My novel hit the NYT Bestseller list! OMG!

[Wheezy]

Just heard the news yesterday afternoon -- my novel WAKE will appear in the #9 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list on April 6. It's a book for teens/young adults, so it will be on the children's chapter book list.

WAKE is about a 17-year-old girl named Janie who gets sucked into other people's dreams. You can read the first chapter online here.

Some of you have been following my updates on this book for well over a year -- just want to say thanks so much for your support, DU!!

xo and love!

Lisa

[hobbit709]

1. Congrats

[lost-in-nj]

2. WOW Congratulations!!!

What an accomplishment!!

:yourock: :yourock: :woohoo:

lost

[lizziegrace]

3. Congratulations!

:applause:

[huskerlaw]

4. Yay!!

I just finished reading it yesterday. Great job!

:woohoo:

[Wheezy]

20. Rock 'n roll, huskerlaw!

Thanks for checking it out!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Congratulations!

:toast:

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. That's wonderful! Congratulations!

:D

[Missy Vixen]

7. CONGRATULATIONS! This is HUGE!

Good for you!

Writers everywhere are thrilled for you!

Julie
just another writer whose work is sitting on two editors' desks in NYC...

[Wheezy]

21. Hang in there...

You can do it.

My first novel, 68 rejections.
Second novel -- never even queried it, it was just 'meh.'
WAKE is the third novel I wrote. There is hope! Don't give up. :)

[Pale Blue Dot]

8. Congratulations!

I got mine a couple of weeks ago, but I won't have time to read it until after spring break. Great job!

[Wheezy]

23. Thank you for your continued support, Finnfan!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Wheezy!

Biggo congrats!

What an accomplishment!

:applause: :applause:

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. Congratulations!

[geardaddy]

11. Congratulations!

:woohoo:

[siligut]

12. That is wonderful!

Congratulations! :applause: :applause:

[chromotone]

13. ALL RIGHT!!!

:thumbsup:

[tigereye]

14. what an honor! Congratulations!

[SeattleGirl]

15. Congratulations, Wheezy!!

That's great news! :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Forkboy]

16. DU has Jeopardy contestants and now a bestselling author.

Freerepublic has a swastika and a guy named Drippy in his mom's basement.

Congrats to you Wheezy!!!!!! :toast:

[Wheezy]

19. Oh my heck, this cracked me up.

Good one!

Thanks Forkboy!

[loveangelc]

17. CONGRATS!!! That is a huge honor.

[MonkeyFunk]

18. Congratulations!

That's fantastic!

[flvegan]

22. Fantastic news, congratulations!

[Wheezy]

24. THANKS!!

You guys all rock my socks.

[Connonym]

25. Yay!!!!

It's been on my Amazon preorder list forEVER. If you do a book tour I hope you'll put your itinerary up here so that we can see that you get a proper DU welcome in each city.

[Wheezy]

36. Connonym,

I had a book tour and posted the schedule here, but you know how that goes -- it's so hard to catch everybody. :)

I'll be signing in Phoenix April 8-10, and will likely be somewhere in San Diego at the end of May. I'll keep DU updated!

xo

[madinmaryland]

26. Congratulations.

For a little laugh, check out this freeper...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2313247

[Wheezy]

37. *bites lip*

Oh, wow.

:)

[graywarrior]

27. Hooray for you!

That's fantastic! What a great idea for a novel.

[ceile]

28. That is wonderful news!

So happy for you!! :bounce: :applause:

[LynzM]

29. Congrats~!

That must feel fantastic to see your hard work pay off so well! Congrats! :bounce:

[soleft]

30. That is one awesome accomplishment

Cheers to you!

[PassingFair]

31. Now I'm completely upset that we missed the book signing!

Double Damn!

But congratulations!

[Wheezy]

39. No worries, PF!

But the Borders there might still have some signed copies -- I signed about 25 extra copies.

Maybe next time, right? My inlaws live out there, so I'll be back.

[PassingFair]

46. Please!

We really meant to come, I downloaded your schedule,
and I'm looking at it on my bulletin board now!

Stupidly forgot!!

