Book loving
Who’s Going to Read Your Book?
Because I’m not
It dawned on me a few days ago just how many books there are in existence. It wasn’t an overarching metaphysical question. Or an internal philosophical battle. It was a simple observation.
There are a lot of books in my house. And each time I visit a second-hand bookstore, I stock up on more. As a result, it’s unlikely I’m ever going to read your novel, whether self-published or traditionally published. There’s just too much other stuff I want to read.
Most people are not readers. Out of the twenty people in my family, there’s only me and my aunt who read. And when I mean read, I mean have a book on the go most of the time. The rest of my family might read a book in the summer holidays or on a plane. But no more than 2 or 3 a year.
An American survey found that 49% of adults haven’t read a book in the past year. A similar study in the UK found 53% of people read a book in 2022. Meaning that 47% didn’t!
While the publishing market remains robust. Certainly more than the doomsayers predicted years ago. The truth is, most people don’t read. So the chances of them buying your book is small. Very small. In fact, I would say almost zero.
When I wrote my book, Le Glitch — a comedic novel set in a desolate French village — I naively assumed people would buy it. I figured that with close to a billion English speakers on the planet, with 150,000 of them living in France, there would be a market for it.
And there was — up to a point. I had a write-up in a popular expat magazine, The Good Life France, and as of today, I’ve sold 241 paid copies (plus 541 free copies).
This, I’m told, isn’t too bad for an unknown author. As has been well documented, some Penguin-published novelists, sell less than 12 copies per year.
But if I’m honest, I expected higher sales. I expected at least 1000 minimum in paid copies. Why, I don’t know? Ego. Blind faith. Delusion of grandeur.
Probably all three.
You see, when we’re writing — as we all experience I’m sure — there are moments when we think we’re the bee’s knees. That we’ve cracked it and we are all geniuses.
I love these moments.
That sudden rush of emotion that vindicates all those long hours have been worth it. Clarification you are on the right track. For once, you believe in yourself. And why not? If you can’t blow your own trumpet once in a while, who else will?
But just remember this: it doesn’t mean people will buy your book.
Naturally, you might not be bothered in selling books. The challenge of writing a novel might be enough.
This is noble. But, you’ll still expect sales. I bet you a million bucks, once you’ve faffed around formatting it, proofreading it, designing a cover etc, you’ll be thinking.
“Mmm, this might sell…”
It won’t.
You might edge 20 copies if you’re lucky.
You could accuse me here of being negative, but the stats back me up. A study by Wordsrated in 2023 found that 90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies, and 20% of self-published authors report making no income from their books.
You might argue.
“BUT my book is good— it’ll sell!”
Maybe. But go back to what I said at the beginning. There are an awful lot of books out there.
According to a Google survey in 2010, there have been about 129 million books published since time began. Considering the average American reads four books per year, and if they live until 80 and started reading at 10, then that’s only 280 books they are likely to get through in their lifetime.
So the question is: who is going to read your book?
I’m not. And the chances are — from my experience — none of your family or friends will either. So unless you’re an established writer, journalist, scientist, economist, celebrity, or specialist in a particular field, getting folk to read it — and pay for it — is going to be tough.
Of course, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. As I mentioned, it might be for fun, or as a personal goal. And if people buy it, even better.
But just be aware that with 129 million books in existence, getting BOOK #129,000,001 read isn’t going to be easy.
Good luck.