Reading · 21st Century Everything

No one’s going to read your novel.

Here’s why.

Most people are not readers. Out of the twenty people in my family, there are only my aunt and me who read. And when I mean read, I mean have a book on the go most of the time. The rest of my family might read a book in the summer holidays or on a plane.

But no more than 2 or 3 a year.

An American survey found that 49% of adults haven’t read a book in the past year. A similar study in the UK found that 53% of people read a book in 2025, which means that 47% didn’t!

Most people don’t read. So the chances of them buying your book are small. Very small. In fact, I would say almost zero.

When I wrote my book, Le Glitch — a comedic novel set in a desolate French village — I naively assumed people would buy it. I figured that with close to a billion English speakers on the planet, with 150,000 of them living in France, there would be a market for it.

And there was — up to a point. I had a write-up in a popular expat magazine, The Good Life France, and as of today, I’ve sold 287 paid copies (plus 541 free copies).

This, I’m told, isn’t too bad for an unknown author. As has been documented, some Penguin-published novelists sell less than 12 copies per year.

But if I’m honest, I expected higher sales. I expected at least 1,000 paid copies. Why, I don’t know. Ego. Blind faith. Delusion of grandeur.

Probably all three.

When we’re writing, there are moments when we think we’re a genius. That we’ve cracked it and it’s just a matter of time before literary stardom beckons.

I love these moments.

That sudden rush of emotion that makes all those long hours feel worthwhile. Clarification that you are on the right track. For once, you believe in yourself. And why not? If you can’t blow your own trumpet once in a while, who else will?

But just remember this: it doesn’t mean people will buy your book.

You might not be bothered about selling books. The challenge of writing a novel might be enough.

This is noble. And possibly stupid. But you’ll still expect sales. I bet you a million bucks that once you’ve faffed around formatting it, proofreading it, designing a cover, etc., you’ll be thinking:

“Mmm, this is good, this might sell…”

It won’t.

Even if it’s brilliant, it won’t sell. You might edge 20 copies if you’re lucky.

You could accuse me of being negative, but the stats back me up. A study by Wordsrated found that 90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies, and 20% of self-published authors report making no income from their books.

Many will still be thinking.

“BUT if my book is good — it’ll sell!”

It won’t.

Even if it is very good, as good as the Jean Genet book I’m currently reading, it doesn’t mean people will find it, let alone buy it. For the simple reason that there are an awful lot of books out there.

According to a Google survey in 2010, there have been about 129 million books published since time began.

Considering the average American reads four books per year, and if they live until 80 and started reading at 10, then that’s only 280 books they are likely to get through in their lifetime.

So the question is: who is going to read your book?

I’m not.

And the chances are — from my experience — none of your family or friends will either.

Unless you’re an established writer, journalist, scientist, economist, celebrity, or specialist in a particular field, getting folk to read and pay for your books is going to be tough.

Very tough.

Of course, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. As I mentioned, it might be for fun or as a personal goal.

And if people buy it, even better.

But just be aware that with 129 million books in existence, getting BOOK #129,000,001 read isn’t going to be easy.

Good luck.

All my shit is free. But if you want to support me, there’s an option of $1 - $5 a month! If not, forget about it.

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