On the one hand, 3000 books sold over ten years is not exactly best-seller territory. On the other hand, I won't deny the satisfaction I felt upon the sale of my 3000th book yesterday.
My book sales have never been a torrent. They are more a persistent trickle, one or two at a time, sometimes skipping a few days but seldom more than that. So while 3000 copies over ten years doesn't blow your socks off, it does amount to 5 or 6 copies a week, every week, for ten years -- and, that, let me tell you, can be quite an ongoing boost to one's self-esteem.
I am pleased, too, to know that my books have sold without promotion. I have never made a public appearance on behalf of my books, never a signing or a reading, never a celebrity endorsement, never a cent paid for advertising. All I've ever done is to offer my books on my blog and via my Twitter account. For the rest, it has been a case of folks noticing my quotes on the internet, Googling my name and finding their way to my Amazon book pages.
And so I thank all you book buyers out there for your support over these ten years. You are indeed patrons of the arts and, as supporters of the hard-copy printed word, a bit of a dying breed, I'm afraid. I thank you and cherish you. You have made very happy a fellow named Bob in Connecticut.
Proud to say I own each and every copy Robert. You have been a major inspiration in my life for almost a decade so I must thank you my dear friend. Also, one more book is coming right :) ?
ReplyDeleteRyan, thanks so much. You've been a long-time friend on this interesting wave length we share. Dunno about another book. Spirit is willing, but my one good eye might seriously object to the strain. (smile)
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