July 2025 Giveaway

By / Giveaway / 151 Comments

(The featured image was copyrighted by Scott Heaney and licensed from Shutterstock.)

(Sorry for the slow results this time. There were glitches in the way the data appeared when I was verifying entries. Consequently, the process took much longer than normal. Also, note that a few people not listed below will also receive prizes, as they had initially been erroneously disqualified.)


July 2025 Giveaway

Technical Note: If you experience problems with the widget, you can enter here.

July Reading

Owing to the more difficult travel conditions in fall and winter, spring and summer are often the times associated with great adventure in ancient literature. Such adventure tales often make good modern reading on the beach, in the mountains or in other outdoorsy vacation destinations. Hence, summer becomes a good time to read my mythology books if you haven’t already done so. 

Harmony and Disharmony: A Story of Orpheus and Jason

Orpheus is not interested in inheriting his father’s throne. He wants nothing more than to use music to bring joy to his fellow mortals. Jason believes that nothing is more important than wresting his father’s throne from a usurper. He wants to perform heroic feats that will earn him as much glory as possible. Under ordinary circumstances, Orpheus and Jason would probably never have met. Certainly, they would never have been allies. But scheming gods plunge them into adventures greater than either of them has ever imagined. Both of them want to achieve their respective dreams. But facing hostile armies, monsters, and even conflicts among the gods will force them into horrible dilemmas. Will they sacrifice their dreams, or will they die trying to preserve them?

Speaking of mythology, those of you who like straightforward retellings of mythology might also enjoy fiction that uses mythology as a starting point but create an original plot in the mythological setting. The novella described below is my first serial on Substack. The first part is darker than my usual writer, but my regular readers will enjoy the progression in the story.

Love in the Underworld

Menippus is a young Greek philosopher who has fallen hopelessly and completely in love with Empedia. She seems to be in love with him, but there’s a problem–she’s not the beautiful woman she appears to be but is, in fact, an Underworld creature with a taste for human flesh and blood.
Even knowing that, Menippus still loves her, though even he acknowledges his feelings aren’t rational–particularly after his lover kills him. It seems like the classic end to a boy-meets-ghoul story–except that Menippus still loves Empedia, even in death. Instead of giving up, he pursues his seemingly indifferent lover through the Underworld. Can such an irrational quest actually succeed, or is it doomed to failure?

 
(Don’t be confused by the cover. The name changed between the original serial and the eventual book version. Also, the first Substack post was originally written as a short story. To find the other parts, Click on Menippus here in the top menu bar on the home page of my Substack. The earliest episode is at the bottom. If you just want to jump into the first episode first, use the embedded link below.)

Menippus and the Stranger by Bill Hiatt

All Is Not What It Seems

Read on Substack

 

151 thoughts on “July 2025 Giveaway”

  2. Darla Peduzzi

    Independence Day is a good reminder for us to celebrate our freedom. It’s not just about family picnics, even though they are a lot of fun.

    Reply
  5. Jean Holland

    Being a senior, independence is important. It keeps me active, gives me a sense of purpose, allows me to develop new interests, and makes me feel good about being self-sufficient.

    Reply
  13. Chad Boyd

    Independence Day is very iportant ot my family, a lot of us have served our country to protect the freedoms that our ancestors fought and died to achieve.

    Reply
  20. Liz N.

    I loved gaining independence when I moved to a state away from my family. It allowed me the freedom to determine what was important to me without just subsuming their beliefs.

    Reply
  22. Lisa Brown

    Very thankful to live under a Constitution that allows for freedoms and liberties. Thanks for the chance to win:)

    Reply
  25. Tomas

    Independence is important so as to not be a slave to a relationship. If it does not fulfil anymore, it’s easier to leave if a person is used to independence.

    Reply
  27. Robert A

    Independence is extremely important to me because it allows me to live life on my own terms, make my own decisions, and grow through my own experiences.

    Reply
  28. Candace Bond

    Independence means that I don’t have to depend on anyone. I can go and take care of all my business.

    Reply
  32. Judy Thomas

    Personal independence is very important in my life because I want to be able to look after myself and do what I want , when I want to. I find it really sad that a lot of people in the world can no longer do that.

    Reply
  34. Lucas

    I enjoy going to the July 4th parades and kids getting candy, cooking beefburgers and brats on the grill, and seeing fireworks! USA!

    Reply
  36. Marie

    Independence means everything to me. I just lost my partner a short time ago. Witout my independence, I would feel lost.

    Reply
  40. Robertogg

    Independence is very important because thanks to it we have a very free, democratic country with great possibilities for progress.

    Reply
  51. JG

    With great power comes great responsibility is a saying that is hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.
    Independence might be the greatest power and those who enjoy it have the great responsibility to, first, preserve it fully and, secondly, to ensure that it is spread as far and wide as possible and available to all who desire it.

