So, it's October and there's only two weeks left until the highest of holy holidays for lovers of the arcane everywhere–Halloween. I got thinking about how Halloween is also the perfect holiday for lovers of urban fantasy. These two thoughts collided into an idea so epic, so awesome that my brain exploded.

Yes, yes, we only have two weeks left. But I think we put our evil minds to it, we can really blow this out. Naturally, my first thought was to hold a contest to celebrate. But I didn't want to do just any contest. I wanted to do something that celebrates the genre but also brings new fans into the fold.

Here's where you come in. Everyone who writes a love letter to Urban Fantasy on their own blogs (be sure to track back to this one so you're counted) or here in comments if you don't have a blog of your own, will be entered for a chance to win an epic prize pack of Urban Fantasy novels (with a couple of paranormal romances thrown in for spice).

So what constitutes an urban fantasy love letter? Talk about your favorite books or characters. Talk about what you love about the genre in general. Write a snarky haiku, romantic sonnet or dirty limerick. Anything goes as long as its about UF and how awesome it is.

So what will the winners get?

Brace yourselves. This big, bad collection of tricks and treats is so awesome its scary!

RED-HEADED STEPCHILD by Jaye Wells

THE MAGE IN BLACK by Jaye Wells

GREEN-EYED DEMON by Jaye Wells

THE SWEET SCENT OF BLOOD by Suzanne McLeod

MUST LOVE LYCANS by Michele Bardsley

KILLING THE COBRA by Mario Acevedo

WEREWOLF SMACKDOWN by Mario Acedvo

HEXED by Kevin Hearne

ACCIDENTALLY CATTY by Dakota Cassidy

TRANCE by Kelly Meding

A SHOT IN THE DARK by K.A. Stewart

TEMPEST RISING by Nicole Peeler

TRACKING THE TEMPEST by Nicole Peeler

TEMPEST'S LEGACY by Nicole Peeler

CROSSED by J.F. Lewis

A BRUSH OF DARKNESS by Allison Pang

BATTLE OF THE NETWORK ZOMBIES by Mark Henry

DOUBLE CROSS by Carolyn Crane

DEAD TO ME by Anton Strout

MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE by Diana Rowland

IRON CROWNED by Richelle Mead

SUCCUBUS REVEALED by Richelle Mead

LAST SACRIFICE by Richelle Mead

HUNGER by Jackie Morse Kessler

RAGE by Jackie Morse Kessler

That's a lot of books, people. What's better? They'll all be autographed. Even better? The contest is open internationally. That's why it's called INTERNATIONAL UF Month, after all.

Here's how it will work. FIVE winners will be chosen at random from the pool of commenters and bloggers (again, don't forget to track back to this post or I won't know you entered). Each winner will receive FIVE books. Here's the fairest solution I could come up with: Prizes will be divvied up on a first come, first served basis. That way if there's titles you've already read you can choose something new. But if you get something you've already read, why not pass it on to a friend who has yet to discover the genre? This event is all about spreading the love for UF, right?

To my fellow UF authors: If you're interested in joining in the fun, I'd encourage you to host your own giveaways on your blogs. Let me know about them and I'll link to them here.

The winners of these extraordinary prizes will be announced on Halloween, October 31. So join in and spread the urban fantasy love. Tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell the world:

ETA: You actually have to leave a comment about urban fantasy and why you love it or its authors to be entered. Random comments will not be counted.

Other authors are getting into the spirit of Intl. Urban Fantasy Month. Below is a list of links to their contests. This list will be updated as authors inform me of their contributions, so check back often!

Sierra Dean –Giving away 12 UF novels!