Sunday 25 May 2014

Signed James Oswald Giveaway

Now that my blog hiatus is consigned to the past I thought I'd like to do my very first giveaway but wasn't sure what I would giveaway. On Wednesday an unexpected opportunity popped up and my decision was made.
The author James Oswald is one of my current favourites with his Inspector McLean novels which are an Edinburgh based police procedural series with a supernatural twist which adds interest to the story. He was appearing at an author event in Dalmuir Library as part of West Dunbartonshire's Booked! Festival and I thought a signed set of his books would make a great giveaway gift especially as I know his books have been popping up with bloggers joining in with Laura at Circle of Pine Trees Year in Books and elsewhere.
It was a bit of a scramble to buy all three books as each shop seemed to have only one or other, which was annoying, as I hadn't realised there was a bookseller attending the event with piles of his books! Dalmuir Library was bright and welcoming and the audience was small and cosy enough to feel relaxed and engaged. They even laid on tea and biccies!
James, who I hope doesn't mind me calling him by his first name, was a fabulous speaker. He was well prepared and spoke with great clarity, humility and humour as he shared his 20yr journey to becoming what the press insist is an 'overnight success'. He's had an interesting career pathway including being a wine merchant and sheep poop collector as part of research and came to farming unexpectedly rapidly due to a family tragedy. I was impressed that he farms Romney sheep and my absolute favourite the Highland 'Big Ginger Coo' specifically because these breeds are hardy and as low maintenance as possible to allow him time to write. The best news for the audience was that he is writing away furiously, and in addition to Dead Men's Bones which is number four in the series, he is contracted for a further two books. Afterwards James was most kind in signing everyone's books, chatting and even kindly posed for the photos here for me.
I'm keeping it simple as this is a celebratory 'thank you' giveaway to the lovely bloggers I read who share their lives and to anyone who reads my blog. Just leave me a comment to let me know you would like to be involved. Anyone can enter from anywhere as I read international blogs so everyone should be able to enjoy the fun. Make sure you leave me a way of contacting you if you are a winner. As this is a Bank Holiday weekend and half term in places I'll keep this open till 8am on Saturday morning 31st of May 2014. Good luck everyone.


17 comments:

  1. I follow JO's blog and he often posts where he is appearing for book signings or events. It's never occurred to me that any of the bloggers I follow in Scotland might go to one of the signings! This is a lovely idea for a giveaway, and very generous too. Did you get a set signed for yourself as well?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gosh, it's ages since I read a really good book. Please enter me in your generous giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a generous giveaway - and how lovely of you to go to a signing- that makes the books extra special. Please include me in!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a fantastic giveaway, very generous of you. Please include me xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just found your blog via Frugal in Suffolk. Looking forward to having a good look around. You are having a very generous giveaway, the books look like they would be a good read. Please include me in your fabulous giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a kind giveaway! And what a nice author to pose for pictures! Yes please do enter me in the giveaway!

      Delete
  6. Wow, that's a really generous giveaway! Thank you. (And I don't need to be entered, obviously!)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please enter me! I became a JO fan through his Sir Benfro fantasy novels.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please enter me! I became a JO fan through his Sir Benfro fantasy novels.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so pleased that you got to go to this event and that you enjoyed it so much. These are not really my sort of books, so please don't include me in your giveaway as they would be better with someone who is a real fan. So glad that you got to go though! xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Please add me in to this ace giveaway. Love his books and would love to have a signed copy :-) Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't tried any of his books before, so would welcome the chance to win one. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh I would love to be joined in your giveaway! He sounds like a fantastic person which makes his books that much more intriguing! And thank you for coming by my blog and leaving such a kind comment! You have an outstanding space here and I look forward to following along with you! Nicole xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Aha!!!! You're over here!@! I've been going to look at your Pepsi-Max blog and not findibg any new posts!!! What a cool giveaway- I'd love to be included!!! I love Detective stories! X

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello! I am new to your blog and please sign me up for a chance to win one of those books... am always up for reading about a good mystery that needs to be solved. Thanks and have a great day ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, I'm new too! Thank you for coming to leave a comment on my blog and I'm glad to have found you. I've never heard of this author but as I love reading I'd love to try his books. This is a very generous offer you are making, I hope you have kept at least one for yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome and I read every single one