You know, I really can’t believe it’s only been eight months since my first novel came out – it’s been such a crazy hectic year, I feel like I’ve been doing this forever! And yet…today is the day that most editions of The Merchant of Dreams officially see the light of day (just waiting on the UK paperback which, owing to distribution schedules, won’t be out until 3rd January).
Back in the summer, after the manuscript was handed in and being copyedited, I started getting really nervous about how it would be received. Not because I thought it was terrible, or because it’s markedly different from the first (it isn’t), but there’s always the fear that you were a one-hit wonder and that the book you dashed off in under a year cannot possibly match up to the one you poured your heart and soul into for five times that long.
Apparently I needn’t have worried. Merchant has been getting some glowing reviews, most of which reckon it’s actually better than Alchemist. Maybe it’s the pirates, maybe it’s the steamy sex (well, steamier than the first book at any rate), but whatever it is, I’m just awfully relieved that readers are enjoying it!
Meanwhile The Alchemist of Souls is still humming along – it’s been chosen as the Nov/Dec read by The Book Club on Goodreads, and I’ll be recording a podcast in January with Steve Aryan.
If you have any questions about either book, I’m doing an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit on Friday 21st December – do come along and join in!
Other online launch highlights:
* My Favourite Bit – a guest post for Mary Robinette Kowal, about one of the Venetian locations I researched for The Merchant of Dreams
* Christmas Market – a fun bit of flash fiction for Literary Escapism, in which I take Mal Christmas shopping in Cambridge. Includes a contest to win copies of both The Alchemist of Souls and The Merchant of Dreams!
I’m so excited that you just published the second novel! I discovered the first novel yesterday when I was rummaging around the internet for the best books of the year. I am completely addicted and can’t wait for more.
Congrats! I just ordered it and look forward to reading it soon
Congratulations! I’ve purchased and begun reading it already
I found The Alchemist of Souls shortly after it debuted, picking it up solely on the blurb, read it with gusto, and pre-ordered The Merchant of Dream (which I am just starting today) immediately upon finishing it.
As a queer and transgender person myself, not to mention a lover of fantasy and history, and a director of live theatre, I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to open the book and discover “my people” in its pages. That, combined with your poetic ear for dialog and description had me on cloud nine from page one.
Even though I got book two as soon as my bookseller could acquire it, I wanted to re-read the first before I began it, so Mal’s story would be fresh in my mind. I’ve just finished this morning, and all I can say is that it’s really wonderful when a book you loved on first read is just as delightful and compelling the second time around.
Thank you, Ms. Lyle. Now I just wish more fans would find you. I’m doing my best to that end, by spreading copies of your books around amongst my friends. I also plan to write a book review for publication in February at Owldolatrous, and will send you a link as soon as it is available.
Zach McCallum
Managing Editor, Owldolatrous Press
http://www.owldolatrous.com
Thanks, Zach, I’m glad you enjoyed the first book, and hope that the second doesn’t disappoint! I’m sure you can guess from the cover that Coby gets lots more adventures
Another thing you could do to spread the word is post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads (if you haven’t done so already). Doesn’t have to be long – in fact short reviews are better, I think, for those sites.
Thanks again!
Congrats Anne! I am about two-thirds through it and am enjoying it immensely. You have managed to surprise me with the plot. Not at all what I expected – in a good way!