February 8, 2010 10:18 PM

Win a weekend in New York!

Fancy an all-expenses paid trip to New York? Well, here's your chance. Publishers Simon & Schuster are giving away a weekend in fabulous NYC in order to celebrate the release of Adriana Trigiani's new novel, Very Valentine, on February 9th.

To win, head on over to the site and fill out the online entry form. Want to know more about Very Valentine? Here's more info...

Meet Valentine, an unforgettable and passionate woman with a heart and a dream as big as New York City. Her dream? To design the perfect pair of shoes ...The Angelini Shoe Company, makers of exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, is one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village. Now, in the twenty-first century, the company run so devotedly by Valentine and her grandmother Teodora faces financial ruin. Juggling a romantic relationship with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design competition for a prestigious department store, Valentine accompanies her grandmother to Italy in the hope of finding inspiration. There, in Tuscany and on the Isle of Capri, she discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life around in ways she never expected.

You can read an excerpt of Very Valentine here, or check out Adriana's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 8, 2010 in Book News, Book Extract, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 6, 2010 2:19 AM

Win a copy of The Optimist

With January being the month of inspiration, isn't it time for a new outlook on life? In The Optimist, Laurence Shorter heads out on a search for optimism, talking to the most optimistic people in the world. Here's a little bit more about the book:

When it comes to bad news, we've never had it so good. Today we face a greater range of potential disasters than ever before. Laurence Shorter is feeling anxious. Every time he turns on the radio or opens a newspaper he finds another reason to be tearful. It's time to make a change. "The Optimist" charts Laurence's quest for inner happiness. Can Desmond Tutu bring a smile to Laurence's face? Will he ride out the tide of pessimism with California's famous Surfing Rabbi? Or will it fall to the ultimate icon of optimism, Bill Clinton, to show Laurence the brighter side of life?

Publisher Canongate has five copies of The Optimist to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave a comment below. Winners will be selected in two weeks. Please remember to leave your email address with your comment so that we can contact you if you are a winner.

The competition is open to Europe only.

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on January 6, 2010 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (19)

December 16, 2009 1:37 AM

COMPETITION: Win a copy of The Dating Detox

The Dating Detox, the debut novel from Gemma Burgess, will be released in late December. (I'm currently reading this and can't put it down!) Here's a little bit more about this fantastic book:

If you can't date anyone nice, don't date anyone at all.

Dating is a dangerous sport. So after her sixth successive failed relationship, romantically-challenged 20-something Sass decides she's had enough. The Dating Detox is born. No men, no break-ups, no problem.

The result? Her life - usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka - is finally easy. Chastity rocks. No wonder nuns are always singing. Everything falls at her feet. Especially men.

Will Sass break the rules? Why does fate keep throwing her in the path of the irritatingly amusing Jake? Will she ever roll the dice and play again? Or is a love-free life too good to risk losing? For the post-Carrie Bradshaw, post-Bridget Jones, post-credit crunch generation of singles, life isn't beautiful, a bitch, or a beach. It's a party.

We have three copies of The Dating Detox up for grabs, and to be in with a chance of winning, simply leave a comment below. However, don't forget to leave your email address so that we can contact you if you're a winner.

Good luck!

For more information about Gemma and The Dating Detox, visit Gemma's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 16, 2009 in Book News, Competition | Permalink | Comments (21)

December 14, 2009 10:43 PM

Win every book on the Costa Book Awards shortlist

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 14, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 9, 2009 12:28 PM

COMPETITION: Naked in Knightsbridge

There's still plenty of time to enter the Naked in Knightsbridge competition! Recently we posted about how you could win one of five copies of Nicky Schmidt's wonderful debut.

The competition is open until January 5th. All you have to do is head over to the competition post and leave a comment in order to be included in the draw.

Due to publishers Prospera offering free international postage if you order from the website, the competition is open to international residents. However, please make sure that you leave your email address so that we can contact you if you're a winner.

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 9, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 3, 2009 10:10 PM

COMPETITION: Win a copy of Naked in Knightsbridge by Nicky Schmidt

Naked in Knightsbridge is the fantastic debut novel from Nicky Schmidt, and Trashionista has five copies of the book to give away, courtesy of Prospera Publishing. Here's a bit more about the book:

With mounting debts, threats from a crazy landlord and a cleaning business that was going well until she set fire to someone s house, Jools Grand is about to find herself homeless. She has to come up with a plan, and fast. So with an acute sense of desperation, Jools decides to auction herself online in a marriage of convenience. Who knows, she might even find romance? What Jools isn t banking on is a bidding war between two not-so-eligible bachelors a wealthy, gay, would-be politician who needs a wife as a cover; and a deranged loner with a newly-refurbished basement prison. Add to that a lecherous father, some soon-to-be-exposed secrets and an addiction to pastries, and Jools is set to discover that nothing comes without a price.

Interested? To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is leave a comment with your name. Don't worry if you're not in the UK - the competition is open worldwide as Prospera offers free international shipping with all books purchased from the website.

Please ensure that you leave your email address when you leave a comment so that we are able to contact the winners.

To see what other titles Prospera has to offer, take a look at the website.

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on December 3, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (23)

October 30, 2009 8:30 PM

COMPETITION: Win a copy of Audrey Hepburn: International Cover Girl

We recently featured the brand new book Audrey Hepburn: International Cover Girl - and now you have the chance to win a copy.

The book includes more than 600 pictures of Audrey and is a must for any fan. If you like to be in with the chance of winning, simply leave a comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw.

Don't forget to ill in the email field so that we can contact you if you win!

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 30, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (10)

October 13, 2009 8:41 PM

Pretty Monsters Competition

Time is almost up for Trashionista's Pretty Monsters competition. Names will be drawn out on October 16th (that's just three days away!) If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning the new short story collection by Kelly Link, then click here to leave a comment and enter.

For more information about Kelly Link and Pretty Monsters, check out Kelly's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 13, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 6, 2009 8:44 PM

COMPETITION: Win a copy of Pretty Monsters!

It's the run up to Halloween, and no better time to indulge in a good old-fashioned scary story (or spooky romance. It's your call!) Here at Trashionista we adore ghoulish tales, and have been lucky enough to get a review copy of brand new book Pretty Monsters.

 

Pretty Monsters is a collection of nine short stories by Kelly Link that's perfect for a dark night curled up under the covers.

 

Pretty Monsters is released on October 15^th, and Trashionista and publishers Canongate have three copies of this beautiful book to give away!

 

Here's some info about Pretty Monsters...

 

Blending fairytale, fantasy, horror, myth and mischief in a delicious cocktail, Kelly Link creates a world like no other, where ghosts of girlfriends past rub up against Scrabble-loving grandmothers with terrifying magic handbags, wizards sit alongside morbid babysitters, and we encounter a people-eating monster who claims to have a sense of humour. With more than a pinch of macabre humour, this is writing to come back from the dead for.

 

To be in with a chance of winning a copy, all you have to do is leave a comment  below. Names will be entered into a draw and winners will chosen after 15^th October. (Don't forget to leave your email address so that we can contact you!)

 

Apart from Pretty Monsters, Kelly Link is the author of two more short story collections: Magic for Beginners and Stranger Things Happen.

 

You can find out more about Kelly Link and her books by checking out Kelly's website.

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 6, 2009 in Competition, New Releases, Short Story Collections, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (33)

October 1, 2009 12:27 PM

Calling all romance writers!

Time is almost up for the Little Black Dress and La Senza Bedtime Stories competition! So if you like to write and fancy the chance of snapping up some sexy prizes, it's time to get writing!

 

Are you an aspiring novelist? Or a romance fan who wouldn't mind a go at penning a love story? Well, here's your chance. La Senza and Little Black Dress Books are in search of budding romance writers, and there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs.

 

To celebrate the launch of their new Autumn Nightwear Collection, underwear favourite La Senza has teamed up with publisher Little Black Dress for the fabulous Bedtime Stories competition - offering five lucky winners the chance to snap up a luxury weekend break with hotel chain Malmaison. In addition, winners will receive some gorgeous La Senza nightwear, and £75 worth of Little Black Dress titles.

 

Sounds dreamy, yes? To enter, all you have to do is write a short, romantic comedy of no more than 2000 words. Then head over to the La Senza website and fill out the online entry form. Upload your story, and you could be in with a chance of getting your hands on those prizes!

 

You can also enter by picking up an entry form from La Senza stores nationwide.

 

But you'll need to hurry - the closing date for the Bedtime Stories competition is October 3^rd (just two days away!)

 

Need some inspiration for your short story? Check out the Little Black Dress website, where you'll not only be able to read about the latest LBD titles, but also find helpful tips for writing your romantic tale.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 1, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 1, 2009 5:41 PM

COMPETITION: Win copies of Rebecca Miller books

Rebecca Miller, author of The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (now a movie starring Robin Wright Penn and Winona Ryder), has penned another book, Personal Velocity.

The vibrantly fresh and lustrous stories in Miller's collection explore the multifaceted lives of women in seven arresting portraits. Modern and diverse, these women of different classes and ages struggle with sexuality, fate, motherhood, infidelity, desperation, and an overriding will to survive. We meet Greta, a cookbook editor who is chosen by Tavi, the hottest writer of his generation, to edit his new book. The book becomes a best-seller and Greta is propelled out of her marriage by her own ambition and success. Other characters include Paula, a pregnant twenty-one-year-old, who is on the run from the horror of a man who was hit by a car and died while walking her home from a nightclub; Delia, an abused working-class wife who goes into hiding with her children; and Louisa, a painter who moves rapidly from one lover to the next, acting out a self-perpetuating drama over which she has no control. Edgy, fearless, and beautifully spare, "Personal Velocity" is a superb collection from one of the best writers in contemporary fiction.

Trashionista has five copies of Personal Velocity and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee to give away. To enter the draw, simply answer the following question:

In the movie adaptation, Keanu Reeves plays Chris, a younger man who forms a relationship with Pippa Lee. Name another film where Keanu Reeves gets involved with an older woman.

Competition is open to UK residents only. Send your answers to the editor (elle.symonds [at] gmail [dot] com) with 'Pippa' as the subject. Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on July 1, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 16, 2009 8:52 PM

COMPETITION: Win a signed copy of Wedding Babylon

Imogen Edwards-Jones, author of Hotel/Air Babylon, is back - and this time, she's focusing on the wedding industry in Wedding Babylon.

The potential for things to go horribly, horribly wrong is never higher than at a wedding. Wedding Babylon reveals all… the scams which inflate the prices of everything, from flowers to cakes to marquee hire, stories of high jinxes at the altar and disastrous low comedy in the speeches! Everyone loves a good wedding...

Transworld have 30 copies of the book to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, email your worst wedding nightmare, in no more than 100 words, to weddingbabyloncomp@transworld-publishers.co.uk by June 30th.

To order your copy from Amazon, go here.

Posted by Elle Symonds on June 16, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 26, 2009 11:55 AM

Win a dream holiday with Platinum!

 Summer's here, and we all love a good beach read, yes? Platinum by Jo Rees is set to become this summer's hottest book, and to celebrate, one lucky winner and a friend could be off to St Lucia for a week-long dream holiday.

Here's more about the book:

Three sassy, but very different heroines: knock-out brunette Peaches Gold, LA's most influential madam, who in her late thirties is certainly fooling everyone that she's much younger than she looks; twenty-something blonde South African yacht stewardess Frankie Willis, and English socialite Lady Emma Harvey - in her prime at nearly fifty. The hooker, the maid, and the lady. They have every reason to distrust and despise each other, but their hatred for one man will unite them. Forever.

That man is Yuri Khordinsky. He's typical of the new-comers to the ranks of the world's super-rich - a handsome,ludicrously wealthy, utterly ruthless Russian with a murky past, desperate for acceptance in society. And he'll stop at nothing to get it.

So if you fancy jetting off to St Lucia, check out the Platinum website for more details of the book and the competition.

Also, Trashionista has ten copies of Platinum to give away. To win, simply email the editor (elle.symonds [at] gmail [dot] com) with 'Platinum' in the subject line. The first ten to email will be sent a copy.

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on May 26, 2009 in Competition, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 10, 2009 2:29 PM

Win tea with Sophie Kinsella at Play.com

Okay, so how many of us here are Shopaholic fans? Play.com are offering a great prize to one lucky winner and a friend in celebration of the Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic re-release, and there's still time to enter.

Here's what you could win:

To celebrate the re-release of The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic, we are delighted to offer one lucky winner and friend a fabulous shopaholic trip to London in the summer! You'll be staying at the glamourous Berkeley Hotel, where you'll be indulged with their 'Girls Night In' package. The next day, The Berkeley treats you to Prêt-a-Portea, a true fashionistas afternoon tea with biscuits and cakes inspired by the latest fashion collections including Christian Louboutin and Lanvin. But that's not all... Sophie Kinsella will join you!

For the chance to win this fantastic prize, head on over to Play.com to enter.

The competition closes on March 29 – good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 10, 2009 in Competition, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 7, 2009 7:47 PM

Win a set of Anne Donovan books!

We recently interviewed Anne Donovan, author of Buddha Da and Being Emily. And we've got sets of Anne's wonderful books for you to win.

We've got three sets of books to give away – including Being Emily, Buddha Da and Anne's short story collection, Heiroglyphics.

The first three people to comment will win one of these great sets of books. (Make sure you leave your email address so that we can contact you.)

Good luck!

Posted by Elle Symonds on March 7, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (9)

February 6, 2009 6:35 PM

Black Boxes Competition

The fantastically talented writer, Caroline Smailes, is launching a competition to celebrate the paperback version of Black Boxes. To enter you have to "spot" a copy of the book at any retailer and take a photograph. As Caroline says on her blog, The most creative photograph wins. Simple.

The competition is sponsored by Think Parents and there is some cool stuff to be won, like a WALL.E backpack! To enter check out her blog for more details.

Caroline has an extremely original voice with Black Boxes described as heartbreaking but impressive. The details are over the cut.

Meet Ana Lewis. She is 37 years old and lives with her two children, Pip and Davie. She has just taken an overdose of pills.

By the end of this book Ana will be dead.

Black Boxes follows the final hours of Ana’s life, recording her thoughts and memories. As the drugs start to kick in, we discover the awful sequence of events which have brought her to this moment.

We also get to read pages from the diary of Pip, her teenage daughter, which reveals another side to the story and, just perhaps, a small glimmer of hope.

The second novel from the acclaimed author of In Search of Adam is a heartbreaking but impressive work, from one of the most original voices in modern fiction.

Posted by Helen Redfern on February 6, 2009 in Book News, Competition, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 2, 2009 5:25 PM

The Sak 'Book in a Bag' Giveaway

Fancy winning a gorgeous bag and some great New Year reads? (Okay, so it's February but there's still time!). Up until18th February, publishers Harper Collins have teamed up with The Sak to give away a fab Silverlake Convertible satchel and three books - The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl, Shop Smart and The Secret Currency of Love.

If you want to be in with a chance of snapping up a Sak and some brilliant books, head over to the site to enter this month's competition.

Posted by Elle Symonds on February 2, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 22, 2009 11:40 AM

COMPETITION: All This Makes Life Worth Living

Publishers Dorling Kindersley are producing a book of wonders featuring astonishing items that add something to the world we live in.

If you have an extraordinary object that makes life worth living, why not write about it in 100 words and send it into their competition. You never know, it could find its way into the book. For more details go here. You have until Wednesday 28th January. (UK residents only I'm afraid).

Posted by Helen Redfern on January 22, 2009 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 31, 2008 12:01 PM

Last chance to enter our Carole Matthews competition

Today's the day. The last day to enter our Carole Matthews competition. The fabulous prize is to appear as a character in Carole's next book so don't miss out, enter here! Good luck.

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2008 11:04 AM

Hurry! Don't miss the chance to be in a book!

No, I can't believe tomorrow's the last day of October either, but apparently it is and that means that it's also the last day you can enter our most exciting competition evah:

The chance to appear in a Carole Matthews book! I know!

