners! If you gave me your mailing address, we'll get your prizes sent out to you. Otherwise, you'll be hearing from me!



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That's it people!  Have a great week!



Colleen