I’ve never heard of Rob Hart- but I read his post. Now I’m curious. I go to Google and start reading the 35 page preview of Assassins Anonymous. Reading through page 2 I’m already taken by thoughts like, “This is good writing,” and, “this guy is good.” So I head right to comments, and here I am.
Like you said in the post Rob, it’s one inch at a time. My next stop is Amazon-or my local book shop. I’m your next book sale.
Thank you for being you, showing up, and modeling persistence. I’m grateful. 🤗
I've had exactly the same experience. The "big" movers for book sales are things that are beyond your control. The only reason they happen at all is bc you stayed in the game long enough to LET THEM HAPPEN.
Also, your publisher has a portal that lets you log in and check daily sales?? What sorcery is that? My Big Five publisher still sends semi-annual statements.
Open Secrets Magazine was in my email, so I opened it reading Mr. Hart sharing information about his take of his book getting noticed. I kept reading finding he's been successful having his books published. I had thought, maybe this was, if not his first book, maybe his second. Come to find out he's had many books published. I am in the midst of editing a book I've wrote over 20 years ago about sports which I feel is a Time Capsule. I need to find an agent, and I will. But Mr. Hart's column is a bit deceptive. It doesn't help anyone who's hungry to get published, it helps get his book on our minds. That's about it.
"...this is a game of inches, and if I sell one more book than I would have, then it’s worth the investment." This says it all. Thanks for honesty and tips in this post.
Thank you open secrets for publishing this valuable piece, at least this is so helpful for the struggling non English speaking authors like me. Also a ton of congratulations to Rob Hart.
I think the one thing I would add is to get 10,000 people to read it, if you can. That's about the only thing that increases your odds because:
1. If 10,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 25,000 will
2. If 25,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 50,000 will
3. If 50,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 100,000 will
4. If 100,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 250,000 will
5. If 250,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 500,000 will
6. If 500,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 1mil will
7. And so it goes.
So the key is finding 10,000 people to read it, even if you have to give it away to that first 10k. Other than that, yeah — fickleness plus stubbornness plus time in hopes that word of mouth in the right places gets it to click. More books, more attempts, more chances.
I did the same. I started writing in 1984, published a few essays in newspapers and magazines.
Didn't sell a book til 2004, then sold 2 kids books to Kane Miller around 2009, one on Bank Street's "best book list, 2014." 1, 2 3, By the Sea, is still selling, 117,000 copies to date, all these years later. I'm a one hit wonder, but made it to the 1% of traditionally published authors and accomplished my dream of writing picture books for children.
I’ve never heard of Rob Hart- but I read his post. Now I’m curious. I go to Google and start reading the 35 page preview of Assassins Anonymous. Reading through page 2 I’m already taken by thoughts like, “This is good writing,” and, “this guy is good.” So I head right to comments, and here I am.
Like you said in the post Rob, it’s one inch at a time. My next stop is Amazon-or my local book shop. I’m your next book sale.
Thank you for being you, showing up, and modeling persistence. I’m grateful. 🤗
A fellow writer.
I really needed this. I feel less like a marketing failure now. Just have to get Barnes & Nobles to get onboard! 😁
I've had exactly the same experience. The "big" movers for book sales are things that are beyond your control. The only reason they happen at all is bc you stayed in the game long enough to LET THEM HAPPEN.
Also, your publisher has a portal that lets you log in and check daily sales?? What sorcery is that? My Big Five publisher still sends semi-annual statements.
Congrats on your success. Those are excellent tips.
Open Secrets Magazine was in my email, so I opened it reading Mr. Hart sharing information about his take of his book getting noticed. I kept reading finding he's been successful having his books published. I had thought, maybe this was, if not his first book, maybe his second. Come to find out he's had many books published. I am in the midst of editing a book I've wrote over 20 years ago about sports which I feel is a Time Capsule. I need to find an agent, and I will. But Mr. Hart's column is a bit deceptive. It doesn't help anyone who's hungry to get published, it helps get his book on our minds. That's about it.
"...this is a game of inches, and if I sell one more book than I would have, then it’s worth the investment." This says it all. Thanks for honesty and tips in this post.
Thank you open secrets for publishing this valuable piece, at least this is so helpful for the struggling non English speaking authors like me. Also a ton of congratulations to Rob Hart.
Great piece, Rob! Congrats on your success and the fruits of sticking it out.
I think the one thing I would add is to get 10,000 people to read it, if you can. That's about the only thing that increases your odds because:
1. If 10,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 25,000 will
2. If 25,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 50,000 will
3. If 50,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 100,000 will
4. If 100,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 250,000 will
5. If 250,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 500,000 will
6. If 500,000 people read it, there's a 50% chance 1mil will
7. And so it goes.
So the key is finding 10,000 people to read it, even if you have to give it away to that first 10k. Other than that, yeah — fickleness plus stubbornness plus time in hopes that word of mouth in the right places gets it to click. More books, more attempts, more chances.
This is weirdly comforting. Thank you Rob.
Oh man I love this and needed to hear it this morning. It's pretty comforting to know that the biggest thing we can control is the writing.
And here's to the next few inches in this game of inches!
Congrats, Rob!
Yup, just keep on keeping on.....good for you.
I did the same. I started writing in 1984, published a few essays in newspapers and magazines.
Didn't sell a book til 2004, then sold 2 kids books to Kane Miller around 2009, one on Bank Street's "best book list, 2014." 1, 2 3, By the Sea, is still selling, 117,000 copies to date, all these years later. I'm a one hit wonder, but made it to the 1% of traditionally published authors and accomplished my dream of writing picture books for children.
Love the honesty of this essay--a lot of the advice authors get is less than realistic. Thanks for sharing your experience!
‘There will be a lot of failures’ …. Not for the weak of heart!