Arma Dei Giveaway

As I mentioned in my last post, the Arma Dei Shoppe is hosting a raffle this week.  Each of the four winners gets their choice of a Cathletics Craft Kit.  Monica offers a variety of products designed to make learning about the faith fun and easy, including a very interesting Lace-Up Missal for children to use during mass that I have my eye on.  You can see the full list of products here.

I will post the raffle entry form below.  Since I recently reviewed the Catholic Lingo Bingo and Lingo Bingo Católico, I am promoting the raffle along with other reviewers.  Monica has set up the raffle so that entrants can get multiple entries by following the blogs of the review panel.  If you choose to subscribe to my blog through the raffle form, you get five entries!  Rafflecopter will send you to my blog feed, where you can follow through thirteen different blog readers or subscribe via e-mail.  

Welcome to those of you coming over from the Giveaway!  If you are already a subscriber to this blog, you can still earn multiple entries by leaving a comment, sending a tweet, or following other blogs.  Even if you don’t win the raffle, you still get something if you choose to follow a blog or two and multiply your entries.

In case you missed my review of Catholic Lingo Bingo and Lingo Bingo Católico, here is a snippet: “What I like best about the game is that it is an opportunity to learn the names of objects used in the mass, such as the pall and corporal.  We see them every week, but we don’t talk about them outside of mass.  For this reason, the game is a great way to teach children who are preparing for First Communion about the way the Eucharist is treated during and after the mass.”

If you would rather purchase instead of taking a chance on the raffle, Monica is offering a Back to School Special until September 14^th: purchase three PDFs and get $10 off.  Details here.

The four raffle winners will have ten kits to choose from.  You can see the full list of products here and see the list of reviews by product here.  If you are having trouble viewing the entry form below, come directly to the blog post from the e-mail or reader, or visit the entry form at Equipping Catholic Families.  The raffle is open until September 14^th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Chance Giveaway Winner

The winner of this drawing is my friend Heather!  Contact me to collect your autographed copy of Entre la claridad.  Thank you to all the giveaway participants.  If there is enough interest in another giveaway, I will host also host one in February.  

If you have already won or purchased a copy of Entre la claridad, please send me your thoughts, reactions, reviews.  Good or bad, I’m willing to read them.

I have changed the look of the blog a little: moved some things around, added a few gadgets, and posted some new affiliations at the very bottom.  I think the sidebars look a little more organized and cleaner, even if they are a bit crowded.  

I’ve added a blog roll, listing those that include Tercets on their blog rolls.  If you want to participate in a blog roll mutual exchange, let me know.  Or, if you already list Tercets, but I have not listed your blog, tell me so.

I have been making plans for future posts.  In the works are “Stocking the Pantry for Lent,” “Not Your Ordinary Bean Dinners,” and if I can find the supplies I need, a craft for St. Valentine’s Day.  If there is anything you want to read about here, let me know.

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available for $7.00 from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets in English and Spanish.  

Also, my poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  Reading an anthology is a good way to familiarize yourself with poetry.  If you live in Houston, you can hear a large group of poets published in the anthology read at Brazos Bookstore on Saturday, February 25, at 2 p.m.  See the current list of future readings on my Upcoming Events page (blue bar above).

Have you liked the Entre la claridad page on Facebook?  I post notices about writing, the giveaways, and literary events there also.  Maybe I’ll make a Facebook page for Tercets one of these days. 

January Giveaway Winner

The winner of this drawing is my friend, Jen V., who has been reading the blog since the beginning.  Thank you, Jen for reading the blog and for participating in the drawing!  You win an autographed copy of Entre la claridad.

The next drawing, later this month, will be a second chance drawing for those who did not win this or any of the previous drawings.  Here are the entrants who have not previously won a drawing.  

Vee           Xhonané   Lauran     Martha     Michelle    Erika        Mento       Moisés       Heather   Maria V.    Sylvia       Elena        Alicia W.   Yolanda

Each of you will receive one entry in the second chance drawing!  If you wanted to participate in a previous drawing, but don’t see your name, you may have forgotten to tell me that you wanted to participate after completing the entry task.  It is a second chance for you too, if you have recently started following or subscribing, have liked the Entre la claridad page on Facebook, or have promoted the book on social media.  Let me know that you want to enter!

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available for $7.00 from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets. 

If you have already read Entre la claridad, send me a short review or some reactions; I would like to post a round-up of comments in the future.  

