Playing For Keeps Launch Day results

August 25th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

As of 11:00pm Eastern Time, Playing For Keeps reached:

#1 in Hot New Releases
#1 in Movers and Shakers
#1 in Science Fiction
#1 in Action/Adventure
#2 in Science Fiction & Fantasy
#2 in Genre Fiction
#3 in Literature & Fiction
#16 in Books

To say I’m stunned, humbled and grateful is an understatement. I expected to break the top 100. I hoped to break the top 50. This amazing thing i did not expect.

The people who waited until today to buy a copy, even though Amazon had it available much earlier, people who helped promote this by blogging and tweeting and just buying multiple copies to give away, went above and beyond what I could ever ask from a listener/reader. And I got reports in from people who bought it from their local indie bookstore, which I wholeheartedly support.

This new media thang is experimental. At times it’s controversial. But I had faith in it, that giving my work away would pay off. And you guys have proven it. This is not a solo career anymore. For me, anyway, this writing thing is not a lone movement. I have my community behind me, which is a stunning and amazing thing. The force of new media is thrilling and I’m so glad to be part of it.

Thank you. Everyone who purchased, listened, blogged, told someone. Everyone who believed in this little book.Come up to me at DragonCon, or at a local signing (more on that later) and I’ll be happy to shake your hand and say thank you. (and, you know, sign the book. :) )

Thank you.

[video didn't turn out like I'd hoped. More tomorrow!]

There Are 35 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Scott Sigler on 25 August 2008:

    What if I keep my copies in my pants? Will you sign them then?

    Congrats on an amazing day. This is truly a reflection not only of your fiction, but how your audience feels about you as a person. That’s what separates us from the old school — our fans know us and are part of our endless quest for success.

  2. Comment by Keith on 25 August 2008:

    Mur,

    You’re the one we should be thanking. You’ve given us so much entertainment, so much advice, and so much hope. May this day be the first of many #1’s for you.

  3. Comment by RobinInSeoul on 25 August 2008:

    You are awesome and so is our TRIBE!

  4. Comment by Linda Bradley on 25 August 2008:

    way to go…..you are a superb writer and your fans are showing you their affection. Enjoy :-)

  5. Comment by Paintscribe on 25 August 2008:

    Hey! Amazon is SOLD OUT!!!

    way to go Mur!

  6. Comment by Allen Sale on 25 August 2008:

    Talk about a stunning win for podcast fiction. Quite amazing to see the stats and what not. The sky’s only the beginning for you Mur. Just think of all the other dimentions you could pop in and out of at will. The trickle effect has already started. I think Pip’s and Tee’s sales might have gone up as a result of your success. This isn’t just a win for an individual; this is a win for an experiment that has proven on multiple occasions what New Media on the whole can accomplish. Now, if you want a small role in AAE, just ask and tis yours. ;-)

    Allen Sale
    Astral Audio Productions
    voice mail & fax: 206-338-2138

  7. Comment by Michael Colwill on 25 August 2008:

    Congratulations on a truly wonderful day for you! With talent of your caliber it came as no surprise to see you top so many of the charts. I am sure this was only one success of many yet to come. Your talent and skill as a writer are obvious in your stories and your lessons to all of us. Cheers!

  8. Comment by J. Daniel Sawyer on 25 August 2008:

    Congratulations on the excellent run, Mur. Yours is a talent the world deserves to discover — may today be the first of MANY successful steps further into the limelight. Playing for Keeps book review
    -Dan Sawyer
    author of Sculpting God
    and
    Antithesis

  9. Comment by Brad P. from NJ on 25 August 2008:

    Quality work breeds quality response.

    It’s tiara time.

  10. Comment by Lisa T. on 25 August 2008:

    Congrats, Mur! I absolutely loved listening to this story as a podiobook and I’m excited to add the published edition to my bookshelf (as well as several friends’) next to copies of “Jack Wakes Up,” “Infected” and “Brave Men Run!” I am honored to be a part of this great community that’s showing the world how powerful New Media can be, and I think that’s the secret behind the power - the sense of community that New Media creates. Such a great day, full of Win, for you, small publishing, New Media and, of course, THE TRIBE!!! :)

  11. Comment by Lisa T. on 25 August 2008:

    Gah - I forgot to mention “Digital Magic” and “Pitcher’s Pendent” in the bookshelf list! In my defense, they only arrived a few days ago so they haven’t been on my bookshelf as long as the others … [many apologies to Pip and Tee!!]

  12. Comment by Kaa on 25 August 2008:

    You’re the one who deserves the thanks. Thanks in large part to you, I’m writing again. And I have found a great deal of joy and satisfaction. And I’m in two writers groups and a writer’s workshop at Dragon*Con….

    Thank YOU.

    I should be writing. Er…sleeping.

  13. Comment by Darren Kelk on 25 August 2008:

    Its all you Mur, it your talent and hard work paying off. Thank you for your works they are great as are you.

    Darren

  14. Comment by Arkle on 25 August 2008:

    Could this be enough attention to lead to a movie deal? :)

  15. Comment by Seth on 25 August 2008:

    You really blew the doors off it today. The podcast universe loves you, Mur! You’ve put out so much and given so much to the entertainment of others, that we all really want to thank you. I’m just glad to be a part of this awesome Amazon-wrecking! See you at D*Con!!

