Once Upon a Now – Emma Calin – Guest Post

Once Upon A NOW! – Emma Calin + Giveaway

Award-winning bestseller Emma Calin has released a brand new series of modern day fairy stories for younger readers and is introducing them to the blogging world over the next few weeks. A host of talented reviewers will be giving their thoughts on the illustrated, interactive, magical bedtime story chapter books so look out for the special guests, posts and giveaway.

Also, keep your eyes peeled as the books will all available for FREE at different points!

Alf The Workshop Dog (Once upon a NOW 1) What they say: How could a scruffy dog in a bus depot and the call of crows, link back to another world of power and love? The ancient Kingdom of Zanubia and a stray dog looking for scraps in an inner-city repair garage, hold the secret. A wicked king, a beautiful girl, a young prince and the struggle between right and wrong maintain the fable tradition. Click Here To Buy This Book Isabella’s Pink Bicycle (Once upon a NOW 2) What they say:  There’s something strange in the woodshed… A poor little girl in a faraway land dreams of riding a pink bicycle. When she meets a strange animal, her dreams come true. Her happiness turns to sadness when a tragedy occurs in the town and her father doesn’t come home. Maybe her new magic friend can find him? Click Here To Buy This Book  Kool Kid Kruncha and The High Trapeze (Once upon a NOW 3) What they say:  Charlie finds it tough when his parents divorce – but Auntie Kate helps him overcome his greatest fear. When Charlie has to move from the country into the city, he leaves behind his home, his mates and his beloved football team. He will need to make new friends. With his small size and red hair, some people aren’t kind to him. He wonders if he can face another day at school. A trip to the circus gives him the strength to see himself and others in a new way. Click Here To Buy This Book 

Once Upon A Bike?

Guest post by author Emma Calin I wanted a bike. Lance Armstrong wanted a bike. We were both innocent young kids once. He rode to the summit of fame and plunged into the valleys of infamy. I wobbled and fell off in blessed anonymity. Such is the stuff of life and stories. There are morals and lessons to learn in life and always a bike to balance. In “Isabella’s Pink Bicycle” a little girl dreams of the impossible. Who can’t empathize with her? As a writer it was easy to put myself in her shoes. My dreams are the realest part of me. The grown up world loves the packaged dream but not the dreamer. Here was my starting point for this story. In a poor mining community life is a struggle. A girl wants a bike so that she can ride away free from the grime and poverty of her environment. She knows there is a better place. Her parents grind out a dreamless life of acceptance. She needs a break! I know that feeling!! Now, sometimes in life you stumble on something that alters your perspective. It happened to me a few years ago when I met a man with a ferret. All the love for furry beasts in my heart poured out over this creature. It reciprocated by smearing me with acrid pure animal musk. Even so I loved the warm affection of it. I’m not sure if Disney has ever portrayed ferrets – but they’re missing a trick. They are adorable. I knew that I had a mission in the realm of fiction to bring out the truth of ferret love. When a sweet little kid meets Frankie the ferret godfather anything is possible – even a pink bike. When events call for action a little girl stands up with only her own belief.  I felt like cheering. I’m hoping that kids feel the love of the possible dream too. Author Bio: Emma Calin was born in London in 1962. She currently lives part of the year in the UK and spends the rest in France. She has been writing since childhood and has won numerous local, national, and international prizes for poetry and short stories. Emma enjoys writing stories firmly rooted in social realism. She blogs about the contrasts in life on both sides of the English Channel, which she likes to explore on her tandem whenever weather and fitness coincide. She is a Lifestyle Contributor on Loveahappyending Lifestyle. She defines herself as woman eternally pedalling between Peckham and Pigalle, in search of passion and enduring romance.

Author Links:

Listen to Audio Excerpts:

Alf The Workshop Dog

Isabella’s Pink Bicycle

Kool Kid Kruncha and The High Trapeze

Giveaway

Enter to win one of the following:

1 set of 3 audio books Once Upon a NOW Series

1 set of 3 paperbacks Once Upon a NOW Series

1 set of 3 Kindle books Once Upon a NOW Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

1.  Promotion Description: The ‘Complete set of 3 audio books for the Once Upon a Now Series.’ (“Sweepstakes”) begins on 01/20/2015 at 12:00 AM (London) and ends on 02/28/2015 at 12:00 AM (London) (the “Promotion Period”). By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Emma Calin (“Sponsor”), which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the giveaway. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes.

