#CauseForOptimism: Wool Gathering

This #CauseForOptimism is a bit more personal. I just finished reading Hugh Howey's first novel in the Silo series, Wool Omnibus. Loved it! Not only is this a gripping, artfully written story that I thoroughly enjoyed as a reader, but Mr. Howey's personal story is even more inspiring to me as a writer.

Anyone (like myself) who honestly acknowledges his "invisible" status as a novelist and is struggling to build a readership can't help but find hope in -- and a vicarious thrill from -- Howey's own journey to bestseller-dom. Howey, like many of us, was struggling to find an audience, a publisher, an agent, and ultimately decided to walk away from a small press publishing deal to self-publish the first part of his Wool story. He didn't expect any miracles, just hoped to reach some sympathetic readers. He did much more than that. Sales of his initial Wool offerings skyrocketed on Amazon's eBook sales charts, and passionate readers clamored for more. Howey obliged them by delivering additional installments in the original Wool "serial novel" and then continuing the series with sequels like Shift and Dust. A Ridley Scott film based on Wool is now in the works as well. Wow. Talk about hitting a grand slam!

I know my limitations. I'm no Hugh Howey. But his story, his struggles, and his ultimate triumph give me hope. Unknown writers can become known writers. Self-published or small-press SF novels can defy expectations and the odds. New novelists can find new readers.

So thank you, Mr. Howey, for setting a wonderful example, showing us the way, and achieving such success. Those of us following your trail may get lost in the weeds. But we'll enjoy the quest... and we won't get discouraged. A little hope goes a long way. You've given so many of us more than a little!

You can read the details of Howey's success story here, and I highly recommend the read:

How Hugh Howey Turned His Self-Published Story “Wool” Into a Success (& a Book Deal)

#SFWApro