Also, my poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  Reading an anthology is a good way to familiarize yourself with poetry.  You can read about and buy that book here.

January Giveaway

Yes, it is time for another giveaway of my new book, Entre la claridad.  For those of you who missed the announcements last month, this a chapbook (a small book) of poems mostly about the women in my family and their experiences in two cultures, across several generations.  The poems are written in English, with some Spanish words and phrases.  

The link highlighted above includes an excerpt, and there you will find links to two additional excerpts.  Also, you can listen to recordings of some poems from the book at the Audio Page above, by clicking on the links to radio broadcasts I recorded last year.  Be sure to let me know what you think of the poem excerpts or the radio programs!

I know several of you missed the opportunity to enter the last drawing during the busy Advent and Christmas seasons, so the entry requirements will be the same.  There are multiple ways to enter, which means you can have multiple entries.  Someone in my family will draw the winning name on the evening of Sunday, January 15^th.

The key to each entry requirement is to let me know after you have completed the action(s) requested below that you wish to enter the drawing.  Just leave a comment, or send an e-mail.

• Follow this blog using the blue button in the left sidebar, or by subscribing via e-mail at the top of the right sidebar.  New followers or subscribers get two entries!
• Announce the book on the social media platform of your choice.  The easiest way to do this is to use the Facebook, twitter, or Google Plus One buttons at the bottom of this post or in the right sidebar.  Or, get creative.  My publisher quoted from the end of this blog post when she posted a link to the blog with a picture of the book on Facebook.
• Like the Entre la claridad page on Facebook.  

If you already follow or subscribe to this blog, have announced the book on social media, or have liked the FB page, all you have to do to enter is tell me you want to participate in the drawing!  If you wish to announce the book on social media a second time, that can get you another entry also.

The next drawing, later this month, will be a second chance drawing for those who did not win this or any of the previous drawings, so you either win this time, or you get another chance to win.  

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available for $7.00 from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets.  

Also, my poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  Reading an anthology is a good way to familiarize yourself with poetry.  You can read about and buy that book here.

Giveaway Winner

My friend from high school, Tracy, wins an autographed copy of Entre la claridad.  I’ll be giving away another copy next week, so check back to learn the details on how to enter.

Thank you to those who have participated in the drawings; I will also have a second chance drawing for those who did not win any of the previous giveaways.

I am looking for fresh ideas about how to increase participation in these giveaways.  I know that the holidays keep people busy and away from blogs and Facebook and even e-mail, but if you have suggestions, please let me know.  

While I’m taking suggestions, if you have ideas or topics you would like to read about in the coming year, I’d like to hear about them.  Soon, I will write more posts about healthy living, food, and healthier choices for specific foods.  Planned topics include nutritional benefits and recipes for beans, reviews of the My Plate recipes, and recent studies of the arsenic content in apple juice.  I did not have time to post about the healthier Thanksgiving Dinner in November, but we have two turkeys in the freezer, so the next time we prepare one, I will make a point to write about that.  

I hope to post about my upcoming presentation and reading at the AWP Conference, before and after.  I want to write reviews of other books published by Mouthfeel Press.  I may give you a round-up of some of the interesting topics my students chose for their advocacy presentations this past semester.  And, there will be more posts that are part of the Liturgical Calendar Link Up Party organized by Familia Católica.  My next post is part of the Christmas link up, an activity for The Most Holy Name of Jesus, celebrated on January 3.

In the meantime, if you want to buy Entre la claridad rather than waiting for a giveaway, it is available for $7.00 from Mouthfeel Press.  Don’t forget to explore the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets.  

Have you liked the Entre la claridad page on Facebook?  I post notices about writing, readings, publications, and literary events there, including things that I don’t have the chance to blog about.  Do go like the page if you are interested in those topics, or if you just like my book!

Reading an anthology is a good way to familiarize yourself with poetry.  My poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  You can read about and buy that book here.

My Book Has Arrived: Enter the Drawing

Yesterday, I received my copies of Entre la claridad, and I am so happy to have my new book in my hands.  This also means I can give one away to you, so please read on about how to participate in the drawing to win your very own copy.

This time, there are multiple ways to enter, which means you can have multiple entries.  Someone in my family will draw the winning name on the evening of Tuesday, December 27, so even if you are super busy this Advent and Christmas season, you have time to enter.  

