Portsmouth fan John Westwood 'overwhelmed' after tweet about not selling a single book goes viral

A tweet from The Petersfield Bookshop this week has made international news after the team posted that they had made no sales in the store which they believe was for the 'first time ever’.

The post on social media asking people to take a look at the website received over 6,000 retweets and 11,000 likes as well as celebrity endorsement from author Neil Gaiman, who retweeted the post to his 2.8m followers and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth who promised a visit as long as there was ‘tea and walnut cake’.

Twitter user @ozayethenoo said: ‘I’m up in Scotland, so I’ve bought one of your Abebooks listings in lieu of popping in. Thanks for letting us know about your day, hope we’ve been able to help you a bit.

‘Although you know it’s really you who helps us by keeping real books alive.’

User @Tarry_Not said: ‘I’m adding you to my map of bookstores to visit on an upcoming ramble around the UK. It’s a fascinating way to organise a trip.'

Horror writer Simeon Courtie added: ‘Agh, like a dagger to the heart. I feel bad enough if my own book has no sales, but to hear this... ugh. But you shared it. Bravery is rewarded, right? Hang in there. If you want a travel/horror writer I can visit for a signing day? I’ll make a hullabaloo & bring biscuits.’

John says he has been left 'overwhelmed’ by the response which has seen him shipping books off to Scotland, America and New Zealand.

He tweeted: ‘What a night! We have been completely overwhelmed in a good way. We have 1,100 new followers. We have loads of online book orders. We have over 300 messages, many asking after books.

‘Chap in shop today: "I've lived in Petersfield all my life and never been in your shop. Last night my friend who lives in San Francisco told me I had to come in today.’