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My agent just called to let me know that according to BookScan (does not cover all sales points, but enough to be useful) the hardcover sales of Echoes in its first week in the marketplace were 180 higher than Kings last year. The actual hardcover sales will be some higher (and this is only for US sales, as far as I know.) He also said it was unusual to have any sales figures run higher than last year’s. No word yet on e-sales.
BookScan listed Echoes as #28 in fiction (if my hearing wasn’t drowned out by internal fireworks already going off, that was “plain” fiction, not SF/F.) The NYT list comes out on Wednesdays, but later in the day, and NYT tracks different sales outlets than BookScan…but there’s a good chance of being on the extended list, my agent says.
My UK editor said Echoes was #12 in SF/F in one of the UK lists.
Good news, in other words, and all due to you folks and those like you who haven’t found the blog yet. THANK YOU.
The nitty gritty so far: the first printing was 12,000, and it was sent back to print last week for another 3000. No, this doesn’t mean they ran out, only that they don’t want to have to go back to print later…for the confirmed BookScan sales, plus the probable hc sales BookScan didn’t catch (my agent estimates about 300 of those) they may have shipped 3000.
As of today, my agent said, Ingram (the big intermediary between publishers and brick-and-mortar bookstores) had no copies left in its Oregon warehouse, and the number in the Tennessee warehouse had dropped notably from a day or so ago. (One of the things agents–good agents–do is track the supply of their clients’ books around the country–stocking in stores and in the distributors’ warehouses, as well as sales figures from wherever they can be pried.) Second week sales usually drop off sharply and keep declining until they find their “stable” level for the rest of the year; there’s another bump when the paperback comes out (usually–we’ll see how that goes.)
Anyway…thanks again for your support, both here and through your various contacts. Much appreciated! (And boy, do I hope I got all the figures right up there, with my head whirling happily!!) Meanwhile, back to the salt mines with two concurrent chunks running in the book.
Comment by lisadawn82 — February 29, 2012 @ 10:34 am
I’m thrilled for you. It was a totally satisfying book and I’m already in withdrawl waiting for your next book. It’s going to be a long year.
Comment by Dave Ring — February 29, 2012 @ 10:59 am
It’s a joy to hear of this well-deserved success! I hope that the momentum will feed on itself and continue to grow for books 4 and 5, as more readers become aware of Paksworld.
Comment by Jeff Foley — February 29, 2012 @ 11:42 am
Can’t wait to hear the e-sales numbers as well. First of all, want to know that my purchase was counted too. 🙂 Secondly, just curious about how day 1 sales split between the printed hardcovers and the Kindles of the world. Frustrating, I’m sure, that a number which “should” be easier to track than inventory in warehouses across the country is not readily available.
We’re rooting for your success!
Comment by Sharidann — February 29, 2012 @ 12:47 pm
A deserved success!!
Thank you for writing such wonderful books!
Comment by PocketGoddess — February 29, 2012 @ 12:53 pm
I just finished the book today and as others have said, I want to read the next one NOW.
Your post prompted me to check iPage, and there aren’t many copies of Echoes laying around. It’s a good sign that three of the four warehouses have copies in stock but also copies on order as well, they must be seeing steady demand or they wouldn’t have already reordered.
Congratulations!
Comment by Kerry aka Trouble — February 29, 2012 @ 1:16 pm
That’s wonderful news – congratulations!!
After I finished Echoes, I started over and am almost done with Oath again. I will finish that up today and start in on Kings. This will not keep me going until the next one comes out, though.
Looking forward to seeing you again in Chicago.
Comment by Annabel (Mrs Redboots) — February 29, 2012 @ 1:29 pm
Great news! Congratulations.
Comment by Gretchen — February 29, 2012 @ 2:09 pm
Oh yes, many thanks! Absolutely stunning amount of detail and complexity. I love it! And uh… nice finish. 🙂 That’s about as nonspoilerish as I can put it.
I bought an e-copy via Kindle, and my daughter’s hardcover just arrived. When it comes out in paperback, we’ll buy another for the bookshelf!
Many, many thanks!
Comment by Kerry aka Trouble — February 29, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
Strange review of Echoes over on Tor.com – http://tinyurl.com/7jom8g2
Comment by Jenn — February 29, 2012 @ 3:10 pm
Congratulations Elizabeth!!!!
Comment by Moira — February 29, 2012 @ 5:12 pm
Whoo hooo! Congrats and long may it continue!
I had a momentary vision of – not SCA or Civil War reenactors, but Paksworld reenactors getting together for the anniversary of the publication date or something. Think they’d let us fly with swords? If not we could always cut rushes and practise pike manoeuvers…
(Yes, I’m kidding – not to mention giggling – one hour’s sleep will do that to a person. I think I need a nap. But a whimsically fun idea nonetheless. :))
Comment by Daniel Glover — February 29, 2012 @ 5:32 pm
Moira,
I’m laughing too. That’s a good one. But I wonder how many of us would actually show up to have Stammel drill us?
In all seriousness, congrats Ms. Moon. I know I’ve hyped it as much as I could and pre-ordered for brick and mortar delivery so as to help with in store push. But to have year three come out over the top of two in sales I think that gives your publisher reason to be thankful for going in on the extension from three to five books. I am glad any push we had in here in the blog with helping things along has born fruit–or sprouted twigs as the case may be. 😉
Comment by Genko — February 29, 2012 @ 8:38 pm
I thought the Tor.com review was pretty good. The reviewer has an ax to grind, of course, but it’s clear s/he enjoyed the book and is promoting it.
Comment by Adam Baker — February 29, 2012 @ 8:50 pm
That’s great news!! Unfortunately I haven’t been able to purchase my copy yet, but I hope to in the next couple of weeks. I cant wait to read it again.
Comment by Margaret — February 29, 2012 @ 11:22 pm
I thought the review a little strange also. The author, identified as a grad student in Ireland studying Classics, seems almost hesitant to admit she likes the book, seems to have a need to find and discuss a perceived weakness, then decides it’s okay after all. Her brief synopsis at the opening of the review would not be particularly helpful for those who are unfamiliar with the storyline, and not necessary for those who are. I wonder if she is just getting her foot into the world of “publish or perish” and this review is some sort of class assignment.
Or maybe I am just tired and cranky…
Comment by Nadine Barter Bowlus — February 29, 2012 @ 11:26 pm
Echoes arrived in my mail this week. Yay! Two long evenings in Paksworld, now to go back again and read for detail. It’s great. Thanks, and count on my purchase for book four.
Comment by elizabeth — February 29, 2012 @ 11:42 pm
And the late news is: #22 on New York Times extended list. Again, up from last year (a little below the last Vatta book. But hey, this is a tough time…I’m thrilled.
And grateful to you all.
Comment by lisadawn82 — March 1, 2012 @ 12:08 am
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=153342
Number 2 on Books on Board…nice
Comment by Sharidann — March 1, 2012 @ 4:35 am
About sales, just was on the amazon.de website and the kindle version of echoes is priced at EUR 5,49.
“Old” Kindle price (21 Feb. Version) was at EUR 9,99.
Left me speechless for a book which came out as a hardcover one week ago.
Comment by elizabeth — March 1, 2012 @ 9:07 am
I’ll let my agent know about that.
Comment by Genko — March 1, 2012 @ 11:59 am
Oh, reviewers can’t be seen as being too nice — it’s considered gullible or something. They have to find something to criticize in order to have credibility, it seems. I don’t find most criticisms particularly helpful — good criticism can be worth gold, but much of it is just being snarky for the sake of looking unduped, or something.
Comment by Kaye — March 2, 2012 @ 2:27 am
I had my copy of Echoes on pre-order at Amazon.com for 5 months. It arrived at my door last week, and when I looked at the jacket, I saw “Winner of the Nebula Award,” “New York times bestselling author of Kings of the North,” and more praise comparing you to Norton and Tolkien on the back cover. With a big smile on my face, I thought to myself, “Elizabeth, you have ARRIVED!” Couldn’t happen to a nicer and more hard-working person!
Comment by elizabeth — March 2, 2012 @ 11:12 am
Kaye: Thank you! It feels strange and good at the same time.
Comment by elizabeth — March 2, 2012 @ 11:25 am
I avoid reading reviews (not only of my own books but of others–I’ll sometimes read reviews of nonfiction) because I get all twitchy and then can’t write for hours.
Comment by Jonathan Schor — March 2, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
Just finished the audio version. It left me breathless. Much too short. I will look forward to the next volume with much anticipation.
Comment by elizabeth — March 2, 2012 @ 8:55 pm
Thanks!
Comment by MacKensie — March 2, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
Loved it, couldn’t put it down (as with all the others). Looking forward to the next ones! Thanks for writing such wonderful characters!
Comment by DeFarcas — March 3, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
Congratulations for Echoes from Canada!
I pre-ordered it, picked it up on Thursday evening and was done sometime Saturday morning at 3am. I have already started my re-read. It is thoroughly enjoyable. I love how it has become so multicast. All of the characters are rich and intense that I cannot wait for more.
Good luck, bon chance!
Comment by Saru-Chan — March 5, 2012 @ 7:27 pm
Elizabeth!
I just finished The Deed of Paksenarrion for the first time and eagerly dove into Paladin’s Legacy! I loved the Lord of the Rings, but must say that with the Two Towers, I trudged through all the bits that didn’t have to do with Legolas and Gimli. Your work is the first I’ve read that moved from one party of people to another and kept me on the edge of my seat with every person. The plot is well done and just when I think it can’t get better, it does. I must say, I have neglected my house to read about Phelan, Dorrin, Acrolin, Stammel and unexpectedly Arvid. I also love your sense of humor in your work and have burst out more than once over a great line.
I can’t wait for the next, but know I must. I hope the salt mine is treating you well!
Comment by DG — March 11, 2012 @ 10:05 pm
The tor.com review wasn’t a review – it was a commentary. That’s why it seemed unusual. It was a thoughtful commentary, though.