My first royalty check finally arrived!

Soooo, my first royalty check arrived a few days ago!! Can you believe it?? I somehow thought I'd never really see this day!

I was so excited to see it in my mailbox, but fearful as to what would be inside. This was the one true way for me to know how many books have been sold! When I opened it, the first thing I saw was a check for $0.67...gosh, I know I've sold more than one!! Then behind it was another check for $43.75. I wasn't so much interested in the money as I was at the numbers...how many had been sold? Upon further investigation, these are the numbers so far...

Audio Downloads: 4 sold

Paperback copies: 82 sold

I was a bit discouraged at first by these numbers because I was so certain I had sold more than 82. I read further and here's what I read:

"Distribution royalties are earned once we're paid by a wholesaler. These payments are typically received 90 days or more after copies are ordered, and are not directly tied to when they are sold at retail. It is very possible copies ordered at retail during the quarter described will appear on a different quarter's statement, once we have received payment."

It made more sense to me after that. I know I've sold more than 82...I sold around 100 to Barnes and Noble alone (past book signings and upcoming signing). I've also sold at least one eBook and I know that from a review I got (eBook's count toward my 1000) and that wasn't on the check. So yet again I'm in the dark about how many have been sold. I was hoping I could keep better track of the numbers to keep everybody informed as we got closer to my goal of 1000. Oh well, at least we know I've sold 82 copies for sure!

If you are in the Houston area on Saturday, December 7th, please come out to my book-signing at Barnes and Noble in The Woodlands! It's from 2-4pm. "Shoo, Fly, Shoo" would make a great Christmas present!! I'm also selling signed copies through my website at www.danielledail.com while supplies last!

***Update on my second book, "What About Me"...I've sent a query letter along with the manuscript and some sample artwork to a literary agent. I've decided to try that approach and see where it gets me. They would be able to get me in with a bigger, better publisher. It could take up to 6 months to hear back from an agent...patience is definitely the key in an author's world!