Category: Ghost of Ivy Barn

GEISTERZAUBER is out today in Germany

The third Witches of Woodville GEISTERZAUBER (Ghost Magic — aka The Ghost of Ivy Barn) is out today in Germany! I love what they’ve done with the covers and they all look amazing together. Grab your copies from all good German bookshops. There’s more info on the Heyne website here.

The Return of the Signed Book and Chocolate Giveaway

Giveaway time! If you want a signed and dedicated copy of The Ghost of Ivy Barn and a bar of Ghost of Ivy Barn milk chocolate, then you’re in luck. I’m giving away five of this tasty pair this week. All you need to do is sign up to the Woodville Village Library Newsletter here to be in with a chance to win. The giveaway closes at 5pm BST on Sunday 11th September 2022. If you’ve already signed up to the newsletter then you’ll automatically be entered into the draw. Full terms and conditions are here. Good luck!

The Unboxing Ghost is revealed (and some behind the scenes stuff)…

Thanks to everyone who’s watched my recent unboxing video for The Ghost of Ivy Barn, especially those who have been looking for the ghost in the background. He appears four times. Most people only see him three times. Here’s the original video…

So, here’s a breakdown of where you can see him…

I hope that clears everything up! By the way, if you’ve enjoyed our unboxing videos, you might like this little peek behind the scenes with some fun outtakes…

The Ghost of Ivy Barn is here!

It’s finally here! The Ghost of Ivy Barn is now available wherever you get your books. There are all sorts of buy links here.

I’m launching the book tonight (Thursday 7th July) at Waterstones in Canterbury, so please come along if you’re in the area. We have cake!

Or, you can join us on Youtube! This will be interactive, so you can ask questions and there will some extra bonus material for you streamers (to make up for the lack of cake) . Just click on the screen below…

Today also sees the start of a wonderful blog tour from Random Reads..

The first reviews have been amazing!

The Book Lover’s Boudoir said: “I love Faye. She’s my kind of witch. This is a hugely entertaining mix of history and magic. I can’t wait to see what the witches get up to next.” Here’s the full review.

And the Witches of Whitby at the Enchanted Emporium said: “The witches didn’t think this series could get better, but they were wrong. This is the best book yet – full of humour, magic, betrayal and murder, with a slight inkling of romance between Faye and Bertie.” Here’s the full review.

My huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this book into life, and to all you readers who have ordered it. I really hope you enjoy it and do please leave a rating or review wherever possible. Happy reading!

Can You Spot the Ghost in my Unboxing Video…?

Here’s my unboxing video for The Ghost of Ivy Barn! It didn’t quite go to plan… but can you spot the ghost? He appears four times…

CREDITS

Camera and Edit: Kai Newton

Music: Dominic Currie

Sound: Emily Stay

Production Assistant: Harry Gibson

The Ghost: George Stay

Special thanks to Stewart Tophill at Keel Farm for the use of the barn

One Week to the Launch of The Ghost of Ivy Barn…

Stand by for updates on the in-person event, a live-streaming event, and a free sneak peek at the opening chapter!

You — yes you! — are cordially invited to the launch of the next Witches of Woodville book THE GHOST OF IVY BARN on Thursday 7th July, 2022 at Waterstones, Canterbury…

But why should one come to a book launch? What even happens at a book launch? Here are some helpful pointers for book launch virgins…

  • I will greet you all and give a short reading from the book (I promise this will be 4 minutes or less!)
  • I will take questions from those gathered and answer them without repetition or hesitation. Probably.
  • The signing will begin!
  • There will be cake, which is free! (okay, technically included with the ticket price)
  • There will be wine and soft drinks, also free! (see above)
  • You will get a fiver off the first book you purchase. That basically means if you buy a book you’re getting in for free… this also applies to students, who get in free anyway!
  • You can meet the me in person, and I’ve had all my jabs and will have hand sanitiser on standby.
  • You can get your books signed, dedicated, personalised, scribbled/doodled on by me.
  • You can ask me questions that you didn’t want to ask in front of the others (or you thought of them while standing in line).
  • You can get your book stamped with the official Woodville Library stamp (while ink lasts)!
  • You can get a free Witches of Woodville bookmark (while stocks last).
  • You can have your photograph taken with me, a wizard, a witch, a ghost, or all of us!
  • Did we mention the cake?

