Every day, I see pictures of my book, Betting On You, displayed in FedEx stores across America alongside classic titles like “Who Moved My Cheese?” and “12 Hour Walk.”
The journey of my book has been quite an adventure, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
America has been through a pandemic, a contentious election, an insurrection, and disruption to our economy and supply chain. Remember when we couldn’t get toilet paper?
A ripple effect stymied creators, writers, and even manufacturers of everything from cars to books to furniture.
In this post, I’ll share the story behind “Betting On You” and how it found its way into FedEx stores nationwide.
The Origin Story of “Betting On You”
In 2019, I sold the manuscript for “Let’s Fix Work” to Henry Holt, a Macmillan division. They provided a significant advance and requested the book’s delivery in February 2020. My editor read my book and loved it so much that she fixed work by fixing herself and getting a new job at Penguin Random House in January 2020 — complete with a promotion and raise.
The book works!
My book was essentially orphaned as we entered a global pandemic, disrupting the publishing industry. Thankfully, I was given a fantastic new editor who believed in my manuscript and used some tips to earn a promotion and a raise at Henry Holt while finalizing my manuscript.
Again, I’m so proud of this!
The book underwent numerous changes, including a title change and an intense back-and-forth on the cover. Despite these challenges, the hardcover book was eventually published.
Book Sales in the Early Days
“Betting On You” didn’t make any national best-sellers lists, but it did reach best-selling category status on Amazon. I don’t brag about it, but knowing that people enjoyed it is reassuring.
The hardcover book was stocked in stores worldwide, and I signed deals for publication in non-English-speaking countries. The support of my Punk Rock HR community, friends, and corporate partners helped spread the word. I’ll always be grateful for their support.
The political insurrection in Washington, DC, occurred just six days before my publishing date on January 12, 2021, complicating matters further. With limited media airtime, promoting a book about fixing work proved challenging for a former HR lady turned business writer. Despite these difficulties, “Betting On You” persevered and reached readers worldwide.
Although the landscape was challenging, the book performed well enough to earn a paperback edition.
The FedEx Mystery
How did my book end up in FedEx stores? I’m not sure, but I believe my publisher struck a deal to offload some of my extra paperback books there. (Bulk is bulk, my friends. It’s probably time to move the merch.)
As a result, the book has been selling well at FedEx, proving that “Betting On You” is the little engine that could.
How to Get Your Book in FedEx
I am still trying to figure out a definitive answer for getting your book in FedEx stores, but I can share insights on the book-writing process.
Want to know the secret to write a book? It’s writing. That’s it.
Embrace the Journey and Start Writing
Writing a book is a monumental challenge that only a tiny percentage of the population will ever undertake. Whether you choose traditional or self-publishing, now is the time to start writing. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, as obstacles and unknowns will always exist, such as political insurrections and global crises. Instead, embrace the opportunity to accomplish a big audacious goal and enjoy the experience of seeing your book in unexpected places, like a FedEx store.
And always thank your friends for texting photos of your book. That’s a supremely generous thing for them to do, and it’s a bright spot for any author to be shown how much they matter. So, to all aspiring authors, leap and begin your writing journey today. You never know where your book might end up or the impact it will have on others.
A Call to Action for Aspiring Authors
If you have a story or wisdom to share, don’t let obstacles or uncertainties hold you back. Instead, start writing your book now, and remember to surround yourself with a supportive community that will help you navigate the unpredictable adventure of writing and publishing.
You, too, can experience the excitement of seeing your book on store shelves, whether in a traditional bookstore or an unexpected location like a FedEx store. So, gather your ideas and begin crafting your unique story. Your future readers are waiting.
The journey of writing and publishing a book is full of surprises and challenges but also highly gratifying. So embrace the opportunity, learn from the setbacks, and celebrate your accomplishments.
And who knows? One day, your book might find its way into FedEx stores and other unexpected places, inspiring readers worldwide.
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