It’s October 18, the birthday for my new picture book, Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles!
To celebrate, I am offering a chance for one lucky bloggy buddy to win a free, personalized copy! (To be clear, if you are reading this blog post right now, you are a bloggy buddy and, therefore fully eligible to enter the contest. So good job!)
How To Enter
To enter the Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles Contest all you need to do is leave a comment that answers the following question:
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If you could be pals with a fictional character, who would you choose and why?
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That’s it! Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a random drawing to win Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles!
And who will select the lucky winner, you ask?
This guy:
Oh, wait, that photo is a little out of date. I mean, this guy:
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning
What’s that? You want me to stuff the ballot box in your favor?
No problem!
If you promote this contest on your blog, I’ll give you two extra ballots!
And if you promote this contest on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or whatever else, I’ll give you an extra ballot for every social medial platform you post on!
And if you want to pitch a completely different way to promote Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles, let me know what you have in mind, and I’ll almost certainly give you an extra ballot for that, too!
The drawing will be held one week from today on Tuesday, October 25.
The winner will be posted on this blog on Wednesday, October 26.
That’s it! So leave a comment! Promote the contest! Celebrate capybaras! And win!
GOOD LUCK!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
If you could be pals with a fictional character, who would you choose and why? I’d pick Lassie because she’s smart, brave. self-reliant and would save me if I ever fell down a well.
Happy Capy Launch Day!
Ooh, that’s a good one!
If it was me, I’d probably pick a dog that is equally heroic, but can prepare meals and knit: I’m going with Gromit from Wallace and Gromit.
Aaaaand you’re name goes in the hat!
I’d choose a cat…so I’ll be able to sleep all day😏😏
But cats aren’t fictional! I wouldn’t be allergic to them if they were.
🤭🤭yeah sure
Congratulations on another publication! I emailed a friend of mine who is a librarian to see if she can buy the book for her school’s collection–I think that qualifies as the “completely different way” category for the contest.
As to the question, it’s harder to answer than at first glance. Who would I want to hang out with? Easy: Edmund from The Chronicles of Narnia–he knew how to find trouble and I’m not sure he ever erased that glint in his eye. But would I want to be *pals* with him? Nope.
I think that inexorably leads me to Milo from The Phantom Tollbooth. He lives in what sounds like a swanky apartment in NYC, and he has loads of books and toys in his room. Plus, you never know: he might be able to find a way back in to the Lands Beyond Expectations, and when he does, I want to be there!
Oh, I like that answer. BUT it seems like you want to be pals with Milo because of what he has rather than who he is. That’s not your style, Corey!
But, hey, you get a two ballots in the hat! One for the comment and another for the librarian recommendation! Good luck!
I would like to be Rudy Steiner in The Book Thief. He’s one gutsy guy who never gives up. He pretends to be Jesse Owens before his father explains that with Hitler in power, pretending to be a black man is a bad idea. He longs to kiss his neighbor and best friend Liesel. And in the end, he is funny and kind.
Hang on a sec, Alicia! I didn’t ask which fictional character you wanted to be. I wanna know which fictional character you wanna be pals with!
Is it still Rudy Steiner? If so, you get FOUR ballots in the hat. One for the comment, two for the reblog and another for FB. (Did I miss any?)
Oops! This is what happens pre-coffee. Yes, I would love to be Rudy Steiner’s bestie.
I have similar pre-coffee reading comprehension skills.
And four ballots for you! Wait! You get FIVE BALLOTS because of the library recommendation!
OMG! I can’t believe how much the kid has grown. What happened? I remember the fish tank days when he was… little. Congrats on the release, Mike. I can’t wait to read (and review). 🙂
I know, right?! The kid is taller than me now and will be off to college in two years! And yet, no matter how much he grows, he’s always ready (and eager!) to run my silly little book raffles. He’s a good boy.
And thanks so much for the kind words! I’m getting your book out this week! Want me to personalize it to you or someone else?
Oh, good question. How about “To the kids of Vernonia.” After I read and review, I’m going to donate it to the library. That will make a big splash and everyone will get a chuckle out of it. I’ll see if I can get it mentioned in the library’s newsletter.
Wonderful idea! And thank you!
My pleasure.
And two years away from college! Wow. Time flies, Mike.
It does indeed!
If I could be a fictional character, I’d like to be Cat Woman. LOVE her fashion style!
Hold your horses, Boo. I didn’t ask which character you wanted to be, I asked which character you wanted to be pals with! So tell me so I can get your name in the hat!
Ok, I’ll be pals with Cat Woman. Maybe her workout routine will rub off on me.
Check my page for a post about you too.
…and it should be ‘hold your ‘raffes Boo’. LOL!!
Right you are, Boo. Hold your ‘raffes, indeed!
So! You get a ballot for the comment and two more ballots for the reblog! (Am I missing any others?)
do I get one for just being me?
You got the first one for being you.
LOL
Beautiful cover. 🙂
Thanks, Peregrine! I love it. Jaimie Whitbread is a wonderful artist.
