Thriller writer becomes first self-published author to sell one MILLION Kindle eBooks... (then writes an eBook all about it)


This thriller writer’s achievement of selling more than a million electronic books would be pretty impressive if he had a publishing deal.

But John Locke, 60, of Kentucky, has managed the extraordinary feat of becoming the first self-published author to reach the million milestone.

He has joined other authors such as Stieg Larsson and James Patterson as a million-seller on the Kindle - but did it without a publishing deal.

Success story: John Locke, of Kentucky, has become the first author to sell more than a million electronic books on the Amazon Kindle without a publishing deal

Success story: John Locke, of Kentucky, has become the first author to sell more than a million electronic books on the Amazon Kindle without a publishing deal

Mr Locke has written novels such as ‘Vegas Moon’, ‘Wish List’ and ‘A Girl Like You’, with many of his eBooks priced at just $0.99.

Now his latest release is an advice book that he was well qualified to write - and it’s titled: ‘How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months’.

Amanda Hocking, another self-published sensation, signed a six-figure deal earlier this year with St. Martin's Press - but Mr Locke won't do that.

Vegas Moon
A Girl Like You

Books: Mr Locke's Kindle novels include ‘Vegas Moon’ and ‘A Girl Like You’

‘It just wouldn't be fun for me,’ Mr Locke said. ‘I like the idea of being able to walk away from writing if it stops being fun.’

But Mr Locke does have a literary agent, Jane Dystel - and said she is working on film, television and audio rights.

He has already made lots of money from the business world and private investments - aside from his writing, reported the Daily Telegraph.

Impressive: Mr Locke has joined authors such as Stieg Larsson and James Patterson as a million-seller on the Kindle - but did it without a publishing deal

Impressive: Mr Locke has joined authors such as Stieg Larsson and James Patterson as a million-seller on the Kindle - but did it without a publishing deal

Mr Locke decided to charge $0.99 after seeing most successful authors were selling eBooks for almost $10 - and that he could undercut them.

‘I like the idea of being able to walk away from writing when it stops being fun'

John Locke

‘I put (the most famous authors in the world) in the position of having to prove their books were ten times better than mine,’ he told the Telegraph.

A Kindle spokesman said it is ‘exciting’ that Mr Locke has achieved the milestone through self-publishing.

John Locke sells 1 million Kindle eBooks
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