Thursday, April 29, 2010

Guest Author -- Brenda Novak


We are super excited to have New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Novak here today dishing about her upcoming Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research. If you have never checked it out, you simply must! There are so many amazing prizes up for bid (including a great basket from us--see below) and all the proceeds go to a wonderful cause. But I'll let Brenda take the floor and tell you more. Please help us welcome Brenda to The Romance Dish!



SHOW TIME...

I’m SO excited! My 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research will begin May 1st (at brendanovak.com). With over 2,200 fabulous items, many of which you can’t get anywhere else, it's going to be a blast.

I started this fundraiser in 2005 and have made it an annual event in an attempt to help my thirteen-year-old son (diagnosed at 5) and the many, many others who struggle with diabetes. The need is there. Anyone who lives with a diabetic will tell you about the constant fingertip pricks, the shots, the pump insertions, the danger that comes with blood sugars that are too high or too low or swinging wildly from one side to the other. It’s almost impossible to avoid the fluctuations, no matter how hard you try. But you rarely hear about that, or about the tragic side affects. Diabetes affects every part of the body—the heart, the liver, the kidneys, the skin, the nerves, the eyes, everything. But...thanks to my many, many generous donors--and shoppers--we’re doing what we can to help!

Last year we managed to raise $280,000, which brings us to over three-quarters of a million so far. In 2010, we should break the $1 million mark! Judging by the increase in donations and web traffic, I think we’ll get there. Not only does the auction offer fabulous items like original paintings, handmade quilts, trips and stays and autographed books and baskets from Big Name authors, it has a lot of fabulous opportunities for readers and writers. How would you like to have lunch with one of your favorite authors—authors like Barry Eisler, Diana Gabaldon, Linda Howard, Beverly Barton or Catherine Coulter? John Lescroart and Christine Feehan are offering you an opportunity to name a character in one of their novels. Jane Porter is donating a trip to Hawaii. Heather Graham has put up a trip to New Orleans, which includes her Writers For New Orleans Conference. Nora Roberts is offering a stay at her inn. And Anna DeStefano has put up a whole category of Coach purses. For aspiring writers, we have more agent and editor evaluations and author critiques than ever before. There are too many items to list here, so hop over and check it out.

For those of you who have never participated in an online auction, don’t worry--it’s easy. This auction runs just like E-Bay. You shop the entire month of May (there are also one-day auctions so be sure to check the schedule), bid on whatever you like and pay for what you win via credit card or Paypal when it’s all over, at which point it will be shipped to you (in most cases, the shipping is free). The person who places the highest number of bids each week will be awarded a fabulous prize (the first week it's an iPad as well as an Advanced Reading Copy of my new book, WHITE HEAT, due out July 27th and a VIP invitation to my launch party). There will also be lots of other prizes given away via random drawings.

And we have something new this year for aspiring writers. It's a writing contest that will be judged by New York Times Bestselling Authors. The winner will receive a 6-month mentorship from me and guaranteed reads from my agent and editor. One other thing I should mention. To help promote the auction, I’m currently holding a drawing for a fabulous Trip for Two to Curacao. This trip includes airfare and hotel stay at the Hyatt Regency. To enter, visit brendanovak.com and click on the Contest link.

Here’s hoping I see you at the auction!

Brenda Novak

So dear readers: Have you bid on something at Brenda's Online Auction for Diabetes Research in the past? Or any other auction for charity? Did you win? If so, what did you win?



***And don't forget to check out the great gift basket we have up for bid at Brenda's Online Auction! The Book Lover's Delight Gift Basket from The Romance Dish includes over 20 books (most of which are signed) and lots of extra special goodies for book lovers!***

33 comments:

  1. I'm super excited for the auction to start. I've got my eye on a bunch of items. I did bid on several items for the past two years and I was lucky to win once. I won a set of books from Barbara Freethy.

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  2. Thanks for being with us today, Brenda! I've been to the site and am once again amazed at the donations you've managed to pull together. Hopefully, this year will put you over the $1 Million mark for diabetes research!

