Speak Out Against Bullying On Feb 3 - Please Join Us

Not long ago, my friend Katie told me a story. She's an author (writing as K.M. Parr), but this was not a nice story, and unfortunately it wasn't fiction. Katie recently published her first novel. Awesome, right? YES... except someone she knows in real life decided to mock her accomplishment, and began bullying her online.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not into trying to persuade people to speak out or soapboxing or... whatever you want to call it. But I recently released my first novel, too. I couldn't stop thinking about how awful it would feel to have such an ugly stain on the experience.

And I couldn't let it go.

Katie and I talked about it, and we decided we wanted to counter the negativity. We wanted others to join in, too, 'cause power in numbers, right friends? :) That's how Spread <3, Not Hate was born (Katie came up with the name - I love it).

We invite you to join us and speak out against bullying on your blog on February 3rd. Here's how:

1. Scroll down this post to where it says "You are next... Click here to enter" and click the link. Enter your blog name, URL, email, and name. (I'm asking for your email so I can send out a reminder for the event the day before.)

2. Schedule or plan to put up your post first thing on February 3rd (you can publish it the night before if that's easier). Be sure to grab the button code for the event (see below) so you can include the button in your post. You're more than welcome to display the button or badges (top of this post and in my sidebar) on your blog prior to the event.

Your post can be about anything related to bullying - tell a story about something you experienced (online or in real life), something you witnessed, a time when you stood up for someone who was bullied (or wish you would have), or just write a short message of support.

3. Please help us spread the word. I'd love to see at least 50 people sign up for this event. Katie will be telling her story on February 3rd, and I'll be blogging, too, of course. I really want us to look back on this, and instead of thinking of some jerk who tried to bring someone down, remember all the people who spoke out against bullying and in support of a new author. Thank you!! <3
 

Copy the code below and paste it in HTML view to display the button:

<a href="http://kcneal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Spread Love, Not Hate" src="http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii639/KCNealTweets/LoveNotHateButton.jpg" /></a>

Thank you, Livia of Butterfly-O-Meter Designs, for creating and donating

the beautiful badges and button for this event! 

(You can't see me, Livia, but I'm blowing kisses at you!)