Dear Readers

I got an email last night from Nalini Singh, congratulating me. To say I was puzzled… is an understatement. I immediately wrote back, begging for clarification. What did I do? Was it good?!

As it turns out, Grimspace made the Locus Bestseller list. Look at Grimspace, riding the paperback list at number four. What does this mean? Well, I can go around calling myself a National Bestselling Author, if I want to. More to the point, it means you guys are awesome. If you hadn’t read it and talked about it, recommended it to each other and spread the word, this wouldn’t have happened. Readers are the true rockstars, and I am grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

But wait, there’s more. Today has been a hell of a good day. I heard from my editor, Anne Sowards, who has sent my urban fantasy novel to a number of authors in hopes of acquiring blurbs. Check out what this author said about Blue Diablo.

Advance Praise
“Ann Aguirre proves herself yet again in this gritty, steamy and altogether wonderful urban fantasy. Outstanding and delicious. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.”
–NYT Bestselling author Patricia Briggs

Yeah, you read that right. I got a blurb from Patricia Briggs. I have now been blurbed by my two writing idols, Sharon Shinn and Patricia Briggs. You should have heard the squeeing.

But wait, there’s more!

I got invited to participate in WorldCon in Denver this summer, which means I get to meet Sharon Shinn. She has agreed that we should do lunch or drinks while we’re both there. (And I’m so thrilled I could bust.)

But wait, there’s more!

I got a new pen this weekend. Not just any pen. It combines the bold quality of a marker with the precision of a pen. They call it the Pilot Bravo! (With exclamation point on pen). That was how I knew it was special, not every pen gets an ! Lori T, I signed your ARC with it. I signed yours too, SmartBitch Sarah! I’m just fixing to leave to drop them in the mail.

There may be more exciting news to announce, but I must keep mum for now. Thanks for celebrating with me.

You know, I’m so happy that I think I’m gonna make this a contest. I feel like sharing the love. Just post a comment and then I’ll draw a random winner next week on June 9th. I’ll buy and send any book as long as it doesn’t cost more than $25. Let’s dance!

64 Responses

  1. Susan Helene Gottfried
    June 2, 2008 at 4:05 pm |

    Pilot makes fantastic pens. Use it well!

    And congrats on all the good news. Wow. It’s well-earned.

  2. Has
    Has
    June 2, 2008 at 4:29 pm |

    I am so happy for you!!!!!
    Congratulations Ann. You deserve all the squeeworthiness praise.

  3. Kristen
    June 2, 2008 at 5:22 pm |

    It sounds like you’re having a good day! :) Congratulations on all the good reviews and making the Locus bestseller list! I can’t wait to hear the rest of the exciting news that was hinted at…

  4. wendy
    June 2, 2008 at 5:33 pm |

    Congrats on all the fabulous news! A blurb by Patricia Briggs – Nice! she’s one of my favorite authors evah!

  5. Marissa Scott
    June 2, 2008 at 5:50 pm |

    I have to say that I agree 100% with what Patricia Briggs said. I had the privilege of reading Blue Diablo and I absolutely loved it! Fabulous!!!

    Rock on with your bad self, Ann. Woo hoo!

  6. Rylie
    Rylie
    June 2, 2008 at 6:29 pm |

    Congrats on all the great news! What a fantastic way to start the week! :-)

  7. stacey e.
    stacey e.
    June 2, 2008 at 7:24 pm |

    YAY! YAY! YAAAAAY! Congrats on ALL your GOOD news!! you work so hard- you deserve EVERY bit of it!! :D

    (Can’t wait to hear about the other news you’re keeping mum on too! hopefully it’s just as good!)

  8. BevQB
    June 2, 2008 at 7:41 pm |

    Gee, and I can say I knew you when!

    Except you’re exactly the same Annie as you were before you became Ms. Best Selling Author. The only difference is that, in addition to being a fangirl of other authors, you now have fangirls of your own! Oh, and you have less time to play with us.

    I could not be happier and more thrilled for you. ENJOY, Annie!

  9. azteclady
    azteclady
    June 2, 2008 at 8:21 pm |

    *giggling*

    You gotta use the !pen! the very speshul !pen!

    So Ms BestSelling Author, Ma’am, when is Vel’s little story coming out?

    (yes, I know, I’m an ungrateful so-and-so who can’t wait, but you know just how much I lust for erm… lurv Vel )

  10. Ann
    June 2, 2008 at 8:39 pm |

    Congrats on the awesome news! That’s wonderful. And on the new pen (I’ll have to look for them the next time I’m hunting for the perfect pen).

