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Debut Novel Becomes Global Sensation
27 Jan
Summary
- Debut novel 'Go as a River' sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
- The novel is being adapted into a film by Eliza Hittman.
- Shelley Read's book achieved success without major reviews or endorsements.
Shelley Read's debut novel, "Go as a River," has achieved unexpected international acclaim, selling over one million copies globally. Translations were secured for more than 30 countries even before its U.S. debut in 2023.
The novel, published by Spiegel & Grau, spans from the 1940s to the 1970s and focuses on a Colorado farm girl's enduring romance. Its success highlights how books can break through without high-profile endorsements or author recognition.
"Go as a River" is currently being adapted into a film by Mazur Kaplan, with Eliza Hittman expected to direct. The book's journey to publication involved overcoming numerous rejections from 21 publishers before finding its home.
Read, a fifth-generation Coloradan and former educator, drew inspiration from historical events and her lifelong affinity for the local landscape. She began writing the novel after taking early retirement to focus on her creative vision.
The novel's success has allowed Read to fund personal projects and provides her the means to pursue writing full-time, fulfilling a long-held dream.
