Author was distraught when no one showed up to his book signing — a 4-year-old's sweet gesture changed everything
The support of the community counts in more ways than you can imagine. Author Johanthan Stanley was sitting all by himself waiting for readers to find him at his book signing. When no one showed up, a 4-year-old girl named Ella did, thanks to her mum, Taylor Mae (@taylormaed). The mom shared a video — a 10-second clip of the man at the store. She revealed that she sent her daughter to get a signed copy of the book. Little did she know that it would work wonders in taking his hard work to a whole new level. Stanley wrote a book titled “Purposeful Performance” for businesses to enhance their skills and advantages, the author revealed in a post.
He shared that after he left his job, he had put everything into finishing the book, per The Daily Mail. The man had but a few customers before Mae spotted him at the store. “This sweet man is sitting with a stack of books he wrote. My heart is breaking every time someone passes him,” she said. In another clip, the mom revealed that she decided to get a copy of the book. She sent 4-year-old Ella to get the book signed and Stanley left her a heartwarming message. “Ella, the greatest gift you have to offer is you!” he wrote, along with signing the book. In a post on LinkedIn, the author shared his interaction with the 4-year-old.
“One moment stood out — a 4-year-old named Ella proudly told me she wants to be an author when she grows up,” Stanley remarked. This simple interaction changed the author