North Texas Teen Book Festival info + giveaway

 YOU'RE INVITED

WHO: Irving Public Library

WHAT: North Texas Teen Book Festival

WHERE: Irving, Texas

WHEN: March 7, 2015

WHY: to INSPIRE lifelong readers 

to CULTIVATE a love of reading

to CELEBRATE teen literature

to CONNECT our reading community

What is the Irving Public Library?

As you guys know, I attend a LOT of events, but did you know that most of my events in the Dallas area are hosted by the Irving Public Library? I discovered the IPL at TLA last year when I met a fellow Dallas blogger who invited me to attend local author Heather Reid's launch party for Pretty Dark Nothing. I LOVED it. It was at the IPL that I met librarians (led by the amazing teen librarian Kristin Trevino), authors (see bottom of this post), bloggers, readers, and, most importantly, good friends. In addition to hosting amazing author panels, the Irving library goes above and beyond to make sure their guests have a great time. There are parties and writing camps. I've never felt more part of something special than when I'm hanging out at the Irving library. I have never met a more dedicated crew of librarians than the ones I've met at Irving.

So.....what?

So here's the thing. IPL is taking the next step by hosting the North Texas Teen Book Festival, but as a public library system, they need some help. That's where this big, beautiful book community we belong to comes in. The IPL is currently holding a Kickstarter campaign to raise $10,000 to go to covering festival costs. We've got 2 weeks left and about $4000 to raise. The thing with Kickstarter is that if your campaign isn't 100% funded by the due date, you don't get any of the funds raised. I've donated, and so have many of our local book  community. However, we really can't do it on our own. That's why I'm asking you, my readers, if you can help the IPL reach their goal.

How can I help?

Please, please: if you can, please consider donating to the NTTBF. You can help us spread the love of ya and reach members of our community we never have been able to before. Donate what you can, if you can. Kickstarter even allows $1 donations! ONE DOLLAR! That's cheaper than some novellas!

If I donate, what's in it for me?

The other thing with Kickstarter (and this is the cool part) is that donors get awesome exclusive rewards! Some of the special backer prizes for the NTTBF are things like parking and line passes, invites to the pre- and after-party, etc. Buuuut IPL also knows that many of their backers may be from other locations who may not be able to attend in-person. That's why you can also receive t-shirts, tote bags, posters or signed books from authors of your choice (shipping available to US addresses only).

I'm considering donating, but I need more info....like who's attending and what my money is going to.

You can check out more information about the library, the festival, and the campaign at the Kickstarter page HERE. If you're curious about who the authors are who are attending, the two confirmed and public authors are John Corey Whaley (Where Things Come Back, Noggin) and Julie Murphy (Side Effects May Vary, Dumplin). I have heard some of the not-quite-public-yet names for other attendees, and TRUST. ME: you guys are going to flip out when you hear these names! If you would like to read a list of authors who have visited the IPL in the past and read some of my recaps of those IPL events (panels, interviews, pictures!), see the bottom of this post.

I can't donate, but what can I do to help?

Not everybody has the ability to donate money to causes like these, but there is something we all have: a voice! Also, usually a Twitter account. Or Facebook. Or Tumblr. Or...you get the idea. If you can't donate your money, please donate a few minutes of your time to tell a friend or a feed and spread news of NTTBF and the Kickstarter by posting on one (or more....) of your social media sites. Tag @irvinglibrary and @NTTBFest or use #NTTBF. Share the link to the campaign page.

Here's where I make things interesting.

If you pledge to the campaign, you can certainly get some cool rewards from the library. However, I'm going to raise the stakes a little bit. I'm adding in my own motivation. I'm giving away a box of my own books to raise awareness and hopefully inspire you to donate whatever you can to this great cause.

Important legal/ethical stuff

1. I AM NOT associated with the Irving Public Library. They did not ask me to do this giveaway. It is of my own volition, and I am providing the prize for this giveaway on my own. 2. It would be 100% unethical for me to require you donate to the Kickstarter in order to win so I'm not requiring a donation. However, donations of ANY AMOUNT will give you bonus entries. You know how I said you can donate $1 to the campaign? That $1 will get you additional entries! 3. Again, if you can't donate, THAT'S OKAY. Just spread the word! 3. Please don't try to cheat and get bonus entries if you aren't going to donate. I DO NOT have access to Kickstarter's personal donation info, but I can check to see if you have donated (Kickstarter donors are listed publicly).

