As they say, life is in your hands. (Plus, maybe, a free book.)

There's an article in the Austin American-Statesman today about a woman who has donated 25 gallons of blood in the past 18 years. I have a lot of catching up to do. I started donating blood last year, so I'm only at about ten or eleven pints. But I donate every eight weeks and it adds up quickly. 

If you've never given blood, you'd be amazed at how simple and painless it is. Plus, most blood centers have mobile drives that pop up all over town, so you can usually find one that's only five or ten minutes from your house. The good feeling you get becomes an addiction—I can't imagine not giving blood every eight weeks. 

Can I talk you into donating blood? I'm going to try. Here's an offer good from now until the end of the year, or while supplies last. If you will go to a blood center or a mobile drive and donate blood, then send me a photo of yourself as you're donating, I will mail you a signed hardback copy of Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, or Guilt Trip. (A few of them have very small remainder marks, but does that really matter?)

Think about the gift possibilities. I could sign the book to your father or mother or brother or sister. Or I'll sign it to you, and you'll have something to read over the holidays. Does that sound like a fair trade? 

One other thing: Since there are some people out there who would simply surf the Net and find a photo of someone donating blood, then email that photo to me, you'll have to make a gesture in the photo that will verify it as an authentic response to my offer. What's the gesture? Simply make the Hook 'Em Horns symbol when the photo is taken. For you non-Texans, I've attached a photo, so you'll do the gesture correctly and not wind up in trouble with the authorities. 

I really hope you'll consider my offer. I'd like nothing more than to mail out a bunch of books in the next four weeks. Just email me a photo and your address. There's an email link on my website: www.benrehder.com.