  11. Christine
    June 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm |

    Congrats, Ann!! That sure is an abundant amount of awesome news! Including the news about the Pilot Bravo! pen. Is it better than a fine point Sharpie? I love those.

    Looking forward to Blue Diablo. Seriously cool title.

  12. azteclady
    azteclady
    June 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm |

    *swoon*

    What am I going to do now? I’ve fallen in lust with the !pen!

    It’s your fault, Ann, you introduced us!

  13. JaimeK
    JaimeK
    June 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm |

    Wow, I almost passed out from all the joy in your post – Patricia Briggs – mmm, you lucky, lucky woman! I looove her. She has been the kindest. That has got to be gratifying?!! Fabulous!
    The pen I will have to check out. I drive my husband crazy looking for the perfect pen.
    You rock, you know?
    Peace.

  14. Kristen
    June 2, 2008 at 9:21 pm |

    Now who’s sexier and more lust-worthy – Vel or the pen?

  15. azteclady
    azteclady
    June 2, 2008 at 9:24 pm |

    Well, Vel, of course!

    (’cause the !pen! I can get )

  16. Lorelie
    June 2, 2008 at 9:44 pm |

    I’d prolly be going on and on about the pen too. It’s probably the fact that the other good news is so mind blowing cool that it’s easier to focus on the simplicity of a pen.

  17. BoxingKing
    BoxingKing
    June 2, 2008 at 11:23 pm |

    OO, another contest. Just about killed me when I didn’t win the arc… I can’t wait for the next arc contest! I can’t flat out wait for the next book! Anyways, kudos on the pen. :) And pen porn. Collect pictures on your computer and get em out when you feel in need of a good, stong, bold man pen. :D Congrats on the making the list, as well.

    Tchao! BK

  18. Michele
    June 3, 2008 at 12:54 am |

    Squeee! I love seeing happy authors :D

  19. bettie
    June 3, 2008 at 3:24 am |

    Congrats!!!

  20. Pam P
    Pam P
    June 3, 2008 at 3:43 am |

    Congratulations on all the news, Ann, you deserve it!

  21. Alexandra
    Alexandra
    June 3, 2008 at 4:29 am |

    Congratulations Ann. More awsome news

  22. Jambrea
    June 3, 2008 at 4:39 am |

    Congrats that is awesome!

  23. Theresa N
    Theresa N
    June 3, 2008 at 7:40 am |

    Congratulations!! Wonderful news.

  24. CrystalGB
    CrystalGB
    June 3, 2008 at 9:17 am |

    Congratulations Ann. Fabulous news.

  25. Congrats & A Movie / The Bradford Bunch

    [...] Grimspace,  but she also got a fabulous author quote from Patricia Briggs!  You read the quote on Ann’s blog.  Rock on with your bad self, Ann!  Woo [...]

  26. Angie
    June 3, 2008 at 11:06 am |

    Patricia Briggs and Sharon Shinn?? Be still my heart….

    Congratulations!

  27. Hannah T
    Hannah T
    June 3, 2008 at 11:08 am |

    Congratulations! May this be the first of many appearances on best seller lists EVERYWHERE!

    You deserve it :))

  28. Kristen
    Kristen
    June 3, 2008 at 11:32 am |

    Congrats! What wonderful news I hope you did a happy dance, cause I know I would of. and wow Patricia Briggs very awesome!

  29. Vivi Anna
    June 3, 2008 at 12:23 pm |

    Congrats Ann!! All around awesome news!!

  30. Heather
    June 3, 2008 at 12:51 pm |

    Congratulations, Ann! I know you didn’t reach this point without a lot of effort. I enjoyed GRIMSPACE and look forward to reading more of your work.

  31. Cynthia Eden
    June 3, 2008 at 1:08 pm |

    Woo-hoo, Ann!!! Congratulations!

  32. Therese
    June 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm |

    Congrats x100 on reaching National Best-seller status, Ann. I’m so not surprised.

    And, hmm, who will you fly with when you go to Denver? :)

  33. Larena Wirum
    Larena Wirum
    June 3, 2008 at 3:23 pm |

    Sounds like you are on a roll. Congrats and all the great and fantastic news.

  34. Kimberly B.
    Kimberly B.
    June 3, 2008 at 3:34 pm |

    That’s so awesome! Locus rocks, and I’m just thrilled you made their best-sellers list! And I totally get being so excited over a pen; I’m a bit of a pen snob myself!
    Congrats!

