I self-published a book on Amazon that did really well
The definition of “success” is different for different people. Here is how I chose to define mine.
The definition of “success” is different for different people. Here is how I chose to define mine.
In February 2019, I self-published a book on Amazon called What did Tashi do?
I don’t know what the question means by “really well”, but here are the positive changes that happened in my life after publishing the book-
- Over a span of 8 months, the book has sold 8000+ copies worldwide and has garnered more than 100 positive reviews on Goodreads.
- I started getting invited to talks on book writing and publishing in several private and government institutions all over the country.
- Because the sales were going so good on Amazon, a Canada-based publishing house, Ukiyoto noticed my book and asked for an exclusive traditional publishing deal for distribution of paperbacks all over the world. Thus, five months after the eBook was released, What did Tashi do? was available as a paperback.
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts — an ancillary body of Ministry of Culture, Government of India invited me to read a few of my poems as part of their “Voices of North East India” series — an initiative to recognise talented writers from this part of the country. This was the first time in my life I was invited to an event on such a scale, and also the first time I was paid for performing poetry in front of a live audience.
- People from all over the world started downloading the eBook of What did Tashi do? and writing heartfelt reviews for it. In fact, the book has over 20 positive reviews on the US and UK versions of Amazon.
- During my author workshops and book-talk events, people started to walk up to me once the event was done and request me to sign their copies. For a girl who has grown up with the dream of being a published writer, this fan-moment feels surreal still.
- The best and perhaps the most significant thing that has happened in my life after the book was out is the steady stream of money I get from sales. As of now, it isn’t enough to eke out a living, but, depending on the number of sales, I earn something between $15 to $35 in a month.
For a newbie writer, I think this self-published book could be considered to have done “really well”.
Of course, there’s a long way to go before I can say my dream of being a full-time, well-known writer has been achieved, but till then, one is allowed to be happy in those little achievements they pick up along the way, right?