For me, it feels like a really good fit for Dag-Lit Central to be participating in a Hanukkah event. The theme of this blog is "Writing that stands out from the crowd." After all, Hanukkah may be one of the most important events in the Jewish calendar, but growing up in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, it wasn't exactly a well known cultural event. So celebrating Hanukkah instead of Christmas (well more like in addition to Christmas - we were kind of flexible in that way) was definitely something that stood out from the crowd. It was another way to feel a bit different, or special, however you wanted to look at it.
Nowadays, Hanukkah seems pretty mainstream. There are big events in the park every year, and even big Menorahs in the middle of the city. And at my kid's school, they always sing a few special Hanukkah songs as well as the Christmas Carols. I think it's great that events like these can become accepted as a major part of society.
So tonight, and every night as we light our candles and remember the events we're commemorating, I'll be thinking about what it is that makes us special, and also what it is that brings us all together.
And what better way to celebrate than with some books.
Which leads us to the best bit.
By participating in this event, you get the chance to win. On this blog alone, I have three prizes packs available, featuring both of my ebook novellas:
- Doodling - the strange adventures of a man who's fallen off the world (because it's moving too fast). Douglas Adams meets Lewis Carroll. And it was a Goodreads Choice nominee in the humour category
- Flidderbugs - a political satire/fable about a bunch of insects with some very odd obsessions. It's also been getting fantastic reviews from readers
Just leave a comment below. Tell me something about what Hanukkah means to you. Tell me something about what books mean to you. Tell me something about being different or being special. Tell me anything you think of about this wonderful, festive time of the year and you'll be in the running. Just make sure to leave your email, so I can contact you if you're a winner.
But wait - there's even more prizes to be won
Check out the blogs of the other participants listed below for more opportunities to win:
Emily Ann Ward, author of Finding Fiona (YA Sci-Fi) and Passages (YA short stories): Blog and Twitter.
And don't miss out on the Grand Prize Draw.
Have a very happy Hanukkah, whether it's something you do every year or something you've never even heard about before.
And don't miss out on the Grand Prize Draw.
Have a very happy Hanukkah, whether it's something you do every year or something you've never even heard about before.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteDoodling and Flidderbugs sound interesting and comical. I'm intrigued!
As for Hanukkah, I'm not Jewish, but I think it's a beautiful tradition. So, I'll tell you about books. As a young child, my parents divorced. My mother ended up marrying a man in the American Air Force. We ended up moving to the states, from England, away from my huge extended family, away from everything that I knew. It was exciting and interesting, but scary and lonely.
SO, I absorbed my self into books, and found a home away from home. They were the one constant in my ever changing life. The moves to and from England, and the final one, ending up here in Texas. Through out it all, I had my books. My escape, my comfort, and my laughter. I will always love books, my home away from.
Sonia
mamaelk1113 at gmail dot com
Hi Sonia,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Books can take you into all sorts of places.
All the best for the holiday season.