How to Measure a Book’s Success

Last night I found out that THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE had hit the New York Times Bestseller list after just 5 days on sale.  To say I was elated would be a gross understatement.  I whooped and I cheered and I celebrated by sharing a quart of ice cream with my family.  I think I consumed a pint of it myself, which I paid for dearly later on, when the enormity of it hit my stomach!  But as for the book, I felt a sense of validation that was euphoric.  My “baby” had been recognized in a big way.  I went to sleep with a smile on my face.

When I woke up this morning, I found tons of emails and Facebook posts from my readers congratulating me and telling me how much you loved the book.  I can’t describe how touched I was, and how lucky I felt to have such amazing fans.  The fact that you all had read and loved the book, or that you’d bought or were about to buy it, fully expecting to devour it in one day, meant the world to me.  And I felt validated in an even more profound way.

I love what I do.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love being successful at it.  But more than anything, I love making a difference to my readers, to giving them hours of excitement and pleasure, and to leaving a lasting impression that might compel them to go back sometime and re-read THE GIRL, or to recommend it to a friend, or to seek out another of my novels.

So, because of all of you, THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE is a success.  Not only in fact, but in all the ways that matter.