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BBAW Blogging Tips

September 17, 2008 by

Today’s assignment from My Friend Amy for Book Blogger Appreciation Week is to answer two questions.

What is one thing you wish you knew about blogging when you started or what advice would you give a newbie blogger?

Now here is a loaded question. What did I wish I had known when I started blogging? I guess I wish I had known exactly how many book bloggers were out there and how compassionate, supportive, and understanding they are. I’ve always been a bit hesitant to share my writing with others, and I initially started this blog for myself, just as a place to record my thoughts on the books I read and to share my love of poetry with others. I really never expected anyone to read my blog, let alone comment. I would say that the first thing to remember as a newbie blogger is that the community is here to support you and that as long as your blog is written by you for your own enjoyment, you are doing a great job.

What is your best blogging tip?

My best blogging tip I can offer is to ask questions of your fellow bloggers, especially if you don’t know how to do something or add gadgets to your blog. That is the best advice I can give bloggers, along with do what you love best.

Check out this advice from Literarily, Bookish Ruth, My Friend Amy, Diary of an Eccentric, BookRoomReviews, and Book Escape

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW

Marketing the Poet

September 17, 2008 by

Day 3 of Writing in Metaphor and Imagery for Book Blogger Appreciation Week

In the age of the Internet, it is no wonder that book publishers are looking to the myriad housewives, students, professionals, and other bloggers to promote their authors’ books through reviews, interviews, guest posts, and virtual book tours. The 21st century provides businesses with a unique opportunity to directly access their customers through blogs, social networks, and other means on the Internet. As a poet, I’ve thought of the Internet as a level playing field for writers, allowing poets the same access to the public as fiction and nonfiction authors.

While writers of fiction and nonfiction are familiar with marketing their own work to the masses, I’ve noticed that poets are not as comfortable publicizing their own work. However, perhaps growing up with access to the Internet has enabled me to see the potential of growing the readership base of poetry. Up until recently poetry has circulated in college and university English courses and among academics in their “ivory” towers, but more and more contemporary poetry is bleeding into general audiences from poetry slams to online journals. Despite poetry’s elitist reputation, the form continues to evolve and reach new audiences. Spoken word poets are taking their poems to the streets, local events, bars, literary festivals, and other venues, and some poets focused on the written form are submitting to online rather than print journals.

The American Academy of Poets, for example, embraces the Internet by offering audio readings and videos of poets in conversation, spotlighting different artists periodically. There also is a list of events online, and each state has its own dedicated poetry page. The academy will even send those who sign up a new poem once per day to their email. In addition to the groups online striving to widen the audience for poetry by embracing technology, poets themselves are getting into the groove. Arlene Ang is one contemporary poet using the Internet to market her work, which you can see here and here. Meanwhile, the U.S. Poet Laureate position has gained ground in the media; I didn’t start noticing the poet laureate until about 1997 when Robert Pinsky was named, but with each passing year I’ve noticed each new poet laureate take the office with greater zeal, spotlighting poetry as an art worthy of attention by general audiences. Former Poet Laureate Billy Collins and Poetry 180—a poem a day for American High Schools—aim to have one poem read in a public forum at high schools willing to participate in the program, but how the poem is applied is up to the school. Students, teachers, staff members, and others can read the poems out loud, but discussion is not necessary. According to Billy Collins, “The most important thing is that the poems be read and listened to without any academic requirements. The point is to expose students to some of the fresh voices in contemporary poetry.”

I’ve been blogging for about three years, though only for little over one year at Savvy Verse & Wit, but I am dedicated to including poetry book reviews and other items about poetry on my blog to broaden the audience for poets. The goal of the site is to incorporate poetry during National Poetry Month, which is every April, by discussing poetic forms, new poets worthy of recognition, or posting poetry book reviews. Eventually, interviews from poets could be used to highlight how poets are very similar to fiction and nonfiction writers in terms of their process and struggles to get published. Poets are down-to-earth people tackling emotions, themes, and inner and external struggles, much like prose writers. The Internet is a powerful tool that poets and writers alike must grab onto and mold to meet their purpose, exposing the widest audience possible to their art.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Contest:

Leave a comment on this post to enter to win a 1-year subscription to Poetry magazine, which has one translation issue per year, poems, and short stories. In the comments tell me one thing you love about poetry and one thing you dislike about poetry or share a couple lines from your favorite poem. Deadline is Sept. 19, Midnight EST.