[Wheezy]

66. I meant to remind you --

but I was on the road from early Sunday that week and didn't have a moment to do it.

I'll catch you next time! Maybe this summer (end of July sometime). :)

[underpants]

32. That ROCKS!

[BeachBaby]

33. How cool is this???!!!???

We have a celebrity among us - so proud of you!!!!!

[BarenakedLady]

34. Congratulations!!

I came thisclose to using your novel in my Design II class to do a mock paperbook cover as an assignment. I ultimately did one on manic depression because it was easier to decide on a color palette. But I still have your book coming from Amazon shortly. I really can't wait to read it.

You must be over the moon.

:D

[Wheezy]

41. wow!

That sounds so cool. Thanks for the thought!

[kath]

35. Wow! OMG! This is HUGH!!1!1!

And it's only been out for three weeks, and it's your first novel! Amazing!

The reviews on Amazon are impressive. I have two teen daughters - one a voracious reader (but kind of in a slump lately), and the other one not so eager. This book sounds like something they would like, and I think I'd like it, too. Just checked -- our library system already has 5 copies of your book, and they're all checked out. I'm now the 2nd person on the waiting list, but I may have to run out and buy a copy.

Super-extra-special congrats to you! You must be thrilled.

[Wheezy]

42. Cool!

I mean, not cool for you that all the copies are checked out. :(
Hope you get it one way or the other and that both daughters love it.

xox

[Dr Fate]

38. Far out- so glad to hear of your success! n/t

!!!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

40. That is so awesome!!!!

I'll be sure to look for it at the bookstore!

[Blue_Tires]

43. 5th rec

[Wheezy]

54. Wow, thanks BT! n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

44. Yay!

[brentspeak]

45. Congrats!

[Serial Mom]

47. Wow, how wonderful! Congrats!

I will look for it to read on vacation!

[NMDemDist2]

48. WOW!!!! well done!

:wow:

:applause:

[miss_american_pie]

49. Congrats!

What an accomplishment. :toast:

[bigwillq]

50. Good for you! Congrats!

:toast: :bounce:

[JCMach1]

51. Wow!

congrats!

[applegrove]

52. Congratulations!

[CrownPrinceBandar]

53. Congratulations you bestselling author you!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

55. Excellent!

May you never be quoted in a Bulwer-Lytton Bad Writing Contest.

:bounce: :party: :woohoo:

[Wheezy]

76. I love reading those contest entries! :)

[BlueIris]

56. Darn. And I thought I was the only person with a book about that.

Oh, well. Congrats to you, anyway!

[ThomCat]

57. That is very wonderful!

Congratulations! :applause:

I hope you make many other appearances on the list. May this be only the first. :)

[Yavin4]

58. I Smell A Big Movie Deal

Has anyone talk to you yet? What are you hearing?

Who would you want to direct and star in it? Ooooo!! This is going to be so much fun for you!

Congrats!!!!

[Wheezy]

77. There are a few directors

who loved WAKE and want to see my next manuscript, which is called FADE, the sequel to WAKE. There's talk. But there has been talk for months. The biz is a slow one.

I think the girl from Juno would make a great Janie. And I need a guy that nobody's discovered yet. Somebody sorta like Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights...too bad the actor who plays Tim is 26 already. Too old. :(

Oh, and Queen Latifa would definitely have a role.

It's fun to dream about!

[edbermac]

85. Congrats! And I hope you get a nice movie deal.

But don't let them bastardize it if you can help it. One of my favorite books was The Bonfire Of The Vanities by Tom Wolfe. The movie was a total disaster, literally one of the worst films ever made.

[Wheezy]

87. Thanks!

I saw that awful movie. Blech.

I wish there were a way to know before you sign with them if it's going to be awful or not.

[Yavin4]

105. When You Get The Oscar

Don't forget to give DU a shoutout.

[BreweryYardRat]

59. Really? Good for you!

Sounds interesting, at least in theory -- I may take a look at it.

[emilyg]

60. Big Congrats!!!!

[Book Lover]

61. Holy cats! That is so great!

Good for you, good for your publisher's marketing department, good for the people who put it there. I am really happy for you. Congratulations!

