What? You didn‘t spend Thanksgiving in a tent outside of Best Buy? You didn’t trample small children inside your local Wal-Mart? You haven’t stocked up on DVD players and iPods for your family and friends? In fact, you haven’t even started your holiday shopping?

It’s okay! Who wants an iPod when they can have a signed book? (On second thought, don’t answer that question.)

Special for the holidays, I am offering free, personalized bookplates to readers in the United States. (Not trying to play favorites, but international postage is steep.) In case you don’t know what an author bookplate is (I didn’t until people started asking me for them) they’re custom stickers that I sign and that you stick on the inside cover of one of my books. And just like that, for seven to ten dollars, you’ve got a signed, personalized book to give to your mother, sister, child’s teacher, old friend who won’t take the hint that it’s time to stop exchanging gifts . . . pretty much anyone on your list. You? Are awesome.

For What Came First (or any of my other books for adults) I’ve got the design on the left, and for your favorite (or second or third favorite) teen or tween, who might enjoy Switch or Snap, I’ve got the one on the right:

All you have to do? Send me a message using the contact form (or email me at carolsnow@roadrunner.com). Put “Bookplate” in the subject line and let me know:

  • Your name & address
  • Which bookplate(s) — teen or adult — you would like (and how many)
  • What, if anything, you would like the bookplate(s) to read. (If you don’t specify, I’ll just sign my name.)

Giving an e-book? Not a problem! (Well, at least not for me . . . you’ll have to mess around with gift cards and emails and such.) I’m happy to send a signed, personalized postcard instead — so at least you’ll have something to wrap.

Best wishes for a joyful, safe and sane holiday season.

Sorry -- cat not included.