Another friendly reminder about these contests:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding another contest for “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti as part of BBAW; Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Book Club Girl has a new contest today as well.

4. Bookish Ruth’s contest for The Sally Lockhart Mysteries by Phillip Pullman

Please also double-check the growing list of giveaways at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Deadlines for all of my BBAW contests will be Sept. 19, Midnight EST.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW, giveaway

Publicity–Traditional Vs. Blog Publicity

September 17, 2008 by


I wanted to alert everyone to a fantastic article on My Friend Amy’s blog from an online publicist, Lisa Roe, regarding the differences between traditional and book blogging publicity.

I want all of you to go over there to check it out and make some comments, generate some discussion.

Another friendly reminder about these contests:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding another contest for “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti as part of BBAW; Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Book Club Girl has a new contest today as well.

Please also double-check the growing list of giveaways at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW, giveaway

A Gem of a Book

September 16, 2008 by

A Gem of a Book Contest, check it out.

My one gem on my shelf is Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Why do I love it? I read it after I had seen the musical on television in commercials and saw a miniseries on television when I was about 10 years old. I fell in love with the love triangle between the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul. I guess you could say that I sympathized with the Phantom, being the outcast and trying to fit in, but not doing it in the best possible way most of the time. Granted this book has a dark side, and some would consider it a horror novel, but I found the tender side of the novel more endearing.

I decided to check out the original book, which was actually written in a journalistic narration. It was nothing like I expected when I read it, but I still enjoyed it. I’ve read this book like 50 times and I think I have lent it to anyone who wanted, which would probably consist of two people.

Another friendly reminder about these contests:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding another contest for “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti as part of BBAW; Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Book Club Girl has a new contest today as well.

Please also double-check the growing list of giveaways at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW

The Magic Lasso of Jill Celeste

September 16, 2008 by

Day 2 of Writing in Metaphor and Imagery for Book Blogger Appreciation Week

As part of Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW), many of the participants were asked to interview a fellow blogger, and it was my honor to interview Jill of The Magic Lasso. (That’s her on the right after donating her hair.)

1. What prompted you to start a book blog?

One of my friends that I met through Library Thing has a book blog on LiveJournal. I liked how she could document her thoughts about her completed books. I often read books but don’t remember details, and more importantly, how I felt about the book once I was done. So, I followed her lead and started The Magic Lasso in May 2007.

2. How would you describe your blogging experience?

Therapeutic, intellectual, compelling and downright fun. When I look back at all of my posts, I sometimes can’t believe that I wrote this stuff. As I reread a review, such as my one for Middlesex, I can remember how angry I was that I wasted my time on a book that I didn’t like – and how therapeutic it was to bang out those mad feelings somewhere.

It’s also been interesting to “meet” other book bloggers. There are some wonderful people out there with book blogs. It’s my pleasure and honor to cross paths with them.

3. Can you describe your reading and review process? Do you have a specific routine or questions that you keep in mind while reading?

As an English Lit major, literary tropes and devices are engrained in my brain. When I read for pleasure, it’s understandable how my brain wants to dissect a book for literary criticism. For that reason, I try not to read with any design. Just read, enjoy and reflect.

When writing reviews, I typically have a standard format: book summary, my thoughts and then my recommendation. Most of my reviews are 3-5 paragraphs in length.

4. Do you find that the reading challenges you accept play too large a role in your book blogging?

In a way, I am a slave to reading challenges. They determine the order that I read books and put some pressure on my reading habits.

Next year, I need to commit to less reading challenges so I can enjoy non-challenge books without the guilt of reading a book that is not earmarked for a challenge.

5. What are your favorite things about blogging?

a.) Meeting other book bloggers
b.) Getting comments from people, including authors. I have received comments from Anne Rice, Alan Brennert, Chris Bohjalian, which was absolutely thrilling
c.) Participating in The Sunday Salon – a group of bloggers who blog every Sunday about what they’re reading
d.) Just the ability to write. I like to think of myself as a writer. I write at work but not in a creative way. My blog gives me an outlet to write something besides Web copy and ads.