[JTG of the PRB]

62. WOOHOO!!! Congrats!!!

What an accomplishment!!!

Now all I have to do is find my damned notes... My novel is halfway finished... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I have so much information in my notes that I don't want to progress too far without them... Argh...

Anyway, congrats again!!!

[Wheezy]

78. lol

It's hard to be so organized when you just want to write! :)

Best luck, jtg!

[MilesColtrane]

63. You're living the dream!

I always felt that if I didn't have the blessing/curse of musical talent I'd want to be a writer

[NanceGreggs]

64. Well, all I can say is ...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:toast: :bounce: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause:

[Wheezy]

83. coming from one of the greatest DU writers ever...

Thanks Nance -- I'm a big fan of your work.

[GenDem]

65. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

I just went to Amazon to buy it!
:toast:

[Wheezy]

79. yahoo!

Thank you! I hope you enjoy.

[buzzard]

67. Congratulations.

[enigmatic]

68. Congrats!!

:toast:

[Corgigal]

69. My daughter just bought your book

a week ago. She wanted some reading material for her flight to L.A. and it was your book she selected. I IM'ed you because now she wants another book of yours that I can't find anywhere.

So cool to back a DU'er and good for you.

[Wheezy]

80. Gotcha! I replied

If anybody else is looking for FADE (the sequel to WAKE), it will be out in February 2009.

Thanks again!

[terrya]

70. Congratulations! An impressive achievement!

[Rabrrrrrr]

71. Aha, that's you! I started a thread on your book a week ago -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=7578912

I still haven't had a chance to read it, but I eagerly await it!

Congrats on getting in the top ten on NY Times Bestseller!

[Wheezy]

82. Whoa!

I missed that thread. Yipes! :) :) To answer the question, there's probably 6 f-words or so.

Thanks, Rabrrrrrr!

[Lady Freedom]

72. CONGRATULATIONS!

[Wetzelbill]

73. woa I am so jealous!

Congratulations!

[zanne]

74. DU'er makes it big! Congratulations! nt

[momto3]

75. Wow, that's great!

Congratulatins!

[Phillycat]

81. That is SO COOL!

Wow, I am inspired by you!

[Wheezy]

84. I saw your thread, janesez --

Congrats again on quitting smoking. You are a non-smoker. And if you can do that, you can do anything. I used the same book you did to quit. You are the inspiration!

[Longhorn]

86. How great is that?

Congratulations! :yourock:

[A-Schwarzenegger]

88. OMG is right! How Wonderful, Lisa!

Congratulations! (and thanks again for your review in the Amazon thing.)

[Wheezy]

106. My pleasure!

[Call Me Wesley]

89. W00t! Congrats!

:toast: Feels good, doesn't it? :hi:

[johnnie]

90. Congrats!

That's great news!

[Chovexani]

91. Holy shit that's awesome

Good for you! :toast: :party: :woohoo:

[Mojambo]

92. Wow! Congrats. That is truly awesome. n/t

[Redstone]

93. Well, God damn, I guess congratulations are in order. You deserve to be ecstatic;

what an accomplishment that is!

Enjoy!

Redstone

[Lil Missy]

94. Congrats! n/t

[RadiationTherapy]

95. Well, I'll be the rude one, then...

As an aspiring novelist I must know; is the money good??


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$?

[Wheezy]

107. Not so far!

Sorry to disappoint. Don't do it for the money, that's rule #1. :) :)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

96. total coolness

:applause: :toast: :yourock: :toast: :applause:

[myrna minx]

97. Congratulations.

:toast:

[FloridaJudy]

98. Woo Hoo!

That is fantastic! You're playing in the Big Leagues now! Congratulations. I expect you worked hard for it.

And Borders just sent a 25% off any item coupon to my cell phone. Life is good.



edited to add: I just read the reader reviews. They're overwhelmingly positive. I'll bet that feels great.

[Wheezy]

110. Thanks --

Yeah...it's all quite overwhelming and shocking. You spend years wondering if you're any good, if you're good enough to sell a few thousand copies over the course of your life...and then this. It's so random.

