Would you like a free book?
I have at least six copies of No Worries to give away to UK addresses. There’s no competition - it will be whoever asks first, until I run out of books. (EDITED TO ADD: I have now given away ten copies and have no more left - sorry!)
All I ask in return is that you consider* writing a fair review on Amazon. Please note that, although many adults enjoy my books, they are written directly for younger people. In the case of No Worries, the intended audience is aged from around 11/12 and throughout the secondary school age group. So, it’s not terribly helpful for reviewers to mark it down because they felt it seemed to be aimed at teenagers… (This is more common than you might think!)
*If you decide not to write a review, no problem. In fact, no worries… Indeed, if you don’t rate the book highly, I’d be more than happy for you not to review it! But I am trying to find ways to generate more reviews on Amazon because for some reason people seem to have stopped doing this. I have loads of reviews for earlier books but very few for the recent ones, even though readers have made consistently lovely comments and school librarians and parents frequently tell me how useful my books have been. Unfortunately, it’s part of my job as a writer to try to promote my books. It’s the part of my work I least like doing but I don’t have a choice.
If you’d like a copy and you would be happy to consider writing a quick review, please let me know, either (ideally) by saying so in the comments below (and then we will correspond privately so that I can get your address) or by replying privately.
I’ll be happy to sign your book to whomever you choose and I’ll include some postcards in the package, for you to display or use in whatever way you wish.
Of course, I’d be more than happy for reviews of any of my books, even without a giveaway! It’s one of the very best ways you can thank or show appreciation to authors whose books you rate. It costs nothing but makes a big difference to us.
And if you have any other ideas to help me do that unpleasant self-promotional stuff, I’d love to hear them!
Aspiring writers amongst you: I hope you’ve noticed that even very established authors with awards and many dozens of published books have to do a lot (often all) or their own publicity? It’s something you need to be ready for.
Meanwhile, having spent the morning thinking about this, I’m off to try to write something new and sparkly, while feeling distinctly unsparkly**. I’ll let you know how that goes! Probably need some coffee first…
(**Get a grip, woman! SHINE!)
NOTE: I have now given away or promised seven so the giveaway is officially closed. However, I could very likely be persuaded by someone pleading in an irresistible way!! I am sure I can find one or two more hiding somewhere.
Hi Nicola, bit late to the party but if you do have any more spare copies of anything, I would love to take them off your hands! I'm a secondary state school librarian and I've already bought ALL your books for the library as they have been so good in supporting our teens. I get a lot of anxious and vulnerable students on a part time timetable who spend time out of lessons in the library with me when things get too much, as part of the school-devised 'Bridge' programme to encourage them back into full time school. From September, they will now go to a refurbished house next to the school for their downtime so I will be losing my regular 'wobblers'. I'd love to set them up with their own little library in the house so they can access advice when they need it. (I also saw you in the action at the SLA conference and your summation of 'tissues and issues' really summed up what I've seen my role become over the past four years, it involves so much pastoral care now). Thanks so much in advance!