NZ author on prestigious New York Times list

Nalini Singh. Photo / Deborah Hillman

New Zealand author Nalini Singh has again cracked the New York Times bestseller list with Archangel's Consort, at No 8 on the mass market fiction list.

Singh's book is sandwiched between mega-selling authors, Swede Stieg Larsson of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fame, and American James Patterson.

"To make the New York Times bestseller list is an incredible achievement, and it is extremely unusual for a New Zealander to reach these heights," managing director of publisher Hachette NZ Kevin Chapman said today.

"Nalini has shown herself to be in the top tier of international authors."

Archangel's Consort is the third book in Singh's bestselling "Guild Hunter" series.

While was no stranger to the New York list, having appeared on it eight times with previous releases, Singh was still thrilled.

"It's always the most amazing feeling to see my name on the list. I'm incredibly excited that so many readers are enjoying my books," Singh said.

With 22 titles to her name, she currently writes two ongoing paranormal romance series - The Guild Hunter and the Psy-Changeling.

Despite her success in America, Singh was relatively unknown here until recently, when her books became widely available through Hachette NZ after Orion picked up United Kingdom and Commonwealth rights.

Signh was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. She spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time she took the chance to travel around Asia.

She has worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher, though not necessarily in that order. "Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill," she said.

Singh lives in Auckland.

- NZPA