WHO IS THE BEST SELLING AUTHOR HERE?

Is it you?

It isn't me!

Who do you think it is?

My bet would be LC.

Yep, LC.

Zizban and Shelagh,

E. Don won't like your answer, but according to my research you are quite correct.

She has Brenda Hill beat by a long ways.

I won't research the worst selling book, because it might be mine.

Congratulations to LC are in order.

By the way, her book is non-fiction.

I think it's probably me unless someone is lurking that I don't know about. Not wanting to boast, but you asked.

You!! Al, you cannot be the worst selling author--no way.

The question was, who is the best-selling author.

Al,


Then after that was answered, we moved on.

But it was answered incorrectly, I believe.

Al,

Which book are you speaking of? I will gladly check it.
Amazon ratings.

Dear Al,
I would give you an A ++. If I ever get to a seventh edition on Wooffer you will see my smile light up this half of the South!

I believe that you will have the same kind of success with your mystery books that you have had with your technical stuff. Then, You can write "How to write a mystery series" and I will be your first customer.

Love,
Betty

alice wrote:

Al,

Which book are you speaking of? I will gladly check it.
Amazon ratings.

What do you think that will tell you?

Hmm. I think we have a misunderstanding going.

First, the question as posted doesn't ask about "a" book. I've published 31 books, not counting foreign language translations.

Second, the question doesn't specify amazon sales only. My books were mostly sold in brick and mortar bookstores, mostly before amazon was started up. Amazon rankings don't reflect that.

One of my early books paid my mortgage for about two years. It's name was "Teach Yourself DOS," was a best-seller among computer books, and is available on amazon now only from used book sellers. (You can get one for $.01) Another book was adapted by Microsoft to be bundled along with their first C++ compiler product. They sold a kazillion of them. Those residuals alone would qualify even if I'd never written another book. But amazon doesn't know about that, either.

We authors did have a life before amazon.

For what it's worth, I made my living writing books and magazine articles for about twenty years. Retired just in the nick of time as I was running out of ideas.

So, if I answered the wrong question, I apologize, but maybe we need a more specific question. Oh, well, at least it gave me an opportunity to brag a little about the days long gone.

Al,

Case closed--you win on all accounts!

It was a lousy question.

Congratulations!

It's an interesting question, however. Yesterday at the book signing in Naples, the author ahead of me, 12-3, said he was a "best-selling" author for his publisher, TATE Publishing as he sold 2000 books - himself! He still had 200 in his garage.

I have no idea how many books I have sold. Does that count single stories in anthologies? Does that count ebooks? Does that count the texts written under State of Florida contract from which I received no royalties but a project payment instead?

I know I am nowhere near Al or LC or several others; but I know I have kept myself in groceries for several years :-)

It all counts.

I wish I could have been at your event instead of where I was. I had to schlep a bass and amp across a park from the parking lot to the pavillion in the hot sun. When I got there and got set up, there was no water onstage for us. The first set was miserable. They were trying to play jazz, and they didn't know how. I just kept smiling and thumping.

But, it was for several animal rescue organizations, and I got to pet a lot of nice dogs of all varieties during the breaks.

I apologize pofusely. and beg of`you all fogiveness.
I would have starved long ago, if I had depended on book sales for food.

Al Stevens wrote:

It all counts.

I wish I could have been at your event instead of where I was. I had to schlep a bass and amp across a park from the parking lot to the pavillion in the hot sun. When I got there and got set up, there was no water onstage for us. The first set was miserable. They were trying to play jazz, and they didn't know how. I just kept smiling and thumping.

But, it was for several animal rescue organizations, and I got to pet a lot of nice dogs of all varieties during the breaks.

Glad you survived!

Petting the nice dogs means a lot to them. I am glad they got the chance to smile on you.

Love,
Betty

The Naples event was good; 90 degrees though so I don't envy Al's experience. Even though I was in a very pretty store, the front door was open and I was still hot. I curled my hair to no avail! The store owners were very hospitable and directed their customers to my signing and I did the same. Some of my book buyers also bought jewelry and vice versa. I sold twenty books in two hours so felt it was worthwhile. Most of the people were at the beach, not walking around downtown in 90 degrees....

I had one potential customer tell me they bought no print books anymore, just bought theirs online. In fact, the prize for the drawing (part of the festival) was a Nook from Barnes & Noble. Several people mentioned buying ebooks even though they did buy a book from me (the cover gets them every time - it's really beautiful on the actual book - photo type paper on the cover.

I guess we better sell our print books now while our generation is still buying them...I think their phase out is going to be faster than we anticipate.

Dear Diane,
It was not long ago that I thought reading was part of the past. I still think it is on the decline. People, especially younger people want the flash in the night, something they do not really have to understand, just watch the show kind of thing, not bother their mind with content.

Thinking about anything takes too much effort. It is easier to have the plate put before you with the thought you are to think that fits.

The days of thinkers are gone. No more the person who puts forth a new idea and it is dscussed from every angle ...looked at this way and that...

People are too offended by someone who thinks they are full of crap and says so for any new idea to be put upon the table for discussion..

I wish for honest talking.

Stand on your soap box if you want, but announce the soap box.

Diane, you are one in a lot of millions.

Love,
Betty

Many years ago we had a set of friends who gathered for dinner and spent the evening talking about ideas from different points of view. We read plays together, passages from frivolous to philosophical books, shared music and talents - it was such an enlightened group of friends.

Every one of those friends have gone different directions from returning to their own country to divorce to a changed lifestyle. The friends I have today are pretty set in their opinions even if they see facts that clearly dispute their position. They are adamant that wealthy people are entitled to their perks because they earned them; that poorer people have what they deserve for their lack of initiative; that America is for the Americans and that the government is too big and paring it down is the primary objective today. They aren't worried about the lack of jobs because their income is secure. They have insurance and retirement income and though they love their SS and Medicare, they don't think anyone else should be so entitled.

Thus, I am consigned to smiling and talking about nothing. It reminds me of The Little Prince - ignoring what's really a matter of consequence.

Is that what happens as we age? Our views become cemented? Is it only frivolous youth that allows for debate and actually changing a point of view?

DK,

I hope it is not aging that makes us pig-headed. If so, we are all doomed.
I find it easeir to change my mind now, than when I was young.

After all, no one is right all of the time.

That was an interesting question. As best I can tell I have sold about 1,200 units of all types books, eBooks, audio files, tape, CD and prerecorded players . Recently most sales are ebooks. Since the beginning of 2011 I have sold 80+ eBooks and a handful of paper books.

alice wrote:

After all, no one is right all of the time.

Except me.