Sunday, February 7, 2010

Let The Giveaway Begin!!

I am quite excited to be a part of this giveaway. I swore I would never do this on my blog but that all changed the day I saw an on line page from this comic book.



Micro-Preemie Power, by Scott Wright, is a comic book journaling the NICU experience of Scott and Jodi Wright as they find themselves unexpectedly giving birth to a micro preemie. Their son, Morgan, was born 3 1/2 months premature weighing in at 1 pound 8 ounces.

Scott writes...

During these dark days I was completely barraged with questions from friends and co-workers. They asked, "How are you? How's Morgan? How's your wife?" I could never tell them the truth. It's not that I didn't want to. It just hurt too much to say, "My son is in the hospital and he may not make it through the day."

What I found myself doing after Morgan was born turned out to be an art journal. Everything I couldn't say to my peers began finding its way into my comic strip. I found it therapeutic. No matter what happened to him I wanted people to know his story. I knew that I loved that little guy and I would do anything to protect him. It made me realize I was a superhero just like all the other parents in the world."


I was first introduced to the on line comic strip, a year and a half ago, thanks to my "micropreemie" Google alert. I was hooked on the first one I read. I sat there, crying, reading the previous entries and then went back to the first one I had read and left a comment explaining that I would gladly promote it on my blog if he decided to turn the strip into a book. So, imagine my joy when I received an email, a year and a half later, from Scott letting me know that he would like to send me a copy of his book!

The day my mailbox surprise arrived Paige and I were leaving to go to her 3 month med management psych appointment. I decided that I would read the book while we were in the waiting room. The anticipation got the best of me and I opened the book while stopped at a light. Page 1... tears. Page 2... tears. I knew right then that I would be reading this book after the kids went to bed.

I could focus on the illustrations... yes, the illustrations are wonderful, but what makes this book extra special is that it is written through the eyes of a father. At the bottom of the strip, on each page, Scott and Jodi write personal notes. Through these notes you can clearly see the difference in which each parent is experiencing the NICU trauma.

And don't be fooled. Although this is a comic book, the content is NOT sugar coated. Inside you'll read about the alarms, needle sticks, not having enough time to research what is being done to your child, leaving your child in the hospital, family, the emotional highs and lows and even death.

I applaud Scott for giving the world a REAL view from the "inside" and not a fluffy-feel good depiction. Even the ending has yet another topic that is often dealt with among preemie parents.

Now for the fun... Scott has graciously agreed to give away 1 book to a lucky reader.

Here are the rules...

1. The giveaway begins today, February 7, 2010 and ends midnight (eastern standard time) February 13, 2010. The winner will be announced some time during the day on February 14, 2010.

2. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD. You can enter by leaving a comment under this post. Do NOT post your address (you will be asked to email it to me if you win). If you enter anonymously please leave your name in your comment as a way of identifying you. You MUST at least leave your first name.

3. If you have a blog and you write a post directing people to this giveaway, I will add a 2nd entry in under your blog name! (please email me with the link to your blog post) This will double your chances of winning. (You will only get 1 extra entry, no matter how many blog posts you devote to the giveaway-let's be fair people) Your blog post MUST include a link to both my blog post and a link to Team Spectacular's on line store, where people can buy the book.

4. At the conclusion of the giveaway, I will either have Paige pull a name out of a hat or, if there are too many entries, I will use a site that will randomly choose a winner. I will post the name of the winner on my blog. You will have 48 hours to email me with your address.

And since I'm sure I will be asked (my readers have never held back)... I do NOT have any financial gain from this giveaway or any subsequent sales of the book. I am doing this because I truly feel that this is one of the best books out there that gives a honest glimpse of what we have all been through. My hope is that this book finds its way into the hands of the general public so that the face of prematurity is no longer misrepresented.

Speaking of sales... Let's remember that this book is written by one of us, a preemie parent. What better way to show our support than to head on over to Team Spectacular's store and purchase a copy for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Many times we have discussed how friends and family do not really understand what we've been through. Here's your chance to show them... buy a copy for them too.

My apologies to Scott. No matter what I do I simply cannot get the photo of your book to fit correctly in this post.

Let the giveaway begin!!!!

53 comments:

abby said...

This is great, Stacy! And you are right: it's worth the wait!

I had never come upon this comic book, but it would be such an excellent thing for any micropreemie parent to read and own. I'm glad that it's available for purchase, too. It might make a nice addition to NICU survival packs for parents in the early stages of the roller coaster ride!

Sarah said...

Wow, that's awesome.

I did blog it. Of course. http://superpreemie.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/paraphernalia-and-a-link-to-a-giveaway/

Samantha Franklin said...

Can't wait to read this book. Thanks so much for this contest. I had a 1.4 pound son and am so thankful for other parents support. bless you.

Anonymous said...

oh i can't wait to see his book. i'm googling it now!

KristieMcNealy said...

How cool that he was able to get this in print. I'd love a copy!

angrymama said...

Aww, I have been waiting for this book to come out for a while.
As the mother of a NICU baby (my first) and an-almost micropreemie (went into labor with my second at 23 1/2 weeks) I would love, love, love to get a copy. Too bad I don't have a blog, or I would help promote it.
Anyway, thanks for writing your blog, it's such a source of inspiration and strenght.

