Self-published Author Joins Forces with Independent UK Bookstores for Digital Xmas Advent Giveaway

LONDON - Nov. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Self-publishing author Marisha Pink has teamed up with 26 of the UK's independent bookstores to give away copies of her debut novel, Finding Arun, this Christmas. The original campaign will see over 50 books gifted to readers through the 'Arun Advent' app, a digital advent calendar for iPhone and iPad, developed in partnership with iMobilize Ltd.

The advent calendar's windows each conceal a clue pointing to an independent bookstore where a signed paperback copy of Finding Arun has been hidden. To win, readers must simply guess the location of the bookstore and, if they are first to reach the store, they can claim the free book for themselves. Stores are participating in London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bradford, Nottingham, Sheffield, Brighton, Leicester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Swansea and Dublin.

Valerie Smalley, owner of Tin Drum Books in Leicester, said "It's great to see an author who is promoting her own work with such enthusiasm and skill. It is good for her and good for us and all bookshops need a boost just now. I hope she will start a trend."

To internationalise the giveaway, a second clue will also point readers to different pages on Pink's website where an image from the book's cover will be hidden amongst existing content. The first reader to post a link to the correct page on Facebook or Twitter, using #FindingArun, will win a signed ebook.

Marisha Pink said, "I wanted to do something fun and festive to promote Finding Arun and I'm thrilled that so many stores agreed to partner with me. Nothing can replace the feeling of holding a book in your hands and bookstores will always have an important role to play in that."

The Arun Advent app is available to download from Apple's App Store now and Finding Arun is available to buy online in paperback and ebook from all major retailers.

Contact

Marisha Pink

+44 (0)7753233925

marisha@notbythebook.co.uk

@marishapink

marishapink.com

Notes for editors

1.  Photographs, app images and interviews are available on request.

2.  Marisha Pink is a twenty-something-year-old rat race escapee turned author and entrepreneur. Born and raised in London, from a young age she had an unhealthy obsession with books and always dreamed of one day writing stories with the magic and power to take readers on a journey. After five years of working in advertising and marketing, including a stint at Saatchi & Saatchi Health, in September 2012 she decided that it was finally time to take the leap. Backpack in hand, she left everything behind to travel around Southeast Asia and complete her first novel, Finding Arun. She's been on a mission not to live life by the book ever since.

3.   Finding Arun was the subject of a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in April 2013, raising over £5,000 from 185 backers in under 30 days. The money was used to fund the self-publication of the book.

4.   Tin Drum Books is an independent bookstore located in central Leicester. Run by owners Ian and Valerie Smalley for the last 27 years, the shop stocks mainly sci-fi, horror and politics titles, with a small selection of text books. There is also a permanent sale of 10p books outside (weather permitting).

5.  iMobilize Ltd is a London-based technology company dedicated to the development of quality mobile applications. Since 2008 they've been creating beautiful, bespoke apps that harness the power of mobile technology to connect and engage clients with their customers, old and new. They are experienced in the development of apps for the full range of platforms and devices, including iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola. Previous clients include BSkyB, Ben Sherman, L.K. Bennett and Jackpot Joy.