“How are sales going?”

That’s the dreaded question.

If you’re an indie author like me who is only at the beginning of your indie author journey, this question can be a real stinger.

Especially if you’ve only published a few books.

I began my indie publishing journey in 2022 with the first book in my dystopian trilogy, Sentient.

My second book, Sentient Rising in 2023.

And my most recent title, Sentient Being, in 2025.

For some reason, the barometer for success is in the numbers. Family and friends want to know if I am succeeding, and the way they tell is by the number of books I’ve sold.

“How are sales going?”

I never know how to answer this question.

Honestly:

I’ve sold under 500 copies of Sentient.

Even less of Sentient Rising.

And even less of Sentient Being.

And I am not failing.

What if I told you that there is a better way to look at book sales?

Sales are People, Not Numbers

Think about it.

When someone decides to purchase your book, they are not just giving you their hard earned cash.

They are giving you their hopes, their expectations. Maybe a dream they themselves have to do something similar.

They are making a statement. They are saying, “hey, I think I might like what you created. And I believe this so much, I am going to purchase a copy and take the time to read it.”

This isn’t a numbers game.

This is a connection game.

When someone buys a copy of your book, they are making a connection.

With you.

Sure, they want the characters and the action and the drama and the story. But you’re the one who created that experience for them.

Don’t ever forget what you created and its value.

Money is nice. It will help us succeed in a world driven by capitalism.

But next time you get bogged down by the numbers, try this:

Remind yourself: each book sale is a person.

Add the time that person took to research your book. Then, add the time they gave you by making that purchase, whether online or at an event. Add the thought that went into making each step. Add the willingness to take a chance (and a good chance, because your book is awesome, remember?). Add the reading time, the space the book takes up in someone’s home or on someone’s digital tablet.

Multiply this by the number of people they may decide to share your book with.

Each of these things has value. And how do you measure that value?

You can’t.

Why?

Because each book sale is priceless.

How Are Book Sales Going?

Next time someone asks you how book sales are going, consider the connection, the value, of each sale you made. Not the number. But the person. The human being behind the sale.

Then you’ll have your answer.

And you can tell them sales are amazing. That you’re making so much you don’t know what to do with yourself. Let them all know that your book sales are priceless because it’s true.

Feel free to leave a comment, let me know what your experience has been with book sales.

Thanks for reading,

Jay.

Guest blogger Jay VanLandingham is a local author, writing both dystopian and literary fiction genres. You can check out his work here.