Photo courtesy of Lynden Sculpture Garden
Yesterday, I was driving from Chicago to Milwaukee with my beloved sister Meg and my dear friend Jane. We were heading to Milwaukee, where I was scheduled to speak at the Lynden Sculpture Garden as part of their wonderful Women’s Speaker Series.
On the way, we stopped in Racine, Wisconsin and after much driving around, finally found a home where Meg and I had lived when we were children. Meg and I were just giddy recalling our friends, the places we had played, the pets we had owned, you know, all our adventures. Jane was very polite and didn’t yawn too many times. Then, we were back on the highway, heading toward Milwaukee, when my editor, Brenda Copeland called. Brenda asked, “Has anybody ever called you a bitch?”
“Yes,” I said slowly. I thought she was angry about something I had done.
“Has anybody ever called you ‘baby’?”
“Yes,” was my reply. I thought she was fed up with how immature I am.
Then she asked, “Has anybody ever called you a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR?” And then I said nothing because I had burst into tears which alarmed Meg and Jane, so I tried to put the phone on speaker, but instead somehow managed to videotape myself with the phone before it flew from my flailing hand and landed under my seat. “Hello? Hello Ann?” came Brenda’s little muffled voice from somewhere beneath my boots. I grabbed the phone to tell her how excited I was, but I was shaking and choking and accidentally hung up on her. Brenda, who thought I was driving, had only heard a loud wailing and then much cursing on my end, and then the phone was dead, and she thought I was dead too.
So that is how I came to know that my book hit the New York Times Bestseller List.
And it happened on the way to Milwaukee. And I’ll always love Milwaukee for the rest of my life.
Last night’s event at the Lynden Sculpture Garden was great because I met so many wonderful women, but the most wonderful of all was our very own “Wendy From Wisconsin,” who has been commenting on this blog for years. As some of you might recall, Denis and met Wendy and her husband Ken at the airport in Rome last summer, quite by happenstance, while we were all awaiting flights back to the United States. Well, when Wendy learned that I was going to be reading and signing books in Milwaukee, she changed her travel plans just to come to the reading!
Wendy and me
Yes, Wendy had booked a flight to San Diego for a trip with her husband and she postponed it to attend the event. Not only that, but she brought the most delightful gift bag filled with wonderful travelers items: luxury bath salts and wonderful little travel-sized face products and teas and Godiva chocolates. She is just the most thoughtful, dear person and I can’t thank her enough. Also, thanks to Alexandra, a cool blogger who brought me a fab Wisconsin hunter’s cap and a Green Bay Packer’s jersey for Denis, who is a huge Packers fan.
I like to incorporate dance in my readings
That’s Meg next to me
So I love you Wisconsin!
Now we’re back in Chicago. I’ll be doing a reading at The Book Cellar tonight. Can’t wait!
Ann, Wonderful post about Wisconsin…Glad Wendy got to attend the reading and signing…
Kathie
This is a fantastic achievement and you SO deserve it, Ann! All the very (very!) best to you—-and we’d love to see you in Canada, too!
Hmmmm, you like tea and Denis likes coffee (what flavor? COFFEE FLAVORED COFFEE GODDAMMIT!) Now I know what to get you.
Congratulations on making the Times’ Bestseller list. I was checking last week for it. Can’t wait to see it Sunday. I’m gonna cut it out and put it on my fridge with a gold star. Well done, Ann!
Woo hoooooo!! Hoooray!! I’m SO happy for you, Ann!! Huge congratulations. This is so well deserved.
How nice that you were able to see Wendy again, too — and what a thoughtful gift from her!
Hail Wisconsin!
xoxo
So happy for you. Just think…for the rest of your life you will officially be introduced as “New York Times best-selling author Ann Leary”. Much deserved! Looking forward to meeting you tonight at the Book Cellar.
Ann,
Worcester, MA is bursting with pride!
Congratulations!!! It will be fun to watch where this book takes you!
I know it will be fantastic! Much joy to You and Denis!
So…as New York Times Bestselling author….you are surely coming to the Bay Area now, aren’t you?!
Just finished A Good House last night and downloaded your other two books immediately. LOVE them.
Huge congrats!! Time to get your own Wikipedia page!
OMG!!!!!!!!!
That is so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! BRAVA!!! WOOHOO!!!!
I was already thinking what a great trip it must be with such company, then gasped at the punch line.
FABULOUS!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!
(And on a separate topic, I too am a fan of the ” Coffee Flavored Coffee” bit.)
Way to go, Ann. My heart rate is still out of control. Those movie rights are looking better every minute.
Oh Ann, Only you could find out that way, How very fitting! Where is the video… Haha!! So very happy for you, I started the book last night, So lovely to see our lovely Wendy… Have a wonderful time on your tour, much love and luck to you…!
Congratulations! Well deserved! I agree with Wanda – just like education, this is something that can never be taken away from YOU! It is your work, not just because you are the wife of a famous actor! Great job!
So very happy for you, Ann!
congrats on making that list, that’s a very big deal!
I just ordered your book and started following your blog. What an exciting time for you. Best wishes, Ann!
Hi Ann! Hope you had a safe drive back to Chicago. It was so lovely meeting your sister, Meg, and your friend, Jane. I really enjoyed chatting with both of them. It was a fun night! I am glad you enjoyed the little goodie bag-I thought it might make the hotel stay a little more pleasant. I don’t have your e-mail. so DM me and let me know where to send the pictures from my camera. Again, congratulations on being a New York Times best-selling author!!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to pick up my copy of the latest NY Times bestseller at the booksigning tonight!
Ann, I am so sorry I have a work engagement myself tonight and can not come to the Book Cellar but with that said when you get back to CT please post so I can order my signed copy from the Hickory Stick. I can’t wait. Congrats on the New York Times best seller list, I am not suprised at all. Wendy, so nice to see you on the blog, sorry I am going to miss my chance to get my picture on the blog! You girls be safe and enjoy.
Candy,, you aren’t alone.. I also will miss the signing as I am working late and not able to get to Lincoln Park in time. I already have my book, but will order another so I can have my signed by the author on the NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS List. so sad to miss.
Ann,
Congratulations!! I love your book and it deserves to be on the New York Times best seller list. When is the next book from the great Ann Leary coming out?
GREAT NEWS, Ann Leary!!! we can say “we knew her when…….” LOL! So well deserved!
Congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you!
Congratulations, Ann. So happy for you.
Wonderful! Congrats!
Aw,
You are just wonderful.
You made the day for this lady who stays home with her kids.
It was a huge thrill to meet you and I started reading The Good house the 2nd time because the first time around I was too frantic to pick up the finer points because I had to find out WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
Loved loved loved this book.
And you are one of the most unassuming authors I’ve met. Really, for being so gifted and gorgeous, you have a good head on your shoulders.
You being so real makes us all such huge fans.
I am a huge fan.
Can’t wait for the other books to come.
Thank YOU for coming to Milwaukee on some treacherous roads for a gal in those suermodel boots.
(hope Denis loved the jersey and I know he loved you in your Elmer Fudd hunter cap.)
Alexandra
Congratulations! It has been so amazing to be able to see your success with this book unfold step by step via this fabulous blog – thank you for sharing with us!
Ann, I’m with Vennie…when will you come to the Bay Area? I got a lovely call from the Hickory Stick today confirming my cc info, so my book is on its way!! Congratulations on the NYT Bestseller List. This is all so very exciting!
What a classic, hysterical, touching story! Thrilled for your success, and a little jealous that you got to meet Wendy!
A road trip with a sister and a good friend. What a great experience even if you weren’t on the nyt best seller list. Enjoy the journey, figuratively and literally! I couldn’t help myself
Ann that is just the best news ever. How awesome!! I really can’t wait to read your book. Have a wonderful book tour, and enjoy every minute of your hard earned success. xxoo
Wow! I just opened the Sunday Times digital edition (it’s 8:30 a.m. in Greece) and there you were on your bed at the top of the front page! Great article! The book is on its way to me. Can’t wait!
Can’t wait to read it. I moved a few of them at B&N last night so they’re front and center! Congratulations!!!
How fabulous Ann, congratulations. So very deserved, I hope you will write another book soon.
Well, I am a day late and a dollar short (as always!) but I want to add my congratulations as well! Of course, I am not at all surprised, “The Good House” is a great read!
I am 75 and this is my first blog(whatever that is). I have just discovered you. It is not easy to read your book or bio or blog because my laughing (occasional crying) distracts me and I lose my place and have to start the paragrapgh again. Have finished ” The Good House” and 3/4 thru “An Innocent,a Broad”. Hard to read excerps to my patient husband who listens to my choking laughter as I read. Just mailed a hard copy of Good House to my daughter. Pls come out with another soon. Its great to get it so quickly inKindle.
Best regards from a new (old) fan.
Thank you so much Pat! And welcome to the blog!