Monday, January 5, 2009

The First Ever The Next Chapter Mail-Around

A New Book; A New Approach
Welcome to the first ever The Next Chapter mail around!

We have reached 104 and registration is now officially closed.
(PS If you were able to use the sign-up form, you are in the group. You will receive a confirmation email in the next 24 hours.)

What a turn-out! Thanks to your enthusiasm and the generosity of the authors, Meg & Rachel, and their publicist, Carrie, we're going to have 4 Mail-Around Circles - and they are all full! (When I look at the picture I chose for this post, I realize that having 4 circles was meant to be!)

If you didn't make it in, please remember, every Friday, starting January 15 you are welcome to come back here and share what made you happy each week. We'll keep sharing our happiness until the books make it back to me - and then there will be celebrations!

I've had a few people contact me about being on a waiting list in case anyone drops out. If you would also like to be on that list, please email me and I'll let you know if room becomes available.


If you want to be sure to stay informed about The Next Chapter,
please sign up for my newsletter here. That way you won't miss a thing!


About the Book

The Happy Book is an inspirational activity book designed to gather all the quirky little things that make you happy! It invites you to share the noises that nurture you, the experiences that bring ecstasy, the flavours that fill you up! There's almost 200 pages of prompts and space for you, well, for us, to fill up and share our happiness! You can fill it with words, drawings, doodles, cut-outs, art, sparkles, stickers, whatever you like! We're going to create a book full of happy!

About the Authors

Meg and Rachel are two totally fun and inspiring ladies - and I didn't just say that because they promised to take me on a cupcake tour if I come to New York! In fact, you can hear for yourself in this episode of Creative Living with Jamie. They are really excited to see what happens in the mail-around and to watch what we get up to!

About the Mail-Around

So I thought this time around we'd share the book experience in an entirely different way, sending the book around to one another - think Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants!

When the book arrives at your place, you will have one week to get to know one another, to take in what previous people have added and contribute your own flavour of happiness! Invite friends, family, co-workers, strangers, even your cat to add their own take on happiness and at the end of your week, send it along to the next person on the list. Every time we're ready to move on to the next person, I'll put up a post with a Mr. Linky. Once you've had your turn with the book, you can blog about the experience and link to it here, letting us know when you've handed it over to the Postal Gods to find its way to the next beautiful participant.

Happy Friday Blogging

To keep it fun and lively each week, every Friday I'll put up a post that will serve two purposes:
  • First, I'll make a note of just where the book is on its journey and provide the opportunity for the current Happy Book Holder to share their experience.
  • Second, I'll leave a Mr. Linky for anyone and everyone to share something that makes them happy!
This will go on as long as the book is in flight! Now, I know the big challenge is going to be ensuring that the book doesn't get stalled somewhere along the line, that it actually makes it back to home base, so here's the deal...

Prizes!

When the book makes it back to me, there will be prizes! Everyone who participated in the mail around will be entered in the draw to win! If you'd like to contribute something to the prize pot, email me and let me know. The more the merrier! If you do donate a prize, I will add it to the list of prizes on the blog and ask that you be responsible for ensuring it make it to the winner.

When the book(s) get back to me participants will be entered into a draw for:
Participation

In order to keep the momentum going, to have a chance for celebrations and prizes before we hit 2011, the mail-around chain mustn't be too long. So, here's the plan.
  • With up to 26 people, I will start the mail around with 1 book.
  • If we have 26-52 people, I will divide the list and send around 2 copies of the book.
  • If we have 52-78 people, I will divide the list and send around 3 copies of the book.
  • If we have 78-104 people, I will divide the list and send around 4 copies of the book. (Imagine!)
  • I will close registration at 104!
In the sign-up form, I ask if you're willing to ship the book internationally. The Next Chapter has participants from all over the world and it's a wonderful way for us to be connected globally. Imagine how excited you'll be to receive something that was just in Australia or South America! Yes, there will be an expense involved - but this time there's no cost for the book itself and there's even a chance to win treats!

We have reached 104 participants, so registration is now closed! If you want to be sure to stay informed about The Next Chapter, please sign up for my newsletter here. That way you won't miss a thing!



If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. This is a first-time for all of us!

Let the happiness begin!

