The one bit of news I was hoping for came in today: my January release Stay the Night debuted at #88 on the USA Today bestseller list, which makes the seventh Darkyn novel in a row to appear on it, and now they can call the entire series a USA Today bestseller. This makes the people in NY very happy. I'm just relieved the waiting is over.I was not expecting STN to make the Times list at all; there are just too many books out at the moment by very popular authors, including some multiple titles belonging to two white-hot vampire series that have TV and movie tie-ins. When that happens they tend to dominate the list and keep the rest of us not-as-popular writers off. That, combined with the book being sold two weeks before the lay down date and the inappropriate changes to the cover art pretty much guaranteed that the book wouldn't make the list.
Despite all the problems I've had with publishing the Darkyn books over the past four years -- and there have been plenty -- I still feel I've been very fortunate. Once more my readers stood by me, supported my work, spread the word and created a following. You can't buy that. Publishers can't give it to you. There is no marketing trick or advertising widget or secret handshake that magically bestows that on you. You can only hope to earn it by doing your best.
I appreciate all you guys have done to help me finish up this series on a positive note. And I think I can now, because while I doubt pink will ever be the new black, Rob's book actually did make the Times list. #27 on the extended mass market bestseller list. So I thank you all for that, too.
That's fantastic that the whole series can be called USA Today bestsellers now. Seriously, what an achievement!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the midst of reading Stay the Night and enjoying it greatly. I plan to review it when I'm finished.
ReplyDeleteI know you've said in the past that you plan on more Darkyn novels, but are they going to tie-in to the current ones or be totally different? I'd love to know! :)
Major congrats. That's fantastic news.
ReplyDeleteDoing a happy dance for you.
Awesome! Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteYaaayyyy! Congratulations! That is some pretty wonderful news.
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome! Congrats, Lynn :)
ReplyDeletetheo
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. You deserve all the best! I want to thank you for completing a series and not just dragging it on into infinity! I am anxiously awaiting the last of the Stardoc books and I know you will go on to create equally great characters in new books and series!
Tami
Jacksonville
See? A good book trumps a bad cover!
ReplyDelete:)
That's totally excellent! I'm so happy for you (=
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Lynn! And it's not us buying the books - we only buy them because we know we can count on you for a good story. It's all your own doing. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Job very well done. I am looking forward to new books whatever genre you choose to write.
ReplyDeleteCongrats - Best Selling Series Wow!
ReplyDeleteI also want to say that the comment "not so popular authors" is a bunch of malarkey. Everyone I know loves your books ... I like to think that some of those popular authors (not all of them so please no yelling but there are some) that hog the spot light tend to write for popularity instead of creating an intricate and complex world that we can escape to. I love your stories and thanks for making the journey for us.
I have to say your readers stand by you for a reason :). You've done some odd stretches across your various lines, but somehow you always manage to make them work.
ReplyDeleteIn an odd side-note, my study is painted "tigger yellow" because I need the uplift of a bright room. In this room, under the overhead lights, the Stay the Night cover looks exactly like the one here on the blog. The problem might have just been a problem with the yellow jet rather than a deliberate color redesign, but then they had to roll with it or reprint them all.
The obvious solution is that every reader must paint their rooms bright orangey yellow :). I highly recommend it. Wonderful color.
Congratulations! I'm so glad that Rob has made it on both the USA Today and Times lists! He, and you, deserve to be there. I have been so impressed with your Darkyn series, with the tone, the ongoing story arcs, the characters, the storytelling.
ReplyDeleteAs for your popularity, I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit there. Sure, there are iconic names who remain on the lists for an obscene amount of time, but you are popular. When I mention the Darkyn books to fellow readers in person or in the blogspere, they all know what I'm taking about.
Best of luck on your writing endeavors!
Just finished STN last night. I loved it! Can't wait for the new Kyndred books! WOOHOO!!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lynn. You deserve the success!
ReplyDeleteI "discovered" the genre in June 08 and since have read 92 paranormal romance books... Lynn... yours are definately in the top three and a set I will re-read many times over! I am sad that the Darkyn will not return but I am very glad that you didn't beat it to death... as for STN...EXCELLENT but I would have liked to have seen the couple ride into the sunset for ETERNITY (sigh),,, I know... such a romantic!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! You triumphed despite all the setbacks.
ReplyDeleteYour books sell because they're well written, draw us into your universe, have memorable characters. And word of mouth recommendations add up.
You have a loyal following first because you are an excellent writer and second because you are loyal to your readers. You care about us and we return the feeling. Congratulations on the good news.
ReplyDeleteEdie
Big Congrats! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, what great news.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Do ya want to have a Sally Fields moment?
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, the ending threw me a bit(not going to say why in case someone hasn't finished STN yet) but then I wondered, if you live forever, or pretty darn close, how soon before you wake and realize you have nothing to say to your mate? And what if your an immortal and you have a lousy stock broker? You shack up in your sisters basement? Just wondering.
WoOT! Congrats PBW!! Below the Phwoar of pink!! lol. That's great, hon. Hope you're celebrating at Casa Viehl.
ReplyDelete*huge hugs* Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are the best -- thanks for all the nice comments.
ReplyDeleteBridget wrote: I know you've said in the past that you plan on more Darkyn novels, but are they going to tie-in to the current ones or be totally different?
The majority of the Darkyn stories I publish myself as free e-books will definitely be tied in to the series (because while they're my gifts to the readers, they're also promotional tools to interest new-to-me readers.)
What the publisher may or may not want me to write for future Darkyn novels in print is entirely up to them. I can say almost for sure that they wouldn't buy a continuation story, like another novel featuring Lucan and Sam as protagonists, but there are plenty of secondary characters with existing storylines that I could pitch to them as protagonists for the new books. It really depends on what they want to do. The only thing I won't do again is another extended series, not after all the difficulties I've had with them on this one. I'd like to do some standalones, maybe a trilogy, but again, that's really up to them.
Eugenia wrote: . . .if you live forever, or pretty darn close, how soon before you wake and realize you have nothing to say to your mate? And what if your an immortal and you have a lousy stock broker? You shack up in your sisters basement? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteLol. I can't make a claim of immortality, but I have lived with the same guy for a very long time, and I think we would get along together just fine for eternity. We've told each other all of our stories, but we always have new things to talk about, and as we're ageing that really becomes important. I know this is a corny cliche, but we're not just lovers, we're best friends.
As for the possibility of bankruptcy, I have it on good authority that the Darkyn have always invested heavily in land and gold versus the stock market. :) Also the fact that they live in jardins gives them a built-in community who can support each other through tough times.
I applaud the way that you wrapped the current series -- with one exception.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to leave us hanging into eternity with that one sentence, tantalizing question you inserted about Michael? You know, the one where he's asked if Alexandra still doesn't know who he really is?
Was that rhetorical, or is Michael really some well known, real life person we know from history, or legend -- like Robin?
And what about Richard? I know who I think he is. However, I've tried to research famous Michaels and been unsuccessful other than archangels.
Mary wrote: Are you going to leave us hanging into eternity with that one sentence, tantalizing question you inserted about Michael? You know, the one where he's asked if Alexandra still doesn't know who he really is?
ReplyDeleteAha, you're the first to spot that Easter Egg. :)
Was that rhetorical, or is Michael really some well known, real life person we know from history, or legend -- like Robin?
His character was based on some very scanty facts about a real Templar, which I then embellished, although the real Michael was never a particularly legendary figure except in relation to another of history's mysteries. Very little is written about Michael and his family (and the real Templar's name was not Michael or Cyprien.) And those are all the hints I'm going to give, I think. :)
And what about Richard? I know who I think he is. However, I've tried to research famous Michaels and been unsuccessful other than archangels.
