This is a copy of a press release that has just gone out - please forward if you know of anyone who might be interested.
Books for Heroes
Britain’s bestselling historical novelists show their support at Christmas for our frontline troops in Afghanistan
A group of writers from the British Isles, all of whom are members of the Historical Writers’ Association (www.thehwa.co.uk), has decided to demonstrate their support for our troops in Afghanistan by sending them a collective Christmas present in the form of a package of at least fifty, rip-roaring historical novels.
These bestselling novelists – including Angus Donald, M.C. Scott, Ben Kane, Lindsey Davis, Robyn Young, Giles Kristian, Robert Low, Harry Sidebottom, Diana Preston, Lindsay Powell, Michael Arnold, Ruth Downie, Cassandra Clark, JD Davies, Anthony Riches, Douglas Jackson, Stella Duffy and Imogen Robertson – have made an informal agreement with British service personnel to ship free copies of their books to the brave men and women serving at the front with the aim of providing them with a little Christmas cheer.
Books for Heroes organizer Angus Donald, the bestselling author of the Outlaw Chronicles, said: “For some time my colleagues in the HWA and I have been discussing how we might make a solid gesture of support for our troops in Afghanistan, at a time when public interest in the war seems to be waning. We think it is important to show our admiration for them and acknowledge the difficult and dangerous job that they are doing so well. As historical novelists, we decided that the simplest thing to do would be to send them free books. The troops often have to live in rather uncomfortable conditions and, when not engaged in their dangerous duties, can become a little bored. We are hoping that we may be able to provide some comfort and cheer at Christmas to men and women who are far away from family and friends. We also want them to know that we are thinking of them.”
HWA Chair, M.C. Scott, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to offer something positive to the men and women serving overseas and at home. Anything we can do to improve the tenor of the days is immensely worthwhile. We look forward to this being the first of many such initiatives, both from the HWA and others.”
The HWA was set up in October 2010, in a move spearheaded by Scott, and a group of influential writers came together to form the Association. The HWA was formed out of a belief that historical writers needed to have the same kind of professional body run by professional writers for professional writers to sustain, promote and support each other and their work in the way that the Crime Writers’ Association provides professional and social support for its members.
In November 2011, the HWA sent out a package of forty books to Afghanistan, via serving military personnel, which was very enthusiastically received, and the Association is now organizing another larger package of about fifty to sixty books containing the works of nearly twenty authors, which should arrive in theatre by Christmas. The HWA also has future plans for an ongoing scheme that would allow for a steady stream of free books to be sent out by the HWA to the troops, perhaps twice a year, and also possibly for books to be provided for injured service men and women in British hospitals.