2.  Eligibility: Open to legal residents of USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe who are Min Age 13 or older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective officers, directors and employees (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”), and members of their immediate families and/or persons living in the same household as such persons, are ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a prize.

3.  Winner Selection: The winner of the Sweepstakes will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible Entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The random drawing will be conducted by 48 hours by Sponsor or its designated representatives, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible Entries received. Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided in the Entry Information on or about 48 hours after the random drawing. Potential winner must accept a prize by email as directed by Sponsor within 48 hours of notification. Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture. The potential prize winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability, and a Publicity Release (collectively “the Prize Claim Documents”). No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor.

4.  Prizes:

    –  1 (#) winner(s) will receive  [(1) Complete set of 3 audio books for the Once Upon a Now Series.] (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $20)

    –  1 (#) winner(s) will receive  [(1) Set of 3 paperbacks of all three books in the Once Upon a NOW series.] (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $25)

    –  1 (#) winner(s) will receive  [(1) Set of 3 – the Kindle versions of ‘The Once Upon a NOW’ series.] (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $10)

    Only one prize per person and per household will be awarded. Gift cards and gift certificates are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.

    Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to addresses within USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe. All federal, state and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.

5.  Online Entry: Enter the Sweepstakes during the Promotion Period online by signing into the entry form and perform the tasks provided. The entry form can be found on the following website athttp://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/Mjg1OTEwYzI5YjYwMjA3ZWY2Y2EzZDEzODljNmNjOjQx/?.

    Automated or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. Internet entry must be made by the entrant. Any attempt by an entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins or any other methods, including, but not limited to, commercial contest/sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering services, will void that entrant’s Entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Final eligibility for the award of any prize is subject to eligibility verification as set forth below. All Entries must be posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. Sponsor’s database clock will be the official time keeper for this Sweepstakes. 

6.  Privacy: All entrants acknowledge that if they are chosen as a winner, certain of their personally identifying information may be disclosed to third parties at least as required by law, including, without limitation, on a winner’s list. All personal information submitted as part of the Sweepstakes may be shared by and between the Promotion Entities, and each of the Promotion Entities will use such information in accordance with their respective independent online privacy policies. The privacy policy of Emma Calin can be found at 

7.  Limitation of Liability: Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error, which may occur in the processing of submissions in the Sweepstakes. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any misdirected or lost mail, or any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay of operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entries. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating downloading materials in the Sweepstakes. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, then Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In such event, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, perform the random drawing from among all eligible Entries received prior to or after such cancellation, suspension, or modification. 

    In the event of a dispute concerning who registered online to participate in the Sweepstakes, the registration will be declared to have been made by the authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, education institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. A potential winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the email address. If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the entry will be deemed ineligible.

8.  Winner’s List: To obtain a copy of any legally required winners list or a copy of the Official Rules, send the applicable request and a self-addresses, stamped, #10 envelope to Emma Calin cc: Complete set of 3 audio books for the Once Upon a Now Series. at . Request must be received no later than 48 hours + 6 MONTHS for the name of the winner and, by the end of the promotion, for a copy of the rules. 

9.  Sponsor: The Sweepstakes is sponsored by Emma Calin, , emmacalin@hotmail.com

10. Rafflecopter Disclaimer: This promotion is powered by Rafflecopter. Metric Feat LLC (“Rafflecopter”) does not sponsor, administer or endorse this promotion. By entering this promotion, Participants agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy (http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/privacy/). For technical information about the Rafflecopter widget, please visithttp://blog.rafflecopter.com/2012/08/anatomy-rafflecopter-giveaway/. 

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2 Comments Add yours

Emma Calin (@EmmaCalin) says:

February 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm

Hi Janet – Thank you for letting me loose on your blog today to talk about the inspiration behind the ‘Isabella’s Pink Bicycle’. Apparently there are a few families now having to fend-off their kids’ requests for ferrets since reading the story and watching the videos.

In case your readers come across this post in time, ‘Alf The Workshop Dog’ is currently on a short FREE run on Amazon Kindle (end 10th Feb) http://www.smarturl.it/Alf.

Best wishes
Emma x

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1. janetemson says:
  
  February 16, 2015 at 10:33 am
  
  Thanks for the great post 🙂
  
  LikeLike