In yesterday’s blog I talked about setting goals and said that I would be achieving a goal I had worked toward for quite a while now sometime yesterday, and that I would tell you about it today. I hope you don’t think I’m bragging, but it’s something I have looked forward to for a long time and something that many of you had a part in helping me accomplish.
I got a notice yesterday morning that I had accumulated over $1,000,000 in earned royalties from my books since I started putting them on Amazon back in May of 2011. That’s quite an achievement for any author, especially an independent author like myself with no agent or publisher.
In all that time, I’ve only had a couple of paid ads. All of my promotion has been done through my blog, my author’s newsletter, on social media, and from readers like all of you who have bought my books, told your friends and family about them, posted links to my new books on your own social media pages, mentioned them in your blogs, shared them with your book clubs, and left reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Without all of you, my wonderful proofreaders, and of course Miss Terry, who is not only the brains but the beauty in this outfit, it would have never happened. That lady has edited my work, corrected my mistakes, encouraged me every step of the way, and taken on most of the work of keeping our home and business running smoothly so I can concentrate on the writing end of things. As I used to say back when we were hosting our Gypsy Journal RV rallies, without her I’d just be a fat guy standing around telling jokes. Thank you, everybody, I love you all. And thank you, Terry, I love you the mostest!
So besides buying the new truck on Thursday, how did we celebrate achieving the goal? Part of yesterday was spent getting the insurance canceled on the Explorer and getting coverage put on the new Laramie and then trying to help a weekly drawing winner who’s having a problem downloading the code for the audiobook she won, since Audible.com seems to be having a brain fart.
Then we went to Lindley’s Nursery because Terry has wanted an avocado tree and they called to say they finally got some in after a year. We were ready to purchase one when one of the staff members there told us that since we only live 800 yards from the Intracoastal Waterway, which is salt water, they wouldn’t recommend it because the trees are not salt tolerant. If we lived a couple of miles inland we would be okay, but this close, she said we might not have much success with it. We appreciate people who are honest with us. Some businesses will just take your money and not care. That’s why we go back to Lindley’s for all of our gardening needs.
We’ve been very fortunate, and we believe it’s important to give something back to the world. A while back I showed you some of the toys I had ordered for our community’s annual Christmas toy and food drive. After we left Lindley’s, we stopped at Publix and bought a bunch of food to go with the toys, which will be picked up this evening.
I have to admit that when we first started looking at new trucks, I was not wild about the idea of a four-door truck. But over time I came to see its benefits, which was born out yesterday loading all the groceries into the Laramie. The back seats fold up and there’s a tremendous amount of room in there. I was impressed. I was even more impressed that Terry actually let me drive it. She is nice to me that way.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us. This one comes from our pals Larry and Joyce Space.
Be sure to enter our latest Free Drawing. This week’s prize is an audiobook of Buck Fever, the first book in my friend Ben Rehder’s immensely popular Blanco County mystery series. If you’re not a fan of Ben’s books you have no idea what you are missing out on. Wacky characters, great humor, and superb writing. Give them a try. You won’t be disappointed. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with U.S. addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – Living well is the best revenge.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
I am proud to say I have been on your proofreading team for at least your last 15 books. Even after reading them for free, I even buy them on Amazon so I can be a “verified” buyer when I post reviews. I probably BOUGHT most of your other books, too! I’m happy to call you my Millionaire Friend!
CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING THIS GOAL!
I am so happy for you. A new truck (finally!), reaching $1 million dollars in royalties (doing something that you love), and having the best wife to share it all with; who could ask for more than that?! Plus, you have a couple children and some grandchildren that love you very much. Then you have friends, neighbors, and fans of your work who respect and admire you. You are a very blessed man indeed.
Oh, Nick, what an accomplishment…congratulations. I’m one of your early readers starting with your non-fiction books bought at your’s and Terry’s Gypsy Journal RV Rallies. You deserve all the accolades and royalties as you are a marvelous author.
Congratulations on reaching that milestone! And I’m happy that your truck has come in. 🙂
Mike and I send our most sincere congratulations! That’s an amazing achievement Nick!
Wow! What an amazing accomplishment. I can’t think of anybody who deserves it more. I remember contacting you soon after you made the New York Times Bestseller list. I was shocked when you wrote me back the same day. You’ve helped me and other authors with your friendship, your advice, and by promoting our work. You’ve probably generated a few more million for those around you. Congrats.
