Every author has a story about their first book. Some talk about the excitement of seeing their name in print for the first time. Others remember the thrill of their first big sale or positive review.
My story is a little different.
My first book sold nine copies.
Yes, nine.
One of those was probably my mom. Another turned out to be my now-husband (I didn’t know that until years later). And I’m fairly sure one of those sales was me testing the checkout process on Amazon just to make sure everything worked.
So no, it wasn’t exactly the blockbuster debut I had imagined. At the time, it felt disappointing after spending so much time writing the book and getting it published. But looking back now, that experience turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons of my entire writing career.
The Book That Didn’t Sell
Back in 2015, I published my first book about social media for businesses. At the time, I had been helping someone learn how to set up and use social media accounts, and I thought turning that information into a book might be helpful for other people as well.
So, I did what many first-time authors do. I poured a year or two into writing the manuscript, editing it, and finally getting it ready for publication. When the book was finally live on Amazon, I felt proud and excited. I had officially crossed something off my bucket list: I had written and published a book.
Then I sat back and waited for the sales to roll in.
Except they didn’t.
There were no reviews, no visibility, and no steady stream of readers discovering my work. For months, almost nothing happened. Eventually, it became clear that the book simply wasn’t reaching anyone.
At first, it was discouraging. I had invested so much time and effort into writing the book that it felt like all that work had simply vanished into thin air.
For a while, I even wondered if maybe I just wasn’t meant to be an author.
The Mistakes I Didn’t Realize I Was Making
With time and distance, it became much easier to see why that first book struggled. It wasn’t because writing a book was a bad idea, and it certainly wasn’t because becoming an author was out of reach.
The real issue was that I didn’t understand how the publishing world actually worked.
One of my biggest mistakes was not having any kind of promotion plan. I assumed that once the book appeared on Amazon, readers would somehow find it. Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. With millions of books available online, visibility doesn’t happen automatically.
Another mistake was that I didn’t understand how important reviews are. Reviews play a huge role in helping books gain credibility and attention. When readers see thoughtful reviews, they feel more confident about purchasing the book. Without them, it becomes must harder to stand out.
The third mistake was something many new authors do without realizing it: I wrote the book from my perspective rather than focusing on what readers truly needed. Instead of asking what problems people were trying to solve or what questions they were searching for answers to, I simply wrote about what I already knew.
While the information may have been helpful, I hadn’t taken the time to understand what readers were actively looking for.
The Lesson Hidden Inside the Flop
Even though that first book didn’t perform well, it taught me something incredibly important.
Writing a book and publishing it is only one part of the journey. Successful authors also learn how to position their books, reach their audience, and build a platform that supports their work.
Eventually, I began learning from experienced authors and educators who understood the business side of publishing. I started studying marketing strategies, reader research, and ways to build an audience.
Most importantly, I began taking action on what I learned.
That’s when things started to change.
Over time, I continued writing and publishing new books. Each one benefited from the lessons I had learned from that first experience. Gradually, my books began reaching more readers, leanding on bestseller lists, and building a growing audience.
What once felt like a failure eventually become the foundation for everything that followed.
What Every Aspiring Author Should Remember
If you’re thinking about writing a book—or if you’ve already published one that didn’t sell the way you hoped—it’s important to remember that early setbacks are incredibly common.
Most authors don’t start with an instant bestseller.
Instead, they learn as they go. They experiment, adjust their strategies, and improve with each new book they write. Over time, those lessons compound into real progress.
A book that doesn’t sell isn’t necessarily a failure. Often, it’s simply feedback showing you what needs to be improved next time.
The authors who succeed are usually the ones who choose not to quit after the first disappointment. They keep learning, keep writing, and keep moving forward.
Action Steps You Can Take Right Now
If you’re planning to write or publish a book, there are several things you can do early in the process that will set you up for greater success later on.
Start by identifying exactly who your book is for. Think about the type of reader who would benefit most from the information or story you’re sharing. Understanding your audience helps guide everything from your topic to your marketing approach.
Next, spend some time researching your subject area. Look at other books in your category and pay attention to the questions readers are asking. This kind of research can help you shape your book so that it truly addresses readers’ needs.
It’s also helpful to start thinking about promotion long before your book is published. Building an email list, sharing helpful content, and connecting with potential readers can make a huge difference once your book is ready to launch.
Finally, give yourself permission to learn along the way. Your first book doesn’t have to be perfect. In many ways, it’s simply the beginning of your journey as an author.
Want to Hear the Full Story?
In the first episode of From Writer to Author: The Podcast, I share the full story behind my nine-copy book flop, the mistakes I made, and the lessons that helped me turn things around.
Listen to the full episode here: My First Book Was A Complete Flop
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but aren’t sure how to move forward, this episode is a great place to start.
