Community
The Amish have such a wonderful sense of community. They truly look out for each other and share work and hardships as well as joys. I've written about this many times.
This time, I'd like your help. I'm about to launch a new Amish series called Stitches in Time about three cousins who work at a very special shop with Leah, their grandmother, where they get to work at their craft: Mary Katherine weaves, Naomi quilts, and Anna knits.
I've run a number of contests in the past where I've awarded prizes of autographed books, a basket full of quilting supplies, a handmade Amish doll, Amish jams, and various other things.
This time I'd love to get your input on what you'd like to see offered for contests. Of course I'll continue to give away autographed books but what else would you like to see given away? Now, I'm not rolling in dough (other than the occasional piecrust recipe I'm testing for a book) so keep the prizes modest, please.
Also, what influences you most to buy a book? Word of mouth? Blogs? Book trailers? Other things?
Leave a comment on AmishHearts.com to enter the contest for an autographed copy of Her Restless Heart, the first book in the Stitches in Time series out next month. Oh, by the way: it's available for pre-order now at your favorite book buying location.
Hope you have a good week. And thank you for praying for my mom. She's doing SO much better! Let me tell you, her recovery has been something to see!
Blessings,
Barbara
Barbara,
I am so very glad to hear that your Mom is feeling better. I will keep her in my prayers. I think what influences me to buy books is besides word of mouth has been getting to know some of the authors. It is very nice to know that they have lives as we all do and some I have gotten to know I consider dear friends.
I also choose books from the fly leaf telling me what the book is about.
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I love the books as giveaways and anything AMISH!!
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I would love to win the new book as I just
love your writing about the Amish, I
have read every book that you have written,
and I just love the ones that are series,
can never wait for the next comes out
I really enjoy this site as well
Take Care and keep writing
Thank you
Marlene
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What would i like you to give for contests? Books! That is as good a gift as i could get.
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Word of mouth from friends and what I read here from diff writers. And the covers get my attention too. This new series sounds GREAT. I know you will sell lots.
I like the idea of jams/peanut butter being given. I just plain love Amish or anything about them. God bless, Patti in VA
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Of course, books are the best prize. Then anything Amish is great -- small or large -- crafts, foods, etc.
What influences me to buy a book? For starters, once I've read something by a particular author -- a good author, like you -- I want to read pretty much everything that person has written. Publisher/editor/author descriptions and readers' reviews carry a lot of weight.
I love what I've read from you so far and look forward to this new series. Thanks for the opportunity to enter a contest.
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I love the authentic Amish crafts and they don't have to be big or expensive... an apron, a hat, pot holder, doll...etc.
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Oh,how I'd love the win the first in this series. I can't think of a thing I'd like to win more since our libraries are short on Amish fiction and I can't afford many. What I can't figure out is what I'm already subscribed to since it asks me to check a box but yet I already get the e-mails so I won't check them.
Hope I'm still entered. M.A.
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My dear Barbara. Just to let you know there really is'nt anything more than you yourself that makes me want to read your books.You are an inspirational writer. and I am looking forward to your new series.
Cathie Reimers
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I BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU OFFER IS MORE THEN ENOUGH FOR READERS TO HAVE A CHANCE AT. JUST ALL I ASK IS FOR YOU TOO KEEP THE GREAT BOOKS COMING
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I think my greatest influence in books to read are word of mouth and a particular author I like. I would like to see in contests, little authentic Amish items (ie little doll, or small quilted square/tea towel etc)
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Barbara, we all love to win books of course. I think bookbags, bookmarks, little Amish dolls, ink pens with your logo on it, note pads with your logo on it, refrigerator magnets all would make nice little gifts from you.
I think word of mouth about a good book influences me the most and then the blurb on the back of the book, then the book cover itself.
I would love to win a copy of, Her Restless Heart. I love your books!
Blessings,
Judy
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I'll continue praying for you and your mother. Mine lives with me and when they have health issues it takes a toll on all. I enjoy the opportunity to win books, bookmarks, postcards, name plates. What makes me choose a particular book is reading about it on someone's blog, word of mouth and of course getting to know the authors.