Congratulations to you and Terry for reaching that milestone! I have read all of your books and loved every one of them. May your success continue for a long time!
Congratulations, we have always enjoyed your books, both fiction and non fiction. That is a real and well deserved accomplishment. Keep them coming.
Congratulations Nick and Terry, that is such a testimony of goal setting,hard work and persistence along with great talent, so happy for you two.
Mom and Dad
Congratulations on your amazing milestone, and after reading about all the hours you put in seven days a week writing your books I must say it is well earned!
Being an author seems to pay better than being an RVer!
Congratulations Nick. I remember the “lean” years. I remember so many good times with you and Terry and Tim. No one deserves this more than you and Terry for all the hard work and perseverance. Keep on writing, you have such a gift.
Congratulations Nick. I am inspired by your achievement!!
I have been following you since the early days of the Gypsy Journal and though we only met at a few RV rallies I am going to take the liberty of saying a few things.
First, well deserved congratulations. Many here may not know the whole story of how you nearly lost Miss Terry to cancer early on and how her medical bills wiped you out completely. Most would have quit but not you guys. You got an old bus shell and made a home out of it and went on down the road. You two literally went from rags to riches. But through it all I watched and read every word and the one thing that always shone through was your love for each other and your grace. You never complained, you just kept on keeping on.
Along the way you helped countless new RVers accomplish their dreams and from what Mr. Deas said above you helped many new authors do the same. I know you did by encouraging us early on at Lancaster when we had a problem and were ignored by others there, stepping up to the plate and helping two goofy gay girls get back on track and figure things out. After my partner died and I felt lost and all alone in the world you were one of the people who helped me get through it and you will never know how close to the brink I was when you pulled me back. So God love you Nick and Terry because you deserve everything and more that your hard work has accomplished. And just so you know Nick, I would still switch teams for you. 🙂 Love both of you.
I remember when you asked me to read your first Big Lake book, wondering whether it was good enough to publish. At the time I thought it was better than most of the detective stories I was reading. And you’ve only gotten better since then. I only wish you could write books as fast as I read them.
You inspired us to live our full-time dream.When my husband was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness our first few months on the road, knowing the story about Terry’s cancer gave us the courage to keep going.
I could write pages about all your good deeds and how hard you two worked to get where you are. You and Terry inspire by example, and you certainly have earned your good fortune. I hope you two will live long and healthy lives enjoying doing what you love.
Congratulations!
!
That’s terrific, Nick! Congratulations! I bet you wouldn’t be close if you’d gone with a traditional publisher.
I’m so impressed! What an accomplishment! You deserve that new truck.
Wow! What a success story. And well deserved. I’ll never forget when you were kind enough to give a nice review for “Crazy About You” and the sales that followed and how much I appreciated your attention. So curious to me that after all your Indie publishing success no traditional publisher has approached to publish you. Or have they and you said “no thanks, don’t need ya.”
Awesome!
I have just forged a document, signed by you(allegedly), stating that I have been your book agent since the beginning. I’ll be expecting my commission check asap. I accept Bitcoin and cash as well.
Wow, just wow! Congratulations, Nick, and Miss Terry too. Once again, thank you for making your books available through KU since that’s nearly all of my reading these days. On the other hand, I’ve read all of Big Lake and most of John Lee Quarrels and Tinder St twice, so there’s that… I hope that you get paid for the rereads, too. Congratulations again and please keep writing!
CONGRATULATIONS to you both on success as an author and the new truck, I know both took lots of time and frustration along the way but Wow good job. Just no slacking, those of us who love the 3 series want the stories to continue for many years.
Congratulations on reaching your milestone.
I have to confess that until recently I had not read your fiction books.
I started the first Big Lake on Thursday the 10th and now am on Big Lake Scandal.
I also read the first John Lee book but will wait to finish the series.
Thank you for your wonderful stories,I love how you take your readers into the lives of the characters and make them feel real.
Luckily for me I am retired and a fast reader. I’m hoping to stretch your series out until after Christmas.
And congratulations to you and Miss Terry on the new truck.
An incredible achievement. And couldn’t happen to a nicer guy (don’t be fooled by all that grumpy talk, folks). A huge Congratulations!
Nina