    I was one of the winners at Brenda's auction last year. I won a collection of books and gifts from Becke Davis and, let me tell you, I was absolutely stunned when I opened that box and saw all the goodies inside! ( I hope the winner of our basket will be equally stunned...and happy!)

    I can also attest to how easy the process was. Brenda has made the bidding very user friendly and the payment method safe and secure.

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  3. Hi Jane--

    So glad you're excited about the auction. I get so caught up in it I can hardly write or do anything else. LOL Thanks for jumping in and participating.

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  4. Hi Brenda! It is wonderful to have you with us today. I have a really good friend who's 7 year old daughter was diagnosed last fall. It has been a roller coaster ride for the entire family, but things seem to be settling into a routine. The little girl has been a wonderful trooper!

    I have to be honest and say I have never checked out the auction, but sure plan on doing so this year. I have heard about the wonderful stuff up for bidding and really can't believe the variety!

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  5. PJ--Thanks for your comments. We've worked hard to make it as pleasurable for shoppers as possible.

    Interestingly enough, I've had really good luck with trusting my shoppers (you mentioned, basically, that shoppers could trust me, which made me think of this). When I started the auction, I wondered if I'd have some uncollectibles when it was all over. I do have some, but it's usually very minimal. I've really only been burned twice. Last year and the year before, I had someone who bought about $2000 worth of stuff stiff me (different person each year). I've made it so they can't shop again, of course. But it's really saying something that after raising $770,000, I've only bumped into two rotten apples, so to speak.

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  6. Hi Buffie--

    I'm sorry to hear about your friend's daughter. Diabetes touches so many lives. Too many. That's why I do what I do. Hopefully we'll be able to change that in the future.

    Thanks for getting involved. :-)

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  7. I have bid on some items in e-bay for charity & about 10 years ago there was an auction featuring my then addiction Longaberger Baskets on an e-mail group Vonda's Vine to help a family in which the husband was afflicted with a brain tumor. I bid and won several items as well as donated a few rare baskets that I owned at the time.

    I have never heard of your auction until today & I just preregistered for the auction. I have a few friends who have adult diabetes so I will be bidding in honor of them and your son.

    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam

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  8. Hi, Brenda! Just skimming the critiques available for aspiring authors leaves me amazed--also befuddled over which one to bid on. I got a particular thrill seeing the names of some friends who are newly published on the list. :)

    Here's hoping this year's auction breaks all records! One of my closest friends lost her battle with type 1 diabetes after two pregnancies. I know we all hope for the day when stories like Sandy's end with HEAs rather than in tragedy.

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  9. Jane, like you, I've been scoping out all the items and getting my bidding strategy in place. Good luck!

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  10. I had someone who bought about $2000 worth of stuff stiff me (different person each year).

    Brenda, it breaks my heart that someone would do that!

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  11. Buffie, my prayers go out to your friends. So many families have to deal with this on a daily basis.

    Get ready to make good use of all that overtime you've been raking in. You're going to *love* this auction! :)

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  12. Thank you, Pam! I can tell you have a very soft heart. What you did for the man with the brain tumor was wonderful.

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  13. I'm really sorry to hear about Sandy, Janga. I hear these types of stories all the time--and they scare me to death. I have a friend who's 16-year-old daughter just didn't wake up one morning (because of diabetes). So now you know why I get up every night to test my son and make sure he's still breathing....

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  14. It's smart to go on early and create a wish list. There are too many things to see to wait. LOL Also, if you plan to win the prize for placing the most bids, it's really smart to get in early, when everything is only $2!!

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  15. Pamela, good luck with your bidding!

    Those Longaberger baskets are addictive, aren't they? I learned (quickly) that I had no willpower at those parties. Had to stop going! lol

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  16. Janga, I'm so sorry your friend, Sandy, lost her battle with diabetes. One of my friends lost her husband to the disease, at a much too early age.

    I got a particular thrill seeing the names of some friends who are newly published on the list.

    Isn't it fun seeing their names up there? I get so excited for them!

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  17. Brenda, what a wonderful idea for raising money and awareness for Diabetes! Thank you.

