It’s that time of year again…. Can’t you just smell the sugar and the marshmallow? Yes, you guessed right: it’s time for the Fourth Annual Pinkorama!

(That’s really short for Pink Carnation Peep Diorama, but if I had to write that out each time, these would become very long posts.)

The rules are simple: using those sugary, marshmallowy goodies (Peeps), recreate your favorite scene from the Pink Carnation novels. Any of the Pink books, novellas, or bonus chapters are up for grabs. Even though it’s not technically Pink, I’m including The Ashford Affair among the eligible works, just in case you feel like going Edwardian Peep, 1920s Peep, or Kenya Peep. Two L and A Night at Northanger are also fair game.

And, for once, I’ve finally remembered to start this early enough so that, if you like, you can also enter your Pinkorama into Washington Post peep diorama contest.

Once your Peep creation is complete, take a picture (or pictures) of your Pinkorama and email them to me with “Pinkorama” in the subject line. I’ll post all the Pinkoramas here on the website and open it up to general voting.

The deadline for the Pinkorama is Tuesday, April 1. I’ll post the pictures and open it up to voting here on the site on Wednesday, April 2nd. (If you want to enter the Washington Post contest, their deadline is March 17.)

As for the prize…. What could be more appropriate than an ARC of The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla?

(Even though the book is not out yet, I have no objections to Sally and her stoat– or her hero– being used as the base of a Pinkorama. If you’re looking for Midnight Manzanilla inspiration, you can find excerpts here, here, and here.)

If you’re seeking Peep inspiration, check out the Pinkorama Gallery and last year’s Pinkorama winners!

Let the sugary fun begin!