33 comments:

  1. The first ever Next Chapter that I was involved in was "Wreck This Journal" and now The Happy Book! I'm so excited.

    Thanks Jamie. This is going to be a true delight.

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  2. Count me in! This will be so much fun.

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  3. How Awesome!! I can't wait to get started. Brilliant idea, thank you for the invite to participate ...

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  4. This sounds so fun; it's like Flat Stanley for grownups, only better!

    I can't wait! *happydances*

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  5. This sounds like so much fun! I am definitely in. Thanks, Jamie!

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  6. I think this sounds like fun too! I may still want to also buy the book and work through it in its entirety at the same time.

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  7. Yay! It's so wonderful to get your enthusiastic response. I'm excited to share this new-fangled adventure with you all!

    Melinda, I love the idea of working through the book yourself while participating in the mail-around! All the more yummy goodness to enjoy!

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  8. Glad to join in this go round! Even happier to be able to donate the Bath Salts as a prize.

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  9. Wow I'm glad I didn't hesitate! Let the happiness adventure begin.

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  10. I'm so excited to be part of this! What a wonderful way to spread happiness.

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  11. I am so out-of-my-mind, freaking EXCITED about this - I can't stand it!!!

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  12. well phooey.. my internet ws down most of the day..if anyone drops out, please consider me..
    couldnt you do 3 books? I'd be happy to pay for it( in fact I ordered 3 copies just now)//i am bummed .. will this be the only TNC this year?

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  13. I'm totally bummed that I missed this! I've been out of town, and didn't get the email about this until it was too late. :( I wish you all a beautiful journey! Sounds like a lot of fun! I suppose I'll catch you next time!

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  14. Sorry I missed the sign up. I will enjoy reading everyone's happy moments. This is a great practice. Many blessings all in 2010.

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  15. Hahaha! Yes, indeed, 2010 is going to be an epic year! Being in this sisterhood is an awesome start! I can't wait!

    Yes, a button to add to our blogs would be great!

    Jamie, thank you so much!

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  16. WOW. I am so excited that the the kind and amazing authors of the book have donated more books so we can all participate. I just signed up and will be joining you fabulous ladies on this 2010 journey.

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  17. YAY! So happy I get to participate afterall! Thank you Jamie, and thank you to the publishers.... you all ROCK! :)

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  18. missed again by a hour! i think you're onto something with this. will be following along fridays though. and hopefully 'in' on the next next chapter.

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  19. how can we know if we make it Jamie? i mean, how can we tell if we are already in your list? do we get a confirming email? i think i signed up right away.
    please let us know

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  20. I ran out for groceries and found out I had missed the boat - again. Drat and double drat.

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  21. Oh, crap. I'm too late:( Life is so cruel!

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  22. ME ME ME!! Sign me up for book 3 or 4
    thanks Jamie!!
    judi parker

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  23. looking forward to the adventure!

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  24. Wow I missed both sign ups. I only got the email about the extention this afternoon. Darn! Have fun on this adventure everyone.

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  25. The first letter said I was in & then got another email asking if I wanted to be in. Hopefully I made the cut:)

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  26. So sorry to have missed this opportunity. Sure you can't get another book?!

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  27. I am sorry if there was some confusion for people who received a confirmation and then notice about the re-opening of registration. I simply wasn't able to remove confirmed participants from the mailing list. If you received a confirmation, you are in. If you signed up today, it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your confirmation. Thank you for your patience, everyone!

    And even if you're not a part of the mail-around you can still be a part of The Happy Book experience. I hope you'll join us here each Friday to share what makes you happy!

    Unfortunately, I will not be adding another circle. Sorry, my friends, but I just don't want to spread myself too thin.

    I hope you'll join the next adventure!

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  28. Hi
    I missed the sign-up for this,but I'm glad to know you'll have Mr. Linky here. I will probably get the book and work through it myself...then still be able to share.
    Thanks Jamie

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  29. So fun!!! Thanks Jamie!!!

    xo,
    Carmen

    http://www.carmentorbus.com

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  30. This is my first time to join the mail around! I can't wait! :D

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  31. Awww... I did not know about this... :P Great idea though!

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Here's to sharing our mirth, acknowledging our bliss, dancing our glee and spreading some giggles! What made you happy this week?