So hop over there now and enter. Hurry. Time flies when you're having fun!

Posted by Keris on October 30, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 28, 2008 8:08 AM

Just four days left to enter our Carole Matthews competition!

You don't want to miss the chance to actually appear in a chick lit novel, do you? Of course you don't.

So head on over here and enter our fabulous competition! What are you waiting for?

Posted by Keris on October 28, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 21, 2008 10:35 AM

Just 10 days left to be in a book!

Yes, it's true. Our fabulous Carole Matthews competition gives you the chance to actually appear in a novel!

Read more about it here, but bear in mind that the closing date is 31 October and that's coming up fast!

Related: All You Need Is Love review

Posted by Keris on October 21, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

Win! Little Black Dress Books...

...for a whole year. That's right. Every new title that LBD publish will be delivered to the winner's door every month for twelve months, starting the moment the winner is picked. 

To be in with a chance you need to come up with a Little Black Dress jingle. For more information and to enter pop over to the Little Black Dress Website.

Related posts: Trashionista Recommends: Little Black Dress | Spotlight: Julie Cohen | Book Review: Just Say Yes

Posted by Helen Redfern on October 21, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 14, 2008 1:57 PM

Win a bag with Sharon Owens

Lovely Irish author Sharon Owens is working on a novel (her sixth) called The Seven Secrets of Happiness. It's about a woman called Ruby O'Neill who finds love again when her husband dies in a car accident.

Since Ruby's hobby is making velvet handbags, Sharon had the idea to commission 25 unique and exclusive velvet bags and give them away via her site. Leave a message on her contact page and she'll choose a name at random each month (and, you know, send them a bag!).

[And if you're a bit of a bag fan, then check out our sister site, The Bag Lady.]

Related posts: It Must be Love by Sharon Owens review | Revenge of the Wedding Planner review

Posted by Keris on October 14, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 13, 2008 11:22 AM

Don't forget about our fabulous Carole Matthews competition

It's our best competition evah!

And you've still got a couple of weeks to enter, so what are you waiting for?

Check it out here.

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 6, 2008 1:06 PM

COMPETITION: Our most exciting competition ... evah!

Oh yes. Exclusively on Trashionista, you can win the chance to be a named character in Carole  Matthews’ new novel!          

Not only will you have a character named after you, but the book will also contain a short description all about you.

To win this fantastic and unique prize all you have to do is complete this form with a short reason as to why you should be the winning entry.

And remember don’t tell us anything about yourself that you wouldn’t want to read in print!

The closing date is 31 October 2008 and entrants must be over 18 and residents of the UK and Ireland only. (Sorry about that.)

Posted by Keris on October 6, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 2, 2008 2:01 PM

Look out for Trashionista's BIGGEST COMPETITION EVER

Oh yes.

It's like nothing else we've ever done before.

It's exciting.

And it's coming up next week!

Posted by Keris on October 2, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 12, 2008 8:19 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Class by Jane Beaton

We've written about it a couple of times now, so I'm guessing you know that Jane Beaton's debut novel, Class, is basically an updated Malory Towers for adults. And who wouldn't want an updated Malory Towers for adults?

Scottish teacher Maggie Adair is rather tired of her life - her job in an inner-city comprehensive, her boring boyfriend, Stan - so when she sees an advert for a private boarding school in a "beautiful setting" in Cornwall, she applies, never expecting to get an interview, let alone be offered the job.

But offered it she is and, to her - and Stan's - surprise, she accepts it. But it's not all walks on wind-swept hills, some of the students are as challenging as her previous charges (although in different ways: fewer ASBOs for one). There's scholarship girl Simone Kardashian who is painfully shy and just doesn't look like fitting in. And there's Fliss Prosser, who didn't want to go there in the first place and plans to do her best to be sent home (particularly after she's made an example of by Miss Adair).

And of course there are the other teachers, particularly Mr McDowell from the boys' school. He's nothing like Stan. But that's surely a good thing, isn't it?

As I expected, I really, really enjoyed Class. There's loads more that I haven't even touched upon above - as the title would suggest, there's a lot about class! - and I know there's plenty of potential for the six books Jane Beaton plans to write in this series. It's great fun and took me right back to reading Malory Towers books for the first time (and it made me want to reread them for the umpteenth).

I just have one quibble and that is that so many of the plotlines involving the students seemed incredibly familiar. I kept thinking that extremely similar things had happened in either Malory Towers or the St Clare's series and so I spent a lot of time trying to remember if that was the case and second guess the outcome of each "adventure". It could, of course, simply be that Beaton has created such a credible boarding school book that the adventures just *seemed* familiar, but it still pulled me out of the story on more than one occasion.

Anyway, if you loved Malory Towers/St Clare's, you'll definitely love Class. I can't wait to read the next one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2008 in British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Series | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 11, 2008 4:06 PM

Meg Cabot question competition

There's still time to enter our Meg Cabot question competition.

If there's something you've always wanted to know about Meg or her books (or her cats), then leave your question in the comments to be in with a chance of winning a copy of Airhead, Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl and possibly more!

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & COMPETITION: Jane Beaton

Helen and I both got very excited when we heard about Jane Beaton's debut novel, Class. I'll be reviewing it soon (maybe even tomorrow...), but in the meantime, here's an interview with Jane (her FIRST interview, in fact!). No photo though; she must be shy.

Oh and make sure you read right to the end, where there's a chance to win one of five copies of Class.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Class is an updated, romantic, teachers-eye view Malory Towers-esque boarding school book for grown ups.

I say hyphens count as one word!

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

In a small corner of my bedroom.

I've adored the Shopaholic Books, I Don't Know How She Does it, Jilly Cooper of course; One Hit Wonder and I like Mil Millington although he'd probably object to the description. [Don't worry, Jane, I made him an honorary chick litter ages ago! - Keris]

Well, I'd like to be Thursday Next from the Jasper fforde books- the literary detective who gets to jump in and out of books at will. How great would that be?

Well, I don't know that I'd be any use at giving advice, but I just wrote the book I really really wanted to read and couldn't find anywhere - it felt like a guilty secret that even though I'd gone to a really normal school, I'd read every boarding school book I could get my hands on and dreamt about it all the time!

I have just finished The Suspicions of Mr Wicher by Kate Summerscale, which was wonderful; Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella- as usual, brilliant; and I'm currently enjoying Being Emily by Anne Donovan..

I'm writing the second in the Class series - I'm hoping there will be six eventually! - and really enjoying it.

Oh, Wuthering Heights. Does everyone say that?

Well, this is my first interview, so I suppose anything! I suppose people would want to know if I actually did my research at a real boarding school, and I would have to say no - I did my research reading Enid Blyton, Elinor Brent-Dyer, Susan Coolidge, Antonia White, JK Rowling, and Charlotte Bronte!

Thanks, Jane!

To be in with a chance of winning one of five copies of Class, please email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com before midnight GMT on the 25th September. UK only, I'm afraid. Good luck.

Posted by Keris on September 11, 2008 in Competition, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 3, 2008 12:56 PM

COMPETITION: What would you ask Meg Cabot?

Because I am a very lucky duck indeed, later this month I'll be jetting (by train) to London to meet and interview the goddess that is Meg Cabot*.
 

To avoid the embarrassment of me just asking her where she gets her ideas from and then falling off my chair, I've decided to ask you to do my job for me tell me all the things you've ever wanted to know about Meg Cabot, but, er, haven't asked.

Exciting, eh? Also, there's a prize! Find out more over the cut.

* You can meet her too - check out her tour details here.

Okay, so all you need to do is leave a question for Meg in the comments section to this post (or, if you're shy, you can email it to me at editor [at] trashionista.com).

I'll do my best to ask Meg everyone's questions and will also pick my favourite question and the, er, asker of that will win a copy of each of Meg's most recent two books (that's Airhead and the latest Allie Finkle book). Also, if Meg has released another book before I've picked a winner, which is quite likely, I'll include that too!.

Make sense? Hope so. Good luck!

Related: Meg Cabot interview

Posted by Aigua Media on September 3, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (11)

May 20, 2008 12:05 PM

WIN! Books and bags

Ah, books and bags - two of my favourite things. Publishers Harpercollins
and bag company, SAK, have got together for a year's worth of giveaways.

This month 15 lucky entrants will win three of Avon A's new release fiction titles - Jean Reynolds Page's The Space Between Before and After, Kerry Reichs' The Best Day of Someone Else's Life, and Elizabeth Noble's Things I Want My Daughter to Know - in a Silverlake Canvas Convertible Satchel (pictured).

Next month it'll be a Bennett Rope Small Tote, with Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot; This Charming Man by Marian Keyes and Not Another Bad Date, by Rachel Gibson.

A fabulous haul in anyone's book. Or bag.

See the links above for entry details. And, if you're into bags, see our sister site, The Bag Lady.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 20, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 19, 2008 4:59 PM

WIN! Style Statement at Bridalwave

If you weren't lucky enough to win the copy of Carrie & Danielle's Style Statement that we gave away here at Trashionista (and, unless you've had an email from me telling you it's on the way, then I'm afraid you weren't - sorry!), you've another chance to win a copy over on our sister site, Bridalwave.

Click the above link for more details and the closing date is 30 May. Good luck!

Related: Interview with Carrie & Danielle

Posted by Aigua Media on May 19, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 13, 2008 2:55 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Safety of Secrets

Despite my obsession with book covers, I've never before even thought about book cover photo shoots (yes, am I *that* dense!)

But if you click here, you can watch a short video about the photo shoot for Delaune Michel's book, The Safety of Secrets.

We'll have more from Ms Michel later this month (including our first ever live chat!), but in the meantime, we have five copies of The Safety of Secrets to give away. Find out more over the cut.

This time, the competition is open to US entrants only, I'm afraid. To enter, please email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Safety of Secrets" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

The competition closes at 12 midnight GMT on 31 May.

Posted by Aigua Media on May 13, 2008 in American Authors, Book News, Book covers, Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 2, 2008 4:24 PM

Win Bringing Home the Birkin

If you missed the chance to win a copy of Michael Tonello's Bringing Home the Birkin on our sister site, The Bag Lady, fear not, HarperCollins are running a sweep.

And they're not just offering the book, but, for one lucky winner, a genuine Hermes Birkin bag. Find out more here.

Look out for a review of Bringing Home the Birkin soon.

Related posts: Guest blog - Miss Couturable | Everyone Worth Knowing review | The Manny review

Posted by Aigua Media on May 2, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 30, 2008 1:00 PM

Tell us about ‘My Video Life’ and win £500 or Topshop vouchers

See, I told you not to worry, that there'd be more competitions and here's one now! (Plus, since you can win vouchers, it's given me a good excuse to show you this completely demented picture of Isla Fisher in the Shopaholic movie. Shopping vouchers. Shopaholic. You see?)

Anyway. The competition.

We have teamed up with Visual Networking experts, Cisco, to offer shedloads of cool prizes and all you have to do is show us a video that illustrates ‘My Video Life’.

Carry on over the cut for more info and details of how to enter.

The overall winner will get £500 worth of vouchers for a shopping spree  and the chance to spend a day in the studio with Cisco’s experts to make another video  – plus have Your Video Life featured on the Cisco consumer web site.

There are also eight £50 vouchers from top shop Topshop up for grabs, so you have a really good chance of nabbing one of the prizes.

We want to know about ‘My Video Life’ in less than three minutes. Show us what you do and how you do it.

What‘s your favourite way to use video and what for?

To enter the competition we need some footage from you which illustrates Your Video World.

- You can shoot a piece straight to camera telling us what you use video for
- You can shoot an interesting and creative video
- You can even send us a link to footage you have shot previously.

All we need from you is a link to the footage which has to be hosted on YouTube. You simply email the link to Ciscovideo2@gmail.com.

Judges from Shiny and Cisco will be looking for videos that are original, interesting, thought provoking, creative and fun too.

So what are you waiting for? Email the links to Ciscovideo2@gmail.com and you could win our fantastic prize, or one of those £50 Topshop vouchers.

Competition Notice
This competition is organized by Shiny Media. (The Promoter).
Entry to the competition is free. Entries must be made via the email address Ciscovideo2@gmail.com.
The Judging Panel will be made up of representatives of Shiny Media and Cisco.
The competition is only open to people over 16 and residing in the UK.
Winner responsible for travel costs for travel to Cisco filming location.
No purchase is necessary but entrants should be aware that they may be subject to local call charges depending on their own individual arrangements for Internet access.
All entries are eligible for the grand prize of £500 of shopping vouchers and the chance to create your own video with the Cisco team. Entrants from each category (Tech, Fashion, Sport) will also be eligible for one of 8 runners up prizes per sector. Fashion entrants can win one of 8 £50 Top Shop Vouchers, Tech entrants can win one of 8 £50 dabs.com Vouchers; Sport entrants can win one of 8 £50 NikeTown Vouchers
The competition is open from 17th April 2008 and entries must be received on or before 19th May 2008. The Promoter reserves the right to revise this date and extend the period for accepting entries to the competition.
The finalists will be announced on www.shinymedia.com and notified via email or their You Tube account within five [5] days of the Closing Date.
The winner consents and agrees to participate in publicity accompanying or resulting from the promotion. No additional compensation will be awarded for such promotional activities. Shiny Media and Cisco reserve the right to use the names and video entries of winners, their photographs and audio and/or visual recordings of them.
Shiny Media will moderate every entry it receives and reserves the right to disqualify any entrant.
By entering the competition, entrants will be deemed to be bound by and have accepted the terms and conditions www.shinymedia.com/tandc including the terms of use http://www.youtube.com/t/terms and Community Guidelines http://www.youtube.com/t/community_guidelines for uploading videos to You Tube.
The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entrant deemed to have breached the Terms and Conditions.
All data collected will be shared between Shiny Media and Cisco. Personal data will be processed in accordance with Cisco's Privacy Statement which can be located by clicking here and Shiny Media's Privacy Statement which can be located by clicking here.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 30, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

COMPETITION: Rules for Saying Goodbye

So today's the last day of April and therefore the last day of Big Giveaway Month! Don't worry, we've actually got some really cool competitions coming up in May too ... just not every day.

The final book is Katherine Taylor's Rules for Saying Goodbye. To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Rules of Saying Goodbye" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

And Kristin Pedroja, Sue Goodyear and Jessie Hwang - look out for a very heavy copy of Cosmo's Guide to Red-Hot Sex dropping through your letterbox in the near future!

Posted by Aigua Media on April 30, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 29, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Lullaby

The winner of Pretty Little Mistakes is Asma F of Selangor, Malaysia.

If you read about my reading deal-breakers, you will know there was no way I was going to read Lullaby by Claire Seeber - but that's no reason someone else shouldn't have the chance!

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Lullaby" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 29, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 28, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION & EXTRACT: Cosmo's Guide to Red-Hot Sex

The winner of The Automatic Detective was Annette Thomas of Norwich.

Today's book is Cosmo's Guide to Red-Hot Sex and I've got three copies to give away, but it's going to have to be UK only because they're really heavy. And I mean really heavy - I can barely lift the three at once.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Cosmo's Guide" in the subject line (I thought putting "Red Hot Sex" in the subject line might send all your emails to the spam bin). Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

If you can't enter then swallow your disappointment because there's a treat over the cut. An extract on how to generate a sexy story line. Enjoy!

(I tried to write this without any double entendres, but I couldn't keep it up.)

From Cosmo’s Guide to Red-Hot Sex (Feb. 2008, Hearst books/Sterling Publishing)

How to Generate a Sexy Story Line

Frisky thoughts beget more frisky thoughts, meaning once you tap into a fantasy that makes your pulse race, naughty scenes will flood your brain. Here, ideas for how to start manufacturing those visions.

