My Christmas Giveaway Ends With A Winner

I published my memoir “Diary of a Gay Nerd: Life After Child Abuse, It Gets Better!” earlier this year in February and I had my first giveaway for my birthday in June. I wanted to give my book away as my birthday present to you. I actually gave 2 books away. I couldn’t wait for Christmas so that I could give another book away, but sadly I could only give 1 away. The giveaway has finally ended and a winner will be announced shortly.

I am very humbled tonight as my second giveaway comes to an ending because of how many supporters I had this time around. There were 321 people who signed up for the June giveaway, but this one had a whopping 545. I couldn’t believe it! It has just made my whole year. I have felt my whole life that people didn’t really care about hearing my story (or my side of the story anyway) and to have this many people wanting to read my book just brings tears to my eyes.

So I am happy to name a winner…

Sandie W. of Brigham City, UT.

Way to go Sandie! I will ship that book out to you as soon as I wake up in the morning. Thank you so much for entering and I cannot wait for you to get your book.

For those who didn’t win, you can buy my book in paperback format and Kindle format on the Amazon website and for the Nook from Barnes & Noble (paperback coming soon to Barnes & Noble) and as always Rainbow eBooks which has 3 formats, .epub for the Nook, iPhone,iPod and iPad and Android phones and tablets, .mobi for the Kindle and all you have to do is email the file to your kindle email address. PDF file is also available. You can also save 30% by entering the code “GAYNERD” at the Rainbow eBooks checkout. That code ends in January so if you want to save money, use that code now before it goes away.

Any format you buy, even with a coupon, just know that your money is going to a good cause. 30% of all profits will be going to 3 different charities so that each of them gets 10%. The Bakersfield Gay & Lesbian Center who by the way is running on steam, a piece of string and hopes and dreams, PFLAG Bakersfield and The Bakersfield AIDS Project aka Ricky’s Retreat. All three of these non-profit organizations are in desperate need of funding to keep them going. This year in October I was so thrilled to make my first donations and was so happy to see the looks on their faces when I handed over the check. I tell you, it brought me joy to be able to finally make a donation to so many worthy causes.

Follow me on Twitter and I will follow you back, Like my Facebook page and check in on GetGlue, my sticker should be there, if not let me know. I am also on Google Plus, but not often.

Congrats go out again to Sandie W. of Brigham City, UT. Thank you so much for making this my most exciting giveaway. I will have another giveaway again in the near future.

Waiting for the GetGlue Sticker

If you are wondering what is going on with the GetGlue sticker, well I will tell you. My book isn’t in their system because it doesn’t have an ISBN number yet. The paper book will have an ISBN number, but the e-books won’t.

The Kindle has an ASIN number and the Nook has a BN number, but there is no way to add the e-book to the GetGlue database with those numbers. I actually do have an ISBN number, but that is for the paper book only. When the paper book is available on the Amazon website then I will be able to add my book to the GetGlue database. When that happens then you will be able to check in and get your sticker.

When will that happen you ask? Soon. I am waiting for my paper book proof (2nd proof) and if it is acceptable, then I will publish it and immediately add it to the GetGlue website. As soon as that happens I will add another post.

Thank you for your patience.

Reviews

A couple of friends of mine who have read my book have posted reviews. One friend E.T. McArdle posted this on the Amazon website for the Kindle edition of my book:

“Triumph of the Spirit are the only words for this memoir. Reading about the abuse and rejection that Michel suffered through his childhood and early adult life made me very sad. Why can’t people just be accepting? As Mike grew and learned from each experience he learned to make better choices in life and in people. Somehow there was this inner spark of human wisdom that knew he deserved better treatment and a better life. Despite all of his trials when he could have given up, he didn’t. This is an uplifting story for all people and especially for young gay people. Hang in there, life does get better!

“Bravo to Mike for having the courage and tenacity to write this book despite several learning disabilities. It shows his true colors and his underlying persistence of spirit.”

And another friend named S. Jones posted this on the Barnes & Noble website for the Nook edition of my book:

“Michel McDonald’s autobiography is about a person that has a great deal of courage, and is inspirational. I have had the privlage of calling Michel a friend going on sixteen years now, and have learned so much more about him from reading about his trials and tribulations, as well as his happier times! In reading this book, you will learn to count blessings, as well as learn a great deal about having faith. I can only imagine how difficult that could have been. I have often told him over the years that he has had an angel that looks over him. This book is proof of that. He has shown that life is what you make of it!”

Then of course there is the glowing review from author Marguerite Labbe from her own website which I added as an editorial review considering she helped me edit the book:

“I’ve had a hard time putting into words how I felt when I read Michel’s memoir. Many parts struck a chord in me from my own childhood, though I was far luckier than Michel was and I didn’t have the added alienation of being gay. I’ve known Michel for several years now, ever since he picked up my vampire trilogy and we started talking. In that time, I’ve found him to be a very kind, passionate and determined man. After reading his memoir I have to add brave to that as well and not just for what he endured and overcame. To be able to write something like this, with such unflinching honesty, takes a rare kind of person. Michel doesn’t gloss over his own mistakes, but puts them out there just as baldly as the abuse he went through.

“I am honored to know such a man and call him my friend.”

Thank you guys, you are all so wonderful to think so highly of me to write those reviews.