My odds of success are slim

As I sat at my home office scrolling through my manuscript, thoughts ran through my head regarding this project.
It’s estimated that 80% of Americans say they’d like to write a book. According to the Huffington Post in 2011, there were just over 329,000 books published and google estimates that over 130 million books have been published in human history. Evidently there are some of those eighty percent taking action.

The odds of success in the book industry are small, but looking at my track record, the odds of being a success at my past endeavors were small too. Being a skinny, kid, with little natural athletic talent, armed with nothing but a hard head and iron will, I achieved more than most thought possible.

In a world where most Americans spend four hours a day watching TV, three hours listening to the radio, and 42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college, why would I even bother with the painful process of pouring my heart and soul into written word?

There are two reasons: one is, I like a challenge.

I’ve never been one to take the easy way out. Getting told ‘NO’ on a repetitive basis becomes less and less painful. Looking at successful books of the past makes me feel a little better about my rejections.

Gone with the Wind was rejected 38 times by publishers, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, 18 times, and Chicken Soup for the Soul, 33 times.

I sent 44 proposals to 44 different publishers and multiple agents. It took about eight months for me to write my book and about two years to get to where I am now. Slowly over the past year or so I’ve heard from about all 44 publishers and they all rejected my work. But that’s okay.

As you probably guessed I didn’t give up. I kept submitting and waiting and finally I did get one Christian literary agent to take note of my work and actually contact me about representation.

He and I hit it off and he began pitching my work. Finally, we were able to land a deal with a publisher who fully supports this project. I’m getting close to a publication date. The cover is designed and I should be getting my edited manuscript any day. It’s a rewarding thing to see an idea come to fruition, I’m sure you can relate.
The second reason I decided to doggedly push this project until it worked is that it may actually make a difference.
I know all authors think their book can change the world and some do in dramatic fashion. My book may not change the world, but it may change one life, for the better.

It’s my story, and I’m sure there are several folks out there that can relate to my story…
You may be one of them. Who knows, my little book may give you the encouragement and problem solving idea you need at just the right time.

You may relate to pain and suffering involved in my journey and lessen the pain in your journey. You may read one of my ‘Surefire tips’ at the end of each chapter and say, ‘Wow, maybe I need to try that?’
I truly hope so.

My literary agent told me in one of our conversations that a publisher considers a book a success if it sales over 5000 thousand copies.

I’m thinking with your help, You Can Hit the Mark! will have no trouble reaching that number.

As soon as I get the publication date, I’ll send an email with a link where you can pre-order a copy directly from me before it hits any other distribution channels. I’ll even sign your pre-ordered copy for you or whomever you’d like to gift it to.

Be looking for that soon and thanks again for being a part of my journey!

Keep Kicking and God Bless!