Why the sale matters to me

A few weeks ago, I posted about there being no yard stick for success in publishing. For every accomplishment there seems to be another goal just beyond an authors reach. One of my personal measures for success - at least at the level of the story - is a sale/acceptance to a publisher or editor then to a reader.

I've learned over the years that if I want people to support my published works, I need to let them know that it's out there and encourage them to buy it. A sale for an anthology, short story or novel means increased name recognition for me. If someone likes the story and tells a friend who tells a friend etc. Many authors will talk about selling a book one sale at a time. That's the reality even for a mid-list'er with a big five publisher, let alone an unknown part-time author like me.

I'm under no illusions of getting rich or being able to quit my day job. My writing and recognition factor just aren't on that level. For me, the sale is about building my audience and getting more people to just look at this website and maybe, just maybe, read one of my stories. One day I will get that print novel contract and have an audience to share it with.

There's no point in modesty when it comes to publishing.