In case you have missed my earlier posts, this book is my second chapbook of poetry, an achievement that has taken me ten years to realize.  Of course, I have not been writing the book for all of those ten years; I took time away from my writing career to marry and start a family.  While the delay was certainly worth all the rewards of married and family life, I am grateful that I now have some time to devote to writing again.

Early this year, I made a commitment to write at least once a week, and after I was asked by a friend to submit to Mouthfeel Press, many of those weeks were devoted to choosing poems to appear in the book, placing them in order, revising the poems, choosing a title, and reconsidering which poems should be in the book.  Then I sent the manuscript to Mouthfeel, and waited for a response.  Seeing the book in print is a lovely reward for my writing efforts this past year.

For those of you unfamiliar with poetry, a chapbook is a small book, so reading a chapbook is a good way to familiarize yourself with poetry in general, or a particular poet.  My chapbook contains twenty poems, mostly about my and my family’s experiences living in South Texas, a border community with a culture enriched by two languages, two cultures, and a strong sense of family history.

Here is what a few others have to say about the poems:

“One lives in the zone of clarity when one lives in two worlds, versus living in one culture where there is only one set of ideas/beliefs instilled...When one lives entre la claridad, one lives a full life of various experiences as noted in your poetry collection-- so much richer, open and wide. Here, there are no boundaries or border or mapas.”       —Maria M.

“I loved your poems with the mixture of English and Spanish and hearing about the letters your parents wrote each other.  Funny now to think that your grandmother thought her daughter moving to Dallas was not a good idea.  Really lovely work and words.”          —Beverly M.

If you have read either of my chapbooks, heard me read in person, or listened to the radio broadcasts (listen to the archives here), let me know what you think.  I would like to post a round-up of comments in the future.  I may even host a future drawing especially for those who write a short review about my poetry!

There are multiple ways to enter this week’s drawing, so you can enter more than once.  The key to each of them is to let me know after you have completed the action(s) requested below that you wish to enter the drawing.  Just leave a comment, or send an e-mail.

• Follow this blog using the blue button in the left sidebar, or by subscribing via e-mail at the top of the right sidebar.  New followers or subscribers get two entries!
• Announce the book on the social media platform of your choice.  The easiest way to do this is to use the Facebook, twitter, or Google Plus One buttons at the bottom of this post or in the right sidebar.  Or, get creative.  My publisher quoted from the end of this blog post when she posted a link to the blog with a picture of the book on Facebook.
• Like the Entre la claridad page on Facebook.  

If you already follow or subscribe to this blog, have announced the book on social media, or have liked the FB page, all you have to do to enter is tell me you want to participate in the drawing!

Here is another teaser from the book, to build your interest.  You can read a teaser from the first poem in the book here, and from the second poem in the book here.  These lines are from “Aguacate,” a poem in the middle section of the book:

Slippery flesh that melts in my mouth,

yellow green color of new leaves,

when I squeeze your oval body

after slicing you in half,

your insides chunk off

the smooth underside of your skin,

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available for $7.00 from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets.  

Also, my poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  Reading an anthology is another good way to familiarize yourself with poetry.  You can read about and buy that book here.

Second Winner, Next Drawing, Christmas Link Up

Today’s winner is my college friend, Colin!  He wins a signed copy of my first chapbook, Familia.  I did not make it to our college reunion this year, so I missed seeing Colin and other friends, but hopefully I’ll see everyone next year for the Centennial Celebration.

For those who haven’t read my recent posts about my new book, Entre la claridad, go take a look at them now so you know what these giveaways are all about.  You can also learn more about Familia and my new chapbook on the “My Publications” page above.

The next drawing will take place Friday night, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.  To enter, you need to go like the Entre la claridad page on Facebook.  Then, you have to come back here and leave a comment that you did so, or you can send me an e-mail.  Facebook has a rule against using the act of liking a page as an automatic entry to a contest, so please remember to let me know that you have liked the page to enter the drawing.

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see a selection of books by innovative and talented poets.  Poetry chapbooks make great Christmas gifts!

Finally, I also wanted to announce that there is a new link up that is part of the Liturgical Calendar Link up Party organized by Xhonané at Familia Católica.  The Christmas Link Up is hosted by Beatriz at De FAMILIA, dos puntos.   Everyone is invited to join the fun, so if you blog about Christmas, go attach your link.  Click on the button on the top left sidebar, or at the end of this post for more information.

