Well, my label maker failed me, and I ended up printing out everyone's addresses on the prizes by hand, which delayed me a bit, but I finished up tonight, and will post pictures tomorrow.
And--you guys are awesome. I was overwhelmed by the number of people who participated! Originally, I thought I'd be able to send everyone a little something, even if it was just a postcard...but within the first day you guys went through more postcards than I'd had printed! I was able to sneak in a few extra prizes, though, so...
How about some statistics:
At least one person from all 50 states entered the contest
49 countries entered
Top ten most entries came from (in order):
1. California
2. Canada
3. Texas
4. North Carolina
5. New York
6. Michigan & Florida (tied)
7. Australia
8. Pennsylvania
9. Illinois
10. The United Kingdom (all countries represented!)
The Grand Prize went to someone in the US
1 ARC Watch Prize went to South Africa
3 ARC prizes went to other foreign countries
12 smaller prizes went to foreign countries
It was so surreal to be filling out the envelopes and see names I recognized--at least a dozen bloggers whose blogs I've been with or who I've conversed with on Twitter. One of the winners was someone I knew personally--a friend from college who I've not seen for at least five years and had no idea she even knew I had a book coming out (hi Amber!).
It was even more surreal to see names and places that I had no idea people even knew who I was. In some cases, it brought back memories--I'd been to Switzerland and France and (ironically) stayed on a street nearby one of the London winners when I did my study abroad. The foreign envelopes were so much fun to fill out--my favorite was one of the winners' addresses from Sweden--I got to make all sorts of funny accent marks on the letters and it just made my day! And it was so weird to see that mulitple entries came from countries where I've not sold yet--China, Barbados, Herzegovina, Slovakia (a winner came from here), Macedonia, Malaysia. And it was especially neat for me to see that FIVE people entered from the Netherlands--I know one of them (hi Corrine!) but not the other four!
This was SUCH a blast. I'm actually glad I didn't get the label maker to automate the labels and I was able to hand-write all the addresses. It was so much fun writing down the addresses and imagining each one whizzing off to a far corner of the world. I'd smile when I got to another California or Texas (I think these two had the highest percentage of winners; ironically, of the top ten most entered places, North Carolina had the fewest winners). The person with the longest name of all--it took up two whole lines on the envelope--was from Puerto Rico, and I spent a good five minutes trying to pronounce the name.
Right now, I can't wait to see my small local post office worker's face when I show up with two laundry baskets full of mail going all across the world and the US!
43 comments:
That's so freakin' awesome. Loving the statistics. And yay for Team Texas! LOL, I hope I'm one of the lucky elite. :)
Thanks for going through all this hassel, Beth. You're like a real life Santa! :)
Wow! That is so awesome! But man, come one Marylanders! We let those other states show us up! lol.
It's a lot of fun not knowing the winners (for me anyway, even if I'm not one) But it must have been a huge undertaking to do all of this, so thanks for hosting an amazing giveaway Beth!
And I still can't wait to read AtU!! :)
It's official...you are the coolest.
I cannot believe you did all of this....and the week before Christmas as well.
yep. The coolest.
Amazing job! That contest idea was so cool! Wondering what name that was that was the longest... way to tease!!
Gah I'm going to be checking my mail like a fanatic the next week or so! Thanks for having the contest :)
Those stats are awesome! Thanks for sharing, and for this awesome giveaway :) I'm loving the mystery of not knowing if you got something. Congrats in advance to anyone who wins something :)
Hopefully you have someone to help you carry all those goodies to the post office :)
Happy Holidays Beth! :)
That is so cool--all those countries! Good luck to everyone who entered! Brilliant idea for a contest, rolling it out like this. :)
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Glad to see North Carolina made the list! What an amazing giveaway!
Can't believe little old New Zealand didn't make the list. I'll have to do all I can to spread the word about your book over here :-)
Woohoo, those stats are awesome :) I'd have had some sort of meltdown if I was printing addresses right before the holidays.
Yay California! Thanks for the awesome contest and for playing Santa. I love the statistics - what a fun giveaway.
How exciting it will be for the winners! (fingers crossed)
Happy holidays :)
Yay! Thanks so much for your dedication. I just spent an hour at the post office today to mail one package, so nice of you to turn up with two baskets full!