    My grandmother had diabetes and so, now, does my mother. Since I am shaped just like them both, I really could be next. (Typical diabetes shape.) Mother is doing well and has controlled hers with diet. I remember Gram giving herself shots in the legs and it was one mean-looking syringe.

    Take care and God Bless!

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  18. Brenda, thanks for the tip on the $2 bids!

    Will you have separate Facebook and Twitter accounts for the auction or will you be updating from your Brenda Novak ID's?

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  19. Deb, my mom and grandma both had diabetes too. My doctor (and I) monitor my diet and exercise very carefully.

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  20. PJ,
    I was the same way for too long!!!!!!!!!! I just had to have every feature basket! Now I cringe when I get the booklet and don't even look at it you would think the consultant would get the point LOL! Perhaps she is waiting for me to come back to my senses, well she can just wait cause it is so not happening LOL.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam

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  21. Hi Deb--

    Fortunately, the syringes these days aren't quite as daunting as what they were. They've made a lot of great advancements. I thank God every day for the pump. It's made management of my son's diabetes so much easier.

    I hope you manage to avoid Type 2. Your odds can be greatly improved with the proper diet and exercise, as you probably know. My son has Type 1, which is different, but you wouldn't believe how many people assume he got the disease from eating too much candy. LOL I still have people tell me they can "cure" it with certain health drinks, etc. Something else that's not true (but how I wish it were that easy).

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  22. Good luck with the auction. I will definitely check it out.

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  23. I participated in the auction last year, and I'll revisit this year, as well. I won several autographed books. It's such a wonderful funraiser. Thanks, Brenda.

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  24. So glad you had a positive experience last year, LSUReader. One fun thing is that we'll have a lot of advanced reading copies of various books that will be published later in the year--so you can be the first to get your hands on your favorite author's next book!

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  25. Hi and welcome to the Dish, Brenda! We are so happy to have you with us today.

    I can't believe that it's already time for your annual auction! My, how time flies. I've bid on something just about every year and actually won something at your second auction, I believe. I won a set of autographed books from Elizabeth Boyle. I was so excited to have won!

    Brenda, I applaud you and your devotion to this cause. I know that it can't be an easy task. Honestly, I don't know how you can do it and write multiple books each year. You are truly an inspiration. I wish you much success with this year's auction! I'll be visiting very soon. ;-)

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  26. Good luck to all of you who bid on items at the auction!!

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  27. Pamela Keener said: ...about 10 years ago there was an auction featuring my then addiction Longaberger Baskets...

    My mom got me hooked on Longaberger baskets years ago, Pam. I have since stopped because I ran out of places to put them! LOL They really are great baskets. :)

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  28. Hi, Brenda! Thanks so much for joining us today. Your auction is such great fun for a wonderful cause! I have bid in the past, but didn't win--hoping that will change this year. *g*

    I did win a few things on an online auction that Eloisa James and Julia Quinn had on their BB--it was to raise money for a Bon Bon whose husband had recently died, leaving her with several small children to raise. The support that everyone gave was amazing, as you well can attest with your auction. The romance community is by far the most generous group of people I have ever had the honor of knowing.

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  29. The romance community is by far the most generous group of people I have ever had the honor of knowing.

    I totally agree, Gannon! We also had the auction for Leslie Ferdinand (originated at Squawk Radio) after Hurricane Katrina, remember?

    I've never been associated with any group of people that will come together in support of one another like the Romance Fiction community.

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  30. I agree, too, Gannon. Romance readers and writers are the most generous souls in the world. Editors and agents are, too. I've been so impressed with everyone's attitude and willingness to get involved.

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  31. Thanks for the good wishes, Andrea. And for supporting the auction!

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  32. Have been going to auctions for many, many years. We furnished almost our entire house with antiques from auctions (this was the 70's). We have even bought two houses at auction: one in the 70's as a camp and a small farm for our daughter about 10 years ago.
    Last year I had fun following Brenda's auction. I bid on quite a few items and got one of them.

    It is a good cause. Our son-in-law has type 1 diabetes and we realize the problems it can cause. I hope the auction does well this year. I'll be there bidding.

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