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I purchase books by reviews or word of mouth. Once I have read a book by an author and if it is good I will purchase all the books that author has written. I love your books so I will continue to purchase any book you write. As far as contest I love books plus I would love to have an amish doll. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to your new series.
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Hi, glad to hear your Mother is better! God answers prayers, that's for sure! I like the covers of books & excerpts help too. My suggestion would be an Amish made basket with maybe some soap or something made by an Amish person. They are so fascinating, it's like stepping back to a better time!
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I don't think any prize could be better than books. The main thing that causes me to purchase a book is the author's name. I love your books and probably have or have read them all.
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I like the Amish wall hangings.
I usually look for your books on Facebook or by word of mouth.
God Bless
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I love your books, so I'm always happy with a book. If you want to add something extra a fat quarter of fabric.
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Maybe you could give a prize of a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I like book trailers but I like blurbs on Amazon too. Usually if it is an author I know, I know I will like their books. Price can also be a factor.Thank you.
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What I truly like is the trailers because you get to see and hear what the story will be like. and I actually just go straight to the amish section of books because I love them so much.
Thanks,
Debbie
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Prayers for your Mother.
I would love to win this book.
I am 91 years young and love the Amish people and authors.
Thank you for all the wondeful books and research you do.
Blessings,
Jacquie
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What influences me to read a book? Reviews, word of mouth or just knowing I've enjoyed other books by the author. I think books are a great prize, and also amish crafts, such as aprons, potholders, and such.
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I find that by the time you give away a book, I have already read it. Small crafty items are always nice to receive. I can't wait to read this series.
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I find that by the time you give away a book, I have already read it. Small crafty items are always nice to receive. I can't wait to read this series.
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Thanks be to God your Mom is better !! I think word of mouth and email brings attention to books !! Also, the give away prizes are great. I am all into embroidery so any Amish kit would be great for that !! I make the tea towels and I would love any transfers that I might not have. I have seen some little key chains with Amish quilt squares on them that are inexpensive too.
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Dear Barbara, I am so looking forward to your new series, can't wait to read it.. Word of mouth usually gets me to read something in particular, but if just browsing, the picture on the cover will grab me because of the scenery...I love the covers !!
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Books are enough prize for me.
I look for authors I already know & like & the reviews on Amazon, though I don't always go by them .A lot of the books you can read the first chapter free or at least some of the first of the book.Of course word of mouth helps some too especially from another author.
Love Amish stories.
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I love your books.I love reading Amish books.I find books to read by word of mouth,all from my favorite authors,facebook,shelves from the bookstore,and etc.I love your contest and thanks for having them.Books and little items made by the Amish would be what I would like to see as future contests give aways.Thanks and God Bless.
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I would like to see an Amish cookbook as a prize.
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I think my greatest influence in purchasing a book is word of mouth. Plus if I have read a book by an author and it was good I will buy all the books they have written. I have read all of your books and have really enjoyed them.
Thanks for the contest.
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Barbara, I'm happy to hear that you mom is doing better. Thank you for offering a free book giveaway once again. I'd love to win a copy.
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Hi Barbara... I usually buy books by the authors first then word of mouth.As far as giveaways I like books, however a Amish cookbook would be nice.
Thank You for the chance to win.
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I love winning books - why would I be at an author's website unless I loved books. I also love gift cards, ink pens (I got a thing for them), candy. I come to your site though to keep up on books. I choose books from other author's blogs and links. I also review books and find books while doing that. I spend a lot of time online looking at and for authors. God Bless
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I always like restaurant gift cards!
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I love anything Amish. The book give away is wonderful. Anything hand made by the Amish, I would love.
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I really enjoy your books and look forward to this new series. The only extra prizes that I could think of, is adding more books to be given away.
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Barbara I love your books. I have everything you have written about the Amish. An Amish cookbook would be a great prize. I know I would put that to good use. hugs jean junkin
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Reasonably priced gifts you might consider: pot holders for the table, some have cinnamon spice packets, anything for the kitchen, I love the noodles, although they might be fragile to pack and ship. I always buy a certain kind of soap when I visit Lancaster County, amish made. Candles, the possibilities are endless...
