Win The Arcadian!
A promotion idea that has worked for us in the past is to do a drawing (i.e. plucking a winning ticket out of a hat) for a prize.
In fact, let me experiment right here.
Tell me in the Comments if you’d be interested in the following idea:
Diana and I put together a package that we sent as a thank-you to friends who’ve helped us with THE ARCADIAN. The package contained signed paperbacks of A MAN AT ARMS and THE ARCADIAN, plus a fold-out detailing the links between the two … and, just for fun, a hand-made pewter “X” pin in honor of the Roman Tenth Legion, a big part of the story in both books.
Would you be interested if we held a drawing and picked ten winners for one of these two-packs?
Let me know in the Comments. If there’s enough interest, we’ll do it.
But back to marketing wisdom …
What we’ve done in the past is announce a “live” drawing, which we then do at a specific day and time on Instagram. We place all the entries in a giant bowl and I pluck the winners. We announce in the moment. It always gets a lot of views.
We also contact the winners via email, so they know even if they weren’t tuned in to the actual drawing.
It’s fun. I always look forward to it.
Think about trying it for your own project. If it looks like fun, I’ll sign up myself!
Would you enter a drawing to win this “two-pack” of A MAN AT ARMS and THE ARCADIAN?
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Sounds fun, Steve. Count me in!
I’m in!!! Sounds great!!
Yes! I love it when you draw lots, not only because I might win something that matters, but because you usually say something about writing, inspiration, something topical. Have a nice day!
Steve, splendid fun. I would enter. Loved A Man at Arms!! Peace and Plenty,
Gerry
Yes, would love a drawing
What a generous and great idea! I’d love to try and win a copy. Thanks always for the weekly wisdom!
Steve, this would certainly be fun, and of course I did win the pugio at your drawing for A Man At Arms. That picked me up in the middle of a terrible year personally, and is a cherished possession.
But I would pay good money for a a Telemon ‘X’ pin, so please do make them available for purchase.
Best regards,
Peter
Sure. Just want you to how that a read your posts and enjoy your books.
Dear Steven,
What an amazing and thoughtful initiative! I emphatically support the idea of a drawing and, of course, I would love to be one of the winners. The signed copies and the handmade pin would make a wonderful gift for my boyfriend, who is so passionate about your work!
Thanks 🙂
This sounds amazing. I’d be absolutely interested. I can’t wait to dig into this new book.
Great idea, would love the chance to get this amazing package.
Yes, love this idea, Steven.
Yes,i’m interested.
Yes, I am in.
Hi Steven, I would definitely enter the drawing. All the best.
Yes! I would definitely be interested! Thank you for the inspiration and positivity you keep sending our way with your emails!
I would be interested if you are able to ship to the UK. I’m sure a lot of your readers are outside the USA, so maybe something you should clarify in advance?
Of course!
Best way to start the summer readimg in my hammock under the sun!
I’d be interested but I’m also international and probably not realistic. Tom
Absolutely! I remember when you gave away the handmade mugs last time too.
I’m with Simon.
Cheers,
Jürgen
Yes. The idea of a drawing creates excitement. I loved the Daily Pressfield boxed pack with the extra goodies.
The drawing is a great idea! I’m interested.
You bet I would! I’m in
Tom
Yes, do it
I’m loving this series of promo ideas.
I’m in 🙂
The drawings are always fun.
Yeah let’s do it!
Here’s my coincidental moment of the morning, Mike. I was doing some historical research yesterday, looking at online records for land warrants in some counties in colonial Pennsylvania (looking for evidence my character or his father had resided there). I didn’t find what I was looking for, but on page after page, I saw the same surname recurring over and again. Thinking, this family was prolific. And prosperous, given the amount of land they owned.
Surname that caught my attention yesterday: Swearingen
Y’all from Pennsylvania?
Yes! I am always interested in drawings!
Since I’m in Japan, I’ll pass the opportunity. But, it is a great idea!
I would enter a draw for sure.. ps I’m in Canada as warning in advance as above..
Yes!
Heck yes!!
Yes!
I’ve really enjoyed reading the other books you are reading, and am sure I would enjoy these books as well., especially because the deal with the Roman Tenth Legion. I live in Jerusalem, where the Tenth Legion spent many years.
Fun fact: In Israel whenever anyone wants to build in an area, they have to first perform an archeological survey (called a salvage dig) to make sure they aren’t destroying anything historically important. When they performed the salvage dig for the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, they found the remains a roofing tile factory. Many of the tiles found had the stamp of the 10th Legion on them. Parts of the site were preserved, and when you walk into the Convention Center, you can look down through a fiberglass panel in the floor to see it.
Yehudit… that IS so interesting, to realize that we’re separated from deep history by no more than 20 or 30 feet of soil. (I read the abstract of the 2005 Arubas and Goldfus paper that describes this dig, and mentions: “The area had then been covered by a thick layer of plaster upon which were found some large mortaria and many bricks, some bearing stamps of the Tenth Roman Legion.”
I read your piece, “The Last Beat.” Lovely insight into being present with a person as they pass from here to what’s next. Going home, going to the next adventure. Who can tell? I’ve been present a couple times for passings like this (hospice volunteering). It’s profound.
Gates of Fire is my favorite historical fiction book, i have several copies for some reason & it continues to help me through difficulties.
I would love to enter
Yes! (Couldn’t type fast enough!) your writing is inspiring.
Of course!
Please make it happen. Very interested!.
Make it hap’n Cap’n!
S’funny, Corey. Also, I listened to “What I Steal” on your site. You’re good.
Yes please, Steve. Good idea!
Wonderful books. I can’t decide which is my favorite.
We need more stories with this character…
( I know you’ve got more )
” Start the next one today “. 🙂
Of course! 🙂
Yes, yes, yes
Thanks for taking care of us
Semper Fi
I’m in
Heck ya!!
+1 vote for a draw!
Regards,
Peter
Absolutely do it! Drawings are great fun…I would enter in a heartbeat!
YES FOR SURE! Never won anything. This could be a wonderful first! Thanks for the chance.
Brenda
Depends on what entering the drawing costs me (not limited to money).
Maybe get us to share posts about your work on social media in exchange for entry? Just spitballing.
If we do it, it’ll all be free, John. And Diana and I will even pay the postage!
Absolutely…yes! Thanks for including us in the decision.
I would like to participate but I live in Germany.
yes I would be interestedin this drawing.
Yes, this would be awesome. I absolutely loved A Man at Arms when read it just a year ago and remember craving more Telamon afterward. I look forward to getting to follow him more in The Arcadian.
💯!
Great idea! Received my copy, will start reading this weekend!
Absolutely! Drawings are always a fun event.
I bought my copy, so I’ve already won. (And I admit that I also acquired the Audible version so I could listen to George Guidall narrate the story. He’s a master.)
But none of that will stop me from raising my hand and saying, “Count me in!” The packaging that Diana and Steve have crafted… it makes “opening” an event. I got to open one of these when A Man at Arms came out. Even the cushioning/packing paper was cool… like paper cargo netting. I kept mine to use as camo on my bunker. (kidding… I don’t have a bunker… as far as you know…)
Noting a few lines and word choices that made me hum, and underline:
**. “The young officers were scions and princelings of the leading families…”
** Peering “into a mist as thick as milk.”
** “…the Portuguese lieutenant hove into view.” Not “came into view. Not “appeared.”
** “the girl and the man descried parties of refugees…”
** “The girl strode, pace for pace now, at the iron man’s side.”
** “Grandmothers besieged him with kisses. Men shook his hand with solemn conviction.”
** “She saw Telamon’s quarterstaff crack pates and splinter limbs…”
Good stuff.
And there’s an “equine vibe” in the air. Ann Patchett’s new book is titled, Whistler. One character is a book editor, who in one scene tells a story about a book proposal he read at work in which a horse named “Whistler” helps his owner realize that love can defy death. In an opening scene, a character is visiting the Met, and is captivated by a painting. From the NY Times review:
***
She is meanwhile captivated by Charles Ray’s “Two Horses,” a large granite relief of, in Daphne’s interpretation, “one horse and its ghost,” a faint animal standing behind the clearer one like a shadow, or an echo. This sculpture appears to encompass past and present all at once…”
Giddy up.
I’m with you, Joe. Bought my copy and packed it away to read on an upcoming trip in the outdoors. You know how hard that was?
Just a thought: When I’m able to, I gift a copy of a favorite book to my local library. As a former employee, I know first hand how tight some of the small town budgets are. Not every title makes it to the shelves with the divide between children’s, fiction, nonfiction, etc.
Same here, Joe. I have the book in hand and “the win” is simply the pleasure in reading it. But I love the idea, Steve, of the contest.
Hell yes!
Truthfully, I will settle to be able to purchase a signed copy to add to my collection. You were very kind to me back in 2020/2021 when I was going through some health stuff. I will always be a member of your shieldwall…well…phalanx in this case. 🙂
Yes please, sign me up!:)
Absolutely!
Absolutely—I would definitely be interested. Thanks!
Absolutely!!! You know I would love to participate in any promotion you do.
I’m interested. Thanks 🙂
Most assuredly ❤️
Oui oui.
Heck YES! Am loving the Audible reading.
+1 for the yeas – please do it! That would be a wonderful prize for any library.
Yes! That would be a lot of fun.
I’m in!
Steven,
This would be a great idea. I love the books. Keep up the good work!
Of course, this sounds fantastic!
Yes, I’m interested! I listen to you every morning on my daily walk. An oldie, The War of Art. It’s helping me stay focused on my new venture.
I love this idea!
Absolutely! I would love to read the Arcadian
Yes – I’d be interested.
Thank you.
Hey Steve. Sure interested in that gift 😁
I live in Europe, so could read Man at arms only in Serbian, and I don’t like translated books. Really don’t.
I’d love to read it again original, and then the follow up.
Do need more time to read stuff in English, but it’s worth it.
Good luck with the promotions 💪🏻💪🏻
This sounds like a spectacular idea. As the grandson of an Arkadian I’m looking forward to the drawing.
Hi Diana & Steve!! Yes, please 🙂
Just finished The Arcadian last night and absolutely would love the draw. And a map to the parallels because I saw several but I know I missed some.
Uh… let me think about it for a minuteYES!
Yes, please!
Yes, a drawing like that would be really fun! I so appreciate your Writing Wednesday posts. They are helpful, relevant, and digestible. Thank you!
Yes!
YES
ABSOLUTELY…LOVE YA LT
Would love to Mr. P.
Yes!!!! 🙂
Yes!
I’d love it!
I like the idea! Then i can gift my hard copy Arcadian to my local library.
Count me in! Gates of Fire is one of my favourute books, not only because it involves a famous war incident of my country…
I would be interested, it would be great!
Yes, I’m absolutely interested!
Would love a chance to win! Thank you!
For sure, I would love to be a part of this!! Regardless of my slim chances of winning, I am really looking forward to reading the new book, I loved A Man at Arms.
Yes I’m interested.
Yes, I’m in.
I think that is a great idea!
Yes, the live drawing sound like fun and it is personal.
I would love to be entered to win! I find all of your writings inspiring and engaging! Thanks for staying connected.
I’d definitely be interested!
Under ordinary circumstances — I’d already have the book half finished but I’m in a much tighter financial position of late.
From the opening fight scene on the hill — A Man at Arms was stellar and I could use a fresh copy.
So yes — winning a drawing for the two would be a big win for me.
I appreciate all your work Steve ( and Diana ). Been a great fan of yours ( and Telemons ) since Gates of Fire. I pray your new home is treating you well.
Blessings —
TPS
I would sign up if the offer was for your books about writing. Love contests! Love your ongoing engagement!
Good day Mr Pressfield,
I would ne very interested in the Arcadian package !! Who would not 😉
Where do I sign up?
Hell Ya!
Steven, that’s a fabulous idea! 😎😎😎
I feel like this question is the literary equivalent of asking hungry people if they’d like dessert. 😄
Definitely interested! This year I’ve been carrying a desire to collect signed copies from some of my favorite authors. I’ve only just started, but I can already see the collection growing.It would be an honor to have yours on that shelf. Thanks Steven!
I’m in!
Thank you for everything you’ve done.
I’ve been a professional writer for 11 years. I owe jumping into the fray to The War of Art, Turning Pro and The Authentic Swing. Thank you for those books and all the others!
Yes Sir! I am most definitely interested!
Sounds good to me. I would love to win the drawing. Sign me up!
Yes! Very interested. It’s a great idea!
My dear Steve, this is an ecxellent idea. Don’t worry about me, I have you on my side and that is more than enough. Although I’m sure you would rather drown me for the mess I make in the path of the hero. And the book will be here very soon too. May the lottery bring forth ten flaming balls of energy which will attempt to hit hearts blindly.
And although this is an indirect idea, let me add as a spice the answer to the question in about 1′:30” of this youtube video: “Oh, and what are you going to use in place of gold?” (Zeus asks Jason)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKjuG1DL8gM
Damn, it’s difficult to do that.
My love to you, Diana, the team, all the friends.
Mais Oui!
Yes I’d enter in a heartbeat – xOxMarla
Sounds like fun!! Count me in!
Yep, do it! Love the idea of a map of links!
I would enter sir!
Steve
I would enter, and I dont need drawings to buy your books. Ive loved everyone of them. It would be nice to have a signed copy of the last two.
So I would enter.
I appreciate you
BE Well
Chuck Root
I would definitely enter and very much appreciate your considering doing this.
I’m interested. Sign me up.
Absolutely! Great idea.
Yes please.
🍃🌸🍃
Yes!
Yes, please. Thank you!
If you should consider shipping to South Africa, then, YES please enter me in the draw.
Yes, I am interested! What a great idea 😃
Definitely interested!
Sure! Everyone loves a giveaway.
Yes I would enter the drawing, thank you for the awesome promo tips as well!!
Yes, I would love to enter a drawing to win this “two-pack” of A MAN AT ARMS and THE ARCADIAN!!
Absolutely, I’m interested! Count me in! What a prize, thank you.
Awesome opportunity. Thanks for the chance.
Hit me! Just know that if I win, The Arcadian will go right to the top of my Summer Reading pile. Let’s go, Steve! And Diana… 😊
Yes, I would LOVE to enter your drawing. How fun! No matter what!, I look forward to reading both of these creations.
Yes! Of course 🙂
I’m absolutely interested in the drawing!