Friday, October 1, 2010

Publication Day for "The Heir of Night"—And What A Month It’s Been!

Today, 1 October, is official publication day for The Heir of Night in the USA and Canada—WOOT!—but what a wild month it’s been to get here!

Worldcon-in-Black
On September 1, I was Helen-in-Black (plus 1 shirt in electric blue!) at Worldcon—and thank you all for posting with your support for the all-black wardrobe choice. You gave me confidence as I sallied forth amongst the litterati-glitterati of the F-SF (Fantasy-Scifi) world. And some extra confidence was needed because I had just read Gail Carriger’s admonition not to “be a slob” and been overcome by WAS: Wardrobe Anxiety Syndrome. I got through it though, with your awesome Supe support: and here’s a snap of me doing my “in-black” thing—with Thornspell at my Worldcon reading.

Speaking of awesome Supes—and they are!—I also met up with fellow Supernatural Underground authors Tracey O’Hara, Nicole Murphy and Carrie Vaughn during Worldcon. It was just fantastic to meet in person at last, when interaction had all been email and internet up until then. I’m all for internet and email, they’re a marvelous way of bridging the world, but there is nothing quite like sitting down with a friend and having a cup of coffee (or something stronger: ok, we’ve been rumbled!) in realtime space.

Earthquake Aftermath
Then it was back home to Christchurch New Zealand to the aftermath of the 7.1 earthquake that shook the city at 4.35 a.m. in the early morning of September 4. Firstly, I should say right up front that no one died; no one was even seriously injured, so a great deal to be thankful for, most particularly having earthquake building codes and applying ’em. But still, a crazy three weeks with over 1275 recorded afterquakes since the original—and in answer to the question: “did the earth move for you, baby?”, I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say, “14 times yesterday!” And averaging around 12-14 still, every day: Wild!

The Race to Publication
The earth may shake, but the race to publication day for The Heir of Night in the USA and Canada has been wilder still. So much has been happening: blog interviews, and guest blog posts, and those nail-chewin’ moments when you know the first reviews are in but you haven’t read them yet—a bit like getting exam results: you know the vital answer’s “there”, but can’t quite open the envelope! Well the envelope’s been opened now and—again with the Woot!--the result looks good! Library Journal has even been kind enough to say that The Heir of Night: “… reinvigorates the epic fantasy with appealing characters and a richly detailed world." (Thank you, Library Journal!)

One of the very best moments, though, was when I received my first author copies of Heir—and not only held it in my hands, but could really see how wonderful the blue Greg Bridges cover looks up close, smell the new paper scent of the pages, and run a fingertip over the beautifully embossed text of my title: The Heir of Night

And Party Like There’s No Tomorrow—
… And then I had the best blog party ever to celebrate the book actually being On Sale on 9/28, with official Publication Day TODAY! Over 440 people came—I know some of you did, too and it was awesome to see you there! You can still check out the party here and read my summary of some of the comments guests left here.

With Giveaways: Ta da-dum!
To keep The Heir of Night party spirit going, my editor, the mighty Kate Nintzel of Eos, has 3 sets of giveaway books for you: 1 x The Heir of Night (of course!) plus 1 each of Robin Hobb’s dragon duology: Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven (because Robin did such a wonderful cover quote for Heir!):

"A richly told tale of strange magic, dark treachery, and conflicting loyalties, set in a well-realized world"— Robin Hobb

Because these giveways can only be for USA/Canada posters, I personally have an additional gift set of The Heir of Night plus my YA novel, Thornspell, for international posters, plus

For everyone, up to 20 of my personal bookplates (1 each per person), designed by Peter Fitzpatrick, the artist who created The Heir of Night map, and signed by me. Just because today is a really special day for me and I really do want to share the happiness!

To join in the fun and be eligible for the giveaways just add a comment to this post. But if you like—and I would love it if you did—tell us about a day or event that was really special for you, and/or how you celebrate when something fantastic happens in your life.

