Depending on how your office Christmas party went, some of you may remember last week’s Holiday Blog Hop, hosted by Gliterary Girl Media, and how fate — in the form of a random drawing involving nearly 50 names and a wild, blindfolded squirrel named “Skippy” — meant some unfortunate soul was going to win a free copy of my new book, Humor at the Speed of Life.
I’m here to report, after completing an arduous selection process with the help of “Skippy” (followed by a brief visit to the emergency room), an unsuspecting victim a lucky winner has been selected!
What is particularly exciting is that, even after being informed of what she won, Colleen at the blog Slow Writer is still willing to accept her prize! In fact, in that dizzying moment when she received the heart-pounding news, her exact words were: “Oh, great… Wait! Isn’t there a coupon for a free Bloomin’ Onion on the back?!?”
So as you can see, the excitement over my book is tangible as we near its official arrival. According to the publisher, it will be arriving Christmas Eve, just like Jesus!
*waits for lightning strike*
…See? God does have a sense of humor!
I’d truly like to thank everyone who participated in the Holiday Blog Hop. The response was fantastic and I hope you had as much fun as I did. I’d also like to thank Stephen King, John Grisham, E.L. James, Stephanie Meyer, Robert Ludlum, Suzanne Collins and all the other blockbuster authors who didn’t participate so that everyone had a fair chance to win a copy of my book.
(Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, will be released this December from Port Hole Publications. You can write to him at nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com, or at Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, Ore. 97439)
Ned's Blog 
Congratulations Colleen! I hope you enjoy your prize! 🙂
I surely will! I am very grateful 🙂
Congratulations, Colleen!
Ned, I fear that He no longer uses lightning to make a point. I think He saves it for our personal highlight-reel.
On second thought, is it DVR?
(Cringing, waiting for my lightning to strike!)
Sweetheart, that’s not the highlight reel I’m worried about Him seeing… 😉
XOXOXOX
Hey, someone had to take one for the team. 😉
Seriously, a very nice holiday surprise and I can’t wait to read it – but let’s not forget who deserves the real congrats here. Kudos to you, Ned, for getting published — quite an accomplishment!
Ned and Alicia — Warm Holiday Wishes!!
Thanks, Colleen — but I think my wife deserves the most kudos; she has to live me and, well… you read my blog…
Hahaha – funny you should say that – I thought of the same thing, giving her kudos, too! So, let her know, I do!
2013 will always be the year that Colleen’s Christmas was killed. Forever.
Hey, it could’ve been worse…
Naw, scratch that. You’re right.
Ah, Mr. calahan — we have never met, but your apparent jealousy becomes me. lol 🙂
Ha. 🙂
Do you know if Port Hole ships to Canada? If they do, I’m willing to move to Iceland.
LOL!! They will find you no matter where you hide. Especially if your check bounces…
Colleen is one lucky woman. I assume she is a woman. Wait, what if she’s not? Some man named Colleen will be using your book in the outhouse, I guess.
Sometimes God strikes you from behind, so beware. You may want to stock up on Preparation H.
If that’s the case, I’m buying stock in Preparation H…
You’ll be rich. They are about to release Preparation Henry for sale.
I heard lines are already forming at book stores with restrooms everywhere…
The constipation is building.
[Insert humorous comeback — or Preparation H — here]
HENRY!!!!
Lol! The merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year, my friend!
Yes, I am lucky AND a dame — in fact…I may be using it in the outhouse. No Prep H needed! 🙂
♫ There is nothing like a dame ♫
Save page number two for me.
Will doo!
Just ordered my copy. Make sure you tell the publisher that Ned must wash his hands and blow his nose before he signs your copy.
Great, NOW you tell me!
Excellent Ned! Was it different when the book made it into your hands. did you well up man it’s OK the is a safe place man how did it feel? Good job man i am proud of you.
Thanks, Tom.
Yeah, it was pretty neat. The first thing I thought, actually, was of my kids — and how they (and their kids) will always have these stories available to them now.
And the fame. All the fame…. 😉
Ahhhhhhhhhh the fame. I thought about the written record thing as well
I’m so jealous. Congrats, Colleen.
Yes, I am very surprised and pleased!