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Why Is Everyone Surprised by the Success of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Autobiography?

Laura Ingalls Wilder fans are passionate about their favorite author. We make pilgrimages to all the places she lived and visited, devour every book that has been written by or about he, and discuss her life and legacy in forums and Facebook groups. Movies and television series have been adapted for her book.

Mrs. Wilders books are international best sellers.So excuse me if I come off as a bit surprised by everyone else's surprise.

Ever since Laura Ingalls Wilder's autobiography "Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography" was released early last fall, the press has been marveling about the secrets revealed and the demand for the book.

Did they not think anyone would be interested? Did they not do their research into Mrs. Wilder's legacy and her vast fan base?

Consider this:
  • Hundreds of people pay money each year to attend the Laurapalooza conference, an annual conference for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans.
  • Thousands of people spend their vacation time every year to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder and family historic sites across the country.
  • Thousands of people attend "Laura Ingalls Wilder" days in her various home towns.
  • Thousands of Laura Ingalls Wilder fans debate, discuss, and dissect every details of her life in several popular Facebook groups, forums, blogs and other online arenas.
  • Before "Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography "was published, there was a demand for copies of the original handwritten manuscript.
  • Laura Ingalls Wlider historians often mentioned details found in "Pioneer Girl" leading to requests for publications.
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder fans are always looking for new books and information about Mrs. Wilder.
With all the above, one would think it would be no surprise that Mrs. Ingalls' autobiography has sold out each subsequent printing. In fact, my biggest surprise is only why the initial print run was so small to begin with. 

So I'll ask you, Laura fans, are you surprised by the surprise like I am, or did you - like me - expect that Mrs. Wilder's autobiography would become a super bestseller?


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