Giveaway now closed.
I know lots of you love Margaret Atwood’s work so I’ve teamed up with Virago Books, publisher of books by women and a perfect match for this blog, to bring you a Margaret Atwood competition. There are nine competitions running on nine blogs across this week and next and each have a prize bundle which includes a signed copy of Margaret Atwood’s short story collection Stone Mattress, published in paperback last week, and something related to one of the stories from the collection.
I chose ‘The Dead Hand Loves You’ which means my prize bundle includes a nail varnish set. Why? Because it’s a story about a story about a sentient hand (no, that isn’t a typo); nail varnish is brilliant, and, having spent many a half hour painting my male friends’ fingernails in my parents’ kitchen, I don’t consider it a gendered prize.
To whet your appetite, here’s the opening:
The Dead Hand Loves You started as a joke. Or more like a dare. He should have been more careful about it, but the fact was he’d been blowing a fair amount of dope around that time and drinking too much inferior-grade booze, so he hadn’t been fully responsible. He shouldn’t be held responsible. He shouldn’t be held to the terms of the fucking contract. That’s what had shackled his ankles: the contract.
And he can never get rid of that contract, because there wasn’t any drop-dead date on it. He should have included a good-only-until clause, like milk cartons, like tubs of yoghurt, like mayonnaise jars; but what did he know about contracts back then? He’d been twenty-two.
He’d needed the money.
If you want to be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment below before 4pm UK time on Friday 2nd October. A winner will be chosen via random number generator soon after the closing time and the winner notified by email. UK only, this time, I’m afraid. Good luck!
And if you fancy a personalised Stone Mattress ebadge, like mine above, then head over to the Virago site where they’re giving them away.
I’ve allocated everyone a number in order of entry so, for example, Cleo is #1, Jaime Walker #15, Georgina #28 and lindarumsey #46. And the random number generator says…
Congratulations, Rhoda K! Check your email for information as to what to do next.
Thanks to all of you for entering. There are eight more opportunities to win across eight more blogs. Information on the Virago website as to the blogs and the additional prizes.
Thanks to Virago for the prize.
A fantastic prize, one that I would love as I haven’t read this one of Atwood’s. And of course nail varnish isn’t a gendered prize! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost every male musician I love wears/has worn nail varnish. Perhaps it’s a career related choice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a wonderful prize. I would love to read Atwood’s short stories. And the Stone Mattress ebadge is so cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t yet read this one by Margaret Atwood, but I definitely would love to get around to it. I’m absolutely ecstatic about the prize though, I’m a HUGE Margaret Atwood fan! Thanks for having this competition!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Atwood, my absolute favourite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers and everything else completely crossed…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant prize. I love short stories and this collection does sound excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love, love, love Margaret Atwood would treasure this if I won!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pick me and I promise to paint my husband’s nails! (I might even let him read the book if he submits without a struggle.)
My three-year-old son has been known to go in for a bit of toenail painting, too. With gusto. I’ll send you a picture…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hurrah! Yes, do.
LikeLike
I’d love to win a copy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haven’t read this one yet. Love the ebadge and the nail varnish idea! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing – thanks for running the comp. And keep up the good work on the blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a book I have read so would relish the opportunity
LikeLiked by 1 person
My appetite is thoroughly whetted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Margaret Attwood
LikeLiked by 1 person
Should have said, nail varnish smells like pear drops taste
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing prize- huge fan of Margaret atwood so this would be a prized possession
LikeLiked by 1 person
Atwood is my absolute favourite! It’s really bad for my bank account that she’s so prolific, it’ll take me years to get a complete collection!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All nail varnish all the time.
Get it in my eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The thought of a signed Atwood makes me squeaky with excitement!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t beat a bit of Atwood!
Fantastic writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to win a copy, consider this my entry please!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah awesome! I adore Atwood and this collection is so classique Mags. Love the fact that you’ve decided to include nail polish 😂😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love this! What a fab prize. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love you can get a badge must get one
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve loved Margaret Atwood ever since reading Edible Woman and Lady Oracle back in the day and sold lots of her when I worked in the Silvermoon Bookshop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to win this! I’ve only read Atwood’s literary criticism, not any fiction, but very intrigued!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My daughter introduced me to A Handmaid’s Tale when studying it at school and I’ve read everything else by Margaret Atwood apart from stone Mattress. I would be over the moon should I win this
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a simply wonderful prize 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like everyone else, I love Margaret Atwood, so please, count me in! It sounds great x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like an interesting prize – a good read and nail varnish, well why not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please add me to the draw. I love that cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope my number comes up. Haven’t painted my nails for years. The Atwood would of course be an absolute bonus (ball).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to win this and know someone who wears nail varnish
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great prize!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: FREE BOOK: Stone Mattress, by Margaret Atwood | Elle Thinks
I’m currently my first Margaret Atwood book, and loving it! Cant wait to read some more of her work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My favourite author! I’m making it my mission to read everything she’s written. Currently reading The Heart Goes Last and really enjoying it 🙂 Great prize!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a huge fan of nail varnish, although 3 of my children are!, but would love to win the book 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the chance to win this. Fingers crossed my number comes up as Margaret Atwood is my writing hero so I would love a signed copy! A bit of nail varnish never goes amiss either 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Margaret Atwood! Please could you add me to the draw?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love the book, and it would be even better to win a copy. Bonus nail varnish too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Based solely on your brief synopsis, I NEED to read this book. Would love this special copy though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love those icons! Definitely going to try and get one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love Margaret Atwood – consistently brilliant fiction. With long winter nights approaching – would love to have this to read whilst curling up in my PJ’s!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This Canadian expat is definitely a fan…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes please! I love everything she writes, and I haven’t read this one yet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it 4 p.m. UK time yet? Sorry, I live in Alaska and am a bit stupid about world time zones. I’m a huge Atwood fan, especially her earlier works. “Bodily Harm” and “Wilderness Tips” are my favorites. I’ve read them both at least six times and still love, love, love them. Cheers and happy weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not yet, plenty of time!
LikeLike
Although the giveaway’s UK only…
LikeLike
I loved the Handmaid’s Tale when it came out, but can’t remember much about it now. Time for a reread I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person