6. Are there any features that you think are unique to your blog, such as challenges, giveaways, contests, etc.?

I have never hosted a contest or an official challenge. I did start Orange July, which was a personal challenge where I read books that have won or been nominated for the Orange Prize throughout the month of July. The idea caught on, and I think about 25 people participated with me. We’ll be repeating in January.

7. Do you find it difficult to juggle your blogging pursuits with motherhood and your other obligations?

No, in fact, I would argue that my reading and blogging hobbies make me a better mom because I have a hobby that’s my own. My kids are a bit older and self-sufficient, which helps.

8. How did you come up with the title of your blog and why or what does it signify?

I grew up watching Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman. I was intrigued that a woman could be a superhero of equal strength as Superman or Batman. One of Wonder Woman’s weapons was The Magic Lasso. When someone was ensnarled in The Magic Lasso, they must tell the truth, could remember repressed memories and was protected from others.

My Magic Lasso is a place of truth. At least that’s always my goal.

(I used to love watching Wonder Woman myself, and I’ve even ordered Season 1 on DVD.)

9. Who are your favorite authors?

Margaret Atwood, Geraldine Brooks, Dan Brown, Sarah Dunant, Khaled Hosseini,, Margaret Mitchell, Anna Quindlen, Anne Rice, Mary Doria Russell, Diane Setterfield, Shel Silverstein, Nicholas Sparks, Anne Tyler and Markus Zusak

(Seems like Jill and I have similar tastes in authors; I also enjoy Zusak, Sparks, Brown, and Silverstein)

10. What are some of your hobbies and what need to they fulfill?

Being married with two sons; working a high-pressure, full-time job; driving long commutes – it doesn’t leave a lot of time for hobbies. Obviously, my biggest hobbies are reading and writing on my blog. That just leaves my vices, which are my favorite TV shows: Prison Break, Lost, American Idol and Survivor. I always make time for them!

(We may have more in common than I realized. My latest favorite television show is Prison Break, and this season is shaping up to be even more twisted than the last. And readers should know I have loved and LOST! LOL Ok, that joke was lame, but you get my point.)

11. Why did you join Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW)?

When I read about BBAW, I thought: “Well it’s about time!” Not only does it celebrate us as a community of like-minded people, it also recognizes our contributions to the book industry. How many of us heard about a book through a review on a book blog? If I was not a book blogger, I probably would never read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or The Colour by Rose Tremain – and my reading is certainly more enriched because I’ve read both. I like to think that in some small way, I am influencing readers to select their next books too.

I know that many professional literary critics look down their noses at book bloggers. However, I would argue that we’re a force to be reckoned with. Just like those literary critics, I have a stack of ARCs directly from publishers that reinforces my point. Grassroots marketing can be powerful if used effectively. I am glad that many publishers see it that way too.

Thanks to My Friend Amy for hosting BBAW and special thanks to Serena for being my interview partner!

I also want to extend a thank you to My Friend Amy for hosting BBAW and to Jill for answering my questions.

***Today’s Contest: You can win 1 Copy of “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti by leaving a comment on this interview post and an additional entry by commenting on Jill’s Interview post or another of her blog posts and leave a comment here with the link to your comment.***

DEADLINE: Sept. 19, midnight EST.

Another friendly reminder about these contests:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

3. Book Club Girl has a new contest today as well.

Please also double-check the list of giveaways that continues to grow at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW, Interviews Tagged With: ,

New, Unique Finds Through BBAW

September 15, 2008 by


My Friend Amy has asked all of the BBAW participants to post about the blogs they have discovered throughout the BBAW nomination and participation process and to recognize those blogs that did not make the list of nominees.

1. I am sure that I am one of many touting Booking Mama. Julie’s Web site is well known around the book blogging world, and just stopping by from time to time I can see why. Her book giveaways are next to none and her reviews always leave me salivating at new books to add to that ever-growing TBR pile. I just love visiting Julie’s site even if I don’t always comment.