Think With Your Panties All Day

Start tracking what excites you. Let’s say you’re cruising to work when you suddenly find yourself drooling over a hot highway billboard of a guy whose manhood looks as though it’s trying to break free of his jeans. Or you spot a sexy couple making out and envision what they’ll be doing to each other later that night. Be aware of images that you find sexy or arousing and let your imagi­nation begin to percolate.

Take a Star Turn

Fantasies are like finger­prints—no two are identical. But there is one universal component: You have to be the focus of the action, whether that puts you at the center of a sizzling three­some or in full view of a sex­ual encounter being acted out for your eyes only.

“Many women like to watch and be watched,” explains Melinda Gallagher, founder of CAKE, an enter­tainment and educational company that promotes female sexual empowerment. “Start your fantasy scene simply: Think about some­one watching you undress and see where that idea leads you.”

Peruse Erotica

If you find yourself in short supply of real-world inspira­tion, try reading an erotic short story or popping in a dirty DVD. “Pornographic films serve as visual valida­tion of things we might only dream of trying,” says Gallagher. And sexy movies come in different degrees—from very tame to hard-core skin flicks. “Watch one by yourself to see what stirs you,” says Ava Cadell, PhD, author of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Oral Sex.

“Fantasies are about losing your inhibitions, so don’t censor your thoughts.” Let each scene wash over you, paying attention to what, in particular, pushes your hot buttons. Then put yourself in the flick, casting the guy of your choice as the male lead, says Cadell.

Posted by Keris on April 28, 2008 in Competition, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 25, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Pretty Little Mistakes

The winner of The French Gardener is Kerrys Chapman of Milton Keynes.

Glossing over the fact that you might not want it after reading my review, today's book is Pretty Little Mistakes by Heather McElhatton and this one is open to all.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Pretty Little Mistakes" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and, because it's Friday, the competition is open until midnight GMT Sunday.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 25, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The Automatic Detective

Brandi Bradley, of Norco, Louisiana wins a copy of Green Chic.

Today's book is something a little bit different: The Automatic Detective by A Lee Martinez, which is described as a "fast-paced mishmash of SF and hard-boiled detective story".

Today's comp is open to all and the usual details apply: email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "The Automatic Detective" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 24, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 23, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The French Gardener

The winner of Split by a Kiss was Karin Andersson of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Today's book is The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore (has there ever been a more glamorous name?). This one's UK only, I'm afraid, because it's a hardback.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "The French Gardener" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 23, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 22, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Green Chic

Tara O'Boyle of Larne - a copy of It Must Be Love will be on its way to you, once I can hire a small truck to take me to the post office...

To celebrate Earth Day, today's book is Green Chic: Saving the Earth In Style by Christie Matheson. And this one's open to all!

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Green Chic" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address and the competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 22, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 21, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Split by a Kiss

The winner of Tanya Lee Stone's A Bad Boy Can Be Good For a Girl was Kira Green of Kansas City, Missouri and we've got another YA for y'all today.

I know, I know, we're always going on about Luisa Plaja's YA debut, Split by a Kiss, but that's because it's wonderful.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Split by a Kiss" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is open to everyone  and closes at noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 21, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 18, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: It Must Be Love

The winner of the two Suzanne Macpherson books was K Simpson of Ryton, Tyne & Wear. Congrats!

Today's book is Sharon Owens' It Must Be Love.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "It Must Be Love" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is for UK only, I'm afraid, but it *is* open until midnight GMT Sunday. Good luck!

Posted by Aigua Media on April 18, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 17, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl

The winner of The Last to Know was Sarah Barnaby of Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Congratulations!

Today's book is Tanya Lee Stone's wonderful A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl.To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Bad Boy" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is open to everyone  and closes at noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 17, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 16, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Suzanne Macpherson

The winner of Kristin Harmel's The Art of French Kissing was Sirina Zeimpari of Manama, Bahrain. Yes, Bahrain!

For today's competition I'm doubling up, so I'm afraid it's only open to UK entrants. As you can see, it's for two Suzanne Macpherson books: The Forever Summer and She Woke Up Married.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Suzanne Macpherson" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address. Competition closes at 12 noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 16, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 15, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The Last to Know

I'll announce yesterday's winner tomorrow, but today's book is Melissa Hill's The Last to Know.

To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Last to Know" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is again open to everyone  and closes at noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 15, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 14, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The Art of French Kissing by Kristin Harmel

Stacy Kamman of St. Louis, Missouri, you won The Shoe Queen. Helen Crowe of Cullompton, Devon - Mummy Said the F-Word will be winging it's way to you! Congratulations, both of you.

Today's book is Kristin Harmel's The Art of French Kissing. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "French Kissing" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is open to everyone  and closes at noon GMT tomorrow.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 14, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 11, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Mummy Said the F-word

Of course when I extended the deadline of the competition, I didn't think about the fact that I wouldn't have time to see who won the previous one before announcing the new one ... so I'll have to do that on Monday.

Today's competition is for Fiona Gibson's Mummy Said the F-word. To be in with a chance of winning, email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "Mummy Said the F-word" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Today's competition is for UK only, I'm afraid, but it *is* open until midnight GMT Sunday. Good luck!

Posted by Aigua Media on April 11, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 10, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The Shoe Queen

Carrie Jenkins of Ames, Iowa - you won yesterday's book!

Today's book is The Shoe Queen by Anna Davis and there's going to be a slight change in the rules, so make sure you read on. (Sorry to sound so bossy.)

Due to problems with time difference and also blog readers being slow (and demanding bosses), I'm increasing the entry time to 24 hours. So you've got from now until the next competition goes up tomorrow, i.e. at GMT 12.01pm (that's in the afternoon - I know, it confuses me too ... or perhaps you're fine with it and it *just* confuses me!) to enter.

Apart from that it's the same deal: email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with "The Shoe Queen" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address.

Posted by Aigua Media on April 10, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

April 9, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Garden Spells

Yesterday's winner was Lesley Robinson of Sunderland. Congrats!

Today's competition - open to all - is for Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells. Send an email to editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) before midnight GMT with "Garden Spells" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address. Good luck!

(Incidentally, what do you think of the new cover? I love it.)

Posted by Aigua Media on April 9, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 8, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Forget About It

The winner of yesterday's competition (which had the most entries - evah!) is Nicola Saxton from Glasgow. Congratulations!

Today's giveaway is Caprice Crane's Forget About It. UK only today, I'm afraid, but the regular rules apply: email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) before midnight GMT with "Forget About It" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address. Good luck!

Posted by Aigua Media on April 8, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (6)

April 7, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Rainy Days & Tuesdays

The winner of Friday's competition was Kerry Grindinger of Washington, USA. Congratulations, Kerry!

Today's competition is to win a copy of Claire Allan's fabulous debut, Rainy Days & Tuesdays.

The rules? Simply email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) before midnight GMT (that's tonight - those of you who were still entering Friday's competition over the weekend!) with "Rainy Days & Tuesdays" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on April 7, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 4, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: This Is How It Happened

The winner of yesterday's competition was Lesley Burke of Dunfermline. Congratultions, Lesley!

Today's book is Jo Barrett's This Is How It Happened and you'll be thrilled to hear today's competition is open to all!

The rules? (If I had any sense I'd copy this so I could stop retyping it every day, but no...) Simply email editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) before midnight GMT with "This is how it happened" in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and address. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on April 4, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 3, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: Motherland

Yesterday's winner is Petra Gänsicke of Germany. Congratulations, Petra.

Today we have Maria Beaumont's Motherland. Same rules apply ... oh, okay, I suppose I'd better type them out again. Competition closes at midnight GMT. Email your name and address to editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) and "Motherland" in the subject line.

Today's comp is only open to UK residents, I'm afraid. (There will be more international comps coming, I promise.)

Posted by Aigua Media on April 3, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 2, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: The Stepmother

Okay, first of all thank you for all the entries to yesterday's competition. Almost all of you managed to make it before the deadline. For those of you who didn't - you've got another twelve emailing hours today! Oh and the winner of yesterday's book was *drumroll* Keri Mercer of Iowa. Your book will be in the post ... as soon as I get to the post office!

So today! Same rules as yesterday. You've got until midnight GMT* to email me at editor @ trashionista . com (remove spaces) with your name and address and "The Stepmother" in the subject line. Today's comp is also open to international entrants. Good luck!

* Sorry I can't tell you what that time is wherever you are, but we've got so many international readers it would take me all day (plus I'm really bad at it!). Try here.

Posted by Keris on April 2, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 1, 2008 12:01 PM

COMPETITION: I Did A Bad Thing

So it's the first of Trashionista's daily - daily! - April competitions.

But first, let me explain the rules. Each day there will be a book on offer, but the competition will only run for 12 hours. I will post the competition at 12 noon GMT and the closing "date" will be 12 midnight GMT that very same day. (Don't worry if you miss out, there'll be another one along tomorrow!)

Carry on over the cut for entry details.

Entry will be the same each day - email your name and address to editor @ trashionista . com (removing the spaces or it won't work) with the title of the book in the subject line.

What won't be the same is whether the comp is open to international readers or not. I'm posting the book out myself so it will depend on a number of factors (like how much money I've got and how heavy the book is...).

Today's book - I Did A Bad Thing by Linda Green - is open to all entrants so get emailing. Quick! You've only got 12 hours!

Posted by Keris on April 1, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (6)

March 11, 2008 12:33 PM

Book Video Awards 2008

We've been banging on about book trailers for a while now and they've certainly been growing in both popularity and quality, but the new Book Video Awards should up the ante across the board.

The awards are a new scheme between the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Random House, The Bookseller and Play.com. Students at the NFTS were challenged to make a book video for Matt Beaumont's Small World, Lauren Groff's Monsters of Templeton and The Outcast by Sadie Jones. Hop over here to see the winning trailers.

Related posts: Book Trailerpark | The Manny's trailer

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 11, 2008 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 10, 2008 2:57 PM

COMPETITION: Good in Bed

Certain Girls, the long-awaited sequel to Jennifer Weiner's debut, Good in Bed, is out next month and to celebrate we've got five copies of Good in Bed (complete with lovely new cover) to give away.

To be in with a chance of winning, just email us with your name and address and "Good in Bed" in the subject line before midnight GMT on 25 March (2008!).

Related posts: First chapter of Certain Girls! | Certain Girls cover | Good in Bed review

Posted by Keris on March 10, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 6, 2008 1:51 PM

World Book Day 2008

It's World Book Day today (in the UK) and hurrah for that! In addition to free £1 book tokens for school children, there are special edition £1 books to buy (one of which is by the wonderful Neil Gaiman).

The organisers also held a Spread The Word competition, and today the winner has been announced. Boy A by Jonathan Trigell, a controversial novel about a child offender, was crowned the Book To Talk About.

Related posts: World Book Day's Quick Reads | Ten books you can't live without

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 6, 2008 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 20, 2008 11:44 AM

COMPETITION: Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2008

If you're an aspiring author, the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook might well be invaluable. Not just a useful directory of media contacts, including publishers, agents, magazines and newspapers, it also features advice from authors including Jane Green, Isabel Losada and a little-known children's author called JK Rowling.

And we've got one to give away!

To be in with a chance of winning, please email us at the usual address (you'll find it on the right side of this page under "Site Info"), subject line "Yearbook" before the 29th February. Please include your name and address otherwise, if you win, we won't be able to send you the book!

Posted by Keris on February 20, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 12, 2008 1:06 PM

Ebury's Room to Read competition

Katie at Ebury Publishing has just bought a new house and is looking for inspiration for a reading room of her own, but don't worry, there's something in it for you too!

Email a photo of your reading space before the closing date of midnight GMT February 15th 2008 (that's this Friday) for the chance to win a hamper of fifteen books from Ebury. More info (plus the obligatory terms and conditions) here.

Related posts: How do you arrange your bookshelves? | How do you treat your books?

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 7, 2008 1:43 PM

Global Short Story

The Global Short Story Competition is a new monthly competition designed to appeal to writers everywhere, "from the arid outback of Australia to the baking deserts of Africa, the towering skyscrapers of the United States to the humid cities of Asia, the bustling capitals of Europe to the steamy villages of South America". Just that sentence makes me wish I wasn't in drizzly Lancashire...

Each month, a winning story will receive a cash prize and will also be posted on the website. At the end of twelve months, each winning story will be considered for an annual cash prize.

Find out more on the rather smart website. [via blog eclectic]

Related: Short Story Collections archives

Posted by Keris on February 7, 2008 in Competition, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 6, 2008 11:35 AM

COVER COMPETITION: Confessions of a Beauty Addict

You know how obsessed I am with book covers? Well, the publishers of Nadine Haobsh's second book (and first novel), Confessions of a Beauty Addict, have asked Trashionista readers to help them choose the cover!

As if that wasn't exciting enough, if you leave a comment explaining your choice (making sure you include your email address so we can get your details if you win), you could win an advance copy of the book (one commenter will be chosen at random).

Read more about the book and cast your vote over the cut.

When Bella Hunter, Beauty Expert and all around magazine editor wunderkind, loses her job for spilling top industry secrets to Page 6 she thinks her life is over. And, to top it all off, she's managed to dye her hair bright orange. At her wits end and desperate not to return home with her tail between her legs, Bella accepts a job a Womanly Wear: a magazine her mom reads. But how can she face her glamorous ex-co-workers now that she works in an office where khaki (not Cavalli) is the way of life?

Bella is out to wage war on the beauty world one bad makeover at a time, armed with only her Marc Jacobs shoes, three meddling best friends, and a flighty supermodel boyfriend. At odds with her stuffy (and undeniably gorgeous) publisher, Bella begins to realize that she may be fighting the wrong battle.

Posted by Keris on February 6, 2008 in Book covers, Competition | Permalink | Comments (43)

January 28, 2008 12:04 PM

MORE ON MONDAY & COMPETITION: The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World by Linda Jones

Full disclosure: Linda Jones has been one of my mentors as I changed career from administrator in corporate recovery and personal insolvency (hello? still awake?) to freelance journalist, so I knew in advance just how straight-talking, down to earth and exceedingly useful this book was going to be.

Linda's been a journalist for 20 years and has not only worked as a freelance, but also in newspapers, magazines, online media and PR, so these tips cover writing across the board and from both sides of the fence (I don't think there's a chapter about mixing metaphors, unfortunately).

Find out how you can win a copy over the cut.

This book covers everything you could need to know - from the business side of freelancing (invoicing, copyright and legal matters) to the fun stuff (interviewing, researching and actually writing).

Linda is generous with her advice, but at the same time she doesn't mollycoddle and that's what I liked the most about this book. Yes, it's encouraging and enlightening, but it's also realistic about your chances of making it as a freelancer, which, as I know from experience, will be vastly increased by learning from Linda.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Career Helium by David Thompson

For your chance to win a copy of The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World, please email us at editor @ trashionista . com (take out the spaces) with "Tips" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you the book!). Closing date 4 February 2008.

Posted by Keris on January 28, 2008 in British Authors, Competition, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 23, 2008 11:26 AM

COMPETITION: Princess Diaries To the Nines

Last week we were lucky enough to have a Guest Blog by Meg Cabot and this week we've got four copies of the latest Princess Diaries (To the Nines) to give away. (I know I said we had five, but one of them was for me. I finished it yesterday and it was fabulous. I'll be reviewing it next week.)

For your chance to win a copy, please email us your name and address (UK only, I'm afraid) with Princess Diaries in the subject line and the answer to the question you'll find over the cut. 

Question: What's the name of Princess Mia's cat?

Good luck!

Related posts: Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven review | Princess Diaries After Eight review

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2008 in Competition, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008 11:05 AM

COMPETITION: Romantic Novel of the Year 2008

The shortlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year 2008 has been announced. The six books are:

One Last Summer – Catrin Collier
Silk and Steel – Catherine King
The Leaving of Liverpool – Maureen Lee
Silver Bay – Jojo Moyes
Pillow Talk – Freya North
Young Wives’ Tales – Adele Parks

Carry on over the cut to find out how you can win signed copies of all six shortlisted titles!

Simply email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com (subject line: "Romantic") before the winner is announced on 4 February. Good luck!

UK entrants only, I'm afraid.

Posted by Keris on January 14, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 4, 2008 5:10 PM

Win an iPod Touch in our reader survey!

We know you're busy (reading recommended books, if nothing else), but we'd very much like you to take five minutes to complete our reader survey.

Not only will we then know more about you which will help us tailor our blogs to you (yes, you!), but, thanks to our friends at Play.com, you can also win a lovely shiny iPod Touch.

Click Here to take the survey

Terms & Conditions apply (don't they always?)

Posted by Keris on January 4, 2008 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 21, 2007 11:26 AM

LG Video Media Talent Award: Still time to enter!

There's still time to enter the competition to win one of two internships with Shiny Media. We’ve received feedback that people would like a little longer to enter and so the deadline's been extended to 1 January 2008. (2008? Shouldn't we all be using flying cars by now?)

If you fancy your chances, then use this handy button

and show us what you've got.

The standard of entries received so far has been very high as you can see:

After the closing date, three people will be shortlisted from each of the two categories (presenting and production) and these six people will need to be able to attend a judging date on week commencing 14^th January at the Shiny Media office in London. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on December 21, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 13, 2007 12:24 PM

Win a 6-month internship with the UK's leading video blogging team

The LG Video Media Talent Award - the competition to win an internship with Shiny Media, either as a video presenter or in video production - is still open. Here's another presenting hopeful:

If you think you can do better, you can submit your own video via this button

or vote on other people's efforts here.

Posted by Keris on December 13, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tell us what you think of us and win an iPod Touch!

You know we love you, right? Yes, you. All of you. And we think you love us too, but we're not sure. And we're needy. So if you could take three minutes out of your Christmas panicking to complete a survey, we'll love you even more.

Click Here to take survey

But a toasty glow isn't all that's in it for you, oh no. Thanks to our lovely friends at Play.com, one respondent will win a 16GB iPod Touch, which usually retails for £249.99. Have you seen them? They're beautiful. iPods, I mean, not our friends at Play.com, although I expect they're pretty too.

Terms & Conditions apply (don't they always?)

Posted by Keris on December 13, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 6, 2007 4:39 PM

Fancy working at Shiny Media?

You haven't forgotten that Shiny Media has two fantastic internships available, have you? In case you have (or if you weren't paying attention the first time I told you), you can win an internship, either as a video presenter or in video production, via the LG Video Media Talent Award. Here's a presenting hopeful:

Yes, she has got pretty hair. But what about her presenting skills? Think you can do better? Then submit your own video to our YouTube channel via this lovely smart button

If you don't fancy presenting or producing then click here instead and vote on other people's videos. You know, so you don't feel left out.

Posted by Keris on December 6, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 23, 2007 12:35 PM

Penguin's Great Big Christmas Giveaway

Penguin Books is giving new subscribers to their newsletter the chance to win one of 1,000 advanced proof copies of Crossed Bones by Jane Johnson, which is described as a romantic Labyrinth crossed with Pirates of the Caribbean. Sounds great!

All you have to do is log onto www.penguin.co.uk/crossedbones and sign up to the Penguin newsletter before  7th January 2008.

Related posts: Penguin book bags | Penguin Celebrations' bestsellers | Lovely Penguin pencils and more

Posted by Keris on November 23, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 21, 2007 11:47 AM

Win a 6-month internship with the UK's leading video blogging team

The LG Video Media Talent Award is a competition to find two interns to train with Shiny Media’s top video blogging team and develop skills in presenting or filming/editing.

Hoping to start a career in the video media industry? Fancy an all expenses paid trip to Barcelona to cover the 3GSM World Congress? How about a brand new LG Viewty mobile phone to help you on your path to shooting video on the go?

Then enter now! You've got until 14 December. Good luck!

Even if you don't fancy entering, you can still get involved by voting and commenting on the entries in the YouTube group.

Posted by Keris on November 21, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 19, 2007 11:26 AM

Help capture the spirit and style of the UK and win an LG Viewty Mobile Phone!

I'm a complete spod where mobile phones are concerned, but I love the name of the new phone from LG - the Viewty. If you know more about phones than me (and it probably wouldn't be possible to know less) then here's your chance to win one.

We've teamed up with  www.cityclickers.eu - a moblog about capturing the style of five European countries with mobile phone cameras.

We’re looking for two UK photo bloggers to take portrait snaps of people you think best reflect the true essence and style of the UK. Send us a photo before 25 November for the chance to become one of the 10 bloggers who will be contributing to the site. If you're one of the snappers chosen, a brand new LG Viewty phone will be yours. Plus your phone bill will be paid for two months.

To find out how to enter and to see what other people have photographed, click here.

Posted by Keris on November 19, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 7, 2007 11:39 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & COMPETITION: Sophie King

Sophie King is the pen name for journalist Jane Bidder. She is the author of the best-selling novels The School Run and Mums @ Home. As Jane Bidder, she has written for numerous national publications. Her latest book is Second Time Lucky and you can win one of the four copies we've got to give away (see the end of the interview to find out how).

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Second Time Lucky is about four people starting again after life-changing experiences. They're neighbours so they help (and hinder) each other.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

In my summer house at the bottom of the garden, which had to be sawn in half to get through my side gate. (I moved it from the bigger house I used to live in, before my husband and I split up.) In the winter, I have a tiny study which is next to my teenage son's bedroom so is very noisy...

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Catherine Alliott's A Crowded Marriage, because she's a great friend of mine.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

Jane Eyre. I identified with her at the age of 13 when I sat in the window on the top floor at school and discovered another world (more meaningful than the real one).

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

Write every day about something you feel passionate about. Draw real characters which dictate the plot.

What are you reading at the moment?

Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

My new book (due out next year) which is called The Supper Club. It's about four friends who have regular supper parties. As the year progresses, their lives change.

Do you have a theme song?

I Will Survive.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

Q: Where would you like to be in ten years time?

A: Number one with someone with I love.

Thanks, Jane.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Second Time Lucky, email us (editor @ trashionista . com [remove spaces]) with your name and address (subject line: "Second Time Lucky") before midnight GMT on Tuesday, 13 November.

Posted by Keris on November 7, 2007 in Competition, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 31, 2007 12:04 PM

COMPETITION: Mslexia Diary

A bit of a difference for this week's competition, in that it's not for a novel. No, it's for a rather fabulous diary from Mslexia magazine.

I love Mslexia and not just because I've written for it (Like Daughter, Like Mother about young adult fiction in the current issue, if you're interested) and so has former co-editor Diane.

Full of facts, information, recommendations from authors and, you know, spaces to write your appointments in, we've got 3 to give away. Carry on over the cut to find out how one of them can be yours and how, even if you're not lucky enough to win one, you can buy one at a discount.

Blimey, we're good to you, aren't we.

To be in with a chance of winning, email us (editor @ trashionista.com [remove spaces]) your name and address and complete the following sentence:

Mslexia is the magazine for women who ... ? What?

Closing date: 30 November 2007

Special offer: £12.99 for a diary at Mslexia's website. Simply enter the code 'd8' to get your discount.

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2007 10:56 AM

Win a copy of Nick Hornby's Slam

I wrote about Nick Hornby's young adult debut, Slam, last week and it turns out that our sister site, Nollie (dedicated to extreme sports for women), has actually read it ... and has five copies to give away. They said:

Whether you're a teen or not, this novel has themes that we can all identify with (not least fear of smashing your teeth out in a skate park) and will have you have you page-turning for hours to find out how Sam (one of the most believable characters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting) copes with fatherhood, and what sage advice the Tony Hawk poster will impart next.

Why not skate on over to Nollie and see if you can win a copy.

Posted by Keris on October 30, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 19, 2007 3:07 PM

COMPETITION: Dangerous Admissions

Yes, first there was the guest blog. Then came the interview and now - duh duh duhhhhhh (I may have had too much tea...) - the competition. But first the blurb. Because it made me laugh.

Miranda "Rannie" Bookman - 43, divorced mother of two, with a recent love life consisting of a long string of embarrassingly brief encounters - is beginning to feel like a dangling participle: connected to nothing. Her career as a copyeditor is down the toilet (she makes one little slip-a missing "l" from the last word in the title of the Nancy Drew classic The Secret of the Old Clock - and suddenly she's Publishing Enemy #1!), so she's been forced to take any gig she can get. And that means giving tours at the Chapel School, the ultra-exclusive, ultra-expensive, private academy that her children attend.

Certainly not the most interesting of employments . . . at least until someone stumbles across the dead body of the Director of College Admissions.

Investigating a murder was never in her job description, but with her soon-to-be-college-bound boy Nate a prime suspect, Rannie has little choice. Besides, who better to dot all the "i"s and cross all the "t"s than a self-proclaimed "language cop"? Her diligence might even lead her to a brand-new love. Or to a killer. Or to another corpse-hopefully not her own.

Okay, so I bet now you really want to read it, right? Carry on over the cut to find out how you can win a copy.

We've got three copies to give away. US entrants only, I'm afraid. Just email us at the usual address, subject line "Dangerous" and your name and address in the body of the email. You've got two weeks - until Friday 2nd November - to enter. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2007 9:07 AM

COMPETITION: Harper Perennial books for a year

Harper Perennial are offering the chance to win free books for a year to one reading group. All you have to do is email them with your experience of reading Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook and you’ll be entered into a competition which could see your group getting free books for 365 days.

Harper Perennial competition details are here

Related Posts: For One More Day

Posted by Nicola pedley on October 17, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 12, 2007 10:09 AM

COMPETITION: For One More Day

No, it's not chick lit, but it's so fabulous I had to feature it. Tuesdays With Morrie author Mitch Albom's latest book, For One More Day, is the story of a man who loses everything and decides to end his life. But before he does he makes one last trip to his hometown only to find his mother who has been dead for eight years waiting for him. He gets the chance many of us yearn for – to ask the questions never asked while our parents are alive.

Yep, I've already filled up. The website is incredible - a 3D galaxy of stars dedicated to friends and loved ones.  Not only can you send a message to a friend but you design the star yourself using whatever colour or pattern you want. Once you've created your star you can email it to a friend and you can even display it on your blog, MySpace page or website. I've done mine, now go and do yours.

Anyway, weeping, stars and galaxies aside, we've got ten - 10! - copies to give away. Carry on over the cut to find out how you can win one (you'll have to buy your own tissues, sorry).

Send us an email with the subject line "Mitch" and tell us who you'd dedicate your star to and why. Don't forget to include your name and address in the body of the email and get it to us before midnight GMT on Friday, 26 October. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on October 12, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 26, 2007 9:43 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & COMPETITION: Isabel Wolff

Isabel Wolff is one of the earliest chick lit writers, with The Trials of Tiffany Trott being published way back in 1999 so we're excited that she agreed to answer our questions. Her latest novel is Forget Me Not ... read on after Isabel's interview to find our how you can win one of 10 - 10! - copies.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Garden designer Anna has a baby,  an ex, a peculiar au pair and a huge family mystery.

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee  shop, an office)?

In the basement of our house with my earplugs in so that I'm not too tempted to go upstairs and play with my children.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Rachel's Holiday. Not just because it's good, but because it was the first chick lit book I ever read, as I was asked to interview Marian Keyes about if for the Telegraph. I loved the novel's combination of pathos and humour which is something I aim for in my own books.

Carry on over the cut for Isabel's excellent writing tips and more ... including a chance to win a copy of her latest book, Forget Me Not.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair. Although she's  ruthless and sometimes heartless, at the same time I admire her for using her brains and wit to advance herself in a society that cares only for money and connections.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want  to become writers?

1. Make sure you truly want to write - it's a very hard and solitary life.
2. Read a lot and go to films a lot so that you immerse yourself in your chosen genre.
3. Plan your novel in as much detail as you can otherwise it's like trying to build a house without architectural  plans.
4. Get one good friend whose opinion you value to read it as you write.
5. Aim to do at least a little each day so that you see the book grow.
6. Don't talk about it - do it.
7. Never give up.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Memory Garden by Rachel Hore, author of The Dream House. It's her second novel and is set in Lamorna Cove in Cornwall - I'm loving it.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

It'll be called One of a Kind, and it's about a girl who runs a vintage dress shop; she loves restoring the clothes so that they get to live another day, but there's something in her own life, sadly, that she's unable to restore and which, ultimately, she must come to terms with.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

Q.  What do you think makes a good writer? 

A.  I believe that to be a good writer you need to have two things: firstly, a sharp eye so that the book is filled with the detail needed to it vivid and real. The second thing you need is an understanding heart - not necessarily a kind heart, otherwise you couldn't make the moral judgements that you have to make about your characters, but you need to understand their foibles and failings so that the book has subtlety, humanity and depth.

Thanks, Isabel!

For a chance to win one of 10 copies of Forget Me Not, email us (subject line "Forget Me Not") with your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win) before midnight GMT on Tuesday 9th October. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on September 26, 2007 in British Authors, Competition, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 20, 2007 9:23 AM

COMPETITION: The Sunday Times/Faber Literary Quiz

There seems to be a lot of *win a bunch of books* competitions at the moment, but this has got to beat the rest hands down. Answer 45 literary questions with The Sunday Times and you could win £10,000 worth of Faber & Faber books.

Wow - I don't think I could fit £10,000 worth of books in my flat!

Entries must be in by 28th September and the first prize is UK only.

Related Posts: COMPETITION: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal | Win 21 Bloomsbury books | Books at Transworld

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 20, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 19, 2007 10:58 AM

COMPETITION: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal

Diane enjoyed Sarah Strohmeyer's The Sleeping Beauty Proposal back in May.

It's the story of Genie Michaels, who has been dating university professor and newly successful author Hugh for four years. So when he proposes to her live on TV during a talk show interview, she's amazed but gratified, and can't wait to start planning her wedding. Until... she rings Hugh and he says he's sorry, he was proposing to the love of his life, but it's not Genie!

Eep. How do you deal with that? Well you can find out if you enter this week's competition to win a copy. Learn how over the cut.

Simply email your name and address to the usual address - subject line Sleeping Beauty - before midnight GMT on Tuesday, 2nd October and the winner will be picked at random.

Good luck!

Posted by Keris on September 19, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 14, 2007 7:36 AM

COMPETITION: Win 21 Bloomsbury books

Bloomsbury are celebrating their 21st birthday by offering you a chance to win their top 21 reads (which is a bit more sophisticated than my 21st birthday celebrations).

All you have to do is pop along to the Bloomsbury 21 website and cast your vote to find the top read (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is currently winning) and remember to enter your email address for a chance to win.

Related Posts:  WIN Carole Matthews books  | WIN I Married A Pirate |  Books at Transworld  

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 12, 2007 5:23 PM

GUEST BLOG & COMPETITION: Carole Matthews

Carole Matthews is a chick lit superstar, so we're *thrilled* to have a guest blog from her. But that's not all. Oh no. Read on to find out how you can win one of three signed copies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS a special colour-change promotional mug. Over to Carole...

When I started work on my latest novel, The Chocolate Lovers' Club, naturally, I had to do lots and lots of research into my subject.  This mainly involved eating all kinds of lovely chocolate – delicious single plantation bars from some of the world’s most exotic locations – Cuba, Ecuador, Madagascar - exquisite handmade truffles, dark, milk, white, organic - you name it, I tried it!  I even went along to a health spa specialising in chocolate treatments to be dipped in it.  Strangely, the more I tasted, the more I became addicted to this wonderful substance. 

My passion increased and soon, as well as devouring chocolate itself, I was devouring as much other information as I could about this fascinating subject and my passing interest became a full-blown addiction.  I hold my hands up – I’m now a chocolate anorak!  That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a good old Mars bar or the occasional Twix, but I’ve now gone over to the dark side and like my chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa solids.  Once you get into good chocolate it’s like appreciating fine wines or a malt whiskey. Thankfully, in the last couple of years decent chocolate is now more readily available on the high street plus the health benefits of a couple of squares of dark chocolate every day are now well documented. So, there’s really no excuse not to indulge yourself!

