E-Commerce Sales are Up over Last Year!

According to census.gov, E-commerce increased in the 3rd Quarter of 2009 by 2.1% compared to last year at the same time. That may not seem like a big increase. Yet, compare that to all other retail sales for the same period: a dismal -7.8, showing that consumers are more willing to make purchases online than in a brick 'n mortar store. See http://www.census.gov/retail/mrts/www/data/html/09Q3table1.html

I have to agree. This past week, I ordered all my Christmas presents online (except for children's books for the grandkids that I bought at events I attended), renewed our truck registration, ordered woodworking plans for Bob and plan to renew my yearly membership fees for my writing and equine clubs. Also, I do all my bill paying online. Yes, I love the convenience, but I also save on fuel, stamps and aggrevation (standing in line at motor vehicle administration is one place I definetly won't miss!)

Many businesses online are offering free shipping, saving the consumer even more money.

So, if you still have horse loving friends - young and young-at-heart - to shop for, please consider buying one or more of my Beloved Horses books, or mystery novels. This month I'm offering FREE SHIPPING!

All books are autographed to your special family member or friend and shipped upon receipt of a check or money order.

Credit card orders can be placed through my publisher's site: http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/resource.aspx?id=1783 but they won't be signed copies.

Or, check my Link Page on my site or my blog, http://findhorsebooks.blogspot.com, for a retail shop near you.

Visit my site http://sharonminer.com, my publisher's site above or Amazon.com to read about my books including excerpts.

Then just e-mail me your choice, who to sign them to and where to ship them. Or print out the Order Form from my site, disregarding the shipping fees. Checks and money orders should be sent to:
Sharon Miner
5004 E. Fowler Ave., Ste C150
Tampa, FL 33617

As soon as I receive your order, books will be shipped the next day with delivery confirmation. Any order with 3 or more books will be sent Priority Mail.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season, and keep it stress-free!

Equine Corral Artists!

We had a great turn out of entries for the "Puppies & Ponies" art contest held at Equine Corral today in Lithia, FL! Thanks to all the young artists and I also met a couple of young writers! Some are pictured above.

I had fun drawing face/hand paintings of a dog and a horse. Some kids drew pictures today!

Many thanks to owner, Terry Hunt, and her daughter, Ashley, for hosting the event. For those who missed it, they will display the artwork through the holiday season. They have a few copies of my books on hand - they make wonderful gifts!

Equine Corral also has a wide selection of clothing - for those who show or just love horses. Gifts for the horses can also be found there! Check out their site at http://www.equinecorral.com

For more photos, visit Woogie's blog at http://woogiestravels.blogspot.com/

Another Ponies & Puppies Art Contest for Kids!

I've been invited to the Equine Corral Tack Shop in Lithia, Florida for a book signing on Saturday, November 28th from 1 - 3 pm. So I'm holding another Young Artists Contest!

I'm offering a Ponies & Puppies Contest for young artists to submit drawings of a horse or a dog with the winners receiving autographed copies of my books.

The winner of the horse category will win one of the BELOVED HORSES series and the dog category will receive WOOGIE’S TRAVELS – LOOKING FOR A FRIEND. Children through age 16 years old may submit their entry at Equine Corral on 10419 County Road 39 south in Lithia from now until 3pm on November 28th, when winners will be announced. Results will also be posted at here.

I'll will be signing my seven books on Saturday, November 28th from 1pm until 3pm, and also offer several free activities:

· Face or Hand Painting of horses and dogs

· Coloring Pages from my books

· Readings from BELOVED HORSES books and WOOGIE’S TRAVELS – LOOKING FOR A FRIEND, a beginner Reader Picture Book

· Advice for writers, young and old, who want to become published

My horse books are illustrated collections of true short stories describing the unique bonds between horses and their riders. The anecdotes are amazing, amusing and inspirational. The third book of the series, BELOVED SPORT HORSES released in 2007, features several equines from Florida.

I am looking for more horse owners to interview for the fourth book in the series to be released in 2010. Submitters receive a complimentary copy upon publication. To learn more about my books, visit http://www.SharonMiner.com and http://woogiestravels.blogspot.com.

5th Anniversary of Beloved School Horses!

This month, I'm celebrating the 5th Anniversary of Beloved School Horses! Remembering Dennis who made an autistic boy smile, Sandy Mae who taught campers to canter, Sonny the vaulting horse and of course Farewell, the dressage pro! See http://www.sharonminer.com

To read a sample chapter, go to my publisher's site - http://www.bbotw.com - and search by title. Or go to Amazon.com and click on "Search Inside" for any of my books.

E-mail me for a signed copy with free shipping!

The fourth book of the series will feature horses in second careers. Contact me at sharonminer@yahoo.com if you would like your special horse to be included, and you'll receive a free copy upon its release. Interviews via e-mail will be conducted this winter.