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  • About This Novel

    Playing for Keeps was delivered via podcast in audio and PDF form and is now available in print from Swarm Press. It tells the story of Keepsie Branson, a bar owner in the shining metropolis of Seventh City: birthplace of super powers. Keepsie and her friends live among egotistical heroes and manipulative villains, and manage to fall directly in the middle as people with powers, but who just aren't strong enough to make a difference. Or that's what they've been told. As the city begins to melt down, it's hard to tell who are the good guys and who are the bad.

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    A podcast is a form of Internet distribution of digital media (audio, text, video, etc) - you subscribe using one of a number of tools (iTunes is a popular one) and the content is delivered to you. This podcast has audio and PDF content, and occasional video.

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Playing For Keeps Launch Results

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!]

Posted by admin in Meta, News on August 25th, 2008 ‌  Trackback Link

12 Comments

  1. CharlesP wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 3:55 am:

    As of 6:50 Eastern this morning (the day after) it’s still at #20 in books. Go Mur Go!

  2. CharlesP wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 6:46 am:

    9:45 Eastern and it’s hanging in at #21

    Mur, any figures from Swarm yet on number of copies sold?

  3. CharlesP wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 8:37 am:

    11:35 Eastern and it’s still at #21

  4. CharlesP wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 9:04 am:

    somewhere around noon it went to #22. It’s down to #4 on the movers and shakers list because 24 hours ago it was already up to #348. Here’s hoping it keeps in the top 25 for the rest of the day.

  5. Alexgone wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am:

    Mur - After reading your comments above I wanted to say “No, Thank you!” You have become a part of so many peoples lives that we all wanted to give something back to you as well. The countless podcasts, interviews, and days of slaving over writing and then creating an audio format for us to share in, has built you a community of friends that stretches far beyond the borders of North Carolina. Thank you for the time and effort you have poured into all of your endevours and thank you for allowing us in some small ways to share in your life as well. Thanks for being friendly when it wasn’t required and thanks for valuing the people that care for you even when you haven’t personally met most of them.

    Here’s to your continued success!
    -Alexgone

  6. CharlesP wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 11:53 am:

    As of 3pm eastern PfK is at #30… any late third wavers ready to order and make a comeback?

  7. Norbert wrote on August 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm:

    Wow, this is utterly amazing.

    I was helping you make an impact just a tiny little bit myself. I figured the book would get a good start on Amazon.com, but I never thought we’d all see it at #1 … in multiple categories!!

    No one can ignore this thing anymore. Now I got to see the launch videos (the connection seemed to be cluttered up last night when I wanted to watch them).

  8. CharlesP wrote on August 27th, 2008 at 3:59 am:

    Now the salient number is that in the second day after the rush, a small press, first novel, without a marketing budget to speak of, is still in the top #200 on Amazon’s charts (it’s at #174 right now). While one can’t attribute all of the current sales to people only exposed to the book because of the best seller list the last two days, there is certainly a portion of those sales and hopefully some future ones as well) that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

    Go Mur Go!

  9. CA Copeland » Blog Archive » Playing for Keeps wrote on August 27th, 2008 at 7:13 am:

    [...] UPDATE from the Playing For Keeps website: [...]

  10. Alexgone wrote on August 27th, 2008 at 9:30 am:

    The book has actually bounced back up then! It’s currently at #166 as of 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. It’s also still #2 in action and adventure and #3 in Science Fiction. 2 days later! Mur, you’re playing with the big dogs now. Have a happy day!

    -Alexgone

  11. Casey wrote on August 27th, 2008 at 11:47 pm:

    Good work, Mur! I had all the confidence in the world that you would be successful with this one. :)

  12. CharlesP wrote on September 5th, 2008 at 4:07 am:

    I just got word that my two copies have shipped from Amazon. w00t!

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