On the off chance that you haven't heard from me via Facebook, Twitter or Maud L, or happen to be a Betsy-Tacy fan I have not yet found and stalked on numerous social media, I wanted to announce here that the week of 9/28, the week the reissued high school Betsy-Tacy books go on sale is also, officially, BETSY-TACY CONVERT WEEK!
What is this you ask? Well, inspired by the passion that so many Betsy-Tacy fans have for the series (I mean, seriously, more than 200 of us traveled to Mankato, MN for the weekend to visit the houses, dress up in character and play games!), I decided we should put it to work, so to speak, and deploy a BT Army of sorts to convert readers everywhere into Betsy-Tacy fans.
Here's how it will work.
1) You sign up by commenting to this post that you want to find and convert someone into a Betsy-Tacy fan (comment by end of day Friday Aug 28th -- DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4th!).
2) We'll split everyone into Deep Valley High School's rival student societies: Zetamathians and Philomathians, to tap into your competitive natures
3) We will send everyone who signs up a copy of Heaven to Betsy/Betsy in Spite of Herself
4) You will then give that copy away to someone who doesn't know about the series who should - ideally a young girl who will grow up with the series, but it can be a mom, an aunt, or anyone really!
5) You post a comment here about who you gave it to, what you said, what they said, etc. and identify yourself as a Zet or a Philo (we'll let you know which one you are when you get the book)
I'll keep a sticky post at the top of Book Club Girl that entire week (or two) so that all the comments will be front and center and the first thing people see. 6) If you have other online platforms you ALSO:
- Tell your convert story on Facebook, and share it with the Betsy-Tacy Groups on Facebook
- Tweet your story
- Put it on Flickr
- Make a video and we'll help you put it on YouTube
- Blog about it on your blog
- The sky's the limit!
7) At the end of the conversion week, or two weeks, we'll tally how many Zets made converts and how many Philos made converts (I'll tally from commnts made here on BCG since it may be hard for me to find links to everything online).
8) The winning society will get a paver stone in their name, ala "For the Zetamathians Who Converted the Most Betsy-Tacy Fans Fall 2009" placed outside of Maud Hart Lovelace's childhood home in Mankato, MN
So what do you think? Can we all pretend that the on-sale week is like the Social Room the first week of school at Deep Valley High? Go up to the new kids and convert them! The most orange or blue bows at the end of the week win!
What a fabulous idea! My daughter already loves the books and can't wait to share them with some of her friends!!! Maybe even our Mother-Daughter bookclub?????
Posted by: Julie P. | August 26, 2009 at 09:04 PM
I just discovered yoru blog very recently and am an old Betsy-Tscy fan - I can't wait to try to convert somebody and have a few possibilties in mind!
Posted by: Just Mom | August 26, 2009 at 09:56 PM
I already know a perfect fit for the book. What a great idea.
Posted by: Carolina Gal's Literary Cafe | August 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM
My sister and I love all the "Betsy" books and send each other notes with photocopied Vera Neville illustrations on them. . . (We are 18 and 21 yrs old ;)
Combined we will have at least 2 converts! Very lovely idea.
Posted by: Emmie | August 26, 2009 at 11:24 PM
I'm from Puerto Rico and I have to confess I didn't know about these books (yes I know; pleas forgive me) But your ever growing enthusiasm has finale makes me wonder…So I'm waiting for the new edition to come to the bookstore. It’s kind of exciting ….
Posted by: Rachel | August 26, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Okay, Okay...a series of books you are so die-hard about must be wonderful! I haven't read any in the series yet. Are they widely available?
-Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com
Posted by: Amanda | August 27, 2009 at 09:18 AM
I'm happy to be the first to offer to be converted - I have never read the series, but since reading your posts was thinking about going to the library to get started! Then, maybe I can convert folks on the next go around?
Posted by: Mary-Frances Main | August 27, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Thanks for this lovely opportunity. It will be a pleasure to learn about this series and be converted.
Posted by: anne | August 27, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Hey Jen,
Count me in! This sounds like fun and I have the perfect little girl to inspire with these books.....my niece! In fact I am going to go ahead and order from Maud's site the first couple to get her started.....well after I reread them!!! ;-*
Great Idea! I Love IT!!!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Darby Lohrding | August 27, 2009 at 03:18 PM
What a neat idea! My niece loves to read and would love to get involved, I will have to "convert" her.
Posted by: Kelly | August 27, 2009 at 05:35 PM
I'm in, and I know just the person!
Posted by: Melissa Wiley | August 27, 2009 at 09:29 PM
I'm in and ready to talk up one of my favorite series!
Posted by: Claire Mysko | August 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I have the PERFECT little girl in mind for the Betsy books! What a fun idea!
Posted by: Beck | August 28, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I'm in and I know just who to give it to!
Posted by: Andrea | August 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I was "converted" this summer and have been reading all things Maud Hart Lovelace! I have been trying to convert people all summer. :) My daughters think I am nuts! :)
This sounds like great fun!!
Posted by: Chari Bryan | August 28, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Hope you got my post through whatever channel I could make it through.
We are interested in helping spread the word
Posted by: Kay | August 28, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Bring it on! We have not read all of them here since they have been unobtainable but we are very excited for the opportunity. With six girls in the house, there is lots of room for love of Betsy! We know just the person to introduce these fantastic books to!
Posted by: Leslie Hofbauer | August 28, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Yes I calmed down and got in thanks.....
Re: BetsyTacy excitement
"Thanks Kay for getting in touch with me here, and I'm sorry you weren't able to post on the blog. I love Melissa's Bonny Glen. Please send me your address, and your email address and we'll add you to the convert database!"
Posted by: Kay | August 28, 2009 at 01:37 PM
As a recent convert myself (thanks to Melissa), I so want in on this. I know just the person I want to convert.
Posted by: Suzanne | August 28, 2009 at 02:01 PM
OOO sign me up!!!I have already converted a few but there are so many more to convert!!!
Posted by: Jenn Anderson | August 28, 2009 at 05:24 PM
I found my way here from Melissa Wiley's blog. I'm converted and would love to convert my friend and her daughter!
Posted by: Mary Beth | August 28, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Directed here by the lovely Melissa Wiley. I am ready to march out and convert (it helps that I'm an elementary teacher and have access to lots of little girls). Sign me up!
Posted by: Jessica | August 28, 2009 at 11:55 PM
My daughters and I discovered these books at the library a few months ago. All three of us fell in love and already have two young girls we are hoping to convert. Sign us up! Thanks!
Posted by: Nicole | August 29, 2009 at 12:20 AM
I was a big besy-tacy (and betsy-tacy and tib!) fan as a child, and recently got a betsy tacy book at our local homeschool store, I was thrilled! I would love the opportunity to introduce betsy-tacy to friends of my 9 year old! I was directed here from Melissa Wiley's blog.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 30, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Is it too late for me to join in. I recently found the Betsy-Tacy books and would love to share my new found love!
Posted by: Nicol | August 30, 2009 at 11:01 PM