Yeah, I truly think working my ass off made a difference. It might be slight, because a lot of this is luck, but working one's ass off gives one more chances at luck, I believe.

[FloridaJudy]

114. I used my Borders' coupon for it last night.

Actually, it was a bit embarrassing. When I got there, I couldn't remember the name of the book: really bad senior moment! I browsed the YA section, hoping I'd remember when I saw it - nada. So I went to the in-store computer, but this wasn't Amazon. You needed an exact name or title to look up a book, and I was pretty sure the author's name wouldn't be listed under "Wheezy". I did remember it was a one-word title starting with "W", so I started typing in the possibilities: "Wave", "Wish", "Want", etc.

A young man who worked there took pity on this distraught-looking, gray-haired lady, and asked it he could help. "A friend wrote a novel. It's #9 on the NYT bestseller list for YA novels. It's about a teenager who's psychic and can experience other people's dreams. Unfortunately, I can't remember the title.." He smiled "No problem. What's your friend's name?". "Well, there's another problem..."

It wouldn't have been so humiliating if the guy hadn't been so damned cute! A real hunk. I headed back to the YA department to see if I could jog my memory when he said "The new releases are over there".

Ah. Different YA section. I'd been browsing "Classics". And there it was, right in front.

I'd blame it on my advanced age, but unfortunately I've been suffering this sort of selective amnesia all my life. I can't think of the number of times I've brought home a "new" book, and about page three I suddenly remember "Wait a minute: I've read this before.." In some way I'm probably the ideal book buyer: someone who keeps buying them over and over again.

[Wheezy]

115. This?

Is hilarious!!

What a riot. I can just picture you after "what's your friend's name?" Cute guy all staring at you expectedly.

I have that same selective amnesia too, but most often with renting movies.

Thank you, Judy!

[bertha katzenengel]

99. Congratulations!

I'm very, very thrilled and happy for you!

In my mind, I have the characters, the setting, most of the plot, some of the dialog, in my head for a similar-type book. Some notes of it are scattered here and there, but nothing's even on the computer yet. I don't know how to write a book, but you've inspired me to get busy.

[Wheezy]

112. that's what I had too!

I had nearly the entire story in mind before I started writing.

WAKE was my third novel though -- the first two ended up being really great practice books (hard to think of my precious babies that way, but that's what they were. It's all good.)

[WinkyDink]

100. How AWESOME!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! Woo-HOO!!! (Green with envy here!!)

[calimary]

101. Excellent! Impressive!!!

Congratulations!

VERY well done!

A DUer on the NYTimes bestseller list! How cool is that?!?!??!

:toast: :woohoo: :applause:

[Mike03]

102. Fantastic! Congratulations.

It is hard enough to write and publish a book, but to crack the best seller list is very rare and special.

This is awesome!

[Mike03]

103. This is such good news that it probably should be in GD... At least, I'm rec'd it.

ON EDIT: Could not recommend it because the 24 hour period had expired.

But nevertheless, this is fantastic news.

If you would care to share how you got your work published, many of us would be all ears.

Best of luck to you.

[lightningandsnow]

104. Congrats!

I'm kinda past young adult novels (I'm 16 but I started reading really early, like 2 or 3 years old), but maybe I'll check it out!

You rock!

[Wheezy]

113. I hear you --

I also stopped reading YA at about age 15...and then when I was around 23, I went back to them because I really loved them. There's something raw and real about YA. I have a short attention span, and I love the faster pace of YA, too. I hope you'll check it out -- I've had lots of adults love it too.

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[4_Legs_Good]

108. Wow!! That's fantastic

Major congratulations!!!!

David

[Canuckistanian]

109. Whoa! We have a best-selling author in our midst!

I knew we were special....(basks in vicarious fantasies)

[HamstersFromHell]

111. Serious big time congratulations!

I'm in envy now...some of us can only read and wish.

:toast:

[Lavender Brown]

116. That is so awesome! I will definitely check out the book

Congrats! :applause: I used to work in children's publishing and I still love reading YA fiction.