    Reply
  52. Timmy

    I’ve always been independent, I’ve been taught and raised that you can’t always count on others to be there for you, sometimes you have to pull yourself up by your own boot straps.

    Reply
  54. Kari B

    Being independent is a must for me. I need the freedom to be who I am and go to the places I dream of.

    Reply
  56. Kelly M

    Independence is extremely important in my life. I am lucky and privileged that I am healthy, and have a car to get where I need to and can take care of my children.

    Reply
  57. Shellie Clark

    The importance of independence is very important to me as I want to show my kids to be who they are.

    Reply
  61. Fran CR

    In this life it is important to be independent, to be able to choose your own path and not depend on anyone. Freedom for all.

    Reply
  63. Donna Rogozinski

    I am all for Independence, especially Free Speech and the right of Liberty. But I fear that we are losing these rights and independence too! Today it seems that you cannot speak your mind without fear of serious repercussions from those who don’t feel the same way! It’s a bit frightening in the world today, unfortunately.

    Reply
  67. Iriscmt

    Independence is a must! I need to be healthy (both mentally and physically) so I can do whatever I want, go wherever I want. ANd I also need to have enough money to pay my bills and afford some splurging (dining out, traveling, buying stuff that I don’t need).

    Reply
  70. Kyra K

    Happy July 4th weekend! Independence is the freedom to do things that you can control, like a vacation, or a bbq party!

    Reply
  72. Richelle Leffler

    Happy 4th of July Weekend. I plan on relaxing and enjoying good food and delicious watermelon. Super thankful to those that helped give us our freedom and independence.

    Reply
  75. Zeyya Zoe

    I think it’s important to be “independent” and learn when to depend on others when needed. Being independent helps you grow as a person.

    Reply
  78. Susan Atkins

    My mother,father and grand daughter have been in the military. I understand what they have done to keep our country safe- Thank You ! Thank You to every person in the military for keeping my country safe !

    Reply
  82. DeeAnn

    Independence is knowing that I am able to make decisions that align with my beliefs, and not depending on others to tell me how to think and act. Stand up for what you believe in and be proud of it.

    Reply
  85. Natalie

    Independence is important to me because it allows me to practice whatever religion I chose and to chose a career path I want.

    Reply
  86. Maryam Kassim

    Independence is very important in my life. It’s what people fought in wars for and challenged societal standards for. My independence is what gives me ambition.

    Reply
  93. Lynn

    For me, independence means the freedom to make my own choices and chart the course of my own life. I am very glad that I can do that, for too many people it is not possible.

    Reply
  94. Meg Boyd

    As someone with disabilities, personal freedoms (like freedom of movement) are so meaningful to me when I have them. Freedom is also living in a country where I can comfortably access public places without worries. 🙂

    Reply
  96. Nawaz

    Independence is incredibly important in my life because it allows me to make my own choices, learn from my mistakes, and grow as a person. It gives me the freedom to follow my values and pursue goals that truly matter to me. Without independence, it’s hard to feel fully in control of your own path.

    Reply
  97. Nawaz Sayyed

    Independence is incredibly important in my life because it allows me to make my own choices, learn from my mistakes, and grow as a person. It gives me the freedom to follow my values and pursue goals that truly matter to me.

    Reply
  100. Brittany Gilley

    Independence means that we can be free to hold our government accountable for not doing its job. Sadly, we are not independent.

    Reply
  104. Jennylyn Gross

    Independence day used to mean alot to me. but they way things are going independence seems to be slipping away

    Reply
  110. Anita kennett

    Love your writing. I get so excited when you do next, or just snuggle with another favorite of yours.

    Reply
  111. Bryan Adams

    Independence is very important to me! Without that we don’t have much! It’s great to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

    Reply
  121. Abby Bue

    I’ve always believed that trying to be independent is an important quality for a person to grow. Good Luck!

    Reply
  130. MICHAEL A LAW

    Its very important to have Independence so we can all thrive and be the best person we can be. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    Reply
  131. DeaconMac

    Most of us crave both independence and interdependence. We want to be free to live our lives exactly as we prefer, but we also want to share those lives with others. And that sometimes requires us to temper our drive for independence with a little compromise.

    Reply
  139. Mr_Carps

    Independence is important to me as I get to live by my rules and do what I want when I want with nobody to answer to 😉

    Reply
  141. Laurie Emerson

    To me independence is everything. It gives me the freedom to read what I want to, go where I want, express how I feel without fear and most of all the freedom to live life to its fullest.

    Reply
  147. Relixo

    Independence is crucial in my life because it allows me to make my own choices, learn from my experiences, and grow into a more confident and self-reliant person. It gives me the freedom to live authentically and pursue what truly matters to me.

    Reply

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