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The Journey of TMJ Books: From Humble Beginnings to Remarkable Growth

Writer's picture: T.M JeffersonT.M Jefferson

In the evolving world of independent publishing, success stories often emerge from passionate creators who dare to diversify and stay true to their vision. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to share the remarkable growth story of TMJ BOOKS, a journey that spans multiple genres and demonstrates the power of traditional print and digital formats.


The Foundation Years: 2022

When TMJ BOOKS launched in 2022, we entered the market with a dual-genre strategy that many might have questioned. Combining urban/street fiction, thrillers, memoir and self-help books wasn't the conventional path, but it reflected our belief in the power of both fictional and real-life storytelling. That first year saw modest but encouraging results: 32 print books and 20 digital copies found their way into readers' hands. Each sale represented a reader choosing to invest their time in our stories.


Building Momentum: 2023


The second year brought significant growth in our print sector, with sales nearly tripling to 87 units. While digital sales experienced a slight dip to 14 units, this period proved crucial in establishing our market presence. It was a year of learning, adapting, and understanding our readers' preferences. The growing disparity between print and digital sales began to reveal a clear pattern in our readership's format preferences.

The Breakthrough: 2024


If 2023 was about building momentum, 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. Our print sales skyrocketed to 348 units - a 300% increase from the previous year. Digital sales also recovered strongly, reaching 44 units. This exceptional growth wasn't just about numbers; it represented the culmination of several key factors:


The Power of Genre Diversity


Our unique positioning across urban/street fiction, thrillers, memoir and self-help books has proven to be a strategic advantage. Urban/street fiction and thrillers bring the page-turning excitement that keeps readers coming back for more, while the memoir and self-help books offer deep, personal connections that resonate with readers seeking authentic stories.


Print's Enduring Appeal


The remarkable growth in print sales in 2024, challenges the notion that digital is the only future of publishing. Our experience shows that physical books continue to hold a special place in readers' hearts, especially for certain genres like memoirs where the tactile experience enhances the reading journey.


Building a Community


Beyond the sales figures, we've focused on building genuine connections with our readers. Each book sold represents a new member of the TMJ BOOKS community - someone who has chosen to spend their valuable time with our stories.

“I didn’t want to be a slave, I wanted to own my masters…”

Looking Ahead


As we analyze these growth patterns, several insights emerge that will guide our future strategy:


1. The strong preference for print formats suggests opportunities for special editions, collector's versions, or enhanced physical packaging


2. The steady growth in digital sales, while more modest, indicates a loyal e-reader audience that shouldn't be overlooked


3. Our multi-genre approach continues to serve us well, allowing us to reach diverse reader demographics


A Message to Our Readers


None of this growth would be possible without our readers. Whether you're an urban/street fiction junkie, a thriller enthusiast who loves the suspense, or someone who connects deeply with our biographical works, you're the reason behind every upward trend in our charts. Your support has transformed TMJ BOOKS from a passionate venture into a growing force in independent publishing.


The Road Ahead


As we look to the future, we remain committed to our founding principles: telling compelling stories across genres, maintaining high-quality standards in both print and digital formats, and always putting our readers first. The remarkable growth we've seen, particularly in 2024, isn't an endpoint - it's a milestone in an ongoing journey.

We're excited about the stories yet to be told, the readers yet to reach, and the communities yet to build. The numbers tell a story of growth, but the real story is about the connections we're making, one book at a time.


Thank you for being part of the TMJ BOOKS story. Whether you're a long-time reader or just discovering us, your support means everything. Here's to the next chapter in our journey together!


Visit us at www.tmjefferson.org to explore of collection.


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