Marketing For Romance Writers Newsletter February, 2014 | Page 2

I can hardly believe it, but 2014 marks my tenth year raising
money for diabetes research. My son, who was diagnosed at five,
just graduated from high school a few months early and headed off
to college, so it's a significant year for me in more ways than one.
It's difficult to think of Thad on his own, a whole state away, where
I can't participate in looking after him (and can't check his blood
sugar levels in the middle of the night!), but I am just one of many,
many other parents who have the same worry. Hopefully, we will all
someday soon be free of that pressing concern.
So far we have raised more than $2 million—an amount well
beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you, from the bottom of my
heart, for your help and support. You are absolutely integral to the
success of Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research,
and I can't tell you how grateful I am for your sacrifice. The money
we have raised has funded some significant research but, sadly,
more work remains to be done.
As usual, the auction will go live May 1, so I have just a few
months to gather all the fabulous items I hope to include. Can I
count on your help again? We are grateful for any item you would
like to donate. Some things that have done well in the past are gift
cards to chain restaurants and malls, critiques by best-selling authors, reads from agents and editors (geared toward aspiring authors), hand-crafted items, designer purses, trips and stays, jewelry,

artwork, themed gift baskets (the perfect book promotion opportunity), iPads, Kindles, and Nooks. But feel free to think outside these
categories. I'm stepping up my own personal category and including
a beautiful watch, a pair of gorgeous earrings that would be perfect
to wear to the RITA ceremony, Disney collectibles, RayBan sunglasses, and other items, so I hope you'll register as a shopper, too
(http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com), and have fun buying
your birthday and Christmas gifts from the auction where your dollars will also be a gift to those with diabetes.
The auction will be advertised in Writer's Digest, Publishers
Weekly, RT Book Review Magazine, The Sacramento Bee (local newspaper), The Romance Writers Report, and many other print and online
venues. With over 25,000 unique visitors and 620,000 page hits last
May, I think the publicity will bring some fabulous attention to everyone who supports my efforts—so if you know of a company who
might be interested in the publicity this brings, please send them my
way.
I have some fun surprises planned for what I hope will be our
biggest year yet. To make a donation or for more info