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I'm resting up from a 5K race this morning to support Young Life campers. I'd never heard of the organization, but I saw the poster for the May Day race at the newest shopping mall in our area. I figured it was worth a shot to enter, eventhough I knew I wouldn't win. Quick, I'm not. Persistent, I am. In fact the Road ID I picked up to wear while I train out on the road says Winners Never Give Up. That motto is also a good one to have in writing, which is very similar to a race. You want to start out quick, peak the others interest, settle into a good rhythm with some ups and downs, then finish strong with a kick. I didn't have much kick left this morning in my first race back after a hip injury, but I did snag my fastest time yet. So I still have hope in doing the same with my next WIP.

But my real topic today isn't running, racing, or writing...it's contests. We've seen a myriad of contests over the years with an equally vast amount of swag to win. I know I've put up movies, candles, soap and even socks with some bigger prizes on peak months when I had an article or something cool on my website. One of the most interesting things I've won was a golden Rubik's Cube, and one of the coolest was a mini critique from an agent. I believe one of the most popular giveaways is books. Do you agree?

Or are you tired of books? Would you prefer something like sci fi movies, a great tie-in like a t-shirt? I know authors usually have to pay out of pocket for anything they offer up in a contest, so it would have to be something that wouldn't make them broke. That's one of the reasons I usually had a star theme to my gift bags. Because the symbol is popular, I could always find something new to keep things fresh. But I did wonder if the giveaways were worth my time. I know that I had several loyal visitors of my website, but wondered if there was a better way to branch out.

What do you think? Are contests worth the effort? Or should authors cut their contests for promo only to big moments and offer better prizes?

I always get a thrill when I get to tell a reader they've won...not to mention when I see an e-mail that says I'm a winner. (It's almost as awesome to get bags of swag at the races I've run for Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Arthritis, and Mebane on the Move.)



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