On the hunt for Peter May’s biggest fans 22/8/14
The Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association (OHTIA) is working closely with the London office of Quercus Books which have just launched a competition to recruit the top 100 “superfans” of crime writer Peter May.
Award-
The superfans will be asked to submit suggestions outlining how they would help share Peter May’s books and extend their enthusiasm to new readers.
The lucky 100 superfans will receive a pack including early copies of May’s next book, Runaway, out January 2015; a copy of the Lewis Trilogy companion photobook Hebrides; five copies of their favourite May title; and regular updates and excerpts.
Quercus is asking fans, who have until 14th September to apply, to document their sharing experience on social media using creative and imaginative sharing techniques.
Ultimately, the fan who is judged to have undertaken the best sharing campaign come the end of January will win a holiday to the Outer Hebrides to visit the places which have inspired May’s writing, and which have lead to the creation of the Peter May Trail.
Marketing manager at Quercus, Bethan Ferguson, said: “Peter May is a first class crime writer and has such a loyal and enthusiastic fan base that we wanted to give them the opportunity and means to share that enthusiasm with other book lovers.”
Ian Fordham, chair of the OHTIA said he was delighted at the positive exposure which the Outer Hebrides have received as a result of Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy.
He said: “Other UK destinations have seen literary tourism grow into a commercially significant phenomenon.
“With an increasing Peter May fan base and huge interest in The Lewis Trilogy, we are anticipating raised awareness of the Outer Hebrides, specifically of the locations referred to in The Lewis Trilogy as well as the companion photobook ‘Hebrides.’
“This was the reason we developed the Peter May Trail which guides visitors around the Lewis Trilogy locations throughout the islands.”