That's amazing! YAY for California! Whoop! Whoop! I'll definitely be checking my mail daily :)
Thanks Beth! You definitely will make my Christmas - whether I won or not, cause you totally rocked being Santa this year! *__*
wow! that's a lot! weee!!! laundry basket full of mail is like your santa sac. :p
I showed up at my local postie with two bouncy balls the other day :P It's good to keep those postal workers on their toes, I think. (The balls were delayed, I suspect a few of them took some extra time to play with them!)
I'm so hoping a prize pack is headed my way, but if not, I really hope everyone loves your book as much as I do! <3
Hiiii! Oh, now I'm curious if I know those other four... (Probably not. My country is small, but not THAT small.)
This is exciting! I love reading these kinds of stats. You're awesome for doing this. :D
This was such a great contest that you and Penguin put together. Thanks for the opportunity! Love the statistics and glad Canadians were up there in the ratings. :)
Your effort is amazing!
Ohh Yea to Canada!! We are number 2 that is awesome!! lol I cannot wait to see who all the lucky winners are!
Congrats to all the lucky people
This was amazing Beth thank you for hosting such an EPIC giveaway!!
Kristen H
Thanks for all the stats, and the "behind the scenes" on finishing up the contest! It was truly an epic contest, and I'm happy you got such an epic response! Of course, I'll be even happier if I find an epic prize in my mailbox someday LOL
What an amazing contest. Congratulations to all winners!
Awesome! This was definately the BEST idea for a contest ever!
That's AMAZING. I loved reading this. Disappointed to not see VA on that list!!! Bummer. We need to get our act together, clearly. I can't wait to read all of Across the Universe. CANNOT WAIT. Also can't wait for you to sign my copy in Raleigh!
Those are some awesome statistics! I'm crossing my fingers to be one of the ones from Texas...otherwise I might need to find a Texas winner and nip the watch! Those things look so cool.
Great job... you are spectacular!
That is really awesome! :)
Wow! How long did it take you to figure out all those awesome statistics?! This truly was an EPIC contest, Beth. Thanks for the fun, the mystery and the generosity--you TOTALLY rawk! :-)
That was very generous of you to do all this, Beth. Congratulations! You're only 21 days away from release day! Woot!
I bet that post office worker hated you! But we love you, so it makes up for it. I'm hoping to find a lovely package waiting for me soon. I see no mention of winners in NH, but I have my fingers crossed that there was at least one (being me!).
Thanks so much Beth =)
Love all the stats you gave, how fun!!! Good luck to everyone that entered and Thanks for the EPIC giveaway!
This giveaway is made of so much WIN, Beth. Love the stats and update. How fun!
GO TEXAS!!!!! WHOO! WE rock! I'll be anxiously awaiting my *grand prize* teehee
Whooohoooo! That is just amazing!! Thank you for sharing this experience! I like seeing foreign names and addresses, it always makes me dreaming of travels :)
Haha, I surely can imagine the face of the post office workers! ;)
You already know this, I'm sure, but you're made of epic win, Beth. Oh, yes you are.
Yay for Puerto Rico!! *fist pump* *feels epic nation pride* *freaks out when remembering she entered contest and might be winner with super long address* *faints*
Congrats to ALL the lucky winners!!
Oh, gosh, Beth, you tease!!
Awesome contest! *crosses fingers*
I hope I'm a Texas winner too! Yay for Team Texas! haha Lena! Awesome! :)
All that hand-writing will be good exercise for your booksignings!
I can't believe you took on such a task, but it was awesome and will brighten so many mailboxes. Advance congrats to the winners!
Wow that's insane! I hope your hand doesn't hurt from writing now xD
Now that you have been so generous, I hope that you get lots in return. Thanks for sharing - Merry Christmas!
Hahaha. Seems like a lot of hard work. I really hope I win at least something(;
Beth!!! I was super excited opening my mail today! I didn't know what it was and Lori was here visiting and she yelled out "You WON!" It was so awesome to open it and see your book! Congrats Beth this is one awesome book!
Hi Beth! The swag package came in the mail today, so I just wanted to stop by and say thanks! Everything will be going on the shelf next to my ARC of Across the Universe - which, by the way, is one of my favorite reads of the year. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
You're awesome Beth. The things you do for your readers! Sending my thanks and appreciation! Thanks for sharing pics!
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