Every six months or so, for the last couple of years, I’ve received an an envelope like this one below in the mail. It’s always a happy occasion. This is my semi-annual report of sales from my publisher, Covenant Book. It usually includes a check as well (nothing wrong with that, right?) Sometimes the checks are very humble (my last one in July was for something like $31.00) and sometimes they’re more substantial, but whether small or not so small, it’s a lot of fun to receive this twice-a-year validation of my work. To think that there was someone out there that I’m not related to who thought something I created was interesting enough to spend their own money on it. Much of the work of creation is done in isolation, at least the type of creative work I participate in. But once it goes out into the world, in many ways the stories are no longer just mine. This is a humbling and scary thing. Now my work will be judged in the court of public opinion, I’m thinking. Am I ready for that?

Another fun part of this is that you really have no idea what the response was until you get your royalty statement. You could’ve sold ten books in the last six months or five hundred. No way to know until you get your envelope of shame/redemption in the mail.

I was truly surprised to see that I had sold over 10,000 copies of my little Christmas story My Broken Horse Christmas in the month of December. I’d hoped it would do well, but had no way of knowing for sure. I’m sure that having the DVD out at the same time (which I  don’t get paid royalities for) helped with the sales. But regardless, seeing that figure was a lovely affirmation of my work, and it got me thinking…maybe I should write some more Christmas stories! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my writing journey, and for buying my stuff!!