A Completely Non-Exhaustive Roundup of December’s Contests and Giveaways

‘Tis the season for bloggers and such to try to motivate a bit more reader participation—or to attract new readers—or maybe just to have some random fun interacting with readers. Whatever the reason, I’ve come across a number of contests and giveaways lately, and thought you, dear readers, might enjoy checking them out. Have fun!

1. Wake and Fade book giveaways
   • By? FallenArchangel.com
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: Midnight Thursday, December 10
   • The Deets:”In order to enter for a chance to win a set of these books, comment here in this thread and tell us about your weirdest dream. Keep it clean and appropriate for all ages please.”
   • The Prizes: copies of Wake and Fade by Lisa McMann
     
2. FallenArchangel.com ‘Tis the Season of Giving Contest
   • By? Writer Girl
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: Sunday Dec 13th at 11:59 PST.
   • The Deets:
     “It is simple, really. You do a kind deed. It is the time when we really start to think of other people and I love this time of year for that. Do a conscious kind deed, put it up here what you did on this post and that counts as a point. It doesn't have to be big. Not tripping your sister in the hall could count for one. :) Even just smiling at someone that doesn't usually get a smile would be one (and it can be so huge). So you will be earning these books, but in very simple ways. You can get as many points as you want. I will be going off of the honor system here.”
   • The Prize: Pick one of three signed books, Rapunzel’s Revenge (Bruce and Shannon Hale), Wintergirls (Laurie Halse Anderson), or The Lightning Thief  (Rick Riordan)

3. Fourth and Final Readergirlz Writing Contest

   • By? readergirlz author in residence Beth Kephart
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: December 30, 2009
   • The Deets: "...a challenge that asks you to look at something familiar and transform it into the unexpected. Check out the video posted here. Send your best work to kephartblogATcomcastDOTnet…The winning work will be posted on this site. Our deadline is December 30, 2009."
   • The Prize: an advanced reading copy of The Heart is Not a Size (due out in March from HarperTeen).

4. Eighteenth Annual Delacorte Yearling Contest for a  First Young Adult Novel

   • By? Delacorte
   • Who can enter? “U.S. and Canadian writers who have not previously published a young adult novel. Employees of Random House, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and members of their families and households are not eligible."
   • Deadline: December 31, 2009 (postmark)
   • The Deets: Submit a manuscript 100-224 pages, cover page, and brief plot summary suited for readers ages 12-18. See here for more info.
   • The Prize: “The prize of a book contract (on the publisher’s standard form) covering world rights for a hardcover and a paperback edition, including an advance and royalties, will be awarded annually to encourage the writing of contemporary young adult fiction. The award consists of $1,500 in cash and a $7,500 advance against royalties.”

5. FreshBrain Video Book Trailer Scholarship

   • By FreshBrain organic
   • Who can enter? Teens ages 13-18
   • Deadline: December 15, 2009
   • The Deets: Submit a book trailer between 30 sec-2 min in length on the FreshBrain website. See here for more info.
   • The Prize: $1000 scholarship