This is the first time I’ve been able to launch a Woodville book in person. The Crow Folk was published in lockdown, and I had Covid when Babes in the Wood was published, so I would love to see as many of you good people as possible, so book a minibus and crash the party!

To ensure your place at the launch, simply visit those splendid people at Waterstones by clicking here.

JOIN US ON THE INTERWEBS WITH LIVE STREAMING

But if you can’t make it on the night, fear not… you can join us live on Youtube! Yes, we’re also streaming the event live, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions like everyone else, and there will even be some exclusive spooky content for streamers (if we can get the technical jiggery-pokery to work). You will have to provide your own cake and beverage, however. To join us on YouTube, simply click here.

FREE CHAPTER SAMPLE

Psst? Want a sneak peek at the first chapter of The Ghost of Ivy Barn? Simply click here to download it. This is the sort of thing normally reserved for subscribers to the Woodville Village Library Newsletter, but I like the look of you, so you can get it too. If you like what you see, you can find all kinds of pre-order links when you click on the book cover below.

If you want access to free and exclusive Woodville stories, then you can sign up for the newsletter here.

I’m having a Book Launch… and you’re all invited

You are cordially invited to the launch of my next Witches of Woodville book THE GHOST OF IVY BARN on Thursday 7th July, 2022 at Waterstones, Canterbury…

Yes, it’s a little way off, but best to get these things in your diary, I say. Especially as this is a real world, in-person event! (Covid and other disasters permitting). It costs a fiver, but you save that money if you purchase the book on the night, and I promise to sign them all.

There will also be free refreshments including wine, soft drinks and cake (while stocks last, of course).

I’ll be joined by Kentish author of high regard, Mr Kit Cox, who will emcee the evening. And there will be magical folk in costume, which will allow for many opportunities to do things on the Instagram, TiketyTok and the like. 

To ensure your place at the launch, simply visit those splendid people at Waterstones by clicking here.

Which of you lovely people would like a free signed bookplate?

I have splendid news. After some considerable cajoling, I have persuaded local author Mark Stay to pop down to the village printers and order some bookplates (*what’s a bookplate? Please see below). And not only that, he’s agreed to give 50 away in a draw. You could be in with a chance of getting one if you pre-order The Ghost of Ivy Barn in the month of February 2022! I’ve also convinced him to extend this offer to anyone who asks their local library to get the book in, too… though quite what they can do with a signed bookplate when they have to eventually return the book to the library is a mystery. Mr Stay suggested they slap it on their forehead as a sign of their devotion.

So how does one obtain one of these bookplates?

  • Pre-order The Ghost of Ivy Barn in paperback, eBook or audiobook from any UK retailer (there’s a list here). Or pop along to your local library and ask them to order a copy.
  • You should receive some form of proof-of-purchase.
  • Email the proof-of-purchase to me at minty@witchesofwoodville.com
  • Also — and this is important! — please complete this form. It allows me to keep track of everyone who has pre-ordered the book. If one is not on the form, one will not be entered into the draw.
  • All pre-orders must be made before midnight on Monday 28th February 2022.
  • We will then draw 50 names at random and send them their signed/dedicated bookplates.

I do hope that’s clear. If there’s any confusion do please email me: minty@witchesofwoodville.com 
Full terms and conditions are here.

Oh, and one bit of pertinent news. The publication date of The Ghost of Ivy Barn has pootled along and is now 7th July 2022. I’ve asked Mr Stay why and he said something about “paper shortages, chaos in publishing and bookselling and HGV drivers!” before ranting that he “delivered the bloody thing on time, and it’s not my fault!” We sincerely hope that doesn’t cause you too much distress.

WHAT’S A BOOKPLATE?

It’s a small sticky label that the author signs so that you can put in the front of your book and pretend you met them and bask in their reflected glory.

Here is the current design for the new bookplate (you’ll just have to imagine Mr Stay’s scrawl in the middle there)…

Cover Reveal for THE GHOST OF IVY BARN

The masterful Harry Goldhawk has done it again with his cover art for the third Witches of Woodville book THE GHOST OF IVY BARN. Behold…

You can discover more of Harry’s magical work here.

And you can pre-order The Ghost of Ivy Barn here.