Thanks a million

Sometime this morning, an unknown reader made my day. Responding no doubt to the Book Bub and Fussy Librarian promotions running today, he or she downloaded an American Journey book on Amazon.com. In doing so, they completed my one millionth sale.

I am honored and humbled to say the least. When I published my first novel, The Mine, more than fourteen years ago, I did not expect to sell more than one hundred copies. Like other authors going the independent route, I quickly learned that selling a book to strangers in a competitive marketplace is much more difficult than writing one.

But I also learned that hard work pays off. I discovered that anything is possible with perseverance, imagination, and assistance from bloggers, beta readers, and others who believe in the power of a story.

I don't plan to go for two million sales. I would need a public relations firm, a dedicated sales team, eight to ten more books, and the energy of a younger man to even come close. Even so, I will keep writing and marketing books. I am already ten chapters into The Time Spring, my latest work in progress and my first stand-alone novel in more than a decade. I will do what I can to get it out by the end of the year.

In the meantime, I will take moments like this to appreciate the thousands of readers and listeners who have purchased or borrowed my books since 2012. Because of you, I reached a bucket-list milestone that once seemed impossible. For that, I am profoundly thankful.