New Contest - Wings by Aprilynne Pike, SIGNED.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): American Dream by Switchfoot.


I think it is high time for another contest, and I have a treat for you. I hold in my possession a first edition, first printing signed copy of Wings, a New York Times bestselling novel by Aprilynne Pike. And guess what? She's a debut author. That is just sweet beans in my book. This particular book has been all over the blogosphere it seems, and for good reason. She is trying to reinvent and breathe new life into the word "fairy." I will not say anything more to keep from spoiling anything, but it is pretty darn cool. Since her book is about fairies, I'm expanding this contest to fairy tales. In fact this entire month you will see posts related to fairy tales. I may even make it the official theme for this month. ^_^ Why? Because I love fairy tales.

So! For the contest, it's simple. All you have to do is answer one thing. We all know all fairy tales begin with "Once upon a time...," but what if they didn't? Your challenge to win this month's contest is to invent what fairy tales should start out as, if it hadn't been "once upon a time." Get your thinking caps on, this is going to be a fantastically fun contest. I can just imagine what some of them might be. Silly or sweet, just start saying them. And say as many as you like, there is no limit to the number of entries on this one. You have the most control out of this contest than any other. There will be no random number chosen. The best will win. And best of all, I'm going to let you guys choose the winner. I'm so excited, so start commenting and spread the word. I really want to know what you guys can come up with. :D


Oh, and I've marked who are my followers up to this point. You will get a survivor advantage in the next contest, no worries. ;)


[EDIT]: Hahaha. Contest ends July 31st. ^_^ Should probably include that tiny bit of information.

22 comments:



Unknown said...

What a brilliant idea for a contest!

...

I'm sure I'll come up with something soon....

...

...but WOW. This is so much harder than I thought it would be!

OK, how about:

Back before ninjas killed the fairies...

In the long, long ago...

According to your crazy Uncle Sal, God-rest-his-soul...


That's all I could come up with, for now! But be warned, future entrants to this contest: I really wanna win it!! *off to brainstorm*

Elana Johnson said...

I love this and am heading out right now, so I'll keep my thinking cap on and come back. Okay? Okay. :)

PJ Hoover said...

Fun!

It happened once...

but more fun would be

When the days were old and the nights were cold and toilets were not yet invented...

:)

Heather Zundel said...

Oh my gosh, I'm loving these! PJ and Beth, you're so creative. Toilets and ninjas, I'm not sure which made me laugh more. :D These are so awesome, keep them coming!

Laina said...

Long, long ago, in a far away land...

I like that ^^
Laina1312@gmail.com

Kristen said...

This tale begins...

At the beginning of this tale...

Once, long ago, in a faraway place...


bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

Hailey Miller said...

In a place that is of this earth and yet in not of this earth, of a people who were once considered to be our kin, there lived a princess of a long forgotten land called Eden, in a universe that was once connected to our lands on earth, but these connections were forgotten long ago, and the memory of these people became legends.

I know its sorta confusing but I did the best i could.

Shadowofwonder47@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

what a great contest..is it open to Canadians?

i have a few entries

1-Back in the day of cassette tapes and disco balls.....

2-There once was a tale from (enter city in story)....

3.The beginning of our tale started long ago....

elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Heather Zundel said...

Oh my gosh, these are fantastic. Can I applaud you all right now? These are incredible. I was going to put a couple of my own up for fun, but now I'm a little embarrassed. Keep them coming. These rock.

And I'm beginning to wonder why no one thought of using these before.

Heather Zundel said...

Oops. Sorry eliang8 - Yes. I am making this an international competition. One of the girls who picked this book for the contest reads my blog in Asia. So I think it is only fair. And that way, everyone gets some love. Let's only hope it doesn't break my bank. :)

Korianne said...

I am not very creative but I love the word lovely so I would like it if it they all said:

All was lovely until...

Also I think these would be quite funny:

In a day before horcruxes...

Once upon your mom... (hmm... maybe not appropriate but gahh I love a good your mom joke!)

Also, this is the first time I have checked out your blog. I am impressed!

koriannespeaks@gmail.com

Kate said...

Wicked idea!
Hmmm, my brain is starting up, gears moving:
1. Once upon a death...
2. During the war (said in old grandad voice)...
3. In a land of chalk and cheese...
4. According to Voldermort the pixie...
5. Here are the wise words of an alcoholic...
6. In a land where Ricky Gervais is funny...
7. Phew! She woke and realised it was all just a dream. What was? Oh, she recalled it so vividly...
8. During a time when elves didn't bully goblins because of their height...
9. Before silly girls threw themselves at bloodlusting vampires...
10. In a world where books are given away for fairytale openings, a girl called Katie really hoped and prayed...

Unknown said...

Grrr....competition! :) I was going to be brilliant and add more, but I'm too busy laughing at Kate's.

Yan said...

1.When zombies attack...
2.When President Bush came into office...
3.It all started with a paper cut...
4.Once upon a coffin...
5.In the moonlit night...
6.By the sea of the sewer water...
7.You probably never would have guessed it but...
8.When you ran out of things to say you say this...
9.I was bored one day so I...
10.So you want to be a vampire? (or any other supernatural being)

Wanda said...

1. Once upon the last time
2. Once upon the universe
3. One day long ago

wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

1- in a land far far away
2- in and in-between
3- hidden in the shadows of the earth
4- floating on the mist
5- taken by the queen
6- Magic only starts in the morning
7- in a land not far from here
8- those who walk in the sun
9- in and amongst us live the fairy
10- When an eyelash drops from a cheek
11- When you feel a soft touch on your skin or see a small babe smile then you have been near the faire
12- did you know when a baby laughs their first laugh there are the winged ones
13- in that time between dusk and night
14- when the land was still young and fresh
15- drink milk (fans of Fablehaven will love this one)
16- they rule mist, fire, land and the earth
17- when you die there is a place full of Wonderous things
18- In a world not unlike our own
19- in the time and place of the small ones
20- When upon the Lake you look and see lights around thee the faire folk will be

Ok, my brain is fried ;o) Hope you all get a kick out of these!!
Winks and Smiles, Blair

Heather Zundel said...

Korianne - I love your funny ones, I can't decide which one I like more. And thank you for commenting, especially if this is your first time visiting. I hope you enjoy it here. Where did you hear about this? I would like to thank them for sending you my way, or did you find this yourself? :)

Kate - *Snort* Voldemort the Pixie? Oh that's priceless. And I think I like your number 10 best :) Good luck winning and thanks for commenting!

Beth - yes, you DO have competition, and some really good ones at that. Really, this is amazing. I didn't think it would get a response like this. At all. Put a few more entries in. Up your chances, you still have time. :D

Yan - you certainly have some seriously unique ones. Rock on and keep it up!

Wanda - thanks for putting your email! Especially since there is no linky love to your name. Good luck, I like your twists on the convention.

Booksrmysoul - Oh wow. O_0 You certainly win for the most entries out of everyone. Those are some seriously cool openings, like seriously. You are going to really give them a run for their money. Your brain is worthy of being fried. (and I totally get the Fablehaven one). Thanks so much for commenting.

DANG people. You. Seriously. Rock. Rock my world. This is going to be one heck of a poll you are going to have to decide on, but from the looks of things, you are really up to the challenge.

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com


Do you beleive in fairies.....

1-They live in and amongst us. All hiding in the seams of the hall. But every now and then they come out to cause mischief to all.
2- After the Mall was raided and everyone was Screaming did they show their true flying winged colors.
3-Taken as a Babe by the Forest Queen in the month of May
4-If you nap outside on a summers day you can hear them play as the branches sway.
5-Some are Light at heart while others are dreadfully dark.
Some shine and sparkle in the Sun while others come out to glow in the dark.Some have Muddy hair and and are Very Grupy.While Some are pink and smell like the fresh pear. There are no 2 alike they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They my friend are the Fairy Kind.
6- If your baloon pops for no good reason.I you trip on your own feet. If your hair is a mess and your clothes are rumpled. then you have been jinks by the fairy
7- Down in the deep dark drier vent with Downey in the air lives the house fairy
8- Under the floor of the earth when it rumbles to and fro the fairy are dancing the midnight jig.
9- On the Hogworts train for only a dime you can buy a chocolate fairy for thine. (Harry Potter)
10- While our dog ate them out of the sky they still come back for the the Milk I set aside (fablehaven)
11- From a land far from here. The Fairy Broker catches and sells the fairy to the highest bidder.
12- They only wear black. They are able to leap high in the air. They can jump over buildings in a single leap. They are the M.I.B. (Muses in black)
13- Over the mountain and through the woods...
14- Follow the yellow brick road to the land of the Fairy
15- Toto I believe in fairies but I just want to go home.
16- Look Boss it's a fairy Boss a fairy
17- On the Love Boat fairies can be bought and sold
18- Frankly My Dear I don't give a Dam if you don't believe in Fairies
19- Do you believe in fairies Peter Pan?
20- Watch out it's a plane it's a Sparkle, IT'S SUPER FAIRY!!
21-When the morning air is only dew then fairy is at it's happiest!!

Thanks for this wonderful chance to win this Amazing book!
Sunny thoughts, Shawna

Paradox said...

In the time of the flesh-eating fairies...

Once, when the world was younger than the dinosaurs...

When the rainbow still held a door...

When humans were still young and fae folk ruled the realm...

Once there was... oh, forget it.

Once upon a particular position in the space-time continuum...

It was a (insert adjective here) night and the the faerie eyes were glowing in the woods...

If I tell you this tale I'll have to kill you, or at least leave you badly dismembered...

These words are powerful, so listen well...

Beware the cunning people who live where humans dare not go...

Blood and guts. If this makes you feel squeamish, do not read on...

It was a beautiful summer day and the zombies sat quietly decaying....

If you're reading this now, it's probably too late...

When the naiads had forgotten how to swim and the metal towers scraped the sky...

If the fae folk touch you, call the priest and not the police...

Once, before the sparkly glitter faeries attacked...

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Genevieve said...

Wow. This looks hard. I doubt that I'll win, but I'm going to try!

1. At a very specific date and time...
2. Far far away in the land of...
3. After the knight slayed the dragon the faeries...
4. There was a beautiful princess that lived in a beautiful palace-- But this story is not about her it's about...
5. In the typical fashion of the faeries, the day started off with a dance party with...
6. It was the 2nd time today that Braden found himself being shot at while...




caprubia(at)gmail(dot)com

Jhenne Tyler B. said...

1. There are three kinds of Princes in this world; the good, the bad, and the cursed. And let me tell you, the dating services around here certainly don't specify...

GypsyStarr17(at)aol(dot)com

Erica said...

1.It was the worst of times, and it was the best of times, but the story I'm about to tell you is just simply about...

2. Starting by there cherry tree in the little city of...

3. People say quite a number of interesting things, of those only a small percentage actually make sense.

thebookcellar(at)wi.rr.com