October 1, 2009 a silly little book hit the market.
A very nervous debut author hummed and hawed over her offering. Would anyone actually like it? It was such an odd mash up of paranormal, steampunk, and comedy – who would enjoy such a ridiculous story? Were there readers out there irreverent enough to want whimsy?
Well, Soulless turns seven years old today. The silly little book that I thought would find a home in only a very few people’s hearts seems to have miraculously wormed its way out into the world and touched many.
Soulless has now sold into over a dozen different territories for translation. There has been a graphic novel manga version (which itself is now translated into French, Taiwanese, and German) and an omnibus. It’s been optioned for TV. It’s spawned a dress up doll, various videos, fan art, several tea parties, audio books, cosplay, and an iPhone app.
Little did I know how much that one book would so utterly change my life.
In these last seven years:
- After getting my second masters degree I put my PhD on indefinite hiatus.
- I gave up teaching archaeology, discontinued my experimental work, and stopped my field visits.
- Basically, I switched careers.
- I visited a dozen foreign countries promoting the books, half of which I’ve never traveled to before.
- I made countless new friends and been blessed with a chance to visit old ones.
- I’ve watched the steampunk movement grow and expand.
- I went to conventions and signings all over the world and learned valuable lessons from fellow authors.
- I ate hundreds of foods, dishes, and sweets I’d never tried before.
- I wrote 13 additional books: 4 followups to Soulless, 1 YA sci-fi, and 4 YA Finishing School books, 2 Custard Protocol books, 2 Parasolverse novellas.
- And, best of all, I got to meet my readers: some here on the blog, some on Twitter, some on Facebook, some in person ~ all of you so warm and fun and strong and smart.
There have been good reviews and glorious ones, nasty gripes and soundly presented critiques. I’ve tackled rough times in social media, and made my fair share of online mistakes. But in the end, it always came back to Soulless and the writing. Did the book make you smile? Then I did my job.
So, thank you so very much, Gentle Reader, and if you have the time or inclination please raise up a teacup in honor of Soulless, who’s original secret code name, at the dawn of this blog, was The Little Paranormal That Could. I guess Soulless could and did.
And if you put a spot of amaretto in your tea, well, I won’t tell.
Thank you all for seven glorious years!
Many of you have been with me all along, and several of you have already posted comments on my similar October 1 posts of the past, for which I thank you.
But if you would like to share your “How I discovered Soulless” story, I would love to read it.
Natalie Girshman says of Soulless: “Intrigue, flirtation, a mysterious order with nefarious intentions and treacle tart ensue. Carriger manages to strike a skillful balance between mystery and romance…”
Of Books and Baily says of Soulless: “The wit and humor of Soulless left me giggling out loud and blushing furiously. The world Carriger creates is meticulously put together much like the Victorian ladies of old. The characters are delightful, charming, and perfectly flawed. You cannot help but adore them.”
Alwaysbooking says of Soulless: “I can’t wait to read the next book.. this book has everything you are looking for romance, steam punk, vampires, werewolves and 19th century language!”
Gunna Blogs went for a vacation to Soulless and said: “I would love a jaunt through Hyde Park along with Alexia and Ivy Hisselpenny, even if she does wear hideous hats.”
Keep Calm with Books and Coffee gives Soulless 5 stars and says: “From the very first pages I found these characters irresistible. Alexia is witty and has some modern ideas but she is still a proper Victorian lady. I loved how Carriger created a strong lady of her time rather than a lady out of time.”
Cannonball Read 8 says: “The plot moved along in a sprightly manner. The characters were quickly sketched and sharply drawn. Carriger assumes that the reader can put together what alternate London would look like. The whole read was a delight.“
Shooting Star Reviews says of Soulless: “The heroine had me laughing out loud several times, and the whole plot line filled with mystery, a dash of romance, also had me devouring the book all in one sitting.”
Book Queen Reviews says: “Gail Carriger is a master at creating this world and incorporating details that are now considered to be “steampunk” in detail.”
Merin says: “It had been a long time since I’d read a book that was such pure and delightful fun. Soulless is exactly that, and I have to say, I definitely think going the audio route made it even more so.”
Catherine Hunt says of Soulless: “I can say without hesitation that I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance books with a supernatural/steampunk basis to them.”
I Read What I Want To says of Soulless: “The author is amazing in her inclusion of LGBT characters to her Victorian society. I love having LGBT characters that are fully realized, nuanced, and important to the story be included, since so many authors either don’t include any LGBT characters, make just a passing mention either them or their LGBT-ness, or have a LGBT character who is there just for representation purposes.”
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GAIL’S DAILY DOSE
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Quote of the Day:
“I love talking about nothing… It is the only thing I know anything about.”
~ Oscar Wilde
