According to an article by Chris Anderson in the July 17 issue of Publishers Weekly, in 2004:
- 950,000 titles out of 1.2 million tracked by Nielsen Bookscan sold
fewer than 99 copies - Another 200,000 sold fewer than 1,000 copies
- Only 25,000 sold more than 5,000 copies
- The average book in America sells about 500 copies
- Only 10 books sold more than a million copies
- Fewer than 500 sold more than 100,000
- Nearly 200,000 new titles are published each year
Wow. Makes me feel a little like the proverbial tiny fish in a huge pond.
So why do I write? My books have not been bestsellers, and I'm not making a lot of money at this. And a magazine article (which was where my career started) reaches a LOT more people than a book ever will. So what's the attraction?
I guess I can only say that crafting books is a passion and a calling. Since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of seeing my name on the front of a book cover. As an introvert, I found solace and companionship in the world of words. Even as a young teen, I penned novels--teen faith-based romances, to be exact. They had such riveting titles: "Someday, Somewhere" and "Magical Daydreams." (Oh, Lord, please let them never see the light of day!)
I guess I can only say that crafting books is a passion and a calling. Since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of seeing my name on the front of a book cover. As an introvert, I found solace and companionship in the world of words. Even as a young teen, I penned novels--teen faith-based romances, to be exact. They had such riveting titles: "Someday, Somewhere" and "Magical Daydreams." (Oh, Lord, please let them never see the light of day!)
And when the first Apple computers came out, I was in heaven. (It meant my dad's secretary didn't have to type my stuff anymore. I could do it myself. She was probably greatly relieved, as well!) I spent hours at the desk, crafting stories, poems and songs lyrics.
When I held my first book in my hands, it was such a dream-come-true. Not only had a publisher paid me to write the words, but readers were actually going to pay to read them. I couldn't quite believe it--and can't believe it still.
What makes it even more thrilling is when a reader writes me to say they have been touched or encouraged by what I've shared. I am thankful beyond words that I get to do what I love for a living. Writing is my "sweet spot" (with thanks to Max Lucado)--the place where the things God puts inside me intersect with the world's needs.
So whether my books sell 500 copies or 5 million, I will keep finding ideas, praying for inspiration, and mining my life for the details that make a story sing.
I thank you for coming along for at least a small part of my journey. And just a warning: if the next thirty years are anything like the last few, it might be a wild ride! :)