Congratulations on your book! If I could be pals with a fictional character, I would choose Patricia from Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery. She is similar to me in personality, plus, I just love the book!
Thanks, Betsy Jane! And you get a ballot in the hat!
If you decide to reblog the post or mention this contest elsewhere, let me know so I can up your ballot count accordingly.
Good luck!
I want to hang out with the Boxcar kids. Their lives are filled with intrigue, PLUS, they get to hang out in a cool “clubhouse”.
P.S. If I win, I am donating the book to my library. (If I don’t win, I am buying the book for my library)
Those Boxcar Kids were endlessly chipper, that’s for sure!
And you made ME chipper by saying that you’d buy the book if you don’t win it. I like your style.
OK! You’ve got a ballot in the raffle! Good luck!
If I could be buddies with a fictional character, I’d choose Scooby-Doo because dogs are cool, Danes are really cool, and the Mystery Machine is far-out. Oh yeah, and Scooby snacks!
As far as cartoon dogs are concerned, I think I’d have to go with Gromit from Wallace and Gromit. He’s heroic, makes breakfast and is an accomplished knitter.
But Scooby-Doo works for me!
You’re in the raffle, Patricia! If you decide to plug this contest elsewhere, be sure to tell me so I’ll know to throw in extra ballots.
Good luck!
I would like to be friends with Winnie the Pooh because he is the personification of a good friend. He is empathetic, patient, ridiculously kind, nonjudgmental, and so-o-o optimistically encouraging. I watched Pooh cartoons while raising my children and we ALL enjoyed his life lessons. He is a wonderful mentor for all ages.
A fine choice. Pooh is a very good bear–even if he does occasionally block up a certain long-suffering rabbit’s door.
So you’re name goes in the hat, Nancy! Good luck!
I want to be friends with Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter because:
a) Namesake
b) We’d go shopping for fabulous eyewear together
3) We’d spend long afternoons conversing with mystical creatures no one else can see
🙂
Fun contest! I hope I win!
An excellent choice, Luna! You have a ballot in the raffle!
And remember, my friend, if you want to increase your chances of winning, be sure to plug this contest far and wide! Let’s stuff that ballot box in your favor, shall we? Woo!
If I could be pals with a fictional character, I would choose Toto. He’s a cuddly little guy, but brave, too. Did I mention loyal? There was none more loyal than he. I wouldn’t get all hung up on returning to Kansas. Instead, Toto and I would explore every corner of Oz together. 🙂
I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of small dogs in general…but who DOESN’T love Toto? He’s a good boy!
And, Kymber, I’m pleased to report that you have a ballot into the raffle! Good luck!
Thank you! Woot!
And remember, my new bloggy friend, the more you plug the contest, the more ballots you get!
So keep that in mind. And, again, good luck!
Thank you!
I would most like to be friends with Gandalf. He’s brave, wise, kind and powerful. And he sets off magical fireworks.
Hi Ginny! Nice to see you again!
I think your fictional pal is definitely on point. Who wouldn’t want a benevolent wizard in her social circle?
And so your name goes in the hat!
Good luck!
Easy-peasy-capy-squeezy. I’d choose T-I-double-guh-er. Because we are so sympatico. I’ll be tweeting, instagramming, writing up this book as a Perfect Picture Book Friday selection on my blog, and chatting it up at my regional SCBWI PB craft discussion group that I facilitate this coming Thursday night. I just read it and LOVE it…and dontcha-know I may have even floofed at the end…it’s fabuloso! Congrats, Mike!
Tigger, huh? I tend to identify with cranky, curmudgeonly Rabbit.
But WOW! You got me bouncing like Tigger (and floofing like a capybara) with all the promoting you’re planning! So let’s see… One ballot for the comment, two for the blog (I’ll give you a third, actually, considering that the post will be a PPBF), one for the Insta, another for the Tweet, and yet another for the SCBWI word-of-mouth!
SEVEN ballots for you! Dang!
Thanks so much for your super kind words and incredible support, my friend.
Thursday Next because a)she knows her way around books b)a literary secret agent would be a way cool friend c)she saves Jane Eyre. Can that post from Temean’s blog the other day count?
And you’re in the raffle!
Tell ya what, I’ll give you one extra ballot because the Temean reblog doesn’t mention this contest specifically. But, hey, if you plug it elsewhere between now and next Tuesday, I’ll add more ballots for ya!
Good luck, my friend!
I linked to your giveaway in my post this morning ^^ you can decide if that gets another ballot or not, since it wasn’t a whole post 😁
Sure! That counts!
Oh my goodness! Today’s the DAAAAAAYYYYY!!!! Does it count that I have also informed my Capy-Happy sister about the book? But also, more importantly, my mother who KNOWS of her GRANDCHILDREN’S love of capybaras, thanks to an inheritable trait/mothers who know to teach their children the finer things in life? And you know what grandmothers do, right? They buy stuff for grandkids. You’re welcome.
