Okay, so I've made the transition from "writer" to "author". I'm published, and my book is out there. The success of my book hinges largely on my own efforts in the writing and at marketing. But there is one critical element that I have also stumbled on to.

The True Believer. This is the type of person I think every author needs in order to be successful. The True Believer is not just a fan, they're a super-fan. They are the person who loves your story so much that they tell their friends about it. The person who lends your book to friends and buys another copy when said friend doesn't give it back. Or reads it often enough that they have to replace it every few years.

This is the person who sells your book for you. The True Believer is also the person who keeps me writing, because I know that there is someone, hopefully many someones, who not only loves the story, but gets what I am SAYING. This is the reader I have connected with, who loves my characters almost as much as I do, and probably knows my world better than I do.

As an author, I'm very grateful to anyone who buys and reads my book, make no mistake. And I like it when people LIKE my book. Every purchase, every fan is important. But some fans go that extra mile, and do the things that bring other fans. And those True Believers should be recognized. I'm lucky enough to have a few that I know of. These are the people who will make the difference between me having to keep my day job, and me being able to one day write for a living.

So, thank you, True Believers. Thanks for believing in the story, and for inspiring me to keep writing.