Richard's character is loosely based on a more famous Richard from English history (I'll give you this one, click here if you want to know), although the twist I gave his character was that he was Darkyn for a few centuries before he acquired his place in human history and his rather awful reputation. This was also kind of a private family joke; one of my cousins was the president of a society devoted to tidying up Richard's name.
I personally, would love very much to see Philipe, after reading Stay the Night, I think he needs a little love. I would also love to know more about John and Nottingham as well. On another note, Stay the Night boggles my mind, and I think I will probably have to read it twice for it to sink in, it was a bit different than the other ones, but I liked that twist.
ReplyDeleteGood Evening Ms. Viehl
ReplyDeletePer the policy at Coffee Time Romance, I am notifying you that a review was done for your book, Stay The Night and has been posted to the web site.
I have attached a .JPG for you to use on your site to show that your book has been reviewed. You can link it directly to your review which is located here:
Please email me for the link and .jpg attachment for your the review of your book
We would like to thank you for the opportunity to review your book. If there is anything else we can do for you, please feel free to check out our site for contact information. Thank you.
lototy01@yahoo.com
Lototy wrote: Per the policy at Coffee Time Romance, I am notifying you that a review was done for your book, Stay The Night and has been posted to the web site.
ReplyDeleteSee, I told you guys SOMEONE would review it. :)
Lototy, thank you for not trying to post the review here in my comments, and for not leaving some anonymous variation of "I read your blog every day and I know you hate me."
I don't read reviews of my books because they're not intended for me, they're for the readers. That said, I appreciate the courteous notification. Best of luck with your site.
Im currently losing my mind. I feel like there's so much more that needs to be elaborated on. I just finished the last book last night after staying up until 4am, lol. Anywho ... Marian's casket is full of rocks, the last book didn't mention John being a vampire, Alex destroyed the cure, there's an impending war, and what is Michael hiding from Alex? THERE'S SO MUCH AND THIS IS THE LAST BOOK ... WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS TO ME? lol. Gosh, please give me some glimmer of hope that these questions will be answered. This series made me a huge fan of you.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness ... also ... GIVE PHILLIPPE A MAN! I love Phillippe so much.
Also another question ... I tend to look for interracial paranormal books and yours is the only one I've found that I like (there arent that many at all anyway) but I would like to know what drove you to make Alex a black woman?
Diabolical wrote: THERE'S SO MUCH AND THIS IS THE LAST BOOK ... WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS TO ME?
ReplyDeleteI have to direct you to my publisher, as they were the responsible party in deciding to have me stop writing the books.
Gosh, please give me some glimmer of hope that these questions will be answered. This series made me a huge fan of you.
Thank you for investing in the books. At the moment I can't say what will happen in the future, but I think the publisher is now regretting their decision to end the series. I guess it all depends on how well the new series does and whether or not they want more Darkyn. Then I have to decide if I want to play series roulette again (not really inclined to, given my history with them, but you never know.)
Oh my goodness ... also ... GIVE PHILLIPPE A MAN! I love Phillippe so much.
Me, too. Someday I think Phillipe will meet the right guy. :)
Also another question ... I tend to look for interracial paranormal books and yours is the only one I've found that I like (there arent that many at all anyway) but I would like to know what drove you to make Alex a black woman?
I wish I could cite some noble purpose, but honestly, that's simply how I saw Alexandra when I put together the proposal for the series. I know some readers weren't too happy with the idea of a non-white series protagonist, but I don't think every female or male protagonist has to default to Caucasian. Fortunately I was allowed to write her that way without editorial interference, something I've had to deal with frequently in the past with the other non-white protagonists in my books.
So it was the publisher who did this to me, lol. Goodness ... But thanks so much for answering my questions, you're wonderful and I love your books. Since beginning reading the series, I've had friends go buy and it and love it as much as I do. Now I'm looking forward to the Kyndred series. Shadowlight is coming in the mail and can't wait to read it.
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