New York Times Bestseller: It’s offical.

For those of you who haven’t heard the news yet…..
(Click to Embiggen)

That’s me at the bottom. I’ve come all the way up to #11 since last week.

Something I never knew before: Apparently, “An asterisk (*) indicates that a book’s sales are barely distinguishable from the book above.”

Makes me wish I’d bought a few more copies off Amazon to give away to friends….

Little story: After I got the news that I was now officially a New York Times Bestselling Author, I wandered out of my office and into the hallway, where my girlfriend was looking at her butt in the mirror. You can’t really blame her for this, it’s a nice butt.

“I made it to # 11 on the Times list,” I said.

She made an excited squee-like noise and did something that was kind of like a little excited dance, and kind of like jumping around. It was the perfect response, and I’m glad that she did it. Somebody really has to. If I did it, I’d look demented and feel weird about myself. But when she does it it looks cute and earnest.

“You’re so cool!” she said. “Do you want to celebrate?”

I thought about it. “We could get some Chinese food and watch Doctor Who….” I said after a little bit.

And that’s exactly what we did.

It was only later that I realized when she said “celebrate” she was probably thinking something more… grandiose. It does make sense, I suppose. Making it onto the Times list is a pretty big deal. It’s sort of an occasion. The type of thing that most people would associate with popping champagne and passing around cigars. Or renting a limo and going out to some manner of fancy dress-up restaurant.

Me? Chinese delivery and Doctor Who.

That’s just how I roll.

Later all,

pat

This entry was posted in being awesome, cool things, Things I didn't know about publishingBy Pat58 Responses

56 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 8:50 AM | Permalink

    Awesome. I bought the book on Amazon last week and it’s nice to feel that you can make a difference(even though I’m sure I was one of thousands [or possibly tens of thousands?]). It was fantastic and I’m just sad I will have to wait another year to continue the story. So many unanswered questions:(

  2. Luke Dailey
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 8:58 AM | Permalink

    Congrats. Nothing like the good old one-two punch of Chinese Food/Dr.Who. At least in theory; they’re both great individually so I’ll just presume they’re even better together.

  3. Rae
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 9:50 AM | Permalink

    That is incredibly adorable, of both you and your girlfriend.Best celebration ever, I should think.

  4. ravenvoice
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 10:54 AM | Permalink

    Seeing there are 2 other asterixeded (or something like that) titles on the list ahead of you; you are in fact tied for 8th-ish. (and I’m not entirely sure I used that semi-colon correctly and I’m entirely too sure I’m too tired to look it up or care. :0)Hey and maybe girlfriend’s celebration idea had something to do with You looking at her butt in a mirror.Or maybe I now have to view chinese food and Doctor Who in a completely new light.

  5. Maria Stahl
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM | Permalink

    What Ravenvoice said. The butt-check meant a whole different kind of celebration!

  6. marky
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 11:43 AM | Permalink

    amazing news!!! a girlfriend with a nice bum!! superb!…oh and congrads on the best selling list thing too. Can’t believe your watchin Dr who. David Tennant really annoys me. watch him close and see how many times he has his mouth open with his tounge touching the roof of his mouth. he does it all the time!! freeks me out.

  7. Captain Joe
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 12:10 PM | Permalink

    Chinese food AND Doctor Who?Good god…Pat, seriously, will you marry me?~Captain JoePS: Congrats on the bestseller list! Never doubted ya for a second, boss.

  8. Amanda
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM | Permalink

    Congrats!!!and you celebrate that way because you’re awesome. So there.

  9. suziko
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 12:17 PM | Permalink

    Limos are cheesy and cigars are stinky. I think Chinese food and Dr. Who was the way to go.Congratulations again! I can’t wait to see you at #1.

  10. Michael Natale
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM | Permalink

    Congrats, its well deserved.You have to tell us which Dr. Who episode you chose to ‘celebrate’ with.I’m going to guess “Girl in the Fireplace” or perhaps “Blink”…

  11. Kim
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 1:40 PM | Permalink

    Oh wow! Congratulations Pat! You rule

  12. TK42ONE
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 1:57 PM | Permalink

    Now I want to go buy a few copies to help push you up a few notches. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll grudgingly agree that the new cover is good. Maybe.

  13. Matt
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 2:05 PM | Permalink

    Congratulations Pat; it’s well deserved, seeing as it’s such a good book you’ve written there.My mum would like you to know that she is quite upset at you for leaving the story without a conclusion yet. She is unreasonable like this.