What I didn’t realise was that I’d also become addicted to my characters as I wrote the book, led by the lovely, irrepressible Lucy Lombard.  I’m a big fan of Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives and wanted to create my own series featuring four feisty women who are joined in friendship by their passion for chocolate.  Lucy and her friends Autumn, Nadia and Chantal, all turn to each other and to chocolate in times of crisis.  Reminds me of someone else I know!

The Chocolate Lovers' Club and its sequel, The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet, is out now and I think there may well be a third instalment on the way.  But I didn’t want all the knowledge that I’d accrued about chocolate to go to waste so I’ve also set up a website for chocolate lovers’ everywhere – The Chocolate Lovers' Club.  There are some useful facts, some completely useless chocolate trivia – did you know that 50% of women say that they prefer chocolate to sex? - exclusive short stories that I've written especially and some of my favourite recipes which are tried and tested by my own fair hands.

So I hope you enjoy the books, take a look at the website and remember this – forget diamonds, chocolate is a girl’s best friend!

‘One word of advice before you start this book – make sure you’ve got a big bar of chocolate next to you… This is serious chick-lit and it will make you believe in friendship and love all over again.’  News of the World

To be in with a chance of winning the fantastic prize - one of three signed copies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club PLUS colour-change promotional mug - go to the special Trashionista page (Special Trashionista page! Get us!) on Carole's website. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on September 12, 2007 in British Authors, Competition, Guest blogs | Permalink | Comments (8)

September 11, 2007 12:26 PM

COMPETITION: Books at Transworld

Books at Transworld are offering six books of the month to one lucky winner. All you have to do is go to the website and fill in your details. Easy.

The books include ‘Before I Die’, Jenny Downham’s debut novel about a woman with a *things to do before I die* list, and ‘Remind Me Again why I Need a Man’ by Claudia Carroll about a woman who has to revisit all her ex-boyfriends.

There’s also Paul McKenna’s ‘I Can Make You Rich’ (who couldn’t do with that?) and some books about soldiers (give them to your dad).

Related Posts:  Working for Borders could be your chance to become an author!  |  COMPETITION: Rules for Saying Goodbye  |  GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

Posted by Nicola pedley on September 11, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 6, 2007 5:06 PM

GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

A few weeks ago we featured an interview with journalist and debut novelist Samantha David, as part of our Summer Special.

Today: the chance to win not just a copy of her book, I Married a Pirate, but a signed copy! (UK only I'm afraid)

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance to win...

Entries should be sent to our usual address - subject line: PIRATE - and please include your name and address (so we can send you the book if you're picked at random). Closing date is midnight GMT next Friday, 14 September. Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 5, 2007 11:57 AM

COMPETITION: Rules for Saying Goodbye

This week's competition is to win a copy of Katherine Taylor's Rules for Saying Goodbye.

Taylor actually caused a bit of a fuss before the book was even published, both by requesting a non chick lit cover (bad luck, Katherine) and by falling out with another author. To win a copy of Rules for Saying Goodbye ... name that author (clue: his book is titled Indecision).

Carry on over the cut for more info.

Entries should be sent to our usual address - subject line: RULES - and please include the answer, plus your name and address (so we can send you the book).

Closing date is midnight GMT next Tuesday, 11 September. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on September 5, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 29, 2007 1:40 PM

COMPETITION: Frenemies

I loved Megan Crane's Frenemies and - guess what? - we've got one to give away (but just one this week, sorry).

Usual rules apply. Email us with your name and address, with "Frenemies" in the subject line, and the answer to the question over the cut. 

Who is Megan Crane's favourite female heroine? (You'll find the answer somewhere on this site.) 

Closing date is next Tuesday, 4 September, at midnight GMT. In the meantime, you can read Megan's guest blog on "The Concept of the Frenemy" here.

Posted by Keris on August 29, 2007 in Competition, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (4)

Win a trip to Paradise with Harper Collins

While Summer Special rumbles on, summer itself, er, doesn't. But HarperCollins Publishers have a fabulous competition (but only if you are US or Canadian) to win a holiday to the British Virgin Islands.

Called the Love in Paradise Sweepstakes, all you need to do is sign up for one of the company's email newsletters and you'll be entered into the draw. The prize includes a cabin for two on a luxurious spacious 65-foot multihull* to "cruise the waters of the British Virgin Islands".

*I'm guessing this is some sort of yacht. I did say I didn't know anything about sailing, didn't I?

Related: Writers Revealed podcast

Posted by Keris on August 29, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2007 9:08 AM

COMPETITION: Scot on the Rocks

Yes, it's competition time again and - yes! - at last the sun is shining!

This week we've got six - six! - copies of the highly entertaining Scot on the Rocks to give away.

If you fancy a chance of winning one, email us with your name and address and the subject line "Rocks" before midnight (GMT) on Tuesday 28 August. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on August 22, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 15, 2007 9:15 AM

COMPETITION: All I Want Is You

Do you think one week the sun will actually be shining as I write about the latest Summer Special competition?

This week's book is Martina Reilly's All I Want Is You (which we really will be reviewing one day, honest - so many books to review!).

In the author's own words, it's the story of "Poppy Shannon - a woman who had it all to lose and did!" and you can win a copy.

All you need to do is email us your name and address, subject line "Reilly" and with the answer to the question you'll find over the cut.

Question: What did Martina Reilly tell us was her favourite chick lit book? (You'll find the answer somewhere on this site.)

Closing date is Tuesday 21st August at midnight GMT. Good luck!

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2007 in Competition, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2007 5:22 PM

Working for Borders could be your chance to become an author!

The book chain has launched a search for the next big thing in the literary world amongst Borders staff (yeah, I'm guessing it's too late to request an application...) The chain's 30,000 employees are all eligible to submit manuscripts for consideration - closing date January 31, 2008. [Via Galleycat].

It will be interesting to see if this results in a great find, or a damp squib. I'm betting at least some of those 30K book fans can write, right?

What do you think?

Competition archives | Book news archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in Book News, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2007 2:25 PM

COMPETITION: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

Is this our fourth Summer Special competition already? Where's the summer going? (Now that it finally seems to have arrived!)

This week's is a doozy - the latest collaborative novel from Jennifer Crusie, this time with Anne Stuart and Eileen Dreyer. I absolutely loved it and it would make a fabulous plane (or airport delay) book.

Usual rules apply. Closing date is midnight GMT next Tuesday (14th). Entries to be sent to the usual address with "Miss Fortunes" as the subject line and the answer (along with your name and address) in the body of the email.

Hop over the cut for the question.

Jennifer Crusie wrote Don't Look Down (and the forthcoming Agnes & the Hitman) with another (male) author. Name that (male) author!

Posted by Keris on August 8, 2007 in Competition, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2007 5:07 PM

COMPETITION: Win Alexandra Potter's Me and Mr Darcy

The third of our weekly Summer Special competitions is to win Alexandra Potter's new book, Me and Mr Darcy.

When Emily Albright books herself on a tour of Jane Austen country she doesn't expect to meet any men, let alone her dream man - Mr Darcy himself!

To win a copy send email us at the usual address with your name, address and the answer to the question over the cut.

Who played Mr Darcy in the BBC's classic 1985 1995* Pride & Prejudice adaptation? 

Competition closes at midnight GMT on Tuesday 7th August. Good luck!

*Sorry

Posted by Keris on August 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 31, 2007 4:27 PM

EXCLUSIVE 'Be Mine' giveaway!

Be Mine by Laura Kasischke might be a good option for your summer hols if you like a touch of mystery and don't mind being a bit scared on your sun-lounger.

Keris called it "thrilling, thought-provoking, exciting and erotic" (oo-er!) and we have 2 copies to give away to 2 lucky Trashionista readers.

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance of winning...

Simply email us your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win), putting "Laura" in the title. We'll pick 2 names at random after the giveaway closes on August 1st.

Posted by Aigua Media on July 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 26, 2007 1:15 PM

Bridalwave's book giveaway

Our all-things-weddingy sister site, Bridalwave, has got a fabulous book giveaway (as have we!).

They've got five copies of Wedding Belles by Zoe Barnes and Tales from a Hen Weekend by Olivia Ryan to be won. Plus tons of excellent wedding-related info and fabulously entertaining columns (yes, okay, I write one of them).

Related: Asking for Trouble/The Wedding Date | Discworld wedding cake anyone? | Thursday Three: Marriage and Mayhem

Posted by Keris on July 26, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 25, 2007 10:23 AM

COMPETITION: Second Summer Special competition

Yes, the winner of last week's competition has been picked and the book will be on the way tomorrow. (No, really, it will.)

This week's comp is for Gwen Cooper's Diary of a South Beach Party Girl (and a review will be coming soon too).

So let's see... a question. South Beach is in Miami. Miami Sound Machine were from Miami. Name the singer of Miami Sound Machine. (My husband told me last week's question was too easy, so I've made this week's a little bit harder.)

Email us the answer, (subject line: Party Girl) along with your name and address, before midnight (GMT) next Tuesday (the 31st) and the books (we've got two this week) will be in the post on Thursday (no, really, they will).

Whatever would I do without brackets?

Posted by Keris on July 25, 2007 in Competition, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2007 12:45 PM

More summer beach read giveaways from Bookreporter.com

Continuing our summer special-theme, "It wouldn't be summer without sun, surf and sizzling reading," says Bookreporter. So they're offering one reader a week the chance to win a beach bag of goodies, including a great summer read each week until August 24th.

The current book choice is Second Choice by Jane Green, and past books include The Manny and Anybody Out There? So you could find some great reading recommendations over the next few weeks, whether you win or not!

And don't forget we'll be giving books away every week for the rest of the summer, too!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 20, 2007 12:51 PM

WIN! A beach read with Dorothy Perkins

100 copies of The Seven Year Itch, out now in paperback, are up for giveaway in a Dorothy Perkins beach read prize draw.

The latest book from husband-wife writing team/phenomenon Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, The Seven Year Itch is about, well... that fabled seven year itch of course. According to the Dotty P website:

It's seven years since Jack and Amy got married, they're still in love, they've got a son, they're happy... except, the grass is beginning to look a little greener on the other side. Witty and honest, The Seven Year Itch is the perfect beach read for anyone who's ever asked: "Is this it"?

Carry on over the cut to find out how to win a copy.

Simply click here, fill in your details, and cross your fingers - good luck! Entries close 1st August.

Related: Summer special!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 18, 2007 4:58 PM

First Summer Special competition!

Okay, so here's how it's going to go. Every Wednesday throughout the summer I will be posting a competition. The competition will only be open until the following Tuesday and the book will be sent on to the winner on the Thursday (giving me Wednesday to find an envelope).

To win a copy of this week's book - Jancee Dunn's fabulous memoir, But Enough About Me - all you need to do is name that well-endowed woman there on the cover (not Madonna, they're just cones stuck on the front of the corset).

Send your answer along with your name and address to the usual email address (subject line: But Enough About Me) before midnight (GMT) on Tuesday 24th July and a copy could be winging its way to you in a matter of hours.

Posted by Keris on July 18, 2007 in Competition, Memoirs, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 11, 2007 11:52 AM

COMPETITION: Emily Giffin's Baby Proof giveaway

Yes, another competition. We're competition mad here at Trashionista! (More about that early next week. I don't want to give anything away, but throughout the summer we're going to be running a weekly competition ... d'oh. I gave it away.)

So we've six copies of the US version of Emily Giffin's Baby Proof (look at the beautiful cover!) for, um, six of you to win.

The question: Emily Giffin's first book, Something Borrowed, was the story of Rachel, who nicks her best friend Darcy's fiance, Dex. Giffin's second book is Darcy's side of the story - name that book!

Just in case that was a bit complicated - the question is: what's the title of Emily Giffin's second book?

Just email us the answer along with your name and address. UK entrants only unfortunately and the closing date is the 31st July (2007). Good luck!

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2007 in American Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (4)

July 10, 2007 4:50 PM

'How to Shop' - EXCLUSIVE Mary Portas giveaway!

The brilliantly savvy fashion/shopping expert Mary Portas, also known as Mary, Queen of Shops after her fabby BBC programme, has released a new book: How to Shop with Mary, Queen of Shops . It's a beautiful hardback, jam-packed with useful information from a mistress of retail.

And we have a copy to give away to one lucky Trashionista reader!

If you'd like to win, carry on over the cut to find out how...

To be in with a chance of winning:

Simply email us at editor@trashionista.com with your name and address and MARY in the title. Please also put 'no' in the body of the email if you wouldn't like to receive further information from Ebury/BBC books. I'm sorry, this giveaway is UK only.

And that's not your only chance to win: until the end of July there's the chance  for 5 people to win £100 Oasis vouchers over on Mary Portas's website, which is well worth a look in any case.

Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 10, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, British Authors, Competition, Fashion-Lit, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2007 12:49 PM

Discover the New You with Kiss and Makeup's book giveaway!

Not content with giving you books for free here on Trashionista, our sister site Kiss and Makeup is in on the action too: they have 3 copies of beauty bible Discover The New You by Ceril Campbell to give away.

Says KAMU editor Charlotte: "Although beauty junkies will probably know about most of the book's product recommendations, everyone can benefit another of her tips: remember to smile! Those who aren't so handy with a make up brush will appreciate the plethora of information on all aspects of beauty - from applying false lashes to choosing a hairstyle for your face shape."

Sounds good! (Chuck me a copy, someone...)

Click here for details on how to enter.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Announcements, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 29, 2007 2:46 PM

Fabulous Little Black Dress competition!

Not only is it cult classic week, not only is it a year since Keris and I started at Trashionista, it's a year since the fabulous chick lit publishing imprint Little Black Dress came into existence! Such perfect synchronicity warrants a giveaway don't you think?

We do, too! That's why the lovely kind people at Little Black Dress are offering four Trashionista readers a wonderful prize: four readers will win a selection of five LBD titles.

It's a mystery (ooh!) what you'll receive, but LBD books that we've loved include The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, Singletini , Pick Me Up and The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom, so we're sure there'll be something you'll enjoy.

To enter, simply email us the answer to this question: name one of the Little Black Dress books that we've loved. Put LBD in the subject line, and your name and address in the body of the email. Again, I'm afraid this is UK only. Good luck!

And don't forget our Bridget Jones's Diary giveaway too - she's been around a while, but she's still VERY worth (re)reading!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 27, 2007 6:32 PM

WIN! A copy of Bridget Jones's Diary

You've read the review (haven't you?!), you've probably seen the film and read (and watched) the sequel, but would you like to win a brand spanking new movie tie-in version? Yes? That's good, 'cos we have five to give away thanks to the lovely people at Picador!

Here's what to do to be in with a chance of winning: just send us an email with "Bridget" in the title, and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you a book if you win). Sorry, UK only.

Look out for more fabulous giveaways in the next few days - there's something for everyone, coming up on Trashionista! 

Posted by Aigua Media on June 27, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Cult classic week, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 26, 2007 7:46 PM

Karin Slaughter's knitting contest

We've talked about Knit Lit on Trashionista before, but crime author Karin Slaughter's taken it to a whole new (and creepy) level.

Having commissioned patterns for a Ted Bundy Knit Hat and a Jeffrey Dahmer Boiled Wool Book Bag, she's running a competition on her website for the best versions of each. Great prizes, but I think it's in pretty poor taste.

What do you think?

Related post: Karin Slaughter latest writer to get graphic with her next novel

Posted by Keris on June 26, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 21, 2007 4:57 PM

Win books from the Strand Bookstore

How I love New York's Strand Bookstore. It's got 18 miles of books. 18 miles! (Hey, I'm doing a 13 mile walk in New York; maybe I can do it in the Strand!)