2. Shannon’s Confuzzled Books is another blog I discovered through BBAW, and I am now a regular reader. I love the colors and design of her pages. My favorite part of her blog is Refer a Book Friday where she solicits recommendations from her readers, and she then chooses one of those recommendations to add to her TBR pile. The winner of the Refer a Book Friday event is given the opportunity to obtain one of her free books, and she has plenty to choose from.

3. Diary of an Eccentric is my third highlight for this post. And you all should have seen that one coming. Anna and I have been friends for 13 years, at least that was last when I took the time to figure it out. We’ve always had similar interests from reading and writing, but the blogging world just adds to our office and out of office banter. We’re even planning a joint challenge for our readers…more on that later…yes, you heard it here…an undertaking of epic proportions…are you scared yet? LOL

Another friendly reminder about these contests:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

Please also double-check the list of giveaways that continues to grow at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW

Winner of Mrs. Lieutenant

September 15, 2008 by

And the winner of Mrs. Lieutenant by Phyllis Zimbler Miller is Alyce of At Home With Books, who I have discovered through this contest and Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

I have sent an email to you for an address, and Ms. Miller will send the book directly to you. Thanks to all the participants.

Here’s a couple of contest reminders:

1. Diary of an Eccentric is holding a contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Deadline is Sept. 30

2. Savvy Verse & Wit is holding a contest for Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg as the first contest for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Deadline is Sept. 19

Please also double-check the list of giveaways that continues to grow at My Friend Amy’s blog.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW, winners

Beat Poets

September 15, 2008 by

As part of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, I’m kicking off a week of Writing in Metaphor and Imagery here at Savvy Verse & Wit. The week will focus on poetry and writing and feature an abundance of contests as well as an interview with Jill Celeste of The Magic Lasso. All BBAW contest deadlines will be Sept. 19 at MIDNIGHT EST.

Today’s post takes us back to the poetry of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s with the Beat Generation.

The Beat Generation of poets, sometimes called beatniks, emerged between the 1940s and the early 1960s. I often think of them as representative of that time period in history because of their visceral images and their emphasis on emotional topics, drug use, and sexuality. When asked about the beat poets, many cite Allen Ginsberg as the prime example of the movement because many of his poems seek to deconstruct the capitalist and conformist values present in U.S. society during the 1950s and 1960s. His most famous poem is “Howl” and it is one of the longest poems I’ve read.

Here’s a few lines from this famed poem, I will let them speak for themselves:

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical
naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,
angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry
dynamo in the machinery of night . . .”

Check out this video of “Howl” as read by John Turturro:

Ginsberg and other Beat poets took their emotional responses to the aftermath of World War I and expressed them in unconventional poetic forms; many of these poems bucked poetic tradition of stanza lengths, rhyme, and other conventions. Much of the Beat generation hailed from San Francisco, Calif., and another poet, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who I will highlight later in the week, was brought up on obscenity charges one year after Ferlinghetti’s City Lights Press published Ginsburg’s “Howl and Other Poems” in 1956.


***”Howl and Other Poems,” part of The Pocket Poets Series, is the first book I am offering as part of my first BBAW contest this week. The contest deadline is Sept. 19 at midnight EST. ***

To Enter: Leave a comment here and tell me what you remember about the Beat Generation of poets if you are old enough to remember them or what you learned about the Beat Generation of poets. Otherwise, you can leave a comment with two lines of a beat generation poem with the name of the poet. For an additional 2 ENTRIES blog about this contest.

***Don’t forget to enter Diary of an Eccentric’s contest for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks, Deadline is Sept. 30.

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW, poetry

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Giveaway Update

September 15, 2008 by

Here’s a list of BBAW participants!

If you follow along for the festivities of BBAW at My Friend Amy, you will find many chances to win LOTS of goodies! Like what? Well have a look below. All of these things will be given away between September 15-19. There will be a huge variety of ways to win them and giveaways will be announced constantly throughout the week. So be sure to check in often!

A HUGE thank you to Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group USA, Harlequin, The B&B Media Group, Shera of SNS Blog Design, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Catherine Delors, Pamela Binnings Ewen, Andromeda Romano-Lax, Ceceilia Dowdy, Sormag, Book Club Girl, Savvy Verse and Wit, Cafe of Dreams, Fashionista Piranha, and Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?.

Daily Raffles:
Monday–Books and Chocolate sponsored by My Friend Amy and Hey Lady! Whatcha’ Readin?
Tuesday–Books and Going Green sponsored by My Friend Amy
Wednesday–Books and Coffee sponsored by My Friend Amy
Thursday–Books and Charity sponsored by My Friend Amy and Fashionista Piranha
Friday–Books and Movies sponsored by My Friend Amy

Win a Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit!
Do you find it’s your turn to host book club and not only do you not know what to serve but you don’t know what books to offer up for the next month’s selection?! Let Book Club Girl come to your rescue with the Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit.

One lucky winner of the kit will receive:

* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people
* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group’s next pick. And Book Club Girl will then donate 12 copies whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.
* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night
* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone’s favorite passages
* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!

TWO SORMAG Goody Bags containing books and more!

A Special Pamper Me Basket from Cafe of Dreams!
From Avon Foot Works
~ Inflatable watermelon shaped foot tub
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Cooling Foot Lotion
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Exfoliating Foot Scrub
~ 12 count Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets
~ An ARC of So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz
~ A variety of Hot Chocolate and Tea mixes

A pre-made blog template from SNSDesign!

A Subscription to Poetry Magazine from Savvy Verse and Wit!

BOOKS
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen
The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax
John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy
Acedia & Me by Kathleen Norris
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley
A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely
The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano
Isolation by Travis Thrasher
The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
Every Freaking! Day With Rachell Ray by Elizabeth Hilts
Dewey by Vicki Myron
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley
Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg
A is for Atticus by Lorilee Craker
After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher
Mike’s Election Guide by Michael Moore
War as They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg
Fixing Hell By Col. (ret.) Larry C. James
Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor
The Last Under-Cover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil By Bob Hamer
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron
Hungry for More by Diana Holquist
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan
Never Surrender by General Jerry Boykin
Dream in Color by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez
Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton
Cobain Unseen by Charles R. Cross
Doing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan Bagla
Branding Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin
Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady, Orrin Woodward
How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer
Knowing Right from Wrong by Thomas D. Williams
Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi
Pure by Rebecca St. James
He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson
So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman
Move On, Move Up by Paula White
The Rosary by Gary Jansen
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Right Livelihoods by Rick Moody
by George by Wesley Stace
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh
Dead Boys by Richard Lange
The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman
Harlequin Titles: To Be Announced

Many other blogs are giving away books and prizes for BBAW as well! You can see the links to all of these giveaways here.

Interested in gaining entries into the daily raffles? Post this complete list on your blog with links and you’ll earn two extra entries!

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Schedule Update

September 14, 2008 by

With Book Blogger Appreciation Week starting tomorrow, I wanted to provide all of my readers with an update on the awards presentations and giveaways. I also have some announcements for this blog in relation to BBAW.

Award presentations will begin on Sept. 17 for the various categories, and these are the blogs presenting the awards to the winners:

Sept. 17 in the Morning:

Age 30+ A Lifetime of Books will make the presentations for the Best Meme/Carnival/Event and the Best Best Commenter/Commentator

Booking Mama will present the awards for Best Design and Best Book Club Blog

Sept. 17 in the Evening:

Caribou’s Mom will present the award for Most Humorous Blog

My Friend Amy (The host and Creator of BBAW) will present the award for Best Publishing/Industry Blog

Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-a-holic will present the award for Best Name for a Blog and Best Challenge Host

Literate Housewife will present the awards for Best Community Builder and Best Author Blog

APOOO will present the award for Best Book Published in 2008

Bookroom Reviews will present the awards for Best Book Community Site and Most Chatty

Book-a-rama will present the awards for Most Concise and Most Extravagant Giveaways

Sept. 18 in the Morning:

My Friend Amy will present the award for Best General Book Blog

Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-a-holic will present the awards for Best Romance Blog and Best Kidlit Blog

Literate Housewife will present the awards for Best Fantasy/Sci-fi/Horror/Spec-fic Blog and Best History/Historical Blog

APOOO will present the awards for Best Literary Fiction Blog and Best Cookbook Blog

Bookroom Reviews will present the award for Best YA Lit Blog

Book-a-rama will present the award for Best Thrillers/Mystery/Suspense Blog

Caribou’s Mom will present the awards for Best Non-fiction Blog and Most Eclectic Taste

The Friendly Book Nook will present the award for Best Christian/Inspirational Blog

Sept. 18 in the Evening:

My Friend Amy will present the award for Most Altruistic Blog

For those of you interested in the numerous giveaways on the Book Blogs this week, please check out this link for the official list.