A fictional character for a pal? Is it just cheap to say a capybara? But seriously, what else? I want a pet one. You know this. If you’ve written a book about one, it is now a “fictional character,” so capy me, please.
I have tweeted my finest tweet and posted (on Facebook) my finest post! I will also happily mention your book in my next blog post. That about taps me out in the social media world.
It’s been delightful to read your posts over the years with your son drawing the winners. I hope he’s not “too old” for it now. Probably not. I’ll bet he loves it. 🙂
Yay! I was hoping you’d show up, Betsy! I know all too well that you are a devoted capybooster!
Though your fictional character is a bit wide of the mark (Capybaras may *seem* too good to be real, but they are certainly NOT fiction), I’ll let it slide.
So! Let’s tally up your raffle ballots. Comment: one ballot. Facebook: one ballot. Twitter: one ballot. Post on your blog: two ballots. And spreading the word to a capy-loving extended family: one ballot.
Holy crow! SIX BETSY BALLOTS go into the hat! Well done, my friend! Woo!
And I’m pleased to report that my boy is still enthusiastic about acting silly for my blog followers. I really am a very, very lucky Dad.
Good luck in the contest, my friend! (And put some ice on your foot!)
Okay, now let’s just think about this for a moment. You (and our mutual buddy Bill Peet before you) wrote stories about capybaras. CARTOON capybaras, ergo, fictional characters. And it’s not like Bill was writing non-fiction.
I rest my case. But, if you give me the entry for my answer regardless, I’m satisfied. Still, the principal of it, Mike!
😛
Capyboppy was a true story, though.
But, hey, my capy is fictional, so you’re fine!
Did he really only write that one book? Why was I thinking there were several? My childhood is toooooo looong ago for me to remember it correctly. Suddenly I feel like I’ve been living a LIE all these years!
Okay, fine. Yours is fictional. Phew.
Also, I CLEARLY need to read Capyboppy again. Bill must be so disappointed in me.
As far as I know, Peet only did the one. And yeah, do reread it. I think it’s quite good.
On it!
Get this! Went to the library website to search Peet’s books and guess what else I found?
[dramatic pause]
YOUR BOOK! ON ORDER!
SIX COPIES!
So thrilled for you, Mike!
Holy crap! That’s fantastic!
The next time you visit, could you ask the librarian if she would like some signed bookplates?
Certainly!
Just as soon as you explain to me what a bookplate is! 🙂
Ah! It’s a special sticker an author signs that a person can stick in a book he/she already owns. It saves people the trouble and expense of sending books back and forth in the mail for a signature.
Cool! Okay, I’ll ask someone next time I’m in there. 🙂
My bookplate has a cute capybara on it, naturally.
Naturally. 🙂
Also, I’m so super delighted to have gotten to 1. Discover this, and 2. Tell you about it! Yay!!!
P.S. Frozen veggies on my foot, as I type. Thankyouverymuch. 😉
This is great stuff and in as much as I love to enter the happy capy contest, I will decline but this is a great way to engage us bloggers the fact that we get invited to such competitions and win some prizes is a good initiative. All the best and good luck to those who will participate and I can’t wait to see the winner announced on the 26th of October 2022👏👏🙏
Thanks, Mthobisi!
So cool. I love this.
Thanks, Lasisi!
Great 👍
No, You’re great.
Great 😃
You’re great, too, I’m sure!
Well I guess my pal would have to be Nick Wilde from Zootopia and I’d choose him because he’s way smart, a fast thinker and he’s face expressions amuses me😊
Oh, that movie was fantastic! I’m more of a Judy Hops kinda person, but Nick’s a dang good choice.
And you get a ballot! Good luck!
Yeah zootopia it’s actually one of my favorites!
And thanks 😊
Congratulations 🎉 I wish I could enter but I live in Lebanon so I doubt the book can make it all the way here.
Yeah, I can’t even imagine what it would cost to mail it. But thanks so much for stopping by and showing support!
Winnie the Pooh is my favorite fictional character because he likes to think about things.
When you are a bear of little brain, you had better spend more time thinking.
And you get a ballot in the raffle! Good luck!
Winnie The Pooh because he is a kind friend.
He sure is. And your name goes in the hat!
Cat
But cats aren’t fictional!
Anyone there ?
Can you please learn me how audiences +
And how to verify adsens
If you could be pals with a fictional character, who would you choose and why? – That’s hard, there’s so many but if I had to pick one I think I’d pick Claire Fraser from the Outlander series
This got to me late but I want the free kids book” I like Clifford the big red dog and if he was real I would ride his back with my three kids and wife 😎” that’s my pretty dam good reason to get a book and a good spin off of Clifford for one of your picture books. 🧐🤙send book now 🦉
Gandalf or Dumbledore
I need a master
Oh my goodness I LOVE that sweet face on the main photo image. Sooo cute
Capys are the cutest, aren’t they?
Yes!