Outskirts Press, the fastest growing self-publishing and book marketing company, announced today that Patricia A. Hawkenson is the winner of their recent “Show Me the Love” video contest, which started on Valentine’s Day. Hawkenson’s charming video was not only technically impressive, it was wittingly entertaining and, despite stiff competition, became the unanimous first choice among voting viewers on the SelfPublishingNews.com blog.
Hawkenson, the author of Magnetic Repulsion:100 Poems from Desire to Disgust, was presented a 32 GB, Wi-Fi enabled Apple iPad 2 by Outskirts Press to make her their valentine after her video received fifty-one percent of the vote by viewing fans. For much of the contest it was a neck and neck race between Hawkenson and Reverend Judy Neal, author of Another Woman at the Well, whose heart-felt video received forty-five percent of the vote.
Ultimately, Hawkenson edged out Neal as the final votes poured in. “It was a close nail biting race, and I enjoyed the competition more because our results kept changing as our friends, family, and supporters came to vote for each of us,” commented Hawkenson.
“All things considered, it was a real photo finish,” said Outskirts Press Manager of Author Support Elise L. Connors, “but Patricia’s creative entry won out in the end and we’re pleased to be able to give her a Valentine’s Day iPad 2 for her impressive efforts soliciting support from her friends and associates. After all, isn’t that what authors do when they successfully market their books? We also want to thank the authors of all the other video submissions. It was a great way for all of us to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year and bring a little more ‘love’ into the world.”
Any author, published with Outskirts Press or not, was eligible to enter the contest by shooting a short video imaginatively showing why they love their self-publisher or being published in general. Videos were posted on YouTube in February and three finalists were chosen for the final vote based on the number of “Thumbs Up” accolades received.
Appropriately enough, as a winner of the Valentine’s Day “Show Me the Love” contest, Patricia A. Hawkenson’s Magnetic Repulsion: 100 Poems from Desire to Disgust is an original collection of poetry about being in love…and out of it.
While the poet notes that true love is thought to be eternal, she is also aware that it often ends up with a trip to the lawyer’s office, as so many lovers discover. Hawkenson’s poetry covers the full gamut of the romantic experience from wonderful first blush through the tentative uncertainty of love to that occasional need for healing when it all fades. Her one hundred poems are a compelling and necessary companion for anyone who has ever fallen in and out of love, and they convincingly evoke the sensual, yet complex nature of this most essential of human experiences.
Hawkenson is not only a poet, but also a stained glass kaleidoscope artist and an educator who makes her home in Eau Claire,Wisconsin. She posts additional poetry on her blog “Expressive Domain.” Here’s her winning video: