Announcing our first Author Group Giveaway

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Author Mike Addingtonhas generously offered fifty copies of his novel The Home Place exclusively to members of "On the Southern Literary Trail." My review is available at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Read more about Mike Addington and his novel at his Author Page at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... .

To enter, inbox me your name and mailing address. If requests exceed available copies, I will draw to determine the winners of Mike's novel. Mike Addington will mail copies to the winners.

All entries must be received by April 30. And watch for the next Author Giveaway coming next month. We have some talented folks in our midst.

Mike S.

[John]

John Turner
1201 W Skyview Dr
Prescott, AZ 86303

I read your review Mike and thought this may be one hell of a book.

Thanks again. We'll see what happens next.

[Larry]

I read the About page in GR about Mike Addington.The link to his page is in the first message. It was fun to read as Mike took us through his writing and publishing career and told us about a couple of new books that he is currently writing.

Thanks for being an active member of the group, Mike, and for sharing your talents with the group by offering some of your published books to be given free to members of the group. This is a site where it is not hard to give away free books (that will actually be read) and it is a wonderful marketing move on top of it all.

Members of the group will likely never have an opportunity to have such a high probability of actually getting a book!

[Mike]

Thanks Mike, Larry, John: First of all, let me say how delighted I am to have discovered this group. I stumbled across Goodreads by reading a blog through Twitter then found our group, which is exactly the type of readers I had in mind when I wrote "The Home Place." It is certainly not mainstream fiction.

I've written all the background on other posts, so I won't go back over that. I've sold about half of the original lot I had printed and I'd much rather share the story with folks who will appreciate it than anything else I can think of. My hope is that, when I finish my current work in progress, I can approach the literary agent obstacle course with a little more ammunition than I had the first time around. And that by getting feedback from you well-read readers, I can polish my writing skills. No matter what the critics say, readers have the final say. Thank you all in advance for joining the story.

Sincerely,
Mike Addington

[Elle]

Mike (Addington) : I look forward to reading your book. My address:

Elle Thornton
1840 Sherry Drive N.
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

[Mel]

I sent a message to you Mike (Lawyer Stevens) with my name and address. I hope that is what inboxing means
Mike (Addington) I look forward to reading your book. Thanks for sharing your book on here.

Mel

[Mike]

John and Elle did you receive your copies I sent priority mail the first of the last week? Be surprised if you didn't. Let me know so I can check with PO if you didn't receive the copy, please. thanks

Mike Addington

[Mike]

I will send other copies out to people who have requested them through Mike as soon as I have the addresses to send them to. Mike might want to wait till the giveaway is over, I really don't know his protocol for the giveaway, although I am very grateful that he consented to host it. Happy reading.

Mike A

[Kathleen]

Excited to read it, Mike!

[Mike]

If you requested it, I didn't receive notice, but, if the case, i hope to find out soon.

Mike Add

[John]

Thank you Mike. Am so interested to read it. I've been out of town all week so it's probably waiting for me on the desk. How very nice of you.

[Jayme]

Hi Mike A.,
I requested your book via Mike S. Please let me know if you receive my address. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for hosting the give Mike S. :)

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jayme wrote: "Hi Mike A.,
I requested your book via Mike S. Please let me know if you receive my address. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for hosting the give Mike S. :)"

Jayme, Glad to do it.

Mike

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Mike wrote: "If you requested it, I didn't receive notice, but, if the case, i hope to find out soon.

Mike Addington wrote "If you requested it, I didn't receive notice, but, if the case, i hope to find out soon."

Yo, Mike A!

I e-mailed you last night that I would send you a list of all entries. You will receive it today. Also, I had originally posted that all entries must be received by April 30. Lordy mercy, we're gonna have to decaffeinate your iced tea. *laughing*

For those of you who have entered to receive a copy of The Home Place, you're in for a fine read.

Mike S.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

I have provided Mike Addington all addresses of those who have entered our first author giveaway. For those of you who have not yet taken advantage of this other, copies remain available. To enter, simply e-mail me your name and address. Should entries exceed the number of copies available, a drawing will determine winners of the remaining copies.

And, look forward to future giveaways from authors in the coming months. As I've mentioned, we have some talented authors who are members of this site. I appreciate the generosity of each author who has agreed to participate in our future giveaways.

For those of you who do receive copies, give open and honest feedback to the author.

Mike S.
"Lawyer Stevens

[Mike]

Thanks, Mike. I'll be shipping the books out to those who already requested a copy the first of the week.

Regarding the feedback Mike S mentioned, I do value all comments and would very much appreciate it if you would copy comments made in our group discussions onto "The Home Place" book page as comments/reviews. These will be of enormous help when I re-enter the traditional publishing world obstacle course.

Happy reading to all and again, thank you all very much.

Mike Addington

[Brannon]

Hey Mike A! I'm looking forward to reading The Home Place!

[Mike]

Mike wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Hi Mike A.,
I requested your book via Mike S. Please let me know if you receive my address. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for hosting the give Mike S. :)"

Jayme, Glad to..."

Yes, Jayme, I have you address and will be mailing the first of the week. thanks

Mike A

[Elle]

Mike wrote: "John and Elle did you receive your copies I sent priority mail the first of the last week? Be surprised if you didn't. Let me know so I can check with PO if you didn't receive the copy, please. tha..."
Mike, I did receive the copy. Thanks again.

Mike also wrote: I do value all comments and would very much appreciate it if you would copy comments made in our group discussions onto "The Home Place" book page as comments/reviews. These will be of enormous help when I re-enter the traditional publishing world obstacle course.

This is a really good idea and one that I'm going to follow when my book's giveaway turn comes along. I, too, plan to re-enter the traditional publishing world with my next book.
Elle

[Mike]

Elle wrote: "Mike wrote: "John and Elle did you receive your copies I sent priority mail the first of the last week? Be surprised if you didn't. Let me know so I can check with PO if you didn't receive the copy..."

hope U believe N your work because, if you don't, you won't hold up to demdands of having a work in print, ie, traditional publishing. Whew, what a drag.

Mike A

[John]

well well, here it is! I cracked it open and saw the words "gondola and cards. And now I wonder who the boy on the back cover is.

Mike, I'm on my last 60 pages about the Tower of London. That English monarchy were sure a blood thirsty bunch. You are on deck and I'm rarin to go.
Regards
John

[Mike]

John wrote: "well well, here it is! I cracked it open and saw the words "gondola and cards. And now I wonder who the boy on the back cover is.

Mike, I'm on my last 60 pages about the Tower of London. That ..."

Hi John: I had to think a moment about "gondola" myself. Many people ask about that photo, so the answer is . . . no, it's not me. :-) Since the front cover gives the impression of criminal activity and IMO the front and back covers are really the beginning of the book (in many cases), I wanted something to let potential readers know that "The Home Place" is not only a crime story but is a family story with crime in it. I searched the web for sites that sold photos and, as soon as I saw that one (with the boy's expression) I knew it was the one. I did get permission from the Gainseville GA Times to use their masthead, but then to avoid potential lawsuits, I rewrote all the reporter content on the front page as well as changing the name of the newspaper (while staying true to actual events as can be seen on the links Mike S provided; read those after the book to avoid spoilerers). There isn't anyone who has legal standing to sue, but in today's climate, I wanted to eliminate any reasonable avenue to a lawsuit. Can't be too careful.

Thanks for the update, John. I hope you enjoy the read.

Mike A

[John]

For me it is those overalls on that boy. No Osh Kosh by damn. These are just like his granddaddy's, only newer.

[Mike]

Greetings to all: I've received requests from several of you who live outside the United States. I'm very regretful that I won't be able to send you (except to S.H., Ontario) the copy you requested because of high cost of shipping. For an e-file copy, please visit "The Home Place" page and look below the book's cover where you will see "read book." Clicking on this should bring up the e-version of The Home Place, although it cannot be downloaded--has to be read on PC screen. On occasion, I've received an error message when clicking on said icon, so if it doesn't work the first time, please try again. If this doesn't work, post as such and perhaps we can arrange an alternative. Regardless, thank you all very much for your interest. Great group of folks.

Mike A

[Mike]

John wrote: "For me it is those overalls on that boy. No Osh Kosh by damn. These are just like his granddaddy's, only newer."

Haha. Yes, the overalls were the defining feature (and the background) that a farm was somehow involved in the story.

[Mike]

Greetings to all: Wanted to let those who requested "The Home Place" that I have shipped them out via USPS media mail (in most cases), except for one request that I missed somehow. Will ship that one tomorrow. Still have plenty of copies, so don't be shy.

Best regards to all:

Mike A

[Mel]

Thank you Mike A. I am looking forward to reading it.
Mel

[Meran]

I posted on another thread... But haven't posted my addy publicly on a thread. May I send you a pm with it? I'm definitely interested in your book :)

[Mike]

Meran wrote: "I posted on another thread... But haven't posted my addy publicly on a thread. May I send you a pm with it? I'm definitely interested in your book :)"

Certainly Meran. Whatever you're comfortable with. send via Mike S, myself, or whatever you wish, and thank you for requesting.

Mike A

[Mike]

Elle wrote: "Mike wrote: "John and Elle did you receive your copies I sent priority mail the first of the last week? Be surprised if you didn't. Let me know so I can check with PO if you didn't receive the copy..."

Elle, every time I visit the site and read the comments I made to you regarding the traditional publishing field, I get a feeling similar to eating turnip greens without cornbread :-) I apologize for being so brusque and officious and wish you every success in getting your work published.

Mike A

[Elle]

My goodness, Mike, wish I could buy us both plates of turnip greens cooked with fatback and served with cornbread (and sweet iced tea to wash it all down). Oh Lordy! And we could talk about our favorite Southern Lit books for hours. I sure do love your analogy and urge you please please to fret no more!!
Elle

[Mike]

Thanks, Elle. Greens R tasting better already.

[Meran]

I miss goobers :(

I can make the turnip greens goody myself but goobers are impossible here in Oregon!

[Mike]

Meran wrote: "I miss goobers :(

I can make the turnip greens goody myself but goobers are impossible here in Oregon!"

are you referring to the candy?

[Meran]

Boiled peanuts :D

[Mike]

Meran wrote: "Boiled peanuts :D"

Duhhh. And I'm from Georgia. Guess they'll be pulling my credentials for asking that. :-)

[Meran]

I wondered Mike. I lived there for 14 yrs and >I< knew LOL

You're forgiven, you can have your 'card' back. :D

[Mike]

Meran wrote: "I wondered Mike. I lived there for 14 yrs and >I< knew LOL

You're forgiven, you can have your 'card' back. :D"

Thanks, Meran. Nice to get a warning ticket from time to time. :)

[Meran]

Now, how to get me some goobers sent out to Oregon ;)

[Meran]

Got the book yesterday... Thanks!
Though I was very disappointed about the absence of any goobers ;)

[Melki]

Thank you, Mike & Ike Mike. I'm reading it now.

[Mike]

Meran wrote: "Got the book yesterday... Thanks!
Though I was very disappointed about the absence of any goobers ;)"

Sorry, Meran. I shipped the book before I learned of love of Goobers; plus, don't see any down here. Delighted that you and Melki received your copies though and thanks for letting me know. I shipped a large batch out via USPS media mail and ~4 USPS priority mail. Curious about how big a difference there is in delivery time. BIG difference in cost. Shipping has really gone up dramatically in the last few years, no matter what carrier one uses.

[Mel]

Thank you so much for the book Mike A. It was in my mail on Friday. It is in my pile and I am looking forward to reading it soon. :) Thanks again, your generosity is much appreciated. :)
Take Care,
Mel

[Mike]

Mel wrote: "Thank you so much for the book Mike A. It was in my mail on Friday. It is in my pile and I am looking forward to reading it soon. :) Thanks again, your generosity is much appreciated. :)
Take Car..."

Thanks, Mel. Glad U received it.

[Meran]

It was a joke Mike (though I'd still love some :D)... and yes, I noted the price of mailing that book! It's very generous of you to send them off to us :D

[Kaye]

I'm looking forward to reading Home Place, received
yesterday. Thanks Mike,

Kaye Park Hinckley

[Mike]

You're most welcome, Kaye. Hope you enjoy.

Mike A

[Tracie]

I just received the book and can't wait to read it!! Thank you!!

[Mike]

Thanks, Tracie. I'm delighted you are looking forward to reading it and hope it meets your expectations.

I find it interesting that some folks received their copy days before others and the books were mailed at the same time. Hmmmm.

C.D. and C.P., I just mailed your copies USPS priority mail. Hopefully, you should receive by end of week. Thanks for requesting and happy reading.
Mike A

[Brannon]

Hey Mike, I had been checking the mail the last couple of days with no luck of finding your book. Checked today, it was like finding the golden ticket! Really looking forward to reading! Thanks, again!