Giveaway details

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada. The box will contain several mystery books, and I'll reveal a book every time the Kickstarter pledges increases $500. At the time I wrote this, the Kickstarter was around $6000. I'll reveal at $6500, $7000, etc. I'll keep going, even if the Kickstarter surpasses the $10,000 goal! Sharing is caring, y'all, so let's share our love of books, share news of this great cause, and I'll share some books with you!

Please check the Site/Giveaway Policies tab at the top of the page for a full list of my giveaway policies. Any entries not in accordance with my policies will be disqualified. Please note the Share This Post option is available TWICE daily. In order to receive all the entries for that option, you must post in two different places, and yes, I will be moderating the entries.

If you live in the US or Canada: DO NOT enter the INT giveaway. If I have to delete your entries from the INT rafflecopter more than once, I will disqualify you from this giveaway as well. Thank you for your cooperation.

Edit 1: The first book in the box has been revealed! Keep going to discover the remaining books in the box!

Maybe if I use @AmieKaufman & @MeaganSpooner in my #NTTBF box, they'll finally come to TX! Book 1, for your pleasure: pic.twitter.com/XPUe69GlVq
— Mary H (@knoxdiver) July 1, 2014

Giveaway bonus: Fellow Dallas bloggers Amanda of Of Spectacles and Books and Emily of Oh Magic Hour have ALSO set up #NTTBF giveaways on their blogs! The best thing is that our Rafflecopter entries are all very similar! What's up for grabs on their blogs? Another mystery box of ya books, signed books by Claire Legrand and Veronica Rossi, and a signed copy of Side Effects May Vary donated by the very lovely and awesome Julie Murphy herself!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INT FRIENDS 
(that means anyone outside of the US/Canada)

I realize it's a long shot that you guys will be able to attend or receive rewards from donating BUT I would be grateful if you would help spread the word. That's why I'm giving you your own giveaway for a book ($17 or less) from the Book Depository.  

US & Canadian friends: do not enter this giveaway. It is not for you, and your entries will be deleted. If I have to delete your entries from the INT-only rafflecopter more than once, I will remove your entries for the other giveaway as well. Thank you for your cooperation.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who are some of the authors I've met through IPL events?

(all links go to my recap of each event, and trust me, you want to see these pictures!) Heather L. Reid. Rae Carson, Nova Ren Suma, Aimeé Carter, Tessa Gratton, Tahereh Mafi & Ransom Riggs at the Beneath the Surface panel (bonus: Katie McGarry & Julie Kagawa were in attendance that night!). Debra Driza, Shannon Messenger, Amy Tintera & Kasie West at the Sweat YA tour. Mary Gray for The Dollhouse Asylum launch. Julie Murphy. Kiera Cass, Kelley Armstrong, Danielle Paige & Kimberly Derting on the Dark Days tour. 

Authors whose events I haven't recapped yet include:

Anna Godbersen, Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, Jeramey Kraatz, Claire Legrand, Polly Holyoke, and Karen Harrington. At the Valley Ranch branch of the IPL, I've met Sophie Jordan, Jessica Brody, Victoria Scott, and Tamara Ireland Stone, Tara Hudson, Sonia Gensler, Jennifer Archer, Kendare Blake, and Rosemary Clement-Moore. 

Authors have held events there before I 

moved to Dallas or events I missed:

Stephanie Perkins, Michelle Hodkin (who showed ONE WEEK after I moved to Dallas, but I didn't know about the IPL yet!!! *is sad*), Anna Banks, Emmy Laybourne, Leigh Bardugo, Jackson Pearce, Beth Revis, and Marie Lu.

P.S.

You guys know I'm going to go to this festival, right? Can you just imagine how much giveaway fodder it's going to give me?! Just imagine my haul of signed books, just waiting to be passed on to you guys.... Want to donate to the cause yet? ;)