  16. Comment by Jonathan on 25 August 2008:

    Congratulations Mur!

    I could’ve sworn that I saw the books at #1 in SciFi at some point. I imagine your numbers are more accurate than my memory. Either way, great job! I can’t wait to get my copy in. Any chance your tour will go west of the Mississippi?

  17. Comment by Dave A on 26 August 2008:

    Kia ora Mur

    All my family are getting a copy. The first ” podiobook ” I have purchased in paper.

    Dave A

  18. Comment by Shannon on 26 August 2008:

    Mur, this is fantastic. Congratulations on the wonderful launch day success. I look forward to participating in many more launch days for your works. Congrats!

  19. Comment by CharlesP on 26 August 2008:

    Mentioned on the PFK site too, but it’s still at #20 on the overall best sellers list as of 7AM eastern time the day after.

  20. Comment by Stephen Kilbride on 26 August 2008:

    Congratulations Mur! I’m so glad things went this well. w00t!

  21. Comment by Jason R on 26 August 2008:

    Hi Mur! Congratulations! This just goes to show what we all already knew: that you are full of WIN. :D

  22. Comment by Mainframe on 26 August 2008:

    Congrats. A well deserved success. Few have inspired so many new authors with your “I Should Be Writing” podcast; it’s only right that you should be reaping from what you are sowing.

    I understand that some other podio-novels got some upswing in the process too - awesome for all you guys.

    BTW, major kudos to Hutch for his “THE 3RD WAVE GIVEAWAY” incentive. Damn, he IS a marketing genius.

  23. Comment by Unfocused Me on 26 August 2008:

    Mainframe’s right — you’ve been paying it forward with ISBW for a long time, and yesterday you saw the dividends from that. Congratulations.

  24. Comment by TimNiederriter on 26 August 2008:

    Hey Mur,

    I ordered the book but Amazon said it was sold out already when I got there, so I figured good things had been happening. Congratulations! Amazon had better get my copy moving soon.

  25. Comment by Meghan on 26 August 2008:

    You know the old saying: the only way to get is to give? I think you’re the epitome of that saying today! You pour your time and resources into new and wannabe writers, and look what you get out: friends, support, and a fantastic book!!! YAY!!!

  26. Comment by Jonathan on 26 August 2008:

    At 9 A.M. in Colorado, PfK is #21 overall, and #1 in SciFi and Action & Adventure. Looks like you’re still going strong, Mur. Congrats again!

  27. Comment by CharlesP on 26 August 2008:

    And as the amazon best seller list junkie I must update that as of 11:30AM Eastern on the day after PfK is still hanging in at #21.

  28. Comment by Caitlin on 26 August 2008:

    I wonder how many more sales you would have made if Amazon had not had that misleading ’sold out’ sign up. Well done.

  29. Comment by CharlesP on 26 August 2008:

    By Amazon’s standards they’re sold out if they don’t have any in the building (at least that’s how it was when I worked there), and because it is a smaller press they don’t have a “we’ll get this in 3 days” expectation that they do for the bigger distributors… hence ‘Sold Out: we’ll get it to you when we get some’ message.

    FYI at 3pm Eastern it’s at #30 and no longer a mover and shaker since it was ranked so highly yesterday at this time. I missed getting a screen-shot of it in the mover and shaker list yesterday when it was a 947,000+ % increase late in the day

  30. Comment by Scott W on 26 August 2008:

    Do we know how many copies were sold?

  31. Comment by OmniGeno on 26 August 2008:

    Got my copy despite my ISP crapping out on me at the least opportune time on Monday. Cheers to you, Mur!

  32. Comment by jeep on 27 August 2008:

    I wasn’t able to process my oder on the 25th, so I bought all my podcast books today. Because I went to buy PfK, I decided to also buy Infected, Brave Men Run, and Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword. I don’t know when I would have gotten around to ordering them if I hadn’t gone to buy PfK.

    For me it was a demonstration of the Power of Mur.

    -JEEP

  33. Comment by BRIAN MAHONY on 27 August 2008:

    ____ ___ _____ _ ____ _ _____ ____ ___ _
    / ___|/ _ \ | ____| / \ / ___| | | ____| / ___|/ _ \| |
    | | _| | | | | _| / _ \| | _| | | _| | | _| | | | |
    | |_| | |_| | | |___ / ___ \ |_| | |___| |___ | |_| | |_| |_|
    \____|\___/ |_____/_/ \_\____|_____|_____| \____|\___/(_)

    congrats mur!! *highfive*

  34. Comment by Umar (aka Dafixer) on 27 August 2008:

    I can’t think of anyone who deserves as much support as can be given, you’re both a positive influence and an inspiration. (And the youngin say your as cute as a Pikachu, and when you’ve got the sort of praise from a four year old, that’s saying something.) I bought my book at midnight and it came today. I have both copies with both covers which is being stored with the rest of the masters, King, Koontz, Paterson, Ludlum and, of course, Siglar. May success follow with every step you take.

    Peace

    Dafixer

    (aka Umar)

  35. Comment by Michael Falkner on 29 August 2008:

    Congrats on the print deal, Mur. I ordered late on the 25th and got the word today that Amazon is shipping!

    Still loving your work. Please keep it coming.

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