TwinsX2 said...

Looks great! I read Letters to Zoe when we were in the NNICU but it was from a grandfather's perspective and just not the same.

Unknown said...

I'm so excited about this book! I can't wait to get a copy.

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to win this book! It sounds great :)

Alexis said...

I would love to win this. It would be a good way for me to gain a better understanding of what some of my students may have gone through.

Jennifer Borunda said...

Thank you for promoting the book...my son was a 23 weeker (1 lb 4 oz). If its ok with you, I'd LOVE to post a link to your blog on my blog :)

Jenn

wrensmommy said...

this is SO great.... i'm adding a link... what a great resource...
www.followingwren.com

Unknown said...

I would love to enter the contest. If I don't win where can I get a copy of your book. Our son was 3 months early and now that we are a year out it would be nice to see the humerous side of things.

Heather Vincent said...

What a wonderful way to document the journey of a NICU baby.

Reality Rounds said...

Thanks so much for informing us of this book. I love it! Here is my link to your post and to how to buy the book itself: http://realityrounds.com/2010/02/07/super-bowl-sunday-and-super-hero-nicu-parents/

Thanks again!

liz.mccarthy said...

ooo I want to win! (AND of course I'll be buying a few copies anyways!

www.MicroPreemies.com

I hope you'll do the same for my book (ONCE I ever get it completed!)

Liz

Robin said...

Who would have thought to make a comic book out of your NICU experience? I will definitely need to check it out!

Susan Blumberg said...

Stacy, what a great idea and I'm putting my name in the hat!

Joy said...

This is awesome!

Tiffany said...

Enter me! Enter me! I would link from my blog, but I don't know how!

Anonymous said...

Put my name in, please!

Paula

Stacy said...

i'll post a link on my blog too. sounds like a great book.
stacy
www.aboutthelarsons.com

Mary Beth said...

I am interested in checking this book out!

Thank you,

Mary Beth
www.preemiestoday.org

AB said...

Hi Stacy,
When I took a look at Scott and Jodi's comic strip, I came across the entry about leaving the hospital without Morgan. 12 years later, the memories came flooding back like it was yesterday. Thanks for sharing!
Angela

Mel H. said...

SO cool. I may just have to buy it. And I'll link it in my blog too.

Donna said...

Stacy - I'm glad you're back to posting! What a great book from what I have seen of it...
I have posted on my blog as well
http://donnasworddoodles.blogspot.com
I will pass it to the first person I know of to have a preemie - after reading it of course!
I still cry at preemie stories!!
Donna

Unknown said...

Ooh, sounds cool! Count me in!

Chris said...

What a great idea! I have a son that was born at 1 lb 4 oz and is still in the NICU, so I'd love to read it. Please enter me in the drawing :)

Mama Up! said...

I'd love to win -- I work with a micro-preemie org and that looks awesome.

comeonadoreme said...

What a nifty idea, and I'm sure it's an interesting read. I had a 23 weeker, and I would love to get my hands on this book. :)

Me said...

Stacy, did you try downloading the book image to your computer and then uploading it? I had the same problem when trying to use a link here on Blogger.

This is a really awesome looking book. I may have to buy it!

nurse 8 said...

As a nursing student doing my senior internship in the NICU, I definitely want to get my hands on this book whether I buy it or win it! What a great idea; I look forward to giving it a good long read.

Lena said...

I am definitely going to look for this book, thank you for posting this. And I'll post something in my blog too.

Kyrsten said...

Woo-hoo! Count me in! :)

tbonegrl said...

I'd love to win! Happy to see so many entries already!

JoDee said...

What a really great give away

Billie said...

Can't wait to read it. Paige, pick me, pick me!!!

Southern Crazy said...

Book sounds great. Can't wait to read it.
-Tammy

Viipii said...

Acho bem especial desenho que capta o que palavras não conseguem dizer ,contar,sentir. Abraço e parabens pela publicação. Priscila

Margaret"doula" said...

Awesome! Thanks for your love and hard work!
Margaret

nancy said...

I forgot to put it up the first day. I totally want to win.

I heart you and all you have done for me!

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for Abby for blog post...

http://blogginghallie.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-giveaway-for-micropreemie-parents.html

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for Sarah for blog post...

http://superpreemie.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/paraphernalia-and-a-link-to-a-giveaway/

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for wrensmommy for blog post...

http://www.followingwren.com/2010/02/preemie-comic.html

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for RealityRounds for blog post...

http://realityrounds.com/2010/02/07/super-bowl-sunday-and-super-hero-nicu-parents/

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry to Stacy for her blog post...

http://www.aboutthelarsons.com/?p=916

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for MelH for the blog post...

http://catchupdaphne.blogspot.com/2010/02/comic-book-about-preemie.html

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for Donna for her blog post...

http://donnasworddoodles.blogspot.com/2010/02/for-any-mom-of-preemie-follow-this-link.html

ThePreemie Experiment said...

1 extra entry for Lena for her blog post...

http://lucifur79.blogspot.com/

Jessica Gorman said...

I can't wait to read this book! Sounds amazing :)

Jessica
www.thumba-lea.blogspot.com

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