For Catholics, the Christmas season begins on December 25^th, with the birth of Jesus, and ends on January 9^th, when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  I plan to post several times for this link up, so please check back to see:

• the Christmas and Nativity crafts we have done in the past and will do this year
• an activity for the Solemnity of Mary, celebrated on January 1
• an activity for the Most Holy Name of Jesus, celebrated on January 3.

First Giveaway Winner and How to Enter the Next Drawing

Today’s winner is my friend and fellow poet, Katherine Hoerth!  Katie has been following this blog almost from the beginning, so this first drawing is a nice way to return her patronage.  She gets a signed copy of my first chapbook, Familia.  Katie, send me an e-mail with your address and I’ll put your copy in the mail.

For those who haven’t read my recent posts about my new book, Entre la claridad, go take a look at them now so you know what these giveaways are all about.  You can also learn more about Familia and my new chapbook on the “My Publications” page above.

The next drawing will take place Wednesday night, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. CST.   In the rush to put my children to bed, I forgot to do today’s drawing at 8, so my husband picked the winning name just a little while ago.  We’ll see how Wednesday goes.

For this drawing, I need you to help me promote Entre la claridad, just a little.  All you have to do is announce the book on the social media platform of your choice, and then leave a comment here saying that you did so.  Since I may not see your announcement, please leave a comment here that lets me know where you announced it.  Two people that I know of have already promoted the book on social media, so Katie will be entered in the next drawing again, along with my friend Colin.

The easiest way to do this is to use the Facebook, twitter, or Google Plus One buttons at the bottom of the post or in the right sidebar.  Do this from the last post announcing the book, since it has only that book's cover image to include on the announcement.

If you want to buy Entre la claridad, it is available from Mouthfeel Press.  Take a look at the other books from the press while you are there; you’ll see Katherine Hoerth’s chapbook, Among the Mariposas, along with a number of other books by innovative and talented poets.

Thank you for your help with the promotions for this book!  Even if you already own a copy of Familia, you could give another copy, if you win the drawing, to someone as a gift.  Plus, since you already know that you like my poetry, recommending Entre la claridad will be easy to do!

Have you liked the Entre la claridad page on Facebook?  I post notices about writing, readings, publications, and literary events there, including things that I don’t have the chance to blog about.  Do go like the page if you are interested in those topics, or if you just like my book!

My Book is Published!

Entre la claridad is ready!  Here is the cover.  

You can purchase my book for $7.00 plus sales tax from Mouthfeel Press directly.  Shipping is included, and you can remit payment via PayPal.  Be sure to shop for other titles while you are there.  I highly recommend Elisa’s Hunger by Carolina Monsiváis and furia by ire’ne lara silva; I read these books over the summer.  I also heard a number of other poets from the press read in October and they were all wonderful and unique, so you don’t have to limit your choices to these two poets.  I’m planning to read a couple more titles from the press over the next few weeks and then I’ll post a review of Mouthfeel Press titles.

Since I won’t have copies of Entre la claridad until later, I’ve decided to start the giveaways with signed copies of my first chapbook, Familia.  See the “My Publications” page above for information about both books.  I’ll be giving away copies of this book for the next week, every two days, starting on Monday.  

How do you enter the drawing?  For the first one, you just need to follow this blog using the blue button in the left sidebar, or by subscribing via e-mail at the top of the right sidebar.  Here is your opportunity to make sure you never miss a blog post, a giveaway, or a review!

Those of you who are already followers or subscribers are automatically entered in this drawing.  If you follow or subscribe in a reader, such as bloglovin’, just let me know by leaving a comment, as I have no way to confirm that myself.  I will place all the names in a cup or bowl and have one of my children pick a winner at 8 p.m. Monday night.

The next drawing will take place on Wednesday night, but you’ll have to do a little more to qualify for that entry.  I’ve been collecting clever ideas for using a giveaway to promote a book from my friend Xhonané, who has just published an e-book in Spanish about celebrating events from the Liturgical Calendar as a family at home.  For information about how you can buy a copy of El Año Litúrgico en Familia, visit her blog post.  I’ll post a review of this book in a future post.

Also, my poem “Bat Bridge” is included in the new collection of poems about the sacred by Mutabilis Press, Improbable Worlds.  One of the writers mentioned above, ire’ne lara silva, is also published there.  You can read about and buy that book here.