Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Times Pool Winner

I should really name this post The Surreality of a New York Times Bestseller because of the rather spooky results from the
Times Pool contest. For those of you who missed it, I had a contest post and asked people to guess whether or not Shadowlight would make the Times bestseller list, and if they thought it would to also pick what position on the list it would debut.

I was surprised to see so many "yes" entries, and such optimistic and flattering predictions as to the spot it would take on the list. And honestly, I thought you all were being very nice, but I expected if I were exceptionally lucky that the book might show at the end of the extended list, somewhere between #25-#30.

The one funny thing I did notice was how many people chose #17 (and many mentioned that it was the first thing that came to mind.) In fact, #17 was guessed more often than any other position number in the contest. Which I thought was weird because the only Lynn Viehl novel I've ever had rank in the top twenty portion of the list barely squeaked on at #19. My last LV release, that pink one I never want to talk about, hit at #27. So why pick #17? Odds were definitely against it. But now I know you guys picked #17 because . . . you're all psychic.

Yep.

I found out today that Shadowlight will debut on the Times bestseller list at #17.

As promised if there were multiple correct guesses, I put the names of everyone who chose #17 into the magic hat, had Kat pick one at random for a little extra good luck, and the winner of the Times pool is:

JulieB, who wrote: I don't know why, and I realize other people have said this too, but the number that came to mind was 17, immediately.

Julie, when you have a chance, please send your BookWish and ship-to info to me at LynnViehl@aol.com -- and please, use e-mail, not your psychic power.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the pool, gave me so many votes of confidence, bought the book, reviewed the e-ARC, blogged about it, spread the word, shared in the fun and collectively made Shadowlight a top twenty Times bestseller. You guys are the best, and you have definitely got the power.

30 comments:

  1. At least I have the prize of being psychic! Congrats!

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  2. Woo Hoo! Great news!

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  3. Congratulations. I'd be happy with a whiff of the list.

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  4. Anonymous7:12 AM

    That is so wild. hehe.

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  5. Congrats, to both you and Julie!

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  6. Awesome!!! Congrats, Lynn!

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  7. So happy for you!. Posted your #17 on my blog...Go Lynn Go!

    Great contest. :)

    Debra

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  8. Congrats, Lynn!! Well-deserved!

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  9. I loved it and knew it was a hit. Yup your readers are psychic.. even though I think I said another number we all knew you were making the list - we read it!!!

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  10. Congratulations!!!!

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  11. Ha! Congrats, and may your next release go even higher. : )

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  12. YAAAAY! Lynn, I'm so happy for you! Of course I was cheering for *higher* at 13, but 17 is awesome! Congratulations!

    P.S. Glad your family is on the mend!

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  13. Even though I didn't win, I picked 17. Damn, I'm good.

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  14. I said before that the number that popped in my head right away was 29. ... BUT ... 17 is and always has been my lucky number, and I knew from the second I read everybody else's responses (and again when I just barely started reading this post) that Shadowlight would (and had indeed) shown up at #17. CONGRATS and YAYYYY!!! :-D So happy for you.

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  15. Anonymous1:33 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about the troubles you've been going through but very happy to hear about Shadowlight's spot at #17 on the Times bestseller list. Congrats Lynn!

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  16. So happy for you! #17 awesome!

    Congrats JulieB.

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  17. Congrats Lynn! Well-deserved and LONG overdue.

    That many guesses for the correct winning number shows what an exceptional blog reader base you have.

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  18. Ha. Ha. Right now there are 17 comments. Apparently it's your number.

    Congrats and glad to hear your daughter is doing better.

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  19. Congrats, Lynn. :) And to Julie B as well.

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  20. I can only imagine how happy you are right now. Congratulations!

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  21. Congrats, Lynn! Well deserved! I had no doubt SHADOWLIGHT was going to show up on the NYT Bestseller list! :)

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  22. #12 for the next one!!


    Congrats!!

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  23. Anonymous10:49 AM

    I was having some sort of wireless interference when I replied before -- I see it didn't go through.

    My heartfelt congratulations and thanks.

    And thank you too Kat! I hope you're feeling 100 percent by now. :)

    JulieB

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  24. Congrats Lynn!! You deserve it and more. So looking forward to DreamVeil. May it soar to #10.

    Hugs, Nina

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  25. WOW!!! Congrats Lynn. #17, so awesome
    and so deserved. And thank you for sharing all your talent and fun with us.
    Also, congrats to you JulieB.
    c.

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