Category: Giveaways

Giveaways, Novels, Publications

“Goodnight, Little Grubb” Now Available for Purchase

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It is with such amazement and pride that I announce I am officially an Indie Published Author of my first book, “Goodnight, Little Grubb”. As you may remember from a blog post last month, I have been working for the past year on a children’s picture book for my cousin’s first birthday. I had originally had the publication date set to November 15th, 2020 — as a way of ensuring she got her signed copy first — but she got it a bit sooner than expected and I can officially share the news!

Beautiful “Little Grubb” posing with her new book!

I can’t put into words how it felt to have my book arrive, to hold something I created and published in my hands. For so many years I had dreamed of just that moment. I’m not ashamed to say I cried (happy tears) and didn’t want to put the book down. I planned to keep the novel publication a secret until the 15th, but I was too excited to share, as were the other people who knew and had been keeping it a secret.

“Goodnight, Little Grubb” will be my first official publication as an Indie Author. I published through Amazon, and I’m so glad I did. Amazon KDP made it so easy to put everything in and get it formatted just right, especially when I had some strange white border around each page (but not anymore!). I’m so happy with how it turned out!

You can now order your own copy of “Goodnight, Little Grubb” through Amazon today!

Order “Goodnight, Little Grubb” Now!

As always for a new publication, I will be doing a Giveaway of 3 Signed Copies! You can enter by doing the following:

  1. Follow/Subscribe to this Blog — You can do so by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking “Follow”.
  2. Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter — You can subscribe by clicking the “Newsletter” tab on my website.
  3. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter — Linked below.
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follow me on twitter

I will do a drawing next Sunday, November 15th, 2020. All followers on the platforms listed below will be entered to win. If you follow me on multiple platforms, you will be entered multiple times!

Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me during this year long process. I couldn’t have done it without you. And of course, I couldn’t have done it without you as well, my dear readers! Thank you for following me on this journey!

Happy Reading, Shanna Pikora

Giveaways, Poetry, Publications

Lyrical Iowa 2020 (Giveaway)

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Hello Reader! As you may remember, I received word a few months back that my poem, “Working Girl”, would be published in this year’s “Lyrical Iowa” publication. I was so excited to hear the news as this edition of “Lyrical Iowa” was a special 75-year Anniversary Edition and I was honored to be selected as one of the poets included in the collection.

Picture of "Lyrical Iowa 2020". A paperback collection. Cover is a blue and cloudy sky with trees and wind veins. The text reads: Lyrical Iowa 2020 75th Anniversary Edition.

I’m happy to announce that “Lyrical Iowa 2020” is now printed and available for purchase through the Iowa Poetry Association Website. However, before you click that button to purchase your own copy…

I AM DOING A GIVEAWAY!

I will be giving away a total of 5 copies of “Lyrical Iowa 2020” through my three major platforms. Three copies will be given away through this website, one will be given away through Instagram, and one through my newsletter. You can increase your chances of winning a SIGNED COPY of “Lyrical Iowa 2020” by following and subscribing to all three platforms.

Want a chance to win?

By following my Website and Blog, you will receive email notifications when I make new posts (about every 1-2 weeks). My content includes book reviews, giveaways, publication announcements, poems/short stories, and other special content.

Click Here to follow me on instagram

By following me on Instagram, you get to see special behind the scenes looks at my writing process, my writing buddies (my cats Loki & Frey), and all the other goings on during my writing time!

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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By subscribing to my monthly newsletter, you will receive a monthly email with updates and special content unique to the newsletter.

When is the Winner Announced?

The winner will be announced across all three platforms on Saturday, October 24th. That means you only have a week to ensure you are following and subscribed to all platforms for the best chance to win.

If you don’t want to wait a week and would like to purchase your own copy of “Lyrical Iowa 2020” or their previous publications, click the link below to be taken to their order form on their website.

Click here to order “Lyrical Iowa 2020”

Good luck to all of you in your chances to win! I hope you enjoy my poetry submission, “Working Girl”.