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Having SO much fun reading all the great suggestions for contest prizes. Thanks, everyone!!
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What wonderful news that your Momma is feeling better.
I love the name of your new series aswell. Being a craftier always intrigues me when I see that anywhere on a book.
Word of mouth is a great way to share, that is if one doesn't get so excited they blow the plot and spoil it for you like my daughter does on occasion. Lop
I love books, recipe books, and anything homemade such as a potholder. Or, even a Whoopie pie.
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Would love to win thanks for the contest
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I am most influenced to read a book by the author's reputation for writing and style. I love series books also. I think small prizes related to the books would be good, like something woven, knitted, and quilted. Of course, the book giveaway is great alone.
Have a God Filled Day
Shirley
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For a prize, a small item with the hearts and flowers design on it or one with the hearts and birds design on it. For choosing books, I keep up with Crossings Book Club, Amazon, and Christianbook websites to see what might be of interest. But before the internet was so readily available, I found the books I wanted to read when new things came to the local Christian book store. It was somewhat more fun to not have an internet to let you know when new books were out.
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I love the chances to win books about the Amish. Winning anything else is a great bonus!
Getting to know some of the authors has been great. Not only are they very talented authors, they care about their readers. That inspires me more to buy their books.
So glad your mom is doing better.
Keep those books coming. God Bless.
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so glad your mom is doing beter
I think it would be fun if you put somthing stiched by the amish or pot holders, anything that relates to the book and made from the amish
I picked your book A Time to heal because of the cover
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Books, of course, are always a nice give away. But, since so many of us are Amishaholics and dying to visit Amish country, I think very few of us are able to. So, I really would enjoy winning something small, that is Amish crafted (be it a doll or a small toy).
Thanks for asking for input!
Sincerely,
Susan Ferrell
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Thank you so much all of you for blessing us with this refressing and informative blog. I found it through Amish Living, a site which has become a part of my day and where I have developed true friendships. I look forward to what new reads are on the horizon. I just looked on my library records and found I have read over 70 Amish themed novels in the past three years. They nourish my soul.
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I would love to see amish baskets, maybe an amish (faceless) doll or an amish quilted wall hanging be included in book giveaways. Course, the autographed book is the greatest thing of all!
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Hi, hope I'm not too late to get my 2 cents in
Books are always good, a cookbook would be fine....a basket of amish goodies....like someone else said even potholders and yes even whoopie pies or cookies....never had one.....they do look delicious tho.....love the trailers showing the book too....just whatever you want to give away I'm sure as beggars can't be choosy.....I always heard growing up.....just let us know it's a contest in the subject.....don't know why I'm so late posting this !!!!!
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I just thought of something else....maybe a jar of Amish peanut butter or Jam.....that would be nice too......
Maybe even a couple of free ebooks....I just got a new KINDLE FIRE
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Anything Amish is a great prize along with the autographed books. I read any and all Amish fiction books. My grandmother and I just can't get enough of them! Keep up the great work of writing!!
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I cannot wait to read your new book! I hope I win, but, even if I don't, I'll have to grab a copy.
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Just getting books as the prize is worth entering contests for me! It's a great way for me to discover new books - I also have found new authors by following author interviews on blogs. Recommendations from others is a great motivator to try a new book as is getting free books for my kindle
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Autographed books are great prizes. Especially with there being so many Amish fiction authors, winning a book is easier on my budget. I really enjoy reading Amish books and they stay on my bookshelf forever. Love anything Amish.
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Love books as prizes. When and if I win a book, it's easier on my budget. Can't wait for the new book to come out.
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Hi Barbara - My new experience that I want to share with you rather amazed me. I got the idea that I wanted to start doing oil paintings thispast year. I was 66 years old. I have never done that before. Well, lo and behold, the Lord apparently guided my hand because I seem to be able to do it. I made paintings for my six children for Christmas and one for my pastor of the Flight into Egypt and I just finished a picture of an Amish theme in winter. I hope to do more Amish themes and more Christian themes. I am working on one now as a birthday gift for a friend. Thank you for blessing us with your books.
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