This time last year printed copies of At the Speed of Foot arrived on my doorstep and began my odyssey as self-promoter and salesman. One year on I would say I do that with about as much enthusiasm as I did with publishing: limited. I sent out press releases and distributed promotional copies to various media with no response. I placed copies in local bookstores. I have not actively promoted the book otherwise.
Sales have been, as expected, modest: 44 print copies, virtually all to people I know. More surprising are my Kindle sales at amazon.com: 89 so far. That number takes me beyond my immediate circle of friends and acquaintances. One of those strangers was kind enough to write a good review, as did a non-stranger. Many others offered nice comments, all of which told me that I succeeded as a writer. People, regardless of their hiking experience, could read my words and understand what an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is. Knowing that I have absolutely no regrets about publishing, no matter what the eventual bottom line.
Of course, I do still have a bottom line, not to mention plenty of print copies, so I will encourage you to order one, two or more if you are looking for a holiday or other gift in the coming months. At the Speed of Foot is a gift manufactured right here in the US of A.
A Kindle purchase is cool, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment