Friday 8 May 2015

The Super- Dooper 'Judith Arnopp' Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY PRIZES!

Six years ago I published my first book Peaceweaver, the story of Eadgyth who was queen to both Gruffydd ap Llewellyn of Wales and Harold II of England. The few people who did read it left encouraging comments but it didn't make so much as a ripple in the literary world. There were times when I thought I might as well find a better way to make a living but something made me crack on with the second novel, The Forest Dwellers, the tale of a family of Saxons living under Norman oppression. This book also made little impact and neither did The Song of Heledd, my third attempt. I gained a few readers, had some nice reviews and emails but no real response to my hard efforts. Lots of emails said they loved my writing style and asked if I'd thought of writing anything 'Tudor.'
Since there was little to lose I decided to give it a go and The Winchester Goose was born. There is something about Joanie Toogood that brought out the best in me as a writer and connected with fans of historical fiction. The book didn't take the world by storm but my readership immediately expanded.
  I was spurred on to write The Kiss of the Concubine, a story of Anne Boleyn

I began to blog more and more, linking the blog to my books and sales doubled, followers doubled and my income happily increased. After Intractable Heart; the story of Katheryn Parr was published and an exhausting round of promotional blogging, it increased again and readers began contacting me to ask what my next would be about. 

When A Song of Sixpence, the story of Elizabeth of York and Perkin Warbeck was published there were so many pre-orders that it shot to the top of the kindle chart. The reviews and response is fabulous. I am not a household name and probably never will be but, as a self-published author, the loyalty and appreciation of my readers means much more than fame. My ever increasing readership enables me to earn a living from the thing I love, the thing I was born to do and I'd like to show my appreciation of that.
This week my followers on author page on Facebook topped 1000. My Twitter account is also well followed. Everyday my inbox has emails from happy readers. Usually they say something like. 'I bought one of your books. I couldn't put it down and I am just about to purchase your entire back catalogue.'  Those early books are now selling as quickly as my recent ones. Messages from my readers are like a pools win. There are still miles to travel and many hurdles ahead but I do hope you will all be there with me. I need your continued support.

Today I would like to thank you all by holding a Giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment, either on this blog or on the facebook post  stating which of my books is your favourite and why, and which title you'd prefer if you are picked as winner.  If you haven't yet read one, say which one you'd like to start with. Remember to leave email details so I can contact you. Your name will go into a draw and the winner will receive the following. (See photograph at the top of this blog post).


A signed 'Judith Arnopp' title of your choice, (message personalised to your requirement.)
A mystery 'Judith Arnopp' title.
An Amazon gift voucher.
A selection of 'Judith Arnopp' merchandise.
And, because no book should be read without suitable refreshment, a bar of my favourite chocolate.

Good Luck Everybody!




17 comments:

  1. Only own A Song of Sixpence so far but would very much like to read any of your medieval novels next.

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  2. Only own A Song of Sixpence so far but would very much like to read any of your medieval novels next.

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  3. Being a fan of James IV of Scots, I'm eager to read your Perkin Warbeck novel, since James used Warbeck as a convenient means of irritating the unfortunate Henry VII! It's definitely on my 'To Acquire' list - and I'm sure your other books will be, too (in particular the Welsh ones, because my ancestors came from Wales). Full marks to you for your perseverance and here's to a glorious and a successful future for your writing!

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  4. Congratulations on all those fabulous books! Xx

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  5. Yay chocolate :) I'd like to read The Winchester Goose; I enjoyed Peaceweaver.

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  6. I like to start from the beginning so I would choose Peaceweaver, and continue on from there.

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  7. I haven't as yet read anything of yours yet Judith, I love history especially the Medieval period, but enjoy all "ages" I'd start from the beginning I'd think

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  8. I love them. I just wrote a review of Winchester Goose. What a stunning portrayal of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard. I cannot get enough of your stuff, Judith.

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  9. A hard choice to pick a favorite book but I really enjoyed the Peaceweaver and The Song of Heledd. I really liked these two books as they are set in the early medieval time period which is a favorite of mine. I would really enjoy reading The Winchester Goose. It sounds fabulous. jman1985@yahoo.com

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  10. I read Sing A Song of Sixpence recently and thought it was brilliant! I enjoyed the interplay between Perkin and Elizabeth as I've always had an instinct that he was her brother. I also enjoyed The Winchester Goose thoroughly! mosthappyreader (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. Now I'm intrigued, and I will have to read them all (as if my TBR list isn't longer than the train on Diana's wedding dress)! leni425 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. I have been hearing about these books since some time but not yet read any~~probably would like to start with _A Song of Sixpence_ as I'm interested in Elizabeth of York and that "transition" period. After that I'd probably move on to the medieval novels, as I love this time period! Congratulations on such fantastic gains!

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  13. I'd love to read Intractable Heart--I'm so interested in Kathryn Parr. Congrats on your wonderful progress as an Indie writer with your dream developing!

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  14. I have read The Wi.nchester Goose and loved it. I would like to read A Song of Sixpence next as I am interested in Perkin Warback because of the Irish connection. Well done to you, Judith, for persevering.

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  15. I have been wanting to read The Kiss of The Concubine for so long! It's been on my GoodReads list for about 3 years! Wonderful competition :)

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  16. Thank you everyone for entering. The draw is now closed and I will be announcing the lucky winner later on today.

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  17. Thank you all again, the draw has been taken and the winner is Leni425 - well done Leni, check your mailbox!

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