Just Why Does A Book Sell For Some Authors?

I found myself having a conversation yesterday with one of the nicest people on gather. Who has just published her second book in Canada. I would very much like to say her name but have not asked for her permission. I had written her  to give her my Congrat's on the new book. And tell her that I hoped to be seeing her on American televison soon.

She later wrote me back telling me that she was a bit discouraged by the books sells and just how hard it is for an author to promote a new book. I told her how much I hoped that she would have much success and sell millions of copies. I think I understand even through I haven't published, how discouraging it has to be for someone to pour there heart into their work. And to not get the results from the public that they would like too. Many of us on gather write out of  the pure love of writing. Whether like me you may not be a trained writer and might need a refresher course in grammar. Or spend your days working at someone else's magazine or during  ghost writing for someone else's book.  Much of your personal time is spent with a pen and  pieces of scrap paper or in front of a key board working on your own poems and stories.

Later on last night I was reading a Marie Clarie magazine where under "Culture" I found a review of a new book "Love Life by Ray Klum". In large letters it stated " Ray Klum played the field while his wife was dying and then wrote a book about it". Mr. Klum is from Holland where he has already sold 600,000 copies of his novel. He calls his book a love story, but the main character him. Repeatedly braggs about how much he cheated on his dying wife Judith. He  discussed the fact that he would  only have sex with someone else once a year or so while married. But after her illiness he escaped into his weakness and became obsessed with having sex with other partners. He even ends up marrying one of his former flings after Judith's death.

The interviewer said to him that his book had been a best seller in the Netherlands where people were more open minded. But wasn't he a little worried about the reaction here in America? He seemed to feel that he would have no problems in New York and California. But wasn't very sure how it would go over in Alabama.

Immediately I thought about my friend in Canada and all of the  other authors on gather. Who as evidenced by the many, many submissions to the last couple of contest we've had. Have poured there hearts and souls into writing novels on subjects worthy of being written about. And this guy writes what I personally think is a insult to his  poor dead wife. And the public rewards him by buying 600,000 copies of his book.Isn't there something wrong with this picture? Why are so many books written about drugseller's and killing in urban areas completely selling out? Some singers or actor's can have there name on a book that was ghost written by someone else and immediately sell a million copies?

All that I can think of is that I must be the one out of step with the world these days. I still believe in hard work and a person putting their best foot forward in whatever they do. We don't need to  help in discouraging someone who has studied and struggled to put out a quality product. While they have to sit and watch as someone whose pens and paper should of been taken away from them in childhood. Then be rewarded with millions of dollars and there picture on every cable gossip show and magazine.

But I guess I must be in the minority hoping that some authors with real talent  will be the one's to sell 600,000 copies......