During the career of an author, if the author is successful, the author will have multiple works published. I have published well over a hundred articles and over a dozen books. I have forgotten the majority of the articles I have published, and I'm sure in time I will forget some of the books. No matter how many articles or books I publish (and forget), I will always remember the first article and book that I published (paid) and the feelings associated with both achievements. 

I always record the month and year I publish a book. I also print the date I published a book on the lower left portion of the legal page (second page) within each softback book.

Whenever I sell the first couple copies of a newly published book, I always wish I could find the person that purchased the books and send them a (handwritten) thank you letter. 

When a person buys the first copy of my book, they hit the purchase button and go about their life... For me, the author, when I see my first book sale I stop everything, smile, and think, thank you to whoever spent their money to help me feel publishing the book was worth the process, and justify the sacrifices I made to publish the book.

Copyright © 2014 by John Mallozzi