Advertise AND make the world a better place for horses? Blogathon!

I know I've got a lot going on that some of you have caught glimpses of on Twitter and Facebook, but today, I want to dedicate my Manic Monday to the 24-hour mania I annually dedicate to the Bay State Equine Rescue.

A few years back, my friend, Shira Lipkin, pointed me towards www.blogathon.org and the Blogathon Event.

Basically, bloggers around the globe dedicate 24 hours, posting every half hour, to raising money for their favorite charities. It's wicked, crazy cool!

So, every year around this time I start begging my friends and colleagues to sponsor me for this event!

And I do my damnedest to make it worth your while.

What do I do?

I promo the hell outta ya!

I'm offering:

• Your own blog interview: I interview you, include pictures you provide, and tell the world why they need to hire you or buy your products/books/etc. - $40 sponsorship
• Your own blog feature: 700 words of your own to tell the world about yourself with up to 2 pictures. - $35 sponsorship
• Sponsor one of my blog posts: I'll give you a 50-word blurb before one of my planned posts about equine rescue, horses, horse care, or equine legislation. - $20
• Twitter/Facebook-mania: Why people should buy your product/hire you in 140 characters or less. Posted to both my Twitter and Facebook accounts. - $10

Both the interview and the feature include Twitter/Facebook Mania.

And early sponsors get more promotion. For example:

Thank you Massachusetts Horse for donating advertising for the BSER Blogathon! Massachusetts Horse is entirely dedicated to the equine culture in MA - and even beyond. The magazine offers horse care information, legal articles, trail reviews, spotlight articles on Massachusetts equine businesses, youth groups, and non-profits. It reaches over 10,000 people with each bi-monthly issue - and is donated to libraries, youth groups, and horse clubs all over the state. Please visit their website at www.mahorse.com for more information on subscribing or advertising with them.

If you sign up as a sponsor before July, I'll include ad copy for you each week in one of my regular blog postings: Manic Monday, Writerly Wednesday, or Foodie/Feminist Friday.

Now, on top of all the promotion, your donations are entirely tax deductible because they go right to the Bay State Equine Rescue, a 501(c)3 organization. We are an entirely volunteer run organization dedicated to making the world a better place for horses, and your donation will go directly to help horses in our care or who need our rescue.

Do you like promotion?

Do you like to know your advertising dollars are going to a good cause?

Want to find out more?

E-mail me! trish (at) anovelfriend (dot) com

And let the world know about you - while helping horses in need.

News of the week…

I ought to be asleep right now because sinus pressure is threatening imminent head explosion. It's either allergies or a cold; I can't tell which. Hand sanitizer stock is rising…

xx

Cyndi's surprise baby shower went off wonderfully. It was Stina's idea, and she's got it documented on Facebook, for those of you interested. Third time was, indeed, a charm as Cyn confessed, "While I was wrapping [Stina's] gift, I thought for a minute, is this another… no, they wouldn't…"

Well, we did. We surprised her for her Sweet 16, we did it for her wedding… and now for her first baby.

We <3 U Cyn!

xx

There was no Friday blog (though it is written), due to planning for abovementioned shower, and the fact I was totally exhausted from my Thursday adventures.

Thursday adventures started Wednesday… with dropping off my car at the shop.

Then, I was up at an ungodly hour to bring Scott into work, and then drive out to the Boston Animal Rescue League for an article I'm researching for Massachusetts Horse. Despite my lack of Boston-driving prowess, I managed to arrive (and later leave) with much fewer minutes (in some cases, hours) lost in the city. Boston driving still is rated as one of my LEAST favorite things to do (along with vacuuming and roller-coasters and massive surgery), but the trip was TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I'm wicked excited with everyone I met and stoked to write the article… so, I won't divulge any details until I decide what makes the cut. Regardless, make sure you get the April/May Massachusetts Horse and definitely check out their website!

They are teh awessomesauce!

xx

Oh… and after the fabulous trip to the Animal Rescue League (and during the earlier driving), I had been working out the details for obtaining a ride to collect my car (damage = $600 *Waaah!*). Renée came to my rescue, and for as late as I was running and the car was finished (left the shop at 4:45), I decided it would be a brilliant idea to just drive out to Sudbury to pick up the hubby - who was going to get out "relatively early."

Yah… well, um, he had to do more tests for his project.

8:45 and the Starbucks across from his job was mopping floors and giving us stragglers (me and three German girls) looks, and finally, he arrives. I'd written my blog post, but figured I could post it at home (without the hassle of LJ's and Blogger's confusion that: omigod, I'm posting from a different computer!).

After dinner at a great healthy Asian place next door to Starbucks called Lavender, we get home for… around 10:PM. We have to still pack for the shower trip, and after our busy days, we both need a breather.

Cue collective couch slump for Burn Notice.

Good intentions: pack between commercials.

Reality: blergh… teeveeeee

Packing accomplished by 1:AM.

Up again at 7:30 for the Chiropractor and the shower preps… and you can guess the rest.

xx

Dear Sinuses & Immune System,

I apologize for the lack of sleep and intense running around in the past several days. Can you please forgive me and blow the m*****f***ing germs and allergens out of my system now? Pretty please?

Love,

Me!

xx

Writingwise:

Just received one good friend's email about her crits of my new chap 1 for Starbard. The message went something like: "Remember, you asked for it."

Mañana… will deal with it mañana.

And then send it off to current dream agent…

Also, still some debate & good conversation regarding my post on plagiarism. ;) If you missed it, please feel free to check it again and comment.

(Cuz, good comments = good karma)