100,000

5/28/2014

Ladies and gentlemen, as of a few hours ago, over one hundred thousand copies of the Traveler's Gate Trilogy books have sold on Amazon.

I don't really know what to say.

One year ago today, I was hoping to sell five hundred copies of House of Blades in the first month. It would be hard, I knew, but my high goal was five hundred. I ended up selling five thousand.

For the year, I was really hoping for fifteen thousand sales, but I knew I could get by on ten thousand without getting another job. I didn't expect to sell that many, but it was a lofty goal to work toward.

And the reality was an order of magnitude greater than anything I'd hoped for.

So thanks to all of you. Everyone who bought the books, or recommended them, or sent me an encouraging email, or comments on and follows this blog...thanks. Because to me, the sales weren't the craziest thing to happen this past year. Sales are great, but they really serve as a way to measure and quantify what's going on with the books.

People have enjoyed my books. A lot of people.

And that's a cool, humbling, unbelievable thought.

27 Comments

brian

5/28/2014 04:12:07 am

i can only thank you and say that your books are some of of the best, expansive and original fantasies that i have ever read. The world you have created has only been limited by the beautifully spun story that is the house of blades and i just cant imagine what you next works will hold

5/28/2014 04:32:57 am

also do you have concept art for the dragon fangs because i just keep thinking of japanese katanas or something like that

Will Wight link

6/3/2014 07:22:42 am

You're dead-on, Brian. All of the Dragon's Fangs (that we've seen in the books so far) are Japanese-style swords.

And hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the books! I hope you like what I'm doing with my next series...once I'm able to reveal it, of course.

Angel Nevaeh

5/28/2014 05:35:31 am

Congrats!😜👏👏👏

I forgot to ask on the last blog but when will the audio book be up?

6/3/2014 07:23:59 am

I'm not sure when, exactly, but I'm working on it this week.

Ashton Rust

5/28/2014 08:30:25 am

Congratulations, truly and honestly. I'm glad I could contribute to this, even as little as I did. I hope that you take this as a challenge to give us even more great stories! I know that I, at least, await every new installment that you release.

6/3/2014 07:25:48 am

Thanks, Ashton! A year ago, I wouldn't have believed what's going on now.

Aaron J.E.

5/28/2014 10:17:33 pm

You've certainly earned it, and congratulations as well.

Your books filled a perfect little niche in my reading world. For months, years, or even decades I am sometimes stuck waiting for some blockbuster by an author I love to come out. Volumes massive in scope, with depth and way too much attention to detail. I love those books and I certainly respect them. But they are expensive and far far too far spaced apart. Like going to a movie theater to see a movie thats been in production for 8 years.

Your books, to me, are like a badass and action packed TV show. Like a high production anime. It exists for the purpose of enjoyment, for spectacle and fun - I wouldn't say cheap thrills, but I would think more wild rides..

I say stick with your integrity, keep self publishing this style of books, keep them at the same price range, and I can guarantee you will always have an audience.

Tom

5/30/2014 09:57:14 pm

In my opinion, he should actually charge more for it since the books are worth more than 2.99$.

5/31/2014 08:12:10 am

While I having read and loved the books would gladly pay more than 2.99 for them - I don't think I would have even considered picking up the first had it cost more. I found it while just browsing through new, inexpensive, self-published books on the kindle store. It was a very pleasant surprise (I only get past page 1 on about half of those bargain books). So for quality and fun, his series is a bargain.

Now that he is well known (100,000 books sold and counting) I am sure he can charge more for future books if he chooses. However, I have a feeling that upping the price purely for profit's sake isn't his style.

6/3/2014 07:35:28 am

I like that analogy, Aaron. TV show...yeah, that feels right. That sounds a lot like what I'm trying to do: frequent, high-quality releases. I could spend a few more months on each book, expanding them into "movie" territory, but thus far I've opted instead to keep the content coming.

Yeah, I like that. I think I'll explain it that way from now on.

As for the price: you're right that upping the price for money's sake isn't my style. Money just doesn't motivate me. As long as I'm making enough to live on--which I certainly am--making MORE money isn't a good way to get me to do anything.

That said, I am planning on increasing the price. To $3.99. The most I would charge for a book under this system is $4.99, and that's the absolute maximum.

Here's the reason: if I charge more, I can hire more people, and then I don't have to do a lot of the mundane business things involved in self-publishing. So I can devote more of my time to writing, and thereby release more books.

Gary

5/29/2014 10:06:16 am

Will, thank you for creating an awesome set of books and an imagined realm we could suspend realty for a short time and immerse ourselves in. It's great to see a home town guy make it.

Cheers!

6/3/2014 07:42:57 am

Thanks, Gary! Are we from the some hometown?

Liam

5/29/2014 11:40:08 am

Hey, Will congratulations and you deserve it. Enjoy the laurels and accolades you have accumulated. Your concept has been flawless. Self-publish with online marketing/website/blogging and see what happens. But all the other trappings aside what sold your product was imagination, creativity, discipline, and lets be honest a lot of sweat. Hell your hands locked up typing the last in enough time to appease your vapid fans. You have created a story with teeth and that I truly believe has the elements to be transported into other forms of media. Anime or live action take your pick. I personally believe that you have other great stories up there in that head of yours. Buuuut i don't think you will ever truly abandon this one. At least not yet. There is so much yet to explore. Rest and enjoy your triumphs Will, you earned them. And then DO IT AGAIN. haha

6/3/2014 07:44:29 am

Oh, I'm not abandoning the Traveler's Gate world. I'm just Traveling elsewhere for a while.

Nikk

6/1/2014 01:31:41 pm

Congratulations! I really enjoyed all your books and the short stories that companion them, and I can't wait to read what is next!

6/3/2014 07:49:40 am

Glad to hear it, Nikk! Let me know what you think of my new series, once it comes out this fall.

Jay

6/2/2014 10:51:30 am

Congratulations on the success of the series. Please do keep writing more. I loved all 3 of the Traveler's Gate books and cannot wait to see what you write next!

6/3/2014 07:50:07 am

Of course I'll keep writing, Jay! After coming this far, how could I stop?

Stacy

6/2/2014 07:45:27 pm

Will, You are one sick Dude! How in the world do you think of all this? You are an amazingly talented young man and your writing is incredibly entertaining. PLEASE keep writing! Your books make GREAT gifts, all my crazy friends love your writing and we talk about it all the time! What are you going to do next? Congratulations! We love you!!

6/3/2014 07:48:50 am

It does take a measure of craziness to love my writing, Stacy! That means you've recommended it to the right friends.

I'm glad you've enjoyed the ride so far, and I hope you like where we go next!

Jeremiah

6/5/2014 12:55:08 am

We are very happy for you and thrilled to see you make it to this point!

You've entertained us and invested personally in many of your readers by your responsiveness on these blog comments, so I think I would even buy a crappy book from you just to do a favor. I'd rather have good books, but I'll take crap if you insist on producing it

:).

PS, I don't expect that at this point :!

6/14/2014 08:47:34 am

Do you have such little faith in me, Jeremiah? Don't bash my vampire-mermaid-teen-romance series until you've tried it!

Tim K

6/9/2014 04:48:15 am

Congrats Will! Buy yourself a bottle of champagne. From me ;) You deserve the sales, fine writing. Keep it up.

6/14/2014 08:48:17 am

I can't, I'm afraid. I'm a recovering champagne addict.

Not alcohol, just champagne. That cork...those bubbles...

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In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.