General News and Updates, Giveaways, Novels, Poetry, Publications

Lyrical Iowa 2020 & Updates

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Lyrical Iowa 2020

I am so excited to announce that my poem “Working Girl” was selected by the Iowa Poetry Association to be included in their annual anthology “Lyrical Iowa” for 2020! I’m incredibly honored to be included in their annual publication.

It’s set to be printed in October, which means hopefully by the end of October/early November, I will be doing a GIVEAWAY! That’s right, you could win a free, signed copy of “Lyrical Iowa 2020”. I will be doing three giveaways through the website/blog, newsletter, and Instagram.

You can have a chance to win if you do the following…

Chance 1: Follow my Blog – If you received an email with this update, you’ve already done this and are officially entered. However, if you haven’t, you can put your email in the box below and you will be signed up to receive email notifications when I post on the blog. I plan to put all names of my followers in a bucket and draw THREE names as a winner. I will email you if that happens!

Chance 2: Subscribe to my Newsletter – Starting this month, I will be putting out a monthly newsletter. It will contain special content and updates from different platforms, all sent directly to your email! I will look at who all is subscribed to the newsletter and draw ONE name as a winner!

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Chance 3: Follow me on Instagram – You’ll need an Instagram account for this, but if you have one you can follow me. I will pick ONE winner from my followers (drawn from a hat) to win a free copy as well!

Follow me on Instagram

Be sure to check out all of these platforms for your chance to win a free, signed copy of “Lyrical Iowa 2020” containing my poem “Working Girl”. It is also a great way to get new and exciting content!

Proof Copy – Children’s Picture Book

Today I received my first proof copy of a book! It’s for a children’s picture book that I’m putting together (pictures and all!). When the mail came, I ran right out to pick it up. It’s so amazing to have a print copy of my book in my hands. I do have some minor changes to make before it’s finally released, but I’m still so very excited!

I will, of course, do a giveaway when the book goes live on Amazon. Until then, be sure to check in for any updates and more exciting news about the book!

New Domain Name

You may also notice there is a slightly different URL for the website. I have officially purchased a domain name! This may seem like a little change, but what this means is there will be no random adds on the pages anymore. It also means the new web address for my site is: storiesbyshannap.com. Isn’t that so much easier?!

I’m very excited for this change, so I hope you are too! I look forward to rolling out even more updates soon!

Until then, be sure to enter for the free giveaways and updates! Happy reading!

~Shanna Pikora

General News and Updates, Giveaways

Camp NaNo April 2020

storiesbyshannap

Hello All!

It’s only been a month since I last posted, but I feel like it’s been ages given everything that’s happened. I wanted to drop in and give a quick update!

I will be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this month with my novel “Rhys of Novia”. My goal is to edit the entire book and have it ready for querying on May 1st. I have some agents I have already decided to query and am excited to start the process. If you would like to follow my progress through Camp NaNo, you can click here to view my profile page.

I am also excited to announce that I will be published in the 2019 Writers of the Cedar Valley Anthology! I have two poems and one short story in this year’s anthology. As I did last year, I will do a giveaway on my website, so be sure you click the “Follow” button below to be entered to win a free signed copy of the anthology!

Until next time, happy reading!

Shanna Pikora

Giveaways, Publications

Winners of the Writers of the Cedar Valley 2018 Anthology Giveaway

storiesbyshannap

Good evening everyone,

I am happy to announce the 5 winners of the Writers of the Cedar Valley 2018 Anthology Giveaway! These individuals will be the first to receive any of my works in print, and I am so excited to share it with you all!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I plan to do a giveaway each time I am published, so keep an eye out for future giveaways. If you follow my site, you are entered each time for the giveaway. I put all your names/emails in and draw 5 at random.

This particular anthology I am excited to share as it also contains the works of other local writers. I am a member of this group and I can promise you there are many amazing stories waiting for you!

Without further ado, the winners:

  1. Emilyymichelle
  2. RTW Roxy
  3. Jspike9900
  4. Caliwille16
  5. Lady-Kaaesian

Congratulations!

If you are a winner, please use the “Contact” tab on the website to send me your information so I can mail you a FREE SIGNED COPY of the anthology! Thank you again to all of you for your support and lovely comments on my works. Hopefully this will be the first of many publications to come!

Shanna Pikora