To celebrate its 80th birthday this year, the Strand has a competition: nominate your top 5 books of all time and win the 80 books with the most votes. It's only open to US residents, but feel free to let us know your top 5 books of all time, won't you. [via sk*rt]

Related posts: Booksellers on MySpace | Virtual bookshops 

Posted by Keris on June 21, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 19, 2007 12:46 PM

Win five fab books with Shiny Shiny!

As if all the Trashionista competitions we give you aren't enough (some very exciting ones coming soon, I promise!), our sister site Shiny Shiny is giving readers the chance to win FIVE fab Friday Project books, including A Girl Called Madonna and Confessions of a Chatroom Freak.

Find out more, including how to enter, by directing your mouse in this direction.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 19, 2007 in Announcements, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 27, 2007 2:03 PM

Chicklish's Helen Salter giveaway

Fabulous young adult fiction blog, Chicklish (edited by friend-of-Trashionista, Luisa Plaja) currently has a competition to win a copy of Helen Salter's Does Glitter Count As Camouflage? along with a matching bookmark.

Details - as well as an interview with Helen Salter and a review of the book - here.

Related posts: Young Adult archives | Taming the Beast (reviewed by Luisa)

Posted by Keris on April 27, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 20, 2007 6:00 PM

That was the Austen Week that was!

Thanks for joining us for a great week of Austen-themed fun! Good wasn't it? I am undone!

If you haven't heard about our fabulous huge Jane-themed competition (HOW?!) you've got until midnight to enter - good luck!

I'm off to practice my swooning... [DS]

Posted by Aigua Media on April 20, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 17, 2007 3:43 PM

Don't forget our fabulous HUGE prize package!

Ooh, that almost sounds a little rude (it's the word 'package' - I know, I'm childish!), but I promise it isn't: Jane Austen's maiden aunts would approve!

In honour of our Austen Week, we're running a series of special essays by chick it authors all week - and a really great competition with all this to be won, open to everyone in the UK (unless you work for us, sorry) until midnight on Friday.

If you  haven't  entered yet, don't delay!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in Announcements, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 16, 2007 12:42 PM

Welcome to Austen Week!

In honour of our most fabulous Austen-themed competition, we're making this whole week... yes, you've guessed it: Austen week!

We'll have guest blogs from famous authors on what Jane Austen means to them and lots of Jane-themed twists to regular features... but there will still be book news and reviews from the 21st century too, so there's something for everyone coming up on Trashionista this week - please stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in Announcements, Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 12, 2007 8:35 PM

TRASHIONISTA'S MOST BRILLIANT PRIZE PACKAGE EVER!

I'm not even exaggerating a little bit when I say this is the best prize we've ever had, ever!

Here is what's on offer for ONE LUCKY TRASHIONISTA DEVOTEE:

DVDs:

ITV's Mansfield Park

ITV's Northanger Abbey

BOOKS: 

Going Home by Harriet Evans

A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

Scandal’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens

The True Darcy Spirit by Elizabeth Aston.

Plus, three runners-up will win one copy of each book! Carry on over the cut to find out how to enter...

We're sorry but this comp is only open to UK residents - and employees of Shiny Media may not enter (dammit).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email us the answer to this question, putting "Austen" in the subject line:

Which well-known American chick-lit author edited the book "Flirting With Pride and Prejudice"? Clue: we reviewed it last July. Don't forget to include your name and address, too - in case you win! Entries close at midnight BST on April 20. Good luck!

And look out for lots more Austen-themed goodness next week, when Trashionista turns all regency on you! Austen week, all week long - it's gonna be gooooood!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Announcements, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cosmopolitan's Miss Write competition

Are you Miss Write? Cosmopolitan's UK edition is once again running its popular new novelist competition, and you can find all the details on how to enter and exactly what the prize involves, by clicking here.

If you want to enter, you'll need to have a synopsis of your story plus the first 3,000 words ready by the closing date, 31 May 2007. Go on - this could be your big chance! You could even see your book being reviewed on this very site - how cool would that be? (Answer: very).

Related: The Daily Mail's first novel award | Debut novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 12, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 29, 2007 9:18 PM

COMPETITION: More Than Love Letters by Rosy Thornton

Rosy Thornton's debut More Than Love Letters mixes political satire with chick lit and is made up entirely of letters and emails.

For your chance to win a copy, simply enter your email address in the box on the right of the screen where it says "get mailout" and follow the simple instructions. One lucky subscriber will be chosen at random on (on 1 April, but it's not an April Fool, honest!) to win a copy of More Than Love Letters and everyone who signs up will also get all the latest Trashionista news and goss via email each day! If you've already signed up, you don't need to do it again, you're already in with a chance. 

You could also win ... Any Way You Want Me, Pick Me Up and Pretty Little Liars

Posted by Keris on March 29, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (5)

March 28, 2007 10:52 AM

COMPETITION: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Yes, another competition - we're spoiling you! Today you can win a copy of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, a sexy novel full of mystery, scandal, intrigue and spicy suspense (it says here). And who doesn't fancy a bit of spicy suspense on a Wednesday?

Simply enter your email address in the box on the right of the screen where it says "get mailout" and follow the simple instructions. One lucky subscriber will be chosen at random to win a copy of Pretty Little Liars and everyone who signs up will also get all the latest Trashionista news and goss via email each day! If you've already signed up, you don't need to do it again, you're already in with a chance. 

You could also win ... Any Way You Want Me and Pick Me Up
Look out for another great book tomorrow.

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 27, 2007 9:22 AM

COMPETITION: Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice

We absolutely loved Zoe Rice's debut novel, Pick Me Up and now you can win a copy, along with Little Black Dress mirrors, notebooks and a fabulous "Dressing" key ring (it's a key ring with a choice of two dresses ... whatever next?).

Simply enter your email address in the box on the right of the screen where it says "get mailout" and follow the simple instructions. One lucky subscriber will be chosen at random to win a copy of Pick Me Up and everyone who signs up will also get all the latest Trashionista news and goss via email each day! If you've already signed up, you don't need to do it again, you're already in with a chance. 

You could also win ... Any Way You Want Me
Look out for another great book tomorrow.

Posted by Keris on March 27, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 23, 2007 12:31 PM

The Daily Mail's first novel award for aspiring literary stars - could it be you?

The Daily Mail's book club has been a popular addition to their paper and website and now news reaches Trashionista Towers that The Daily Mail has teamed up with Transworld Publishers to launch the Daily Mail First Novel Award. Transworld will offer the winning author a publishing contract of £30,000 and publish the winning book in April 2008.

The prize will be judged by a panel of book experts including authors Joanne Harris and Lee Child.

If you want to enter, you don't have long: only until 2nd July 2007, in fact. All entries must be original, previously unpublished works of fiction on any subject in any genre. And as the title suggests, it must be your first novel!

Go to the site for more details on how to enter.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 23, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 21, 2007 5:57 PM

Win a book on Corrieblog!

Yep, news of another competition! Celeb autobiography and Corrie fans should be interested in this one: a chance to win a copy of Julie Goodyear's (apparently rather sensational) life story, newly released in paperback.

Simply click on this link to find out how to enter.

Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 21, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Competition, Memoirs, New Releases, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 19, 2007 12:15 PM

WIN! Love in the Present Tense plus 4 months' supply of Galaxy chocolate!

Galaxy are running a competition in conjunction with the British Book Awards and Richard and Judy book club selection Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Simply enter your details here for the chance to win a copy of the book and four months' supply of chocolate (ooh, that would be nice in time for Easter!)

You have until 31 March.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 19, 2007 in Book related, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Richard and Judy | Permalink | Comments (0)

Great American Book Giveaway

The brainchild of author, M.J. Rose, The Great American Book Giveaway gives away (funny, that) hundreds of books every week and all you have to do is choose the book you'd like to win and enter your email address.

I have it on good authority that the only emails you receive are acknowledgement of your entry and a notification of whether or not you've won. Unsurprisingly, it's only open to residents of the United States (the clue was in the title) - sorry UK readers. [via Spy Scribbler]

Related posts: Buzz, Balls & Hype | Ellen Meister's "I Want A Freakin' Character Named After Me!" Competition | Win a copy of Sophie Kinsella's 'Shopaholic and Baby'

Posted by Keris on March 19, 2007 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 14, 2007 11:06 AM

Ellen Meister's "I Want A Freaking Character Named After Me!" Competition

Remember author Ellen Meister's Hollywood Cupcake competition (when readers inexplicably voted to "offer their cupcakes" to Matthew McConaughey rather than George Clooney)? Well, Ellen's running a new, equally fun, competition on her website.

Called the "I Want A Freaking Character Named After Me!" Drawing, it offers readers the chance to have a character named after them in Ellen's next book. All you have to know is know the multi-syllable curse phrase used by one of my characters throughout Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. Enter here.

Related posts: Author Interview: Ellen Meister

Posted by Keris on March 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 9, 2007 3:25 PM

Win a copy of Sophie Kinsella's 'Shopaholic & Baby'

Everyone knows how much we love Sophie Kinsella - one of the true queens of chick lit - so we're very excited to have snagged five copies of 'Shopaholic & Baby' to give away to some lucky Trashionista readers. To be in with a chance of winning one, send us an email with your name, address and the answer to the following question (hint: if you don't know, check out this page)

Q: What is Sophie Kinsella's real name?

Send your emails to gemma@shinymedia.com with the subject 'Trashionista Shopaholic Comp' to be in with a chance of winning. The closing date for entries is Sunday 25th March. Good luck!

Posted by Gemma on March 9, 2007 in Competition, Recent Release, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 15, 2007 2:00 PM

Queens of chick lit and Miss Write competition

The latest edition of Waterstone’s Books Quarterly has “Queens of chick lit” Sophie Kinsella, Wendy Holden and Jill Mansell on the cover. Interviewed by fellow author Louise Candlish, the women talk about the definition of “chick lit,” their influences, changing direction and how it feels to have a bestseller. It’s an entertaining and refreshingly positive article.

Plus there’s also information about the Miss Write competition to find the next big thing in chick lit. Find more information here and here. It's only available to residents of the UK and Ireland, I'm afraid.

Posted by Keris on February 15, 2007 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

February 14, 2007 2:23 PM

Win a trip to New York

Marian Keyes has a new website for Anybody Out There. Along with a biography, FAQ*s, character profiles (for all the Walshes!), there's also a chance to win a trip to New York: two return flights, four nights accommodation and a discount card for Macy's. Plus 10 runners-up will receive a set each of all Marian's books signed by Marian! The closing date is 4 March 2007.

Oh and don't forget the Funny Side of Love weekend this weekend on E! and Paramount (in the UK).

*Asked what she's reading at the moment, Marian admits she's currently "mildly obsessed with Michael Connolly," as is Megan Crane!

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Competition, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 18, 2007 10:38 AM

Karen Quinn competition

Ivy Chronicles and Wife in the Fast Lane author Karen Quinn is running a contest with some fantastic prizes and for once, it seems to be open to entrants from all over, not just the United States.*

Submit a one-liner ("I knew I was living in the fast lane when ..."), a video or an essay on the subject of "life in the fast lane" to win prizes including jewellery, gift certificates, and the opportunity to have a character named after you in Karen Quinn’s next book.

And that’s not all. The top 10 winners of the essay and one-liner categories will win conference calls with Karen Quinn and her editor, "to discuss any aspect of writing and selling your book." For the video category it’s a call with screenwriter Tracey Jackson.

The deadline is 15 February so get to work! [via Galleycat]

* at least, I couldn’t see anything in the rules stating only open to US citizens, and the site allowed me to register to enter ...

Posted by Keris on January 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 29, 2006 5:05 PM

NaNovember competitions - you'd better be quick!

I don't know if you've noticed, but tomorrow is the last day in November! Not only does that mean that Christmas panic officially starts on Friday, but also that you've only got just over 24 hours to enter all our fabulous NaNovember competitions: Just One Spark, Designing Bitches, The Salem Witch Tryouts, BreakupBabe, Daughter of the Bride, Time Off for Good Behavior, The Vanishing Point, and finally, all three of Sara Gruen's books!

Posted by Keris on November 29, 2006 in Book related, Competition, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 24, 2006 2:15 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Karen Quintiere

We're in the enviable position of having more NaNo author interviews than there are Wednesdays in NaNovember, so today's bonus interview day!

If you read Karen Quintiere's guest blog, you'll know that her book, Designing Bitches, is out next month. Read on for Karen's interview and then carry on over the cut to find out how you can with a copy of her book.

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Designing Bitches is coming in December from Triskelion Publishing. It's my first novel and I couldn't be more excited or terrified.

My main character, Peyton Doucet, is a middle school Art teacher whose dreams of being a fashion designer were cut short when her best friend ripped the couture rug out from under her. Now married and living in Washington, DC, she gets a second chance to make her dreams come true.

(That's more than 15, Karen, but I'll let you off cos it's Friday!)

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

I write on my Sony Vaio - it's Raspberry Red and totally cute. I don't really have a preference as far as where I write - my notebook travels wherever I do.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

I adore Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. Becky Bloomwood and I have a lot in common, which is both good and bad, I suppose!

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

As much as I love Becky Bloomwood, I have to say Scarlett O'Hara, who, in my opinion, is the original Chick Lit heroine. 

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

I started a few years ago on a fan fiction site, which opened up a whole world for me that I never knew existed.  Through the site, I was able to create my own characters, invent storylines for them, and put my work out there for a lot of people to see. I also met a wonderfully talented group of writers who support and encourage me at every turn. I think it's a great place for any writer to start because it is an anonymous forum for lots of people to see your writing and give you feedback.  The first time I got an email from a stranger who'd read and loved my writing was one of the best days of my life.  My only other advice is to read, read, read, from as many different styles and genres as you can.

What are you reading at the moment?

I tend to read several books at once - I'm a voracious reader and my tastes are fairly eclectic.  Let's see..

Echoes of a Distant Summer by Guy Johnson (Maya Angelou's son)
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

I think I'll stop at three, otherwise I may give the impression that I don't have a life!

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

Right now, I'm working on the follow-up to Designing Bitches, which is tentatively titled, Bitches in Bikinis.

I'm having lots of fun with it so far - the girls are on vacation in Morella, a very cool spot I found in the lyrics of a U2 song and promptly Googled. I'm about 7,500 words in so far and have most of the scenes plotted out. 

What question have you never been asked, but wish you had (you can answer it too, if you want.)

What superhero power would you like to have, and why?

I would love to have the power to turn invisible - I am super nosy and the chance to spy on others is too good to pass up. Of course, if there is any sort of superhero hyperspeed metabolism available, then I'll just have to be nosy in the usual way.  Being able to eat whatever I want and have it burn right up? That would be the best thing ever. 

Thanks, Karen! For your chance to win a hot-off-the-press copy of Designing Bitches, just email us with "Bitches" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email (so we can send you the book - we won't send you anything else, honest) before 30 November 2006.

And don't forget there's still time to enter our other NaNovember competitions: The Salem Witch Tryouts, BreakupBabe, Daughter of the Bride, Time Off For Good Behavior and Sara Gruen (three books!)

Posted by Keris on November 24, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Interviews, Modern Fiction, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 20, 2006 1:16 PM

Kelly McClymer Guest Blog & Giveaway

Kelly McClymer wrote her most recent book, The Salem Witch Tryouts for NaNoWriMo "on a lark". It's Young Adult chick lit, and Kelly was previously published in historical romance so it was a bit of a departure. Kelly is writing the third book in the Salem Witch Tryouts series for NaNo this year. Well, that was the plan anyway, but as you'll see from her guest blog, sometimes life gets in the way.

NANO BLUES by Kelly McClymer

I signed up for NaNoWriMo again this year. I thought I cleared the decks, ready to do nothing but write up a storm all through November. After all, I have a book due on December 15th--I need to finish my draft by the end of November so I can spend the first weeks of December revising and polishing. Unfortunately, I've run into the problem of the perpetually-filling decks.

So far, when I should be halfway through (25,000 words), I'm at a meager 5,000. Sure, I have my story chart filled in, and my collage in a place of prominence. But the actual writing...eke is the work that comes to mind (a close cousin of eek!). What have I done instead? Hmmm.