As always, you can earn points (i.e. the number of times your name goes into the draw) by:

+1 Posting in the comments section
+1 Linking to this post on Twitter
+1 Linking to this post on Facebook
+1 Linking to the Supernatural Underground blog or my Helen Lowe on Anything Really on your own blog/website
+ 1 for commenting on Helen Lowe on Anything, Really while this giveaway competition is running.

Just post the total number of points that you’ve earned in your comment.

Eligibility will close at midnight, US EST today, 1 October. (Do remember to check back after, or to post your email with your comment so that I can get in touch.)

28 comments:

Rebecca said...

Helen, Congratulations on Official launch day! Hope you have plenty of champagne on hand. I've found it helps with earthquake stress as well :) but hope this doesn't raise any bad quake memories of smashed champagne flutes...
Champagne is definitely my favourite way to celebrate and you have lots of reasons to toast right now!
all the best
Rebecca

Helen Lowe said...

Thank you, Rebecca--I am partial to a flute of bubbly, nicely chilled, myself!

Shari C said...

Love to celebrate a special event with champagne plus ny family and friends if possible. I enjoy when everyone can celebrate and we can enjoy each others special moments in life.

Congratulations on the release of your book! Hurray!!!

Unknown said...

I like to celebrate a special event with my family. I cant wait to read The Heir of night.

1 point

Anonymous said...

Helen,
Congratulation. I like to celebrate by eating out with friends, or having a picnic and having conversation about what interest each of us. I've come to prefer a Cadillac Margarita, a bit of the bubbly is great too. Oh heck, a glass of water raised to my friends, this is really IT for me. Looking forward to reading your book. dm

KerrelynSparks said...

Happy release day, Helen! What a beautiful cover for The Heir of Night!

Anonymous said...

Yeah!! Happy launch day!! Enjoy it.

Van Pham said...

I celebrate a special day always going out to dinner with family, whether it be some's birthday, graduation, new job, etc.

Looking forward to reading The Heir of Night!


+1 comment

Katie Dalton said...

The best day of my life was June 28th 2006 because that is the date of my son's birth! :) And 28 has always been my lucky number. It was fate. lol

Congrats on the new book!

k28dalton@yahoo.com

ismellsheep.blogspot.com

Giada M. said...

Congratulations Helen! :D

There is an event in November that is going to be very special...my graduation! And here in Italy we celebrate with a very big dinner with family and friends.

+1 Posting in the comments section
+ 1 for commenting on Helen Lowe on Anything, Really while this giveaway competition is running.


Giada M.

fabgiada (at) gmail (dot) com

Pamela Palmer said...

Congratulations on your book release, Helen! And hang on--the earth has to stop shaking eventually. I can't even comprehend more than 1275 afterquakes. Incredible.

Sharon S. said...

Hello! Congrats on the great week :)
Loved this book and also loved Thornspell (I posted on Goodreads). What an original retelling of an old tale.

Don't enter me in the contest, cause I already won both your books .

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I just try to enjoy the day with those that I love and love me. Congrats on the release!!


+1 Posting in the comments section
+1 Linking to this post on Twitter
http://twitter.com/BooksThings/status/26106534696
+1 Linking to the Supernatural Underground blog on your own blog/website
+ 1 for commenting on Helen Lowe on Anything, Really while this giveaway competition is running.

Rachel498 said...

Congrats on the release!

Hmm, a day that was really special for me was probably my first kiss. To celebrate when something special happens to me I usually call my friends or my mom because they're so important to me, and I love sharing news with them.

+1 Comment
+1 Twitter post-
http://twitter.com/#!/Rachel498/status/26108766523
+1 commented on Helen Lowe on Anything, Really

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Helen Lowe said...

Shari C, tsalvatore, Anonymous:

Being together with friends and family is the best--and bubbles DO help the conversation sparkle--clearly though, I am going to have to check out the Cadillac Margarita. :-)

Helen Lowe said...

