*UPDATED (Sunday morning: *CONTEST OVER*: see bottom)
I have a couple of Kid Table advance reader copies, and I was trying to think how I should give them away. I looked at other authors' contests and they were, like, "Write a sequel to the book!" or "Dress up the book like one of your favorite characters!" requests which seem extravagant to me, so last night I decided that I'd instead hold a contest based on natural intuitiveness.
The basis for the contest:
A few weeks back at the dog park, I pulled up and this guy had made an awning out of his hood and he was just sitting there, alongside the parking lot, playing his keyboard in a very emotional manner.
You'll see that one of his dogs was sitting in the driver's seat, forced to stare at the other dogs playing in the park on the opposite side of the lot while this musician performed an impromptu keyboard concert for empty benches. Two more of the keyboardist's dogs were in the back of the SUV type vehicle, the rear door raised so they could also stare longingly at the dog park.
The keyboardist had some kind of kayak affixed to the roof of the car. As you can see, he has styled his hair in a low pony. Moreover, he travels with seating.
Here is a slightly closer look at him:
This woman passing by on the way to the "small dog" (shout out, wha-wha!) side of the park is thinking, "Don't look over. Don't look over. Don't look over."
The keyboard is somehow plugged into the car's engine. I don't know. I'm not an engineer.
The man in the ponytail is playing with a startling intensity, particularly for the dog park, which is a mostly relaxed place and not known for its love of the arts. If one of his dogs had been playing piano, then maybe. However, he is in his own world, so he seems to have no awareness that maybe this isn't the best concert venue, although the San Gabriel mountains are certainly beautiful and inspiring.
And here is the contest:
"WHAT SONG IS THE MAN IN THE PONYTAIL PLAYING IN THESE PHOTOS?"
Maybe you're thinking, "How am I possibly supposed to know what song this dude is playing???" Or maybe you're so intuitive you already know.
Regardless, I will supply participants with a few clues to get their sensitivities hovering in the right genre and era of song:
1. This number was a Top 40 hit, but it did not go all the way to number 1.
2. It was released between 1975 and 1990.
3. It is a lovelorn number.
4. The content of the song is somewhat related to the manner in which this guy appears to lead his life.
I am opening this contest today, July 8th 2010, at 6 p.m. PST in order to give you some time to get inside this guy's head. At that hour, I will be taking a maximum of 3 entries from each participant via this email address: keyboardistslament@hotmail.com or Twitter (@andreaseigel). The first two (2) people to land upon the keyboardist's choice will be sent personalized, signed Kid Table arc's. However, if no one has been able to really see what this guy is about by Sunday at 6 p.m. PST, then I will release 3 more clues.
But just look into him. You'll get it.
UPDATE: Friday, July 9: No one has even stumbled upon the right band yet. A LOT of Michael Bolton entries. So many Bolton entries, in fact, that I've decided to take 3 guesses per person, per day, since Brent has told me that the the keyboardist's heartsong is not as physically evident as I think it is. 3 more clues Sunday.
UPDATE 2: Saturday, July 10: Congratulations to Kim Lash, who has guessed the keyboardist's lament with her very first email entry. She and the keyboardist must share a tiny piece of soul. There is still 1 book available.
UPDATE 3: Sunday, July 11: Congratulations to Amy Lawrence, who guessed the keyboardist's lament via email at 6:46 a.m. this morning and won the 2nd and last galley. The keyboardist's anthem will be revealed for all later on this blog.
Thank you for entering.
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