Self-Published, POD Book Cracks Amazon top 100

I posted this on another thread, but thought it deserved its own.

There is a self-published book through iUniverse that at the time of this message was sitting at #96 on amazon.com, inside of the top 100. This book is about Michael Jackson and was published in 2007 by iUniverse. Why it is with iUniverse, I don't know. What I do know is if it was not available, the opportunity, as unfortunate as it was, would have been missed. Statements about it not being in stores etc. are not relevant, maybe a major publisher didn't bite or maybe the author didn't want to wait.

link to amazon

You never know what can happen. Every author has their own motivations. I got one publishing deal by gaining attention with my second book. I know of authors that have been dropped after two or three books. On the other hand Nora Roberts was on the front page rotation of AOL.com for her new book. Very few get that kind of push.

Just checked the link you provided and it's up to 95. Timing is everything in non-fiction and sometimes even in fiction. I have mentioned The Day the Children Vanished by Hugh Pentecost as an example. Twenty or more years after the book was published the plot happened in real life. The publisher had it back in print within a week and it was a big seller.

So, when NASA put two children into space, I'll have it made?

After doing a little research, this author has been published my major publishers since the early 90s and has a long list of titles. She could not get commercial publishers to touch this book on Michael Jackson but decided to get it out because she believed in the work.

You just pushed me off my platform, DT!

Not necessarily.

This is one more step in giving more legitimacy to work over publisher stamp on the cover. I have two iUniverse books and the more this type thing happens, the less strange it will seem to have some other name on the cover as publisher other than the traditional brands.

You're right, DT. It's all good news.

Shelagh wrote:

So, when NASA put two children into space, I'll have it made?

It will happen Shelagh, just a matter of time...

like somebody cares about it

lurker wrote:

like somebody cares about it

Haha yes you're very right there, friend

lurker wrote:

like somebody cares about it

Lurker, I'm sure the author cares that she decided to put her book out even if her trusted traditional publisher decided to pass.

Some people are too busy minimizing accomplishments of others and miss the signs of change.

Dt,
I think there are many who walk around with eyes wide shut.