Sunderland author of Shipyard Girls sails into Sunday Times bestseller list once more

The hugely popular novels about Sunderland’s very own shipyard girls have sailed into the Sunday Times bestseller list once more.
Amanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell,  has made the Sunday Times bestsellers list againAmanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell,  has made the Sunday Times bestsellers list again
Amanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell, has made the Sunday Times bestsellers list again

Penned by author Amanda Revell Walton, who writes as Nancy Revell from her Roker Home, the series of books feature fictional characters, but is based on the hundreds of real Wearside women who went to work in the shipyards during the war and kept the vital industry afloat.

Amanda released her latest instalment, the ninth in the saga series, earlier this month and it’s made the prestigious Sunday Times Bestseller list, selling 6,555 copies in its first week.

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A Christmas Wish for the Shipyard Girls comes in at No 8 on the list, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sophie Kinsella, David Attenborough and Mrs Hinch.

The Sunday Times bestsellers listThe Sunday Times bestsellers list
The Sunday Times bestsellers list

Amanda, whose own family once worked in the shipyards, said: “I was over the moon when my editor rang and told me I’d made it into the top ten.

"A Christmas Wish for the Shipyard Girls was published on what is known as ‘Super Thursday’ in the book trade – it’s the most competitive time of year to bring out a book – and was even tougher this year as so many books had their publishing dates pushed back due to the Corona crisis.

"So the fact Christmas Wish came in at number eight and was just behind Sophie Kinsella’s Christmas book is amazing. I can’t take all the praise, though, as I do have the best readers ever! I have had so many brilliant reader reviews on amazon and on social media which really helps to spread the word and publicise the Shipyard Girls series. Word of mouth is such a fantastic endorsement.”

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In the latest book, it’s now Christmas 1943 in Sunderland. As Christmas approaches in the shipyards, everyone is hoping for a little magic: Helen would love to find the courage to tell the dashing Dr Parker of her true feelings for him. But how can she when he clearly has eyes for someone else?

More than a year has passed since Bel’s wedding to sweetheart Joe. She knows she has much to feel thankful for and yet there is still one burning desire which she cannot ignore.

Amanda added: “Waterstones Sunderland have been brilliant, as always, and although they aren’t able to hold book signings at the moment, they set me up in the café, which is presently closed, so that I was able to sign a load of books on publication day.

"John Wilson and his lovely staff at Fulwell post office also continue to be a huge support, selling signed copies of all the books in the series.”

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The winners of our previous A Christmas Wish for the Shipyard Girls competition will be contacted this week.

::A Christmas Wish for the Shipyard Girls is out now, via Arrow Paperback Original, priced £7.99. Fulwell post office and Waterstones Sunderland are selling signed copies. The book is also available from Asda, Morrison’s, Tesco’s, WH Smiths and Amazon. Sainsbury’s will be selling the latest instalment nearer to Christmas from November 12 onwards.

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