The #myblueskydays Instagram Hashtag Challenge and Giveaway

“She said she always felt better on blue sky days. Like nothing could be too bad when the sky was blue and there was so much beauty in the world.”

~Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

Today marks 25 years since my dad’s death from leukemia. He was three months shy of his 50th birthday, and I was only 10. As you can imagine, it was a devastating loss for my family, and it changed our lives completely. Jump ahead about ten years to when I wrote what would end up being my debut novel, Blue Sky Days. The story was a way to honour my dad and give a character I came to love the happily ever after my dad didn’t get.

For years, I’ve wanted to do a photo challenge inspired by Blue Sky Days. The time has finally come, and I’m SO excited to bring you the #myblueskydays hashtag. The idea is to post pictures of your blue sky days; you can be literal and post pics of blue skies and nature, or you can use the term in the meaning associated with the book: anything that brings you joy. Happy days spent with loved ones, quiet moments, big events, a good book, a cup of coffee, a beloved pet, a favourite travel destination - anything goes as long as it’s something that makes you happy. My hope with this hashtag is to create a community of people who appreciate beauty, find magic in the everyday, and want to spread love and kindness.

THE GIVEAWAY:

*Use the hashtag on as many of your posts as you like between now and July 31st. Pics don’t have to be new, but they must be posted between today and July 31st to count for the giveaway. Two random winners will be chosen from all entries at the end of July and will each get a $10 gift card of their choice. If there’s enough interest in the hashtag I’ll make the giveaway a monthly thing. Feel free to use the hashtag whether you follow me or not. I completely understand not every feed is for every person, and I won’t take it personally if you choose not to follow me. BUT if you want to be eligible for the prize, you must be following me.

*Bonus entry #1: Share my main challenge post on Instagram in your stories or mention the challenge and tag me

*Bonus entry #2: If you post a picture of my book Blue Sky Days, you’ll get 1354 bonus points. Just kidding! Kind of. No, but really, if you happen to take a picture of Blue Sky Days (on your phone, e-reader, or tablet - the book is currently only available on Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, and Nook) you’ll get an extra entry, along with my eternal gratitude. I’m an indie author with limited connections, so every single sale and every time someone mentions or posts about my book(s) to someone else means the world to me and helps more than you can imagine.

*Note: The challenge itself will be taking place on Instagram, but feel free to use the hashtag on other social media platforms as well and I'll be sure to keep an eye on it and like your posts!

That's it! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment here or better yet, leave a comment on my original Instagram post. You can also DM me on Instagram. Let's have a summer (or winter if you're in the southern hemisphere) full of blue sky days!

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