  35. Dina
    Dina
    June 3, 2008 at 6:37 pm |

    Ann, that is GREAT!!! Good for you.

    I hope your new pen gets a workout.

  36. Sue A.
    Sue A.
    June 3, 2008 at 7:24 pm |

    Well deserved, congratulations!

  37. danette
    June 3, 2008 at 7:41 pm |

    Yay! Congrats Ann!

    Hugs, Danette

  38. RachaelfromNJ
    June 3, 2008 at 9:13 pm |

    Wow congrats Ann! That is awesome that you got a blurb from Patricia Briggs!!! Very cool. And congrats on being a Locus Bestseller!!!

  39. Maya
    June 3, 2008 at 10:50 pm |

    Hmm. Well now my news that I’ve posted a review on Grimspace and Duke of Shadows on my blog seems anticlimactic

  40. Mike Briggs
    Mike Briggs
    June 4, 2008 at 12:29 am |

    Ann:
    Just for the record, you’ve gotten more than a blurb from Patty — she’s been gushing about your book to all of her book-reading friends in a most undignified fashion.

    In fact, she’s enthusiastic enough that the manuscript is on the very top of my TBR list. Kudos on a job VERY well done indeed, you rock!

  41. Tammy
    Tammy
    June 4, 2008 at 7:43 am |

    Congrats on the great news!

    I’m afraid I haven’t read the book yet, but I have read the excerpt and will be looking for the book asap as it sounds terriffic!

  42. Pamk
    Pamk
    June 4, 2008 at 7:50 am |

    congrats you deserve it. And Love love Patricia Briggs too. Need to check out Sharon Shinn. I’ve not read anything of hers.

  43. ReadingIsSoMuchFun
    ReadingIsSoMuchFun
    June 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm |

    Hi Ann, Oo very neat congratulations on being on the Locus bestsellers list WooHoo! Very cool that you have a blurb from Patricia Briggs. *Cheers*

    Hugssss
    LindaH

  44. Caffey
    Caffey
    June 4, 2008 at 12:54 pm |

    Hi Ann!!! I just gave a big shoutout of YES! here in the house (don’t worry, my teens just think I’m nuts) but I’m so thrilled for you!! That is fab!!! You should go out and celebrate or do something special for this memory! Maybe print out that list and frame it! Cool on meeting Sharon Shinn. I read her debut book, A SHAPESHIFTER’S WIFE or something like that title. I’m so bad in remembering the names! Patricia Briggs is great to get the quote on too! I love all this happening for you! Congrats again!

  45. katiebabs
    June 4, 2008 at 5:30 pm |

    Aw Ann that is incredible!
    Thanks for sharing the love!

  46. Teresa W.
    Teresa W.
    June 4, 2008 at 11:45 pm |

    Congrats, and there couldn’t be someone more deserving of all the good news!

  47. kim h
    kim h
    June 5, 2008 at 12:33 am |

    tha t is awesome congrats on everything.

  48. bunny
    bunny
    June 5, 2008 at 6:06 am |

    Woohoo!! Congrats :)

  49. limecello
    limecello
    June 5, 2008 at 10:14 am |

    Wow, Ann – congratulations! And I’m just amused – trust you to be so great you’re collecting accolades you don’t even know about! Congratulations again!

  50. Robin
    Robin
    June 5, 2008 at 4:12 pm |

    Wow, Patricia Briggs! way too cool. Congrats!

  51. Jeri
    June 5, 2008 at 8:51 pm |

    Woo-hoo!!! Congrats on the list and the quote and drinks date with Sharon Shinn and the pen! You freaking rock, girl.

  52. Renee
    Renee
    June 6, 2008 at 12:45 am |

    Congrats on all the great news!
    Just bought/read Grimspace last week, and loved it!
    Can’t wait for Wanderlust.

  53. Kimmy Lane
    Kimmy Lane
    June 6, 2008 at 7:15 pm |

    Congrats on the good news. I can’t wait to read Grimspace. I’ve been reading great reviews about it already.

  54. Laurie
    June 6, 2008 at 9:55 pm |

    Pen Porn? Whoa, careful. Your site may get an R rating.

    Congrats on everything listed above.

    Grimspace goes on my Leaning Tower of TBR list.

  55. acdaisy77
    acdaisy77
    June 8, 2008 at 3:13 am |

    Congrats Ann! You deserve it!

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