This past Friday, my first baby came out into the world — not my flesh and blood baby, he's three. My book. My debut release, SOMETHING ABOUT HER. It has been an exciting weekend, an exciting time and like any author, I've spent a good portion of that weekend keeping an eye on my "stats." By stats, I mean my Amazon Sales Ranking and the besteller list at my publisher, The Wild Rose Press.
On day one, I hit #7 on my publisher's bestseller list. (Day 2, I was #3 but now I'm back to #7. lol) And for whatever it's worth, I can actually say that on the day my book released, it hit the Top 100 list –at #84 –in the Amazon Books:Romance:Historical genre. It was there, I saw it. I made my husband look at it to be sure I wasn't imagining things. My Amazon sales ranking that day was #7995. That might seem like a nothing number, but when you consider the millions of books on amazon, for one day, I did pretty okay. 🙂 Today, of course, I'm in the 100,000s range and nowhere near the Top 100 of historical romance list. But I WAS there, snuggled right in between two books of authors I love. 🙂
However, more importantly…when I did find that, when my husband looked at it, he was just as excited as I was. We celebrated my release day on Friday night, just us two, and had a grand ole time. And it truly made me realize how important the support system for a writer is…not just WHILE you're writing the book (it's invaluable to have someone understand, respect and support your dreams)..but when the book is OUT, as well. When you're spending time on promotion work. When you're spending money on promotion work. Someone who supports you and roots for you is vital.
My husband is that main person — he's more than my partner, he's my best friend (though I have a girl one of those, too…), and he's my cheerleader. Even when I'm feeling discombobulated (I love that word) or unsatisfied with my writing, he's there to help me work out the kinks, feed me, make me laugh or just tell me to get my you-know-what in the chair and write.
A support system –be in your family, your friends or someone who knows enough to believe in you — is vital to the success of a writer. I truly believe that, and I'm grateful every day that I have a husband who not only supports me, but believes in me. Thanks, honey.
And what about you? Who is your support system?
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3 comments
Like you I’m fortunate to have my husbands full support. He has taken over so much of the chores to free up my time. Things like dishes and washing. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I didn’t have family support and in addition I have two incredible critique partners, a writing chapter and great friends.
By the way I just purchased and downloaded “Something About Her”. I love your cover.
Wishing you mega sales. Enjoy
Lavada
Hi Lavada — That’s wonderful that your hubby is also supportive! And thanks for the download!! 🙂
#84! Go, Jeannie! w00t! Seriously, even if just for a day, how awesome is that?
My husband has always been supportive of me, believing I had some modicum of talent even when I doubted myself. My daughter (who still laughs when I talk to my “invisible friends”). Friends. And other writers. In the past year, I’ve met and come to know an amazing group of women who are so supportive and giving of their time and talent. Romance writers are the best group in the whole world for that!
Good luck with the sales, Jeannie!