Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: tired
  • Music: Counting Crows, "Four White Stallions."

Here's rosemary, for remembrance...

A year ago, I was in a state of low-grade panic because of the upcoming release of my first novel, Rosemary and Rue. Was it really going to happen? Would anybody buy my book? Was my book even worth reading? What if this was some sort of elaborate practical joke (admittedly, one pulled by someone who could afford wasting a book advance on fucking with my head)? What if DAW hated me? What if, what if, what if?

Six months ago, I was in a state of low-grade panic because of the upcoming release of my second novel, A Local Habitation. What if the first book was just a fluke? What if nobody liked Toby when she was less broken? What if everyone lost interest and went off to read something else, and my publisher dropped me, and my numbers were terrible, and my agent told me I should be a dishwasher or something? What if, dammit?!

Right now, I would be in a state of low-grade panic, but I'm honestly too tired to work up the flailing. An Artificial Night, the third Toby Daye book, is out now, and I would really appreciate it if you'd go out and buy a copy, assuming you haven't already. My reasons are legion: I really think it's the best book of the series so far, I really love it as a piece of work, and it's the last book on my original contract with DAW, so it would be nice if it went out with a bang. Like all authors, I worry vaguely about an unknown god known only as "the numbers," and I'm sure I want the numbers to look on me with grace. So that means book sales, and maybe, I don't know, sacrificing a pizza. I'll get on that.

I really love this book. I love the way it looks, I love the way it feels, I love the fact that it exists. It makes me feel like a real girl, because now I can look at my brag shelf and see three Toby books in finished form, all of them there, waiting to be opened. It's amazing. And still a little terrifying.

Release parties start next weekend. Fun for the whole family!
Tags: an artificial night, contemplation, release dates, toby daye, writing
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seabhac_mhor

September 11 2010, 00:20:35 UTC 6 years ago

Purchased the day it came out. And met another person buying AAN at the same time I was.

Found out the local Borders only got three, but they were sold out by Thursday.

Am saving book for savoring. I have no plans this weekend, so one day may well be devoted to seeing how Toby manages to survive *this* time.

And I very much want to be at the Borderlands event, where I will probably buy a second copy for signing. :)

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 00:21:33 UTC 6 years ago

Glee. :)

illian

September 11 2010, 00:35:36 UTC 6 years ago

Reading it even now. :D

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 00:45:27 UTC 6 years ago

Yay!

ebartley

September 11 2010, 00:40:28 UTC 6 years ago

Amazon has delivered. :)

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 00:45:43 UTC 6 years ago

Glee!

ceitfianna

September 11 2010, 00:41:55 UTC 6 years ago

I just finished An Artificial Night today and loved it.

I was wondering what's the best place to leave a review to make the most difference. Since I love this series and want to promote it as much as I can.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 00:46:11 UTC 6 years ago

Amazon is good, although I refuse to read those; personal blog sites are also good, assuming you have a decent readership.

Thank you so much.

ceitfianna

6 years ago

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kidogirl

September 11 2010, 00:55:44 UTC 6 years ago

I made it as far as page 298 and burst into tears. Brava...it's a fantastic book!

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:18:00 UTC 6 years ago

Yay!

bloolark

September 11 2010, 01:08:32 UTC 6 years ago

Not only do I have it, I've read it twice, and forced the first two books on a friend of mine to read (along with Feed!). I will reluctantly give him AAN tomorrow, but then I may need to read it a few more times. It's excellent, absolutely excellent.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:18:30 UTC 6 years ago

Hooray!

catnip13

September 11 2010, 01:25:50 UTC 6 years ago

And my family shall be there, though I shall leave the bells at home.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:18:42 UTC 6 years ago

Will you bring the whistles?

aliciaaudrey

September 11 2010, 01:40:42 UTC 6 years ago

I have to say:

I read this book in a day, when I was running a relatively high fever and was dopey on six kinds of cold medicine (okay. One cold medicine that had four ingredients, but still.) I had reoccurring nightmares as a child of being chased by some unseen Evil Thing through a maze-like place, and that background made this book VERY EERIE indeed.

I do think this is the strongest book of the three. It's excellent. Well done.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:19:18 UTC 6 years ago

I am your childhood trauma?

SCORE.

aliciaaudrey

6 years ago

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hoppytoad79

September 11 2010, 01:51:38 UTC 6 years ago

I totally agree this is the best in the series so far. Each seems to be better than the last, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what's ahead. The loose ends and questions keep piling up, and it's clear what's to come is something Major and #6 is going to be a nonstop ride that packs a punch. I love the cover art. DAW chose the artist well.

For some reason, I got the idea AAN was being released a few days before August ended, so I took myself to Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy, but couldn't seem to locate where they had it displayed. Asking at the help desk, I was informed they didn't have any copies in stock. WHAT? Horrors! *is aghast with disbelief* Not have any copies of your latest novel? What is this world coming to? Whoever made the decision not to stock your book should be slapped with a fish repeatedly for their stupidity! Disappointed but undaunted, I ordered a copy. Fast forward several days. There's a B&N in the mall where I work, so I went in to browse during my lunch break. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a display containing many copies of your novel. Oops. Guess I was wrong about the release date. That would explain why the store didn't have any copies the week before. ;p

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:20:04 UTC 6 years ago

But hey, at least that means you got your book, and all is well with the world!