Links for other BBAW giveaways next week can be found here.

And trust me there will be a lot of them, including a week filled with poetry and writing on Savvy Verse & Wit in what I will call a week of “Writing in Metaphor and Imagery”

Sept. 15 BBAW Kickoff at Savvy Verse & Wit will be an article about Beat Poetry and a contest to win 1 copy of “Howl and other Poems” by Allen Ginsburg, which is part of The Pocket Poets Series.

Sept. 16 for BBAW I will post my interview with Jill Celeste of The Magic Lasso, my partner for BBAW, as well as a contest to win 1 Copy of “A Coney Island of the Mind” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Sept. 17 for BBAW will include an article that will appear here and at My Friend Amy on poetry and blogging, with a contest to win a 1-year subscription to Poetry magazine.

Sept. 18 for BBAW, an article on Sylvia Plath and her writing, along with a contest for 1 copy of “Ariel” by Sylvia Plath

Sept. 19 for BBAW, an article on writing and writing spaces, along with a contest for a 1-year subscription of Writer’s Digest.

***ALSO A REMINDER: Today is the last day for you to enter the MRS. LIEUTENANT CONTEST! Here’s the link for that, the cut off is MIDNIGHT EST***

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW

Award Received and Appreciated!

September 10, 2008 by


I recently received the I Love Your Blog award from My Friend Amy. I appreciate her thoughtfulness. I rarely get awards and now I have been given two in the last couple of weeks.

I hope that I can continue to receive such praise in the future as I gear up to unveil some new features, which are still in the planning stages.

In addition, I want to award this recognition to the following blogs:

A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore because you have a varied taste in books, and I always find some of the best new reads on your blog. And I love that you are honest in your reviews about editing mistakes and other elements that bother you.

Peeking Between the Pages: Your title just caught my eye and I thought what a great title for a book review blog. Your reviews are honest and I love how you get the reader involved by posting questions in your posts, asking them for their input. I also love the set up of your blog as well, it’s beautiful and lean. Not to mention as a dog lover, I just have to say that your dog is cute, just adorable.

Maw Books Blog because you are so passionate about reading and Darfur and all things related on your blog. Your passion burns brightly for each of your readers. I admire all that you are trying to accomplish. I appreciate your posts and your insight on books and your causes.


And now I will take this time to remind you to go vote for your favorite blogs in Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW). Deadline is Sept. 12, so HURRY!

Dear Readers:

You are Appreciated, and as part of BBAW, The Literate Housewife Review is holding a contest in your honor. Please check it out, here.

Additionally, if you know anyone in the Media or are in the Media and would be willing to pass along BBAW information to a wider audience, please contact myself of Amy and we will send you a press release.

Another Contest: Diary of an Eccentric for The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold or The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

***Please do not forget to enter the Mrs. Lieutenant Contest, Deadline is Sept. 14.


Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: awards, BBAW, giveaway

BBAW Award Voting Is Up!

September 6, 2008 by

You’ve nominated your favorite blogs for a number of categories. You’ve wondered what ones made the cut. Well, now is your chance to have your voice heard and vote for your favorites in the BBAW Awards.

Voting is open until Sept. 12 at Midnight! So get your votes in today.

You can only vote once in each category and you are not obligated to vote in every category.

If you are interested in a list of finalists and their links, click here.

Now, got Vote!

Also, if anyone is interested in INTERVIEWING a fellow blogger, please be sure to let My Friend Amy know at

Copyright of Serena M. Agusto-Cox at Savvy Verse & Wit 2007-2010. This is not original content, this content is owned and copyrighted by Serena M. Agusto-Cox
Filed Under: BBAW