Thanks, Kerrelyn & lynnrush, for your best wishes. And yes, I do love the cover--it is so powerful and mysterious and broody. And embossing the title was such a fantastic idea--even touching the book feels special!

Helen Lowe said...

van_pham: I look forward to you reading it, too. [Smiling!]

Kate: I think we'll all be agreeing to June 28th 2006 being a "super special" day. Thank you for your congratulations.

Giada: if you email me your actual graduation day through my website, I'll make sure we do a celebration on my blog!

Helen Lowe said...

Pamela: According to the "model" the aftershocks should slowly die out toward the plus 100 day mark ... (it's amazing how blase you get though--& people go (airily): oh, I think that was only a 2.9; or, that must have been a 4.1 at least!)

Thanks, Sharon--I will check your Thornspell review out. And clearly, I'd better hurry up & write some more books!:-)

Melissa--the best way!

Rachel445--ah, the magic of the first kiss! And nice to see you at my blog, too.

Teril said...

this one looks really good!
teirlhack(@)yahoo.com
=1

Sullivan McPig said...

Congrats once more!

One of my most special moments was when I met my favourite dutch author Midas Dekkers and he agreed to have his picture taken with me. We even got filmed together for the local tv station!

And my favourite way of celebrating something special is with going out to dinner to my favourite restaurant with the people I love.

+1 Posting in the comments section
+1 Linking to the Supernatural Underground blog or my Helen Lowe on Anything Really on your own blog/website

Brenda Hyde said...

Congrats on the new book! We seem to revolve around eating out for celebrations at our house. I sold my website almost 2 years ago, and I bought my first laptop, then we ate out at our favorite Chinese restaurant. A bottle of wine and some nice cheese is something we do if it's a "no kids" celebration:)

SU is in my blog roll and the button in my side bar. wayfaringwriter at gmail.com

throuthehaze said...

Congrats on the release! I usually celebrate by going out for drinks with my friends :)

1 point

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Jan said...

After exams/courses we go to a restaurant, after getting the diploma we had dinner out in Melbourne. After Steve finally finishes his dissertation we're going to a Mexican bar then will throw a party.
Hmm, a food theme is emerging!

Jan

Helen Lowe said...

Teril: Well, "I" think it's really good! [Twinkles]

Sullivan M. -- meeting Midas Dekker does sound very special. Nice to see you here today & on HL on A,R :-)

Moonsanity: seeling your first website and buying your first laptop are definitely celebratory. I like Chinese, too, altho' good Thai food "is" my favorite.

Throuthehaze: Going out for drinks works for me, too--altho' very sadly, our favorite winebar got "earthquaked", so now I have to find somewhere new 'where everyone knows my name'. :-(

janlb: You're right, it's a theme--am going to blog about it later today on HL on AR. :-)

Tracey O'Hara said...

Hey - it was awesome meeting up with you too. And what an awesome bunch of Supes we were :).

Hope that quakes are settling down and life can get back to normal.

So looking forward to reading The Heir of Night. :)

Helen Lowe said...

Hey Tracey--I think we rocked at Worldcon! And will again at many such events to come: now I'm looking forward to the next Dark Brethren novel as well, although I don't think I'll be allowed much reading time until I've finished WALL2!

Crystal @ RBtWBC said...

A little late, I haven't had a chance to get on the PC for the last few days. Birthday madness =)

But congrats on the release Helen! Woohoo! I'm going to have to make a trip to the book store this week. =)

Book Chatter Cath said...

Bugger..missed the cut off. Oh well better luck next time! Hope all is welll with you and yours in ChCh, my little brother is in Dunners and he says they've felt some gnarly aftershocks too.
We've been all goodies here in Auck, but who knows, one day one of our volcanoes might blow!!!!
Best wishes
Cath♥