Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Bestseller at last?

I've always been a little confused as to what constitutes "best seller" status. Aside from phenomena like Dan Brown and JK Rowling, I mean. How do you tell? When people say "best seller", does it mean the top ten of all books? Or just some top tens? Or what?

Anyway, now I might be able to claim that I am an international best seller author. The Singing has made it to No 2 in the fantasy and science fiction categories on amazon.co.uk, and is also No 2 on children's SFF. And is at No. 31 overall. I've no idea how amazon reflects general book sales, but in this list I'm currently beating Pratchett, Rowling and Pullman, with only Christopher Paolini beating me to No. 1. (So not quite a No. 1 Bestseller! But I'll settle for No.2.) I doubt this will ever happen again, so I might as well enjoy it. Just to prove it, I took a screen shot (click the image for a clearer version):

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was just a matter of time. Your story is as unique as fantasy can get! Congratulations on all your success.

Now comes the movie deals! Hehehehe.

spinningofdreams said...

Congratulations, Alison. The Singing (and therefore you) deserves it. I've just finished it and thought it was amazing. Btw, I'm 'dreamer' from sffworld.

Anonymous said...

Ugh, I have to wait until MARCH for The Singing. I might just have to swim to the UK to buy it...

But anyways, congrats! Like shadowjhunter said, a movie should come along soon now...*crosses fingers*

If it's produced soon enough, we can still use Alan Rickman as Arkan, before he gets too old! (Well, 60 is kind of old...but still...his voice is wonderful, and he still has that cruel sensuality that so suits Arkan.)

Keep writing!

-Passionblack/Rachel

more commonly referred to as Icelands

Amy J said...

OK, I just ordered the UK version to ship to the US. I just could not wait. (amazon.co.uk let me place the order)

Alison Croggon said...

I hope it's worth it, Amy! And thanks everyone - no whispers about movie deals, but who knows?

Nerys2q said...

The Books of Pellinor incredible, I'm surprised that it wasn't an instant bestseller!

Rain said...

Congrats! Oh, and I just thought I'd mention that I participated in a book discussion with Chrisopher Paolini. There's going to be a video of it up today on bordersmedia.com if any of you want to check it out.

Rhiannon said...

Pellinor has always been a 'bestseller' in my mind.

Yvonne said...

Congrats! I like the books of Pellinor better than Paolini's work, so you're number one in my mind!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!
Oh my god I am so excited! The Singing has been released in the UK and I have ordered it so I should get it soon :D Can't wait to read it!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to get the Singing! I'm so preordering it from the UK!

And on the topic of the books being a movie, who would play Maerad? I know this is odd, but what about Amy Lee, lead singer of Evanescence? She has a gorgeous voice, and she looks a bit like Maerad, although she might be too old.

And who would be Cadvan? We can't forget our dearest Caddy!

Aynsley M said...

I pre-ordered my copy of The Singing from amazon.co.uk and was thrilled when I received an email telling me it was being shipped early. Unfortunately royal mail couldn't fit the package trhough my mail slot and it's now lost somewhere in redelivery hell! I decided to go to Borders yesterday to buy another copy because I'm dying to read it- have been waiting forever feels like- but they were sold out! Fools! Congrats, Alison, they are great works and I get so much pleasure from reading them.

Seneca said...

Nice, Alison! Bask in it while you can! We'll try to keep you up there and bump Brisingr down a notch (no offence, i love Eragon). But Pellinor rocks!!!!!

Rain said...

It's funny, meganu, the first time I saw a picture of Amy Lee, I thought that she'd make a perfect Maerad! I also think that Bring Me to Life is a perfect song for M&C. :)

Seneca said...

Alison, I'm confused. I live in the US, and I just got an email from Amazon telling me that The Singing was now available for purchase. I'm freaking out right now because I am really excited, but the book isn't supposed to be here until March. Did I miss somthing?

Alison Croggon said...

I remember redelivery hell - the English postal service can be a bit odd. Good luck! If ever a movie is made (and who knows? a friend once said that if you want something to happen, the first thing to do is to start a rumour) I doubt I'll have anything to do with casting. Someone who looks like the 16 year old Kate Bush would suit me - she has that gorgeous wild face.

Seneca, I expect they mean the UK edition, which is for sale on amazon US. If you want the US edition, it's not out until March, as you correctly say.

Amy J said...

It was definitely worth it, I finished it in one sitting. Pellinor is one of my favorite fantasy series. When I finished I was incredibly sad because these people did/do not exist in real life, and you made them seem as if they should. The only other series I get that from is LOTR. Please continue to write fantasy, you excel at it. (Maybe a prequel on Afinil?? :-) )

Seneca said...

Thanks, Alison. And I'll start as many rumours as necessary if it means a Pellinor movie. :) BYE!

Unknown said...

If they don't make a movie, we fans should just make our own movie. :) We all know the story very well.... It would be hilarious if we tried to.

Seneca said...

That would be so fun, meganu!! We all should SO do it!! I would go see it....

Rain said...

Alright, who wants to be the director? :)

mariel said...

Alison, I finished The Singing this weekend and have just reviewed it on my blog. It is by far my favourite book this year (though I am quite bereft knowing that there will be no more Books of Pellinor!) and I find your work far better quality and more enjoyable than that of Terry Pratchett or Christopher Paolini. Something I will let all my reader friends know about! Thank you for a wonderful series. And please keep writing!

http://troubles-melt-like-lemon-drops.blogspot.com/2008/09/singing-alison-croggon.html

Alison Croggon said...

Many thanks Mariel, greatly appreciated! As for the movie idea guys, you're not the first fans with that idea...

Anonymous said...

I do enjoy both yours and Paolini's works but I have to agree that I do love your books better!!

Lys Lys said...

Hey Alison I'd like to say I agree with Meganu, mainly because I'm her best friend. She got me hooked. I loved the Singing, Meganu ordered it from the UK as a Christmas present.