  14. unique_stephen
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 2:32 PM | Permalink

    can I just be the 2000th to say: ‘congrads’

  15. Ben
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 2:46 PM | Permalink

    Right on brotherman .. that’s who the wife and I roll as well. :DCongrats! May many years of success fall like the Coyote’s anvil on your head.

  16. word fencer
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 3:27 PM | Permalink

    When you said “Chinese food and Dr. Who” I about fell out of my chair. I feel like so much less of a loser encountering those who share my idea of a good time.I feel awful because I’m waiting until next week to buy the book (conserving trips and all)!! I can’t wait to add my purchase into the tally! Congratulations to you all around!

  17. Bob
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM | Permalink

    Pat, you’re crazy. You remind me of me. ;)

  18. Gareth
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 5:40 PM | Permalink

    Hey Pat,Just wondering but why is the copyright date on the paper 2007?Congrats on the success though and to be honest Im the same, I like my creature comforts and Im not really one for going out to celebrate, a chinese and some quality Telly though works for me (and maybe a beer in there as well. LOL)Gareth

  19. Alison
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 9:05 PM | Permalink

    Mmmm, Chinese food. I think I’ll join you. Except I don’t have Dr. Who, so I’ll watch some Buffy instead. It’s been far too long.

  20. Alison
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 9:10 PM | Permalink

    Oh, and the paperback copyright is 2007 because the hardback was published in 2007. So that date doesn’t change. Toward the bottom of the copyright page it should say something like “First Paperback Printing, April 2008” Or at least mine does.

  21. Ryan
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 9:40 PM | Permalink

    Grats man. I hope you watched BSG afterwards.Or moved onto…other things….

  22. Anonymous
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 11:02 PM | Permalink

    I am about to buy another copy :) … My first is a bit shabby after getting photographed and read a lot ;0We’ll have you at number one in no time :)Fiona

  23. cynbagley
    Posted April 22, 2008 at 11:24 PM | Permalink

    Hi Patrick,I stumbled across your book “Name of the Wind” at Borders. The summary on the back was good. But, when I opened the book randomly, (I do that so I don’t get a dud), I was pulled into the book.This is a fantastic epic. I would put it up there… Wow…I really enjoyed it. I am waiting impatiently for the second book. Yours, Cyn

  24. Kelly Swails
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 1:03 AM | Permalink

    Chinese food + cool tv + spending time with the person you love = the best celebration you could as for. Congrats, Pat. This is such great news. It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

  25. Forte
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 3:11 AM | Permalink

    Congratulations, Pat! I m 1/2 way through the book and it is just wonderful! And hey…who says Dr. Who can’t be used as a celebration? We’d probably watch something like “John Adams”! I think you have us beat! Forte

  26. Megan D.
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 3:22 AM | Permalink

    Congrats Pat! I actually went into two bookstores yesterday on a whim, a Barnes and Noble and Cody’s Books (I don’t know if these exist outside of SF and Berkeley), and was pleased to see that I couldn’t find a single copy of NOTW anywhere! Such awesomeness is most definitely deserving of Chinese and Dr. Who.

  27. Megan D.
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 3:23 AM | Permalink

    Hmm, that comment made it look like I’m unsure if Barnes and Noble exists outside the Bay Area. For the record, I’m not actually a moron. I was referring to Cody’s :-)

  28. julian
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 5:22 AM | Permalink

    Hmm. Number eleven seems like it would be a pretty good read. Oh and Congrats Pat!

  29. CWagner
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 6:54 AM | Permalink

    Found this site via the Goblins Webcomic. Already orderd the book;)FYI: You have 4*5stars and 3*4stars on amazon germany:)

  30. ToddM326
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 11:48 AM | Permalink

    Mazel Tov!May you have many more celebrations!

  31. caranorn
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 12:03 PM | Permalink

    CWagner’s comment tempted me to write another 5* review on amazon.de, but I guess it’s not such a good idea after all. I bought my copy there (sorry, I don’t buy multiple copies except by accident or if I lose one (which is almost as blasphemous as burning books)) but read the reviews on amazon.com first and also later wrote my own review there… I’m pretty certain I also once had an English language review of a book on amazon.de pulled (which was silly as I was reviewing an English language book), so I’m rather hesitant of reviewing there at all.Now to the blog topic. Nice job for #11. Generally I’m a bit weary of so called best sellers. But I guess this is the exception, for once a really great book that has found an appropriate market. Usually it seems to be the opposite, major hype selling a book of little merit…

  32. Ryan K.
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 1:08 PM | Permalink

    You’re on your way to number one. How long has it been since a fantasy book did <>that<>?What a great way to celebrate! Food, TV and girl. That’s the trifecta of hedonism, isn’t it?Hey, kids, rock and roll, rock on.Hey, kids, didja boogie too? Did ya?RK

  33. Anonymous
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 2:19 PM | Permalink

    Doctor Who is the best show to celibate with.

  34. Jennifer
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 2:50 PM | Permalink

    Whooo! I saw the list on Sunday at work. I work at Barnes and Noble, and Sunday mornings are rather slow, so I read the paper, especially the NYT Book Review. That is so awesome!When I told some of my friends that I got a personal reply to an email I sent you, Pat, they said they would have to go get a copy of the book now. Here’s hoping for Number 1!Also, Chinese food and Dr. Who sounds great as a celebration to me…especially since my hubby and I usually celebrate by moving the DVD player to the bedroom to hole up and watch Star Trek and eat pizza. We geeks are easy to please.

  35. Mary J.
    Posted April 23, 2008 at 4:41 PM | Permalink

    You rock, Pat! \m/I think a NYT bestseller deserves an audio book version, don’t you?If science fiction, Chinese food, and the company of the one you love isn’t enough of a celebration for someone, he or she just has twisted priorities.

  36. Anonymous
    Posted April 24, 2008 at 8:58 AM | Permalink

    Congratulations! I’m reading your book now (it was really hard to find here in Asia) and I wish more people knew about it! It’s really an excellent book (sorry that I can’t do it justice in telling you how much I like your book). Truly enjoyed it.Eagerly looking forward to the next volume.girl from Bangkok

  37. Sie
    Posted April 24, 2008 at 7:05 PM | Permalink

    “Ryan K. said… You’re on your way to number one. How long has it been since a fantasy book did that?”I am no genius but I am guessing that one Deathly Hallows book made it to number one.

  38. patham
    Posted April 24, 2008 at 10:58 PM | Permalink

    Neil Gaiman might have also made it. (*is too lazy to actually check*)On a totally off-topic note: the ad in Goblins comic for NotW is awesome. ;) Link for those who don’t know it (do people like that read Pat’s blog? :p): http://www.goblinscomic.com/

  39. Anonymous
    Posted April 24, 2008 at 11:32 PM | Permalink

    The Name of the Wind is a steal for $7.99.

  40. Hel
    Posted April 25, 2008 at 4:47 AM | Permalink

    Congrats congrats congrats!!!And I think I’d celebrate with Chinese food and sci fi too.

  41. Summer
    Posted April 25, 2008 at 8:56 AM | Permalink

    Doctor Who and Chinese food is by far the best way to celebrate! Excluding some hybrid combination like Doctor Who and limos, or Chinese food and champagne. Which is not nearly so cool. Kudos to you for achieving this, and bonus points for celebrating it in such a Rothfussian style!

  42. Anonymous
    Posted April 25, 2008 at 8:00 PM | Permalink

    Hola!Congratulations, you’re a finalist for the Locus Award for the best first novel!http://locusmag.com/2008/LocusAwardsFinalists.html

  43. daniel
    Posted April 26, 2008 at 1:49 AM | Permalink

    Hi Patrick, first of all I really want to congratulate you on your achievement on your book (The name of the wind).I really cant start too express myself how happy and lucky i feel too have gotten the chance to read such a marvelous story (and im sorry to say the cover made me pick it up XD).Just to make it short(I wept,smiled,hated and loved), this is probably one of my favorite books right now, and I really hope there will come more =(.From NorwayYours sincerlyDaniel Vilches (19 and counting ^^,)ps: CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ^___^!!!!

  44. Sedulo
    Posted April 26, 2008 at 7:40 PM | Permalink

    Pat:Your girlfriend is very accommodating, I would have held out for Battlestar Galactica and Lasagne!

  45. Melissa
    Posted April 27, 2008 at 2:46 AM | Permalink

    I work in a book store.. your book crossed my managers mind and she quickly ordered up 48 copies to put on display. Our new stock arrived just in time. We were (are) hand selling to every customer who even glanced in the direction of science fiction and were down to our last copy when the box arrived.Congratulations on your well deserved success.

  46. Dzeintra
    Posted April 28, 2008 at 3:56 PM | Permalink

    Heralds from over the sea, Australia in fact. Absolutely -brilliant- book. Which has been said umpteen amount of times, but my GOD. I bought it last year, around late november (christmas present to me from me for me forever). Looked at the cover and it looks mildly interesting, and read the blurb, just the quote from supposedly within the novel and it went from ‘mildly interesting’ to MUST HAVE NOW. Only imagine how frustrated I was to discover that this wonderful brand new book was published that year for the first time …so I had a couple years wait for the sequel! It’s irritating, to say the least, to find a brilliant author and then discover that you’re one of the few first people to discover them!Side note; I love your sense of humour. Seek the Stone has me cracking up, repeatedly, and getting a few odd looks when I flip back through the pages (after reading a couple chapters) and laugh all over again. Congratulations on being in the best seller list, its easily forseeable that you’ll rival the Potter saga, easily…and with better quality books too. ;D It’s very sad for an unrepentant bookworm to rave and talk the ears off anyone that’ll listen about the ‘best book ever’ and how they ‘have to read it’ must must must! Okay, I am stopping now before I start rambling. More. Dzeintra

  47. Gretchen
    Posted April 29, 2008 at 11:45 PM | Permalink

    I hope it wasn’t the new DW with Catherine Tate, because that might have been a bit of a letdown. Congrats on your NYT victory!-Gretchen

  48. Robyn.
    Posted April 30, 2008 at 2:32 AM | Permalink

    Ohman.Doctor Who and chinese.You remind me of me.

  49. Crystal
    Posted April 30, 2008 at 5:42 AM | Permalink

    Congratulations on the NYT listing! I just finished The Name of the Wind. Literally. I put the book down about five minutes ago and came over to google your name in the hopes that I might be able to say thank you for the book and for giving me a truly wonderful experience. I can’t wait to make all my friends read it. I’m with you on the Doctor Who. Torchwood, on the other hand, is just a silly show.

  50. Anonymous
    Posted April 30, 2008 at 8:58 PM | Permalink

    Hello! Just ran across your book on Amazon. Haven’t bought it yet because I was hoping it will be made available as a Kindle edition. Any plans to do that? There are a couple hundred thousand Kindle owners out there and I imagine more than a few would love to have your book available as a download. Thanks and again, congratulations!

  51. Reverend Sin
    Posted May 4, 2008 at 8:13 AM | Permalink

    Ugh, the books above you sound completely retarded, the kind of thing that people with nothing between their ears pick up to read on the bus or plane.

  52. Anonymous
    Posted May 4, 2008 at 10:49 AM | Permalink

    I just finished reading the book last night! Great work. Maybe you’ll release the next in the series before April next year?

  53. Kirk L. Shaw
    Posted May 6, 2008 at 4:17 AM | Permalink

    Congratulations, Pat!I saw the news today on the Writers of the Future blog. That is one heck-of-a cover they slapped on the paperback version. It makes me want to get one to go right next to my howling beardman hardcover.Can’t wait for book 2.

  54. Anonymous
    Posted June 18, 2008 at 6:30 AM | Permalink

    Congratulations. Glad you like our Chinese food. –Sophie

  55. WolfMoon
    Posted June 25, 2008 at 9:14 AM | Permalink

    Belated congratulations for making the Times list! My main reason for commenting this late is that I read the part about Chinese food and Doctor Who and pretty much hyperventilated, as that is EXACTLY what I would generally do to celerate. Although at the moment, celebrate tends to be watching Buffy rather than Doctor Who. We break out Blink (from season 3) when something really special happens though.My flatmate is currently yelling at me for reading your blog all day today, as, I must confess, I’m actually only up to about page 66 in Name of the Wind, although I have been running around recommending it to everyone I know, and in fact got my flatmate to read it first … I was in the middle of another series that I didn’t want to interrupt, but have finally given up on, and so now am working on reading your book.Your blog has kept me entertained all day today, probably to the chagrin of my employers, who have been able to elicit very little response from me. I’m trying to finish it tonight so that I have a chance of concentration tomorrow. Once I finish with your blog, I will go and curl up in bed with my electric blanket and your book, until I fall asleep. This will finish off a perfect evening, as we have spent up until now watching copious amounts of Buffy.I am not sure how comments on blogs work, or if you will ever notice this one, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter if you see it or not. The main thing is that I got give my words to the internet, and hope that it might bring them to you.In conclusion: you are awesome and very funny and I hope I love your book as much as I’ve loved your blog.

  56. Pandora13
    Posted June 26, 2011 at 4:43 PM | Permalink

    You know what? I love you. Not only for this post, but ALSO because you brought Dr. Who into my life!

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