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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  • 151 comments

maryrobinette

September 12 2010, 16:56:34 UTC 6 years ago

I'm just going to say that An Artificial Night is the strongest of the Toby books so far. One of the benefits of narrating for you is that I get to read them MONTHS before everyone else does.

seanan_mcguire

September 13 2010, 14:55:25 UTC 6 years ago

I love it so. It's my favorite of the first three.

ohari

September 13 2010, 15:22:41 UTC 6 years ago

YOU COME IN AUDIOBOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can 'read' it while I am 'working'. I spend so much screen time (I am a computer nerd by trade) that by the end of my day I don't want to look at anything...Seriously, I sit in the living room with a cat on me and my eyes not focused at all for hours on end. Sometimes wearing a sleep mask. Audiobooks save my sanity.

I jumped over to Audible to queue these up for when my subscription renews next week. I typed in a author search SE - and there you were, first suggested completion. Then after I added the Toby books to my list I went back to my search by author MI hey, there's Mira Grant. I think that means you're a popular search term there...

seanan_mcguire

September 14 2010, 16:04:35 UTC 6 years ago

I do!

What's more, the Toby books are read by Mary Robinette, making me a Campbell Winner read by a Campbell Winner!

ohari

September 14 2010, 17:03:05 UTC 6 years ago

And that is totally cool, too. I can't decide which to listen to first! I am bouncy with silly happiness, thank You.

seanan_mcguire

September 14 2010, 17:05:51 UTC 6 years ago

Glee. :)