A self-published bestseller
How many copies does a first-time author sell? It varies per type of publishing - traditional, indie, or self-published works.
When my writing workshop instructor Lisa Lieberman Doctor told me the answer, as a self-published author who sold 350 copies the first year of my debut novel PLACE (just sayin’ how it is, I want to be real with you, don’t judge!), I was relieved! There’s a misconception that when you publish a book as a first-time author, that you’re going to sell thousands of copies. Finally you’ll have enough money to pay off your mortgage and maybe even build a inground swimming pool in the back. Hey - never say never, maybe you get lucky.
However, hate to burst your bubble, but the reality is that the average self-published book sells 250-500 copies in its lifetime, though successful authors with effective marketing can sell thousands. The average for a first-time author with an indie publisher may sell 500 to 2,000 copies on average. Success can vary significantly based on the genre, marketing effort, and publisher’s reach. A well-marketed or high-quality book could sell 5,000–10,000 copies or more, but this is less common. Many indie books have modest first-year sales but continue selling steadily over time, leading to decent lifetime sales (e.g., 3,000–5,000 copies). This is not to get you down in the dumps, but rather to clear up pre-existing misconceptions out there. And if you’re like me, and sold less than 500 your first year, you might find this information comforting!
Indie authors often sell fewer copies than those with traditional publishers due to limited distribution and marketing budgets. However, royalty rates are generally higher with indie publishers, even more so for self-published books, meaning the author may earn more per copy sold.
It’s important to determine, well before your book is written and published (in whatever form that may be), who is your audience? and why are you writing a book? Is it to honor your grandmother? In that case, it might just be that you and your immediate family are interested in buying copies of your book. Is it to entertain? To display a skillset or showcase your business?
An excellent example of a non-fiction self-published bestseller is that of our author Claire Bown. Claire, who has an established business The Thinking Museum for well over 10 years, wrote The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums. Claire has sold over 500 copies within her first month! Why? Because she has a large pre-existing network, with 3700+ followers on Instagram, giving workshops all over the world for a decade, 134 (and counting) podcast episodes. She was smart about promoting her book, and continues to promote. This woman is on fire, and has been on fire for a while, and continues to be! Claire works hard, has put in the time, and is now reaping the benefits. As a self-published author, promoting and selling your book is a lifetime commitment. So buckle up, and get ready for the ride.
NON-FICTION BESTSELLER, 500+ COPIES SOLD IN 1ST MONTH
The Art Engager is your comprehensive guide for designing and facilitating meaningful, interactive museum experiences.
Through the innovative Thinking Museum® Approach, you’ll discover how to create inquiry-led discussions that are both structured and flexible, using tools like the 10 Questioning Practices, the CHOOSE framework, and the Discussion Cycle.
