Win a Copy of Quests, Curses, & Vengeance!

We’re just 1 month away from the official release of Quests, Curses, & Vengeance, the latest sci-fi & fantasy anthology from Martinus Publishing.  As I complete the final round of revisions on this collection, it’s high time we had a giveaway!

Want your chance to win a free print copy?  It’s simple.  Just sign up for the Martinus Publishing email list.  Go to www.martinus.us, then click the “Martinus Mailing List Sign Up” button on the left side of the screen and fill out the simple form.  On August 13, 2013, all people on the list will be entered into the drawing and two lucky people will win a free print copy of Quests, Curses, & Vengeance!  That’s all there is to it.

There are other good reasons to join the mailing list.  Once in a while, you’ll receive valuable information about Martinus Publishing.  You’ll be the first to learn about forthcoming anthologies (especially good for writers seeking to submit, and for readers interested in making out a wish list of books to read).  We will also start sharing samples and other exciting freebies via email, so you don’t want to miss out.  It’s not real spammy, either.  You don’t have to worry about getting mobbed with an email every day, or even every week.  You might get one a month, at most.

So, sign up for the Martinus Publishing email list today!

Our Lucky Winner

Okay, it's been long enough.  The winner of my "Not for Resale" promotional giveaway was drawn on June 4^th, and after a few late emails on both sides I've finally gotten everything together and sent the prize to Chris Anderson.  His name was the one drawn from the hat, and I hope he enjoys this book a great deal.  It's being shipped all the way to Australia, which is something I've done before, though rarely.  It's nice to win fans in far flung places.

As promised, the book has been marked "Not for Resale" in several places, as well as being signed.  Also, on the back of the front cover I wrote the following, to help prevent anyone from cashing in on my charity:

This book has been given away for free by the author.  It is not to be sold for profit.  It may be given away to others who wish to read it, if the owner so desires.

Anyone who seeks to make money by selling this copy of Virtual Wiles shall be cursed.  Their eyes shall go blind, and their fortune shall be blown to the wind.  These are the least of the thousand curses which will be visited upon them!  Profiteers are hereby warned!

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this fantasy adventure. –Martin.

So, if that doesn't stop them, nothing will.  Of course, having a personal inscription like this from the author might just increase the book's desirability someday, and spur a bidding war.  Well, if I'm ever famous enough, that one of my books will be worth significantly more because of my personal warnings, I will publicly rescind the curse.

Remember, anyone who buys a book can do anything they want with it afterwards with my blessing... well, almost anything.  So, buy my books.  You'd spend more for lunch at some fast food joint, and isn't hours of reading worth more than some greasy sludge that'll clog your arteries?  Read, don't die!

Have a great weekend.

Win A Free Book!

Last week, I lamented about the scourge of freeloaders who ask for books only to sell them.  Now, I'm moving forward and giving you a chance to win a free book.  There is no catch, and 1 person who enters my "Not For Resale" giveaway will win a 100% free copy of "Virtual Wiles," the first book I had published back in 2007, and the first novel in the Virtual Saga.



Win a free book
but don't try to
sell it afterwards!

Why the big change of heart, you ask?  Well, this copy that I'm giving away will be vandalized by the author.  Now, don't get all discouraged; the text won't be harmed in any way, and the exterior will still look attractive.  However, a couple of pages will be marked "Free Sample, Not For Resale," and there may be some threats of a thousand curses upon anyone greedy enough to attempt to sell it.  I'm not sure if this will stop the "hocksters," but it'll make them think twice.

If you are genuinely interested in reading this book, be sure to enter this giveaway!

How to enter:  Post a reply to this thread, asking to be included in the giveaway, or send an email to inghamediting@earthlink.net asking to be entered.  On June 4^th, I'll put all of your names in a hat and draw the lucky winner at random.

I'll mail this free, promotional copy to anyone in the world, so don't worry if you're from out of the USA (man, I'm going to be so generous when it comes to postage expenses).

So there you have it!  Who wants to win this free reading material?  Speak up.

PS:  Although there are no strings attached, it would be most appreciated if you'd see fit to write a review of it afterwards (posted on Amazon, your blog, etc...), for that is the key to future sales.  Word of mouth is my largest need right now.

Giveaway Time!

The first book I had
published, way
back in 2007!

Yes, my friends, it is time at last. Yesterday, this blog reached 31 followers (on my birthday, no less). That means the free copy of Virtual Wiles shall be given away to one random blog follower. I have already placed the names in a hat and drawn the lucky winner, and I'll be announcing who that is once they get back to me.

I understand that some people may not want a free book. Strange, I know. Who wouldn't want a freebie? However, just in case our lucky winner doesn't want the book, I'm going to wait until they either send me their mailing address or officially turn down the offer before I make any announcement. If on the off-chance they don't want the book, I'll draw another name for the prize.

I'm hoping this goes off without a hitch, and our winner graciously accepts this book without question. In the future, I expect I'll run giveaways as I have in the past, where people must sign-up for the contest, rather than simply being entered as a blog follower. As the number of people visiting this blog increases, that makes more sense.

Either way, April's Magic Number giveaway is almost finished. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for future contests. You might just get lucky!

April's Magic Number Giveaway

Okay, it's March 31st, and we are sadly short of the 25 followers goal I placed two weeks ago for the "Luck of the Irish" giveaway. We're getting closer, and if by some uncanny miracle 6 more followers jump on board before the end of the day, the drawing will be held. However, that is highly unlikely, so let me tell you about the next giveaway.

31 is the number to match or beat in April. Why that seemingly random number, you ask? Quite simple, this is the month that I will be turning 31, so I feel it's only fitting to shape the contest around that momentous occasion.

April's "magic number" giveaway will be slightly different from March's contest, as we won't be waiting until the end of the month, if the right number of followers is reached. The day this blog hits 31 followers is the day the copy of Virtual Wiles will be given away. Whether that happens in a few days, or it takes until the 30th, whenever there are 31 people openly following the blog is the day their names will go into the hat, and one will be drawn at random for the win.

I know, getting the word out is a painstaking task in this era of unlimited competition, but we can do it. It's time to move forward. Here's your second chance to win. Spread the word, and let's get 31 people following before April is gone!

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yes, it's that time of the year again, where half of the civilized world wears green and eats corned beef in honor of that legendary Saint of the Emerald Isle. I'm not ashamed to say I have more than a little bit of Irish heritage in my family. I have ancestors named MacCain, Gamble, Kennedy, Moore, Carney, Littlefield, and Nelson who all came from Ireland (just to name a few). I really should get meself a bowler hat and a shillelagh someday!

What would you say if I got all shameless with a promotional giveaway on this fine day?

In fine Hibernian fashion, I'd like to offer you a chance to acquire a free copy of my first published novel, "Virtual Wiles."  For a chance to win the book, all you have to do is be a public follower of this blog. However, before I give anything away, there need to be more of you. That's why I'm asking for your help.

Let other people know about this giveaway, and if the magic number of 25 is reached in time, you'll all benefit. Not only will everyone be able to share in my insightful daily posts, but 1 of you will taste "The Luck of the Irish," and get a free book which I paid good money for. How's that for a win/win? Spread the word, and get people on board.

If I have a total of 25 or more followers on March 31st 2011, I will put all of their names in a hat and one of them will win a free copy of this book. It's that simple.

I know, this promotion excludes all of you fine folks who don't have affiliated accounts to link up with the blogger system, but there will be other promotional freebies for you in the future. Hang in there (or get yourself a free Google account).

Come on, help a poor Irishman out! Okay, I'm actually an Irish-Anglo-Scotch-Germanic hybrid with a touch of French, Dutch, and Swiss for flavoring, but who's counting? Only me, I suppose. What? No, I havena gotten into the green beer! Oh, be off with ye, then!

Christmas Sweepstakes Winners!

I have drawn the names for my 2nd Annual Christmas Sweepstakes, and we have the following lucky winners:

Grand Prize: Sean Brezovsky

2nd Prizes:

Paul Weiss

J. J. Tirinato

Chris Redding

Congratulations to these winning participants, and a big thank you to everyone who joined in the fun.  I'll do another one of these next year, with a brand new book release (yes, there will be one, details forthcoming in the new year).

Martin's Christmas Sweepstakes II



Win This Book!

Last year, I held my first annual "Christmas Sweepstakes," where I gave away a free copy of The Rogue Investigations.  This year, I'm doing it again, only this time I'm offering a free copy of The Guns of Mars to one lucky winner.

New Second Place Prizes!  For the 2nd Annual giveaway, I will also be giving away 3-second place prizes.  They will be all new "Guns of Mars" bookmarks, created by yours truly.  These will be a fine freebie for the three lucky entrants.

This contest is open worldwide.  I will ship this book anywhere, but it's up to each entrant to know the laws in their country. If you're not allowed to participate in this sort of giveaway, don't blame me.  Instead, start a bloody revolution, overthrow your government, and rewrite the laws so you can participate next year (just kidding).

Ready to enter?  There are 3 ways to do it.

1: Reply to this blog post, saying you wish to be entered into the contest.  Be sure to include an email address or some other form of contact information, so I can notify you if you win.

2: Join the Facebook Event for this giveaway.  Click "Attending" and you'll be entered.

3: Send an email to inghamediting@earthlink.net asking to enter the contest.

That's all there is to it.  The winners will be drawn at random on December 18, 2010.  Prizes will be mailed on December 20, or as soon as each winner gives me their mailing address.

Note: Only 1 entry per person.  Please don't try to fake it by applying under multiple aliases.

Okay, if you have any other questions, let me know.