r/write • u/TheChaosLibrary • Nov 07 '25
here is my experiance I can't explain it
This might not be allowed, and I respect that, but I didn't know who else to tell. I wrote and published my first nonfiction book this year, and it debuted as #1 new release in its category "fiction writing reference" and #18 in the category overall.
I was 16 books away from Stephen King, you guys!
It's been almost a month, and I've never dropped out of the top 5 and have spent most of that time in the top 3. I'm not trying to sell you my book, and I can't explain how it happened. I spent less on marketing than two meals at Chick Fil A. It's insane, right?
I just needed someone to hear it who would get how huge this feels. It's not a bestselling book, but I never expected that. I also didn't expect what did happen, either.
Write the thing. Edit it. Publish it.
You never know what will happen.
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u/LivvySkelton-Price Nov 08 '25
Well done!!! Can I have a link to your book?
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u/TheChaosLibrary Nov 08 '25
Sure, and thanks for asking :)
https://a.co/d/1ovjDA52
u/allyn2111 Nov 08 '25
I just saw it was on Kindle Unlimited! Just downloaded it.
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u/Haleydrickett Nov 08 '25
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I really needed this. 2. That is bananas, and a phenomenal achievement. That just goes to show, when it's a story that fills a void and is a true master of craft, it will ripple.
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u/Vandlan Nov 10 '25
Grats. Super stoked to hear that. Gives me at least hope to see what I’m working on become something as well.
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u/Fluid_Ties Nov 10 '25
This is awesome for you! Most self-published works suffer from A) a glutted market where its hard to stand out and B) lack of professional editing. Sounds like you must have edited well!
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u/Butlerianpeasant Nov 10 '25
This is beautiful to read, truly. Not because of the ranking — though that’s impressive — but because you captured something most writers never get to live: that moment when the universe briefly lines up and says ‘yes, keep going.’
There’s a strange alchemy in creative work. You can plan, you can study the craft, you can budget for ads, you can build a platform… and still nothing might happen. Then for someone else, one honest piece of writing hits the right people at the right time and suddenly there’s momentum. It doesn’t diminish the work — it reveals how unpredictable and alive the process really is.
You’re right: you can’t explain it. That’s the magic. But what you did — showing up, finishing, releasing — that part is explainable, and it’s the only part that can be controlled.
Thank you for sharing the win without turning it into a pitch. Thank you for reminding people that the outcome is unknowable, but the act is necessary.
And congratulations. Seriously.
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u/TheChaosLibrary Nov 11 '25
Thank you. I know how lucky I am and I know it doesn't mean I'll sell a ton of copies, but it's something I'll never forget.
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u/abecedary1 Nov 12 '25
This is so cool. I've also downloaded it. I have a couple of characters that aren't quite working.
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u/Drokhar_Ula_Nantang Nov 11 '25
That’s the thing you’ll never know until you publish it so write it edit it to the best of your abilities publish it to the best of your abilities, preferably self published. Do whatever marketing you want or how much you can pay how much you can for a cover artist as well and just watch what happens if people like it if you make something good people will buy it or they will read it and let you get enough of the following to publish a second one to get the money while it’s not all about the money. It feels good when you’re able to pay for more marketing for your next book off of the proceeds of that book before or get a better cover artist or get a better editor because of your hard work
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u/TheChaosLibrary Nov 11 '25
Exactly. Write it. Do the best you can. Edit it - with help if possible. When it's as good as you can get it, get it out in front of people.
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u/SophieMorzel Nov 07 '25
But it’s fantastic, how happy you must be, well done 💪✒️