Carry on over the cut for more from Kelly and to find out how you can win a copy of The Salem Witch Tryouts.

Electricity went out to half the house, so spent a few days panicking and reminding the kids what to do if the smoke alarms sounded in the middle of the night. Worried about thousands of dollars to rewire the house that was creatively wired in the 70s by a previous owner. Status: after one week, electrician found the problem, rewired the house...two hours, under$200, a million gray hairs.

Youngest needed to get college application ready, do campus visit and have daily lectures on not slacking off senior year. Status: campus visit completed, application essay still stuck in craw (after all, there is no one around with writing experience to help him...sigh). Lectures seeming to have some small effect.

Signed up for advanced level course for tutoring students with dyslexia in reading (got my certificate for the initial level this month...yay!). Status: reading, more reading, and then some writing. I also tutor four hours a week (each hour of tutoring takes about two hours of prep).

In short--nothing major, just life. So, I'm recommitting to NaNo today. I can reach my goal (50,000-5,000=45,000; 45,000/16=2,812 words per day). Wait! Make that I'm going to reach my goal. I'll start checking in every night, too (I've been avoiding the NaNo community out of shame).

So what if my decks are never really going to be empty? That's what caffeine is for!

Thanks, Kelly! So if you'd like to win a copy of The Salem Witch Tryouts, just email us with your name and address and "Salem" in the subject line, before 30 November 2006. The winner will be picked at random.

Introduction to NaNovember / Rebecca Agiewich guest blog & giveaway / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 20, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, NaNovember, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

November 16, 2006 1:57 PM

FRANCESCA SEGRE GIVEAWAY!

Francesca was our first NaNovember guest blogger and she has kindly donated a copy of her novel Daughter of the Bride to a lucky Trashionista reader.

When her mom calls to say she's getting married, Daniella is both thrilled and devastated. Mom, who's pushing sixty, is about to walk down the aisle for the second time, and Daniella, at twenty-nine, hasn't come close to saying "I do" once. Even worse, Mom insists Daniella help plan the big bash: white gown, band, caterer, the works.

Between cake tastings, dress fittings, and ring shopping, Daniella struggles to make sense of her own frustrating love life-all while juggling her high-pressure TV job and hectic dating adventures. And it isn't long before she realizes she's going to have to make some changes in her own life-or never walk down the aisle herself. [via Amazon.com]

Carry on over the cut to find out how you can win a copy.

To be in with a chance of winning, just do the usual - that's email us your name and address and put "Bride" in the subject line. We'll pick a winner after 30 November 2006. Good luck! (And don't forget you can still enter our Sara Gruen and Lani Diane Rich giveaways.)

Intro to NaNovember / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 16, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 15, 2006 7:51 PM

MARY SHARRATT GIVEAWAY!

Loved Mary Sharratt's guest blog? Intrigued by the sound of her book? Well, we have one copy of The Vanishing Point (which I'm loving just now!) to give away to one lucky UK/Europe-based reader!

Simply email us your name and address with "Mary" in the subject line to be in with a chance to win!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 13, 2006 3:21 PM

Starbucks' Christmas Bookdrive

Yep it's that time of year again - the red cups, mince pies and gingerbread lattes have arrived and Starbucks' annual Christmas bookdrive has begun. Last year the company distributed over 50,000 children’s books to local schools and libraries and are hoping to beat that record this year. You can donate a book in any Starbucks branch (they should have a special box - if they don't, ask them why not).

This year there's also a Christmas Crossword Challenge: 5 lucky winners will each receive £500 worth of book vouchers for a school of their choice. You can pick up the leaflet instore or, if you're unlucky enough not to have a Starbucks near you, you can download the crossword from the website. The site also has information about various volunteer literacy projects around the country.

Related post: Hollywood Cupcake competition

Posted by Keris on November 13, 2006 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

GUEST BLOG & GIVEAWAY: Lani Diane Rich

As you should know by now (I've certainly mentioned it enough!) Lani Diane Rich wrote her first book Time Off for Good Behavior for NaNoWriMo and, to help celebrate NaNovember, she's written a guest blog for us about the experience.

Lani's also kindly offered a copy of Time Off for Good Behavior to two lucky Trashionista readers (that's a copy each, you don't have to share one!). To be in with a chance of winning just email us your name and address with "Lani" in the subject line by 30 November 2006.

Carry on over the cut to read Lani's guest blog.

The Power of Whim by Lani Diane Rich

I don't remember when I gave my first interview about Nano, but I'm sure it was sometime approaching November of 2004. My first book, TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR, had just released, and I was going on a small tour with Chris Baty (if you see him, ask him about the giant squash!) and there were interviews with television, radio and newspaper people. It was weird. Prior to this book, I'd always been the interviewer. It was odd being on the other side. One thing I didn't realize was how you say one thing once, and it will follow you forever. For me, it's whim. As in, "Lani Diane Rich decided to join on a whim in 2002, and now she's published! Dig her!"

I'm paraphrasing.

Despite the fact that it's really true - on Halloween night, 2002, my kids decided they didn't want to go trick-or-treating (they were 1 and 3, understandable) and I ended up getting online with a bunch of friends who were talking about Nano and I said, "What the hell?" - it always bugs me when I see it in print. I think because "whim" makes it all seem like it wasn't important, like my decision to do Nano that year didn't completely and powerfully change my life, which it did, in more ways than I can count. I went into Nano that year with no idea what I was getting into. I had no idea I'd even make it to 50,000 words, let alone write something that would become publishable. I think that may be part of the reason why it worked. I had no aspirations, so I dove into TIME OFF with the kind of gusto you can only get from "What the hell?" And I learned so much during that time, the most important lesson being this:

Craft is craft, and it's important, but the most important thing any writer can do for their book is to write about what matters to them. At the time I started writing TIME OFF, I had a good friend who was being put through her paces in an abusive relationship. A strong, wonderful, witty, powerful woman who, for no reason I could understand, was allowing a man to beat her. So, when I was writing TIME OFF, it sort of became an ode to her, it became the story I wanted for her. It sounds weird to have written a funny book about an abused woman, but it wasn't hard because I refused to define the character of Wanda through her abuse. It's not a burning bed story. It's a story about a woman who defined her existence by who she was, not by what had been done to her. And, when it came down to it, Wanda was an ornery wise-ass with a heart of gold, and she was harsh and bitter and smart and funny as hell. To this day, if I could pick a single character to make real, she'd be it. Hands down.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that, while there are tons of things in that book which, four years later, kinda make me cringe, the one thing I still love about it is Wanda, and I'm still really proud that I got the privilege of writing her. She made me a writer, and I've had three other books out since, with four more on the way. She taught me not how to do something perfectly, but how to do it with passion, which I think is far more important.

And she taught me the importance of whims. To this day, whenever anyone comes to me with a wild idea, I jump at it whenever possible, because the truth is... you just never know.

Time Off For Good Behavior review / Francesca Segre's guest blog / Karen Quintiere's guest blog

Posted by Keris on November 13, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, NaNovember | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 10, 2006 6:02 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Day Shift Werewolf by Jan Underwood

We told you about the three-day novel earlier, now read our review of the 2005 winner...

Jan Underwood was the winner of the 28th Annual International 3 Day Novel Writing Contest in 2005 with this, her first novel Day Shift Werewolf. As you’ve probably guessed, the novel was written in three days and it weaves together eight stories that are connected by the town of Stevens’ Ferry.

Each story is about a supernatural being who has become disillusioned with their lot in life...

Warren, the werewolf of the title, realises he doesn’t like meat, but he does have an slight obsession with apostrophes (Steven’s Ferry? Stevens’ Ferry? Stevens Ferry? Don’t worry, Warren will sort it out...) A minor demon decides he’d rather be a four-year-old girl and a Norwegian Gnome tries to claim political asylum. My favourite story was the first in the book. Ms Underwood slowly unravels the story, revealing a little bit more of her characters with every page until the picture is complete. The humour is very subtle and giggle-to-yourself funny.

The novel is short (well, it was written in three days), but I really like the idea of such a short novel. It’s great for reading on a train or in a café because it’s just the right size for a handbag. Even a small handbag. [Nicola Pedley]

For further information check out www.3daynovel.com.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try the other winners of the 3 Day Novel Contest; Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson.

Supernatural archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 10, 2006 in Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2006 1:46 PM

Sara Gruen giveaways

If you read last week's interview with Sara Gruen, you'll know that she wrote her enormously successful book, Flying Changes, for NaNoWriMo.

So as part of NaNovember, we've got a copy to give away. But that's not all! Sara has kindly offered a copy of each of her three books to one lucky Trashionista reader! That's Riding Lessons, Flying Changes and Water for Elephants. We spoil you, we really do.

To be in with a chance to win email us with the subject line "Sara" and including your name and address (so that we can, you know, send you the books) before 30 November 2006.

Sara Gruen interview / NaNovember archives

Posted by Keris on November 8, 2006 in American Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, NaNovember, Prize Winners | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 1, 2006 6:01 PM

Win books on Corrieblog!

We're a little late mentioning it but yesterday our wonderful sister site Corrieblog turned one- Happy Birthday Corrieblog! I can't imagine the blogging world without you- what a sad place it must have been...

Anyway, to celebrate, they have three signed copies of Julie Goodyear's autobiography to give away on the site- click here to find out more about the book and how to enter!

Related: Celebrity Memoir Mania / Ghost writers are in the money / Posh is a signing sensation.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on November 1, 2006 in Announcements, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Competition, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 25, 2006 11:42 AM

No more giveaways... until next week!

Yep, Bafab was a whole heap of fun, and we had a brilliant response from all of you. (Thanks for making it so special! *sob*) We're still getting the occasional hopeful Bafab competition entry but I'm afraid those book giveaways have now ended.

But don't despair! We have more giveaways coming during November, and some very exciting stuff on the way... stay tuned to find out what!

Posted by Aigua Media on October 25, 2006 in Bafab, Book News, Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 19, 2006 1:45 PM

Hollywood cupcake competition

Ellen Meister, author of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA has a fantastic contest on her website.

In the book a Hollywood studio announces plans to shoot a major movie in the local schoolyard. When the women of the town learn that the star of the movie is George Clooney, inevitably "decorum crumbles like a cupcake from last week's bake sale".

You can win a basket of books for your school library (US only) by choosing "which Hollywood leading man you'd most like to offer your cupcakes to". Choices include Mr Clooney himself (of course), Antonio Banderas, Matthew McConaughey and Brad Pitt.

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (3)

Harper Teen FanLit

Remember we told you about Avon's Fan Lit competition? Well, HarperTeen is running a similar competition of its own. Between October 17th to December 15th, you can submit a chapter to collectively create an original story.

The prizes include a trip to New York to meet publishing executives and have lunch with a HarperTeen author and signed books. There's also a fabulous daily blog, which has so far featured contributions from Meg Cabot and Farrin Jacobs.

The catch? You have to be US resident and between the ages of 13 and 21 at the time of entry. That rules me out by more years than I'd like to admit ...

Posted by Keris on October 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 9, 2006 5:46 PM

That was the week that was!

Anyone who visited our site last week couldn't fail to have picked up on the party atmosphere! Wasn't Bafab just brilliant? We had a great time, and we hope -and suspect- you did, too! Maybe we even inspired some of you to buy a friend a book... if we did, tell us about it!

We have to thank all of our lovely readers for helping make the week such a brilliant success, as well as the Shiny team for promoting us and for answering our question "If  you could buy a friend a book, which would you choose and why?"

And of course, the week would have been nothing without Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Shanna Swendson, Hester Browne, Lily Burana, Laura Dave and Jo Elliot, our wonderful guest blogging authors, for generously writing for us AND donating a book each. PLUS, we had very generous donations from Snowbooks & Seal Press, Faber, Andrea Semple, Kathryn Finney and... I hope I haven't forgotten anybody!

You can still enter our giveaways over the next couple of days, if you were silly- I mean unlucky- enough to have passed us by last week... Check out the Bafab archives for a full list.

Here's to another great week on Trashionista this week- we may not have quite the star line-up of Bafab, but we can promise you great book news and reviews all delivered with our trademark sense of fun. So stick around!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 9, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Bafab, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (2)

October 6, 2006 4:30 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!!: Jo Elliot

Jo Elliot is the author of I'm Celibate, Get me out of Here! which we raved about back in May ("This book is witty, fast-paced and highly entertaining... 5/5") and her guest blog for us gives us an insider glimpse into the topic of her book, about looking for the love of your life online.

AND! One lucky reader can WIN! a free copy by emailing us your name and address with Celibate in the subject line- you won't regret it!- Sorry, we love our international readers but this one's UK only.

Jo Elliot on Finding the Love of Your life... or not

Internet dating. Isn't that for freaks and weirdos? That's certainly what I thought when I inadvertently joined a dating site 6 years ago. Having been single since God knows when, I was strangely flattered when 'Handsome_Gentleman' landed in my inbox telling me I was his ideal woman. However, one click on his profile revealed that he most certainly wasn't my ideal man.

Tom Evans was, but he broke my heart in 100 places (one of them was Soho). But if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. Surely there was someone for me in this enormous virtual meat market? And what's more, I could search for them from the comfort of my own desk. And so began a journey that sometimes made me wonder if I'd joined a joke site, and other times took me to such salubrious places as Birmingham Travelodge. Who says romance is dead?

It's just on a life support machine. My friends' hysterical laughter as I recalled my dating stories made me realise I'd be doing the rest of the world a disservice if I didn't share the amusement. So I wrote 'I'm Celibate...Get Me Out Of Here!' I'm glad I'm not Bridget Jones, with two rich, handsome men fighting over me.

I'd never have met The_Hairy_Cornflake.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 6, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (24)

MAMA LAMA DING DONG GIVEAWAY!

Remember how much I enjoyed this book? Well, you could be in with the chance to find out for yourself how fab it is with yet ANOTHER fantastic Bafab giveaway, thanks to Snow Books.

And if that wasn't enough, we've got a copy of another of Ayun's books - Dirty Sugar Cookies, this one from Seal Press. (This one's UK only though, sorry.)

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) with Mama in the subject line for Mama Lama Ding Dong and Dirty for Dirty Sugar Cookies.

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (which no-one has entered- come on people!) Hester Browne,  Budget Fashionista and Try.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 6, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Competition, Memoirs, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 5, 2006 11:57 AM

BUDGET FASHIONISTA GIVEAWAY!

Yep, it's another Bafab giveaway- and there's still loads more to come! This is one our friends at Catwalk Queen, Shoewawa and The Bag Lady will be salivating over... How to be A Budget Fashionista's lovely author Kathryn Finney has donated THREE signed copies to be won by three of you!

You should have got the hang of how this works by now- To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you!) and "Fashionista" in the subject line.

And speaking of Catwalk Queen, go there to read what Anne Hathaway, Star of The Devil Wears Prada, has to say about her personal style... or lack thereof. (You can enter our giveaway, Anne!)

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson, Queen of the Oddballs, A Faber Double, Hester Browne, Try and The Man from Perfect. (Plus we'll have more to give away later today and Friday! Phew...)  You can enter as many as you like, just send each one on a separate email and we'll pick a winner at random once Bafab's over!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 5, 2006 in Bafab, Book News, Book related, Competition, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (0)

ANDREA SEMPLE GIVEAWAY!

The lovely and talented Andrea Semple has kindly pledged a copy of The Man From Perfect to our Bafab giveaway bonanza- thank you Andrea!

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you!) with Perfect in the subject line.

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (which no-one has entered- come on people!) Hester Browne,  and Try. (PLUS! More coming soon- Click on Bafab to keep up-to-date!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 5, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 4, 2006 7:40 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!!: Lily Burana

Former punk turned journalist and author Lily Burana's first book was a memoir, Strip City: A Stripper's Farewell Journey Across America. Her second book, the novel Try might not have quite as intriguing a title, but it does boast one hell of an opening line.

(And you can win a copy in hardback by emailing us your name and address with Try in the subject line- you won't regret it!- Sorry, UK only).

But now, on with Lily's fabulous guest blog-

The Rocky Road to Rodeo Romance by Lily Burana

The old maxim “write what you know” may be wise counsel indeed, but how long can you write before you reach the limits of your life experience? A writer’s only got one thinly veiled autobiographical novel in her, and in my case, my first book was a memoir, so I had already used up all my source material by the time it was time for book two. I knew I wanted to write a love story for my second book—a raw, rowdy, dare I say kinky love story, and I had been in love, so in that respect I could work from personal experience. But in my heart, I wanted to set the book in the West—not the old-school Lone Ranger Sunday matinee Hollywood fantasy place, but the modern, totally country, bikini bull ride and rodeo real-deal West.

I lived in Wyoming for a few years, and saw the drama, romance, and excitement of cowboys, rodeos, and honkytonks, but since I didn’t come from that world, I didn’t feel entitled to write about it. But the more I thought about the book I longed to write, the greater my courage grew. F*ck it, I thought, Dr. Suess didn’t live in Whoville before he wrote “Horton Hears a Who,” and Roald Dahl didn’t work in a chocolate factory before he wrote “Willy Wonka,” so why was I being such a write-what-you-know purist priss?

I got some guts and started traveling the rodeo circuit, asking all kinds of nosy questions of the cowboys and the women who loved them, and ended up with a book that several rodeo girlfriends have told me rings totally true. So my advice is to write what you’re obsessed with, and the critical details will fall into place during the process. It’s passion—more than first-hand life experience—that gets the story to stick to the page.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 4, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book related, Competition, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (4)

HESTER BROWNE GIVEAWAY

The Bafab giveaways just keep on comin'!

If you read Hester's guest blog earlier, you'll know I promised you something exciting.

Hester has donated an advance US reading copy of Little Lady, Big Apple (which isn't published until February next year) along with the final UK copy too so you can spot the difference! And if that wasn't enough, she'll sign them both to the winner.

To win, just email us with your name and address and "Hester" in the subject line.

Plus you can still enter our A Boy of Good Breeding & Arlington Park, This Is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson, and Queen of the Oddballs giveaways, too. We spoil you, we really do.

Posted by Keris on October 4, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

YET ANOTHER FAB BAFAB GIVEAWAY!

Are we good to you, or what?

First, remember how much I loved A Boy of Good Breeding? Well, you can find out for yourself what a great read it is by winning a free copy!

AND the good people at Faber are so generous they gave us another great new read to give away- Arlington Park, the new hardback release from Whitbread Prize winner Rachel Cusk.

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "Breeding" or "Park" in the subject line. You can enter for as many giveaways as you want this week- just make sure you send each entry as a separate email!

Our other giveaways: This is Chick Lit, Wedding Belles, Shanna Swendson and Queen of the Oddballs (plus we'll have more to give away later today, tomorrow and Friday! Phew...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 4, 2006 in Bafab, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 3, 2006 10:00 PM

EXCLUSIVE FORUM GIVEAWAY!

If you haven't yet joined our lovely Shiny Forum, then you've still got time before the winner of this prize is drawn... but get to it, or you'll miss out!

We have an extra copy of Queen of the Oddballs, and we're giving it away to one of you... (I'm sorry, this is UK only). It's a FANTASTIC book, a memoir about Hillary Carlip, who's starred in films with Tom Hanks and Olivia Newton John, seen John Cusack with his acne cream on and taught famous chat-show hosts to breathe fire. Of course!- But who hasn't?

She's had an odd and wonderful life and her book makes a fantastic read. (I'll be reviewing it soon, but let's just say it will be very favourable!)

To win, you need to sign up for forum membership here (it's free, and simple!) and then answer the question on this WIN A BOOK! thread. Go on, you know you want to...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 3, 2006 in American Authors, Bafab, Book News, Book related, Competition, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (51)

SHANNA SWENDSON GIVEAWAY!

Yes, it's another great Bafab giveaway!

No, we're not actually giving away the respected chick-lit author, that would be silly! But she is donating one of her books to a lucky reader, and here's the great thing: you can choose which one! If you win and haven't read first book Enchanted Inc. then you'll get a copy of that, and if you have, you can claim a copy of sequel Once Upon Stilettos.

To win, just email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "Shanna" in the subject line.

and look out for Shanna's special guest blog for us later this afternoon... it's a good 'un! (as I'm sure she wouldn't say in Texas...)

You can still enter our This is Chick Lit and Wedding Belles giveaways, too.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 3, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Bafab, Competition, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 2, 2006 7:18 PM

WEDDING BELLES GIVEAWAY!

Yep, we have another fab Bafab giveaway for you, dear readers! (And more tomorrow, and the day after that...)

Wedding Belles is the newest book by Zoe Barnes: Nothing is going to go wrong with Belle Craine's dream wedding... or is it? Find out by bagging yourself a free copy! (and go to Bridalwave if you're really planning a dream wedding- they can help!)

To WIN, Just email us with your name and address (so we can send it to you) and put "Wedding Belles" in the subject line. That's important, as we have a lot of books to give away this week and you can enter as many of our giveaways as you want- so you might win big!

Check out our This is Chick Lit Giveaway,too.

Posted by Aigua Media on October 2, 2006 in Bafab, Book News, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff | Permalink | Comments (1)

THIS IS CHICK LIT GIVEAWAY!

OK! Let's get started with our first fabulous Bafab brilliant book bonanza giveaway... shall we?

We have a copy of the new, hotly-anticipated and much-talked about story collection This is Chick Lit to give away to one lucky reader! For free! All you have to do is email us with your name and address (so we can send the book to the winner, we won't stalk you, promise) and "chick lit" in the subject line.

Later today we'll be bringing you our first guest blogger of the week- This is Chick Lit's editor and chick-lit writer extraordinaire Lauren Baratz-Logsted. It's gonna be good!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 2, 2006 in American Authors, Announcements, Book News, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, New Releases | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hello and Welcome to Bafab!

It's Bafab- Buy a Friend a Book- week here on Trashionista, starting now! I'm resisting the urge to say "Bafab will be fab!" but truth be told, I'm not resisting very hard...because it will be fabulous!

So what have we got in store for you for this very special week? Well, a Bafab book bonanza with fabulous free books to give away EVERY DAY, plus special guest bloggers whose names (and book covers) you might well recognise...for starters!

Oh yes, it's all going to be happening here on Trashionista, so stay tuned, keep your eyes peeled, don't go anywhere, and all those other old cliches that mean you really won't want to miss this!

You can also check out the other great sites running Bafab giveaways and excusives (but hurry right back!): A Reader's Journal, Bookblog, Front Street Reviews, Life's Weirder than Fiction, Keeper of the Snails, West of Mars, Write with Karen.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on October 2, 2006 in Announcements, Bafab, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Celebrity Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 22, 2006 8:12 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Gulp! by Gabriella Goddard

A little while ago we hosted author Gabriella Goddard on her virtual book tour to promote Gulp! Gulp! is a "seven day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge", something I sure most of us would love to be able to do.

Before I do anything else though, let me remind you of our Gulp! competition. We've got two copies of Gulp! to give away and to win one all you have to do is email us at editor@trashionista.com and tell us about the challenge you would take on with the help of Gulp! Our favourites - or those we think most need Gabriella's help - will win a copy.

Carry on over the cut to see what I thought of Gulp!

The seven day course which Gabriella outlined in her own post is explained, summarised and recapped - so even complicated issues (and there are some) are easy to understand. Each chapter ends with a practice - questions for you to complete so that you can see how the ideas apply to your situation. This is followed by an Action Plan which includes my favourite thing about Gulp! - there are different actions depending on "the size of your Gulp! and how nervous the situation makes you feel": Espresso, Mediano and Grande. This is great for someone impatient like me. I can start with Espresso and work my way up to Grande.

I've read a lot of self-help books and the problem is that it all makes perfect sense and seems inspiring when you read it, but then you stop reading, go back to life and forget all about it .. until you find yourself buying another self-help book. What I'm saying is, it's hard to say if Gulp! works, but it's certainly interesting and thought-provoking - I have marked an awful lot of pages to return to - and if you follow Gabriella's advice, I'm confident you'll be able to crack any challenge.

Posted by Keris on September 22, 2006 in Competition, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 6, 2006 11:32 AM

Young Writers Alert!

Mark Peter Hughes, British teen chick lit author (now living in Massachusetts) is offering prizes-and presumably internet fame- for teen writers (anyone aged 13-19 on January 1, 2007) in his Wallpaper Writing Contests.  For rules and to find out more, check out his website for details.  You have until April 30th next year- so plenty of time to perfect your poetry! (or short story...)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2006 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition, Modern Fiction | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gulp!

Funny how I was just talking about Virtual Book Tours the other day and now we get a chance to host one!

Gabriella Goddard is the first UK author to undertake a virtual book tour. Read on for her top change-your-life tips and for a chance to win a copy of Gulp! : The seven-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge.

If you'd like to win one of two copies of Gabriella's fab book (review coming soon) then send us an email telling us about the challenge you plan to take on with the help of Gulp! Our favourites - or those we think most need Gabriella's help! - will win a copy of the book.

Now on to Gabriella's excellent advice.

Just Gulp! and Get Going by Gabriella Goddard

The summer holidays are over and the grey skies of winter are looming.  But now there is a remedy for post-holiday blues – “Gulp! time”. 

Do you want a pay rise?  Is it time to change jobs?  Do you want to do something adventurous? Is it time to break up? Or is it time to start dating again?

Take advantage of your leftover summer energy and seize this moment.  Make the commitment to do something about it – right here, right now. 

Just think for a minute:

What one thing would make the biggest difference to your life over the next six months?

What is the biggest obstacle or block standing in your way?

Get started today by working through the Gulp! 7 Day programme.   And join us for Gulp! Together Week where other brave souls are pledging their Gulp! and raising money for charity at www.gulptogether.com.

After all, if not now…when?

Day 1:  Dare & Defy

The challenge is there, whether you like it or not.  So what are you going to do about it?   Face your challenge head on by writing it down and naming it.  Set yourself a deadline for achieving it and make the pivotal decision to go for it.

Day 2:  Breakdown & Breakthrough

The biggest thing holding you back is fear; fear of the unknown, fear of failure and the list of fears goes on.  Rather than tar the whole situation with the same brush, break it down and identify the specific fear trigger points.  Put strategies in place to minimise these and then focus on the positive benefits rather than the negative possibilities.

Day 3:  Centre & Connect

When you silence your mind and connect to your deeper wisdom, there is no fear.  Here there is only what is aligned to your true essence and what “feels right”.  Spend time centring yourself; meditating, taking walks in nature, doing yoga or simply breathing. Listen to what your wise inner sage has to say.

Day 4:  Imagine & Invent

This challenge could be a catalyst for really great things to come. So create “space” for new ideas and insights to emerge.  Spend some time at a café, in the park or with a group of friends brainstorming new ideas and expanding the options open to you.

Day 5:  Plan & Prepare

Now it’s time to put together a plan and start moving forward.  The C.I.G.A.R. model is brilliant for this – Current Reality, Ideal Outcome, Gaps, Actions and Review. Make sure you keep you energy levels high with good food, plenty of water and fitful sleep.

Day 6:  Focus & Flow

As you move into the “unknown”, let go of control and learn to let your intuition and instinct guide you. When you have to make a choice or a decision, tune into the situation and listen to what your gut feeling says.  As you know, it’s usually right.

Day 7:  Gulp! & Go

You’ve done the thinking and you’ve done the preparing.  You’ve even built some foot bridges.  Now it’s time to take that leap of faith.  So tie up any loose ends and just Gulp! and go for it.  You never know what’s around the corner.

© Gabriella Goddard, 2006.

Gabriella Goddard is the author of “Gulp! : The seven-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge” (Penguin, £7.99).  A popular speaker, she is regularly featured in the national media.  www.gulptime.com

Posted by Keris on September 6, 2006 in Book News, Book related, Competition, Girly Stuff, New Releases, Non Fiction | Permalink | Comments (7)

August 29, 2006 11:20 AM

Bookmark This!

You know those freebie bookmarks with writing on that bookshops give away? Well, a couple of months ago, I picked one up and it was advertising the Every Object Tells a Story competition.  It asked: if you could borrow any item from literature, what would it be? Entrants were asked to send in a story on the topic- and the winning one would be printed on bookmarks given away in shops throughout the country!

Answers ranged from Ma Ramotswe's redbush tea to Tolkein's ring (you know the one!) but the winning writer was Max Porter, who chose to borrow a bike from Flann O'Brien's novel The Third Policeman.  His story, I want to ride my bicycle can be seen on bookmarks in shops throughout the country, and you can read the other submissions here.

So... what object would you choose, and why?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 29, 2006 in Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 16, 2006 12:54 PM

Win books with Magic 105.4

London radio station Magic 105.4 is running a competition to win Daisy Waugh's latest book Bordeaux Housewives. All you need to do is click here and fill in your name, email and phone number. Easy peasy.

Posted by Keris on August 16, 2006 in Book related, Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 31, 2006 12:13 PM

So you think you can write romance ...?

We know you all love to read chick lit and romance, but how do you fancy writing it?

Romantic fiction uber-publishers, Avon, are running an online competition to create a collectively written romance e-book. Entitled "FanLit", the competition starts on August 23rd and runs for six weeks (you can sign up here) to receive an email alert nearer the time.

Submitted chapters will be discussed and rated both by readers and by a panel of authors and editors, with the top-rated scenes forming part of the official "Avon Romance FanLit E-book". There are prizes too - some simply for participating (either by writing or by rating).

I haven't established whether UK writers will be permitted to enter (I've asked the question; I'll let you know when I get an answer), but even if we're not, it should still be an interesting read, plus the website features handy romance-writing tips.

Posted by Keris on July 31, 2006 in Competition, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2006 4:09 PM

COMPETITION - Update

Our competition for you to win a copy of Alex Mattis' new book "Men In Aprons" is still running, and you have plenty of time to get your entries in. All we want to know is your top tip for getting the best of your appliances.

Now already owning a copy of the book means I won't be entering (and yes the fact I'm setting it also excludes me) so that means I miss out on getting the chance to share my top tips with you... well no actually it doesn't. I'm going to share them with you now... my top three tips.

1. When I've finished ironing my clothes I turn my attention to my hair - using my iron to get rid of the kinks in my hair is far cheaper than buying straighteners (though the smell is far worse).

2. When sharing a fridge with other people, buy a little more food than fits in your space each shopping trip. Slowly but surely you'll take over the entire space.
3. Instead of forking out for a pricy cosmetics cooler I just use my fridge.

So there you have it. Think you can do better? Then email me and you could be in with a chance of winning.

PLUS for those of you who are simply too busy to read the book, it is available at audible.co.uk who have given us downloads to give away. So when you enter, just tell us whether you would rather have a book or a download of the audiobook.

DISCLAIMER.
We here at Trashionista do not recommend ironing your hair, or trying to steal fridge space from housemates. Both of these actions may result in injury to your person and this would be bad - especially if it stopped you being able to read your favourite chicklit!

Posted by Jenni on July 24, 2006 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 19, 2006 1:24 PM

COMPETITION!!! Win A Copy of Men In Aprons by Alex Mattis

The very nice people at Electrolux have given us 10 copies of Alex Mattis' book "Men In Aprons" to give away to you lucky people. The bok tells the story of Dan, a man who knows nothing about cooking, cleaning or anything related. When his girlfriend leaves him because he's so inept he realises he needs to learn... and fast.

The way to win is simple, just email me and tell me your top tip for getting the best from your appliances (please give your name as well). The best ten will each get a copy of the book. Closing date is August 2nd so get emailing!

Posted by Jenni on July 19, 2006 in Competition | Permalink | Comments (0)