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Debut Novel Becomes Surprise Bestseller in 2025
17 Nov
Summary
- The Correspondent, a debut novel, became a bestseller months after its initial publication in 2025.
- The book received glowing reviews and was named one of the best pieces of fiction in 2025.
- The author, Virginia Evans, wrote the book as a personal exercise during a difficult time, never expecting it to find success.
In 2025, Virginia Evans' debut novel The Correspondent has become a surprise bestseller, months after its initial publication in April. The book, which follows a woman tracking her life through letters, received glowing reviews from authors like Ann Patchett and was named one of the year's best pieces of fiction by Barnes & Noble.
Evans, who had previously struggled to find success in traditional publishing, wrote The Correspondent as a personal exercise during a difficult time in her life. With her father-in-law sick and the COVID-19 pandemic underway, Evans used the book as a way to process her "grief and disappointment." Despite the lack of industry accolades or attention from major book clubs, the novel began to sell steadily, eventually landing on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list in October.
Now, The Correspondent has over 250,000 hardcover copies in print, and 20 overseas publishers have also acquired the title. It's a remarkable publishing journey, especially for a debut work of fiction, and a testament to the power of word-of-mouth and perseverance in the face of adversity.