Wait until you see the cover for book four. Hooo, boy.

hoppytoad79

6 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

  • New comment

hoppytoad79

6 years ago

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saruby

September 11 2010, 02:23:34 UTC 6 years ago

Bought on Monday, because, hey, they had it in the store and I had a coupon! But I am in the middle of another book, so it is just sitting on my desk saying "me, me, me! I'm next! Hurry up already!" I'm on my way, honest. Don't suppose you're planning a release party, signing, anything in Denver.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:21:36 UTC 6 years ago

Not presently, unfortunately. Maybe for future volumes.

kitrinlu

September 11 2010, 02:31:00 UTC 6 years ago

I'm still waiting for the first book to arrive, but I'm putting the next two on my Christmas list :)

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:21:47 UTC 6 years ago

Yay!

saffronrose

September 11 2010, 03:55:26 UTC 6 years ago

My bookpusher just stuffed a bunch of books in a box for me, and yours was the latest one to go in, so I'll have it to get signed on Saturday next. I might even have a couple of British fans in tow!

I *will* have it read before then. No gooey things will be brought.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:22:15 UTC 6 years ago

Awesome, on all counts!

cleothyla

September 11 2010, 04:19:25 UTC 6 years ago

Got the book and devoured it 6.5 hours, and loved it. Another fantastic offering. Thank you!!!

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:22:41 UTC 6 years ago

Very welcome. :)

grr_rob

September 11 2010, 04:36:07 UTC 6 years ago

Purchased and reading. It is my BART reading, so if you'd like to have the "see someone reading my book on BART" it could possible be arranged.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:23:01 UTC 6 years ago

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.

I want it to happen organically. But dude.

paradisacorbasi

September 11 2010, 04:40:45 UTC 6 years ago

Have my copy on Kindle and am 3/4 of the way through it already.

You are determined to make me fall in love with Tybalt.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:23:23 UTC 6 years ago

Yes.

Yes, I am.

wendyzski

September 11 2010, 05:18:00 UTC 6 years ago

I am twitching because I have allowed it to go on my wishlist for an upcoming birthday so I have to wait *twitch* to see if I get it *twitch*

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:23:36 UTC 6 years ago

Awwwwww.

dubie

September 11 2010, 05:32:04 UTC 6 years ago

When Rosemary and Rue came out I tried to get the library to order it. They didn't *pout* they didn't want to get something from an unknown first time author. Ordered it through another library. Last Wednesday I called up the first library and asked "Is an award winning new author good enough to order books for?" All three books are now on order. YAY Someday I will buy my own copies but right now that is out of reach. Until then getting several libraries to order them will have to do. :)

Thank you so much.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:24:22 UTC 6 years ago

Bit by bit, I conquer the world!

You're very welcome. :)

dornbeast

September 11 2010, 06:04:38 UTC 6 years ago

Bought it yesterday. Traded sleeping for finishing it. Still employed.

In more coherent commentary: By thickness, An Artificial Night is about the same size as Rosemary and Rue, and thinner than A Local Habitation. But it reads bigger. It's like there's more in there than there was in either of the first two books. If you keep this up, I think book eight or nine will have to be handled by bomb squads, or risk exploding, scattering plot and characterization all over the place.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:24:50 UTC 6 years ago

That's awesome.

meko00

September 11 2010, 08:14:15 UTC 6 years ago

Bought it yesterday afternoon/evening. What with tiredness and the whole European day-night thing, I'm only on chapter three. But so far, just as good as the other two. *beams*

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:25:01 UTC 6 years ago

Yay!

meko00

6 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

6 years ago

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lesleen

September 11 2010, 11:26:42 UTC 6 years ago

I am over halfway through An Artifical Night and it is the strongest one yet. Love LOVE LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to write my review of it!!

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:25:16 UTC 6 years ago

Fantastic! Thank you so much.

dulcetfida

September 11 2010, 12:51:38 UTC 6 years ago

Bought the book as soon as it was available and read it in one gulp. I LOVE LOVE LOVED it. One of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait for the next one.

Of course, this has meant I've ended up reading the book so many times that it's already started to look tatty and well-worn. But it really is great. Thank you!

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:25:35 UTC 6 years ago

That's how you know a book is loved.

tintiger

September 11 2010, 14:06:24 UTC 6 years ago

Arrived this morning from Amazon UK :-) Is jumping up and down squeeing "read me, read me!" :-)

Congratulations on the Campbell - looking forward to seeing the tiara.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:25:57 UTC 6 years ago

Thank you!

Pictures forthcoming.

fadedbluejeans

September 11 2010, 14:17:54 UTC 6 years ago

Waiting impatiently for my copy to arrive, since for some dumb reason the Australian publisher no longer stocks R&R or ALH, and isn't doing AAN at all, so I have to wait for it to wing its way over from the US. But it shouldn't be more than another week or so now. (A week. I may die of book-want before then.)

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:26:39 UTC 6 years ago

It's a rights issue, unfortunately. :( Since Australia is considered "UK" for most distributions, and Penguin doesn't own my UK rights, they can't stock the book locally.

I hope it gets there soon.

goddesstriad

September 11 2010, 15:12:49 UTC 6 years ago

Morning! I purchased it the second day. Read it in about three days. Husband has it now.

From what the con panels tell me, (if I remember this right) the first week or so is crucial for the sales numbers? It's what the publishers eyeball to keep track. Happy weekend.

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:27:14 UTC 6 years ago

It is, yes. I pray for good opening week numbers.

dimloep_suum

September 11 2010, 15:15:06 UTC 6 years ago

The second my budget can justify it, I'll haul ass to my local bookstore and buy myself a copy of AAN *and* Feed*and* ALH, which I've read but don't own; I read a friend-of-my-sis's copy, but I have to have one. It's a thing. And then there's

And *then* I need copies of Pretty Little Dead Girl and Wicked Girls. Oh what a vicious cycle it is :)

seanan_mcguire

September 11 2010, 18:27:31 UTC 6 years ago

At least it moves reasonably slowly?
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