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?"
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, 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
Yes,i’m interested.
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?
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.
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!!
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
Make it hap’n Cap’n!
S’funny, Corey. Also, I listened to “What I Steal” on your site. You’re good.
Yes, yes, yes
Thanks for taking care of us
Semper Fi
+1 vote for a draw!
Regards,
Peter
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.
💯!
Great idea! Received my copy, will start reading this weekend!
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. 🙂
Absolutely!
Heck YES! Am loving the Audible reading.
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.
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 💪🏻💪🏻
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.
YES
ABSOLUTELY…LOVE YA LT
Would love to Mr. P.
I would be interested, it would be great!
Yes, I’m absolutely interested!
I think that is a great idea!