When I published (with the help of my awesome editor) my first book, Passage of Promise, in May of 2020, I’d expected that maybe a grand total of 20 people (at first, I thought 10) would hopefully buy my book. Certainly, some of my family members and close friends might buy my book, but I couldn’t be sure.

Within the first month, I’d surpassed 20 books sold. And in the next several months, over 100 copies of my novel had sold. To me, this was a huge success and, to be honest, a very pleasant surprise.

When my second novel, What She Didn’t Know, was published March of this year, I hoped those who enjoyed my first book would return for this one. Turns out, they did, and I had 45 pre-orders the month before the release of my book. The copies of this book doubled that of my first novel in the first couple of months.

But writing, revising, publishing, and marketing books are A LOT of hard work. It doesn’t come easily. However, I continue to write and put out my books because I had so much to write about over the last six years, and that’s always a good thing.

I wondered if my book would reach strangers.

Well, they had and have.

Word of mouth is a wonderful phenomenon. A real blessing.

Both my novels, Passage of Promise and What She Didn’t Know, are carried at a local county library, and have been checked out a multitude of times in the last several months to a year.

People I don’t know are checking out my books at the library, and it brings me such joy!

A few days ago, a reader on Goodreads, who I don’t know, had apparently read my book, Passage of Promise, and left a nice review. Wow!

So, this is how you know your reading audience is growing. Strangers have found my books interesting enough to buy and read and even leave a review.

Writers out there, have you had similar experiences?

I hope sharing my story will inspire other authors out there. Reach out to your local library and small bookstores in your area. They’re a great support system, and new people may discover your books as they have mine. They probably already have for your books!

These are some of the joys of being an author.

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