Is anyone reading this (and does it even matter)...
I have a confession to make. Since I began this wonderful odyssey of self-publication I have on occasion (no more than a few hundred times now) found my way over to Kindle to check my sales numbers in the hope of seeing that meteoric rise to the top.
Spoiler alert...it hasn't happened yet!
The thing is I don't think I'm alone in this. For those of us who publish our words the very idea of one day seeing them everywhere - of being a huge success - is like nectar to a bee. Intoxicating.
It's beyond amazing to think about someone a world away reading my novel - enjoying my words. And there's the rub. It's subtle but those are two very different things.
You needn't have sales sufficient to be on all the best seller lists in order to have someone enjoy what you've written. Though granted if you are on the best seller list chances are someone enjoys reading your book!
So how to measure success? Is it as simple as reaching a certain number of books sold? If it is then what's the magic number?
No, I think there's more to success than that. I can only speak for myself here, but I think it's the journey that determines the outcome. It's what you experience all along the way that makes the journey worthwhile or not.
I'm not topping any best seller lists but I'd rate my initial foray into publishing as a success. As the title states, it doesn't really matter if anyone is reading it; that's not what makes you a success.
If I could say one thing to my fellow newbie authors it would be this: don't get swept up in the dream of selling copies like gangbusters. Remember why it is that you went down this road in the first place. None of us began writing just to sell books or run promotions. We did it for the words for they are what really matter.
We, each of us, had a story to tell.
And if that story reaches just one person out there and touches them in the way that only pure writing can; then count yourself a success.
But if it doesn't - if the worst happens and you don't sell a single book - don't hang your head. If you told the story you set out to tell in the way you wanted to write it, then hold your head high for you've succeeded.
So now I'm going to go take my own advice and stop checking my sales...at least for awhile anyway ;)
Spoiler alert...it hasn't happened yet!
The thing is I don't think I'm alone in this. For those of us who publish our words the very idea of one day seeing them everywhere - of being a huge success - is like nectar to a bee. Intoxicating.
It's beyond amazing to think about someone a world away reading my novel - enjoying my words. And there's the rub. It's subtle but those are two very different things.
You needn't have sales sufficient to be on all the best seller lists in order to have someone enjoy what you've written. Though granted if you are on the best seller list chances are someone enjoys reading your book!
So how to measure success? Is it as simple as reaching a certain number of books sold? If it is then what's the magic number?
No, I think there's more to success than that. I can only speak for myself here, but I think it's the journey that determines the outcome. It's what you experience all along the way that makes the journey worthwhile or not.
I'm not topping any best seller lists but I'd rate my initial foray into publishing as a success. As the title states, it doesn't really matter if anyone is reading it; that's not what makes you a success.
If I could say one thing to my fellow newbie authors it would be this: don't get swept up in the dream of selling copies like gangbusters. Remember why it is that you went down this road in the first place. None of us began writing just to sell books or run promotions. We did it for the words for they are what really matter.
We, each of us, had a story to tell.
And if that story reaches just one person out there and touches them in the way that only pure writing can; then count yourself a success.
But if it doesn't - if the worst happens and you don't sell a single book - don't hang your head. If you told the story you set out to tell in the way you wanted to write it, then hold your head high for you've succeeded.
So now I'm going to go take my own advice and stop checking my sales...at least for awhile anyway ;)
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Otávio wrote: "Paraphrasing Stephen King:“Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your ..."
Awesome quote ☺ I actually used to have this very quote on my desk...couldn't agree more!!
Great words, Eldon! I appreciate this blog post and the positive energy you bring with you to goodreads. Keep up the great work :).
Marie wrote: "Great words, Eldon! I appreciate this blog post and the positive energy you bring with you to goodreads. Keep up the great work :)."Thanks Marie!
It's just the way I see it and I felt like it might help a few authors on the site who may not be seeing the sales they wanted :)
“Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”