Holy Book Launch, Batman

wishing on willows no typoWow…where do I begin?

Yesterday, Wishing on Willows launched into the world.

Book-release days are always a bit bizarre. They don’t involve a lot of physical running around, but they do involve a lot of computer running around. So although I spent the bulk of my day on my rear, by the end of the night, I felt as if I’d run a marathon! A glorious, wonderful marathon.

First, I just want to say a GIANT thank you to those of you who joined last night’s online launch party! Your enthusiasm and encouragement and camaraderie during the event made the release of Willows one I will never forget!

Except at the end, in my excitement, I clicked out of the site before I got a chance to scroll through and read that fast-paced chat – which means I missed so much of the fun conversation that was going on during the party! Drat!

Second, another GIANT thank you to Amy Haddock (who came into work on her birthday all for this party) and Chris Sigfrids, who took care of the technology side of things! You are both rock stars.

Third, I want to extend my excited congratulations to the winners of last night’s prize packages! I have received mailing addresses from all but two of you, so make sure to email those to me (katie@katieganshert.com) as soon as possible so we can get you your prizes!

  • My prize package – Tia Johnson
  • Evan and Bethany’s prize package – Jennifer Wolfram Rumberger
  • Amanda Price’s prize package – Judy Strunk Burgi
  • My Stubborn Heart and Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade – Cindy Woolard
  • Ian McKay’s prize package – Kristy Storm Gammel
  • Caleb Price’s prize package – Lindsey Ponznich Bell
  • Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh – Charii Skelton
  • Robin Price’s prize package – Megan Jones

Fourth, if you didn’t win a prize last night, there are still MORE prizes to be had!

Wishing on Willows Picture Contest:

Yesterday, Wishing on Willows hit Christian book store shelves, like LifeWay and Family Christian Stores. Independent book store shelves. The big chains, like Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble. AND, a little bird in my ear tells me that they can be found in select Walmart stores!

From now until April 20th, if you find yourself in one of these places and you spot Wishing on Willows, we’re asking you to pull out your phone and take a picture. Post that picture on Facebook or Twitter (make sure to tag me) or your blog (make sure to email me the link) and you’ll be entered to win a bundle of books and a $5 gift card to Starbucks.

It’s as easy as that!

#WillowTalk Twitter Event:

The last week of April.

Tweet a favorite quote from Wishing on Willows or tweet a 140 character review. Make sure to include the hashtag #WillowTalk with your tweet.

25 of the #WillowTalk tweets will be randomly selected and the Twitterer (yes, this is a word) behind that tweet will win three books from my publisher, plus a $5 gift card to Starbucks!

TWENTY-FIVE chances to win!

Please RSVP here!

And don’t forget the prizes Becky Wade and I are giving away during this week’s Pinterest Battle!

Reviews for Wishing on Willows (check out Amazon or CBD for the bulk of them) are really starting to roll in and I’m so humbled and encouraged!

Thank you dear readers, for being amazing! You bless my life more than you could possibly know.

Let’s Talk: Have you ever won anything? If so, what?

The fabulous Rel from RelzReviewz reviews Wishing on Willows AND is doing a book giveaway!

Check out the fun interview with Melissa Tagg!

Just found out Wishing on Willows is up for Book of the Month on the Book Club Network! Would love your vote if you have the time! It’s on the right-hand column.

Battle Two: A Celebratory Cake and Giveaways!

celebratory cakeWeek Two of the Pinterest War between author Becky Wade and myself is a cake.

In fact, it’s a celebratory cake.

Becky is challenging me and YOU to recreate the cake above in celebration of the release of my second novel, Wishing on Willows, which hits stores tomorrow, March 19th!

And this time, we’re looking for a little more reader involvement!

So to give you a little incentive to join in the fun, we are giving away prizes!

  • And courtesy of Becky Wade, a $25 gift card to the winner’s choice of either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

That’s 5 different opportunities to win!

Every person who attempts to re-create the cake above and posts their picture on Becky’s Facebook page, my Facebook page, or Twitter (make sure to tag us) will receive five entries into the hat.

Every person who shares this blog post or Becky’s Facebook post and leaves a comment here letting us know they shared on either Twitter or Facebook, will receive one entry into the hat.

On Friday, not only will Becky and I post pictures of our cake creations, we will draw winners for the prizes!

Also, don’t forget to mark your calendar for tomorrow, March 19th, 6 pm, CST for the Wishing on Willows Extravaganza! I’ll be streaming live via video, chatting with readers and giving away a slew of prizes. Plus, two of my favorite authors are joining in the fun–our very own, Becky Wade, and another great friend, Courtney Walsh! Both ladies are giving away copies of their books too! To see the prizes, visit the extravaganza page and don’t forget to RSVP!

It’s also your last day to receive a complimentary set of 7 devotionals with your pre-order of Wishing on Willows. My publisher made them all pretty looking!

Let’s Talk: When’s the last time you baked a cake? Are you any good at it?

Both Becky and I have Pinterest War boards on Pinterest. Follow Becky’s board or my board to stay updated! If you post your challenges to Pinterest, let us know and we’ll repin them to our boards!

Pinterest War: Battle One Results

Pinterest Challenge OneThe top picture is the one found on Pinterest. The one below is the Ganshert’s attempt to wax Easter eggs.

Okay. So our eggs aren’t the prettiest eggs you’ve ever seen.

Although I must say, the cracked one with the toothpick antennae has a certain charm to it. And who doesn’t like a black Easter egg? Symbolic of Black Friday, no?

Despite their slightly pathetic appearance, they were super fun and easy to make and a huge hit with my son who does not like to color paper but apparently likes to color hot, hard eggs.

Did you play?

If so, Becky Wade and I would love to see your picture on Facebook or Twitter! Make sure to tag us so we can see it.

We’ll enter all participants’ names into a hat and at the end of the war, we’ll draw some winners to receive our novels!

My newest release, Wishing on Willows, hits shelves next week, March 19th! Pre-order your copy now and my publisher will email you seven free devotionals I wrote especially for my readers!

Becky Wade’s newest, Undeniably Yours, follows a few weeks later on May 1st!

Before you vote on a winner for this epic first battle, I think it’s only fair you see Becky’s eggs. I’m afraid the Wade eggs put the Ganshert eggs to shame! But fun was had by all, so that’s what matters, right? (says the loser)

Becky Wade pinterest eggs

Now the question is….Pinterest success or fail?

I’m guest posting on Divine Moments today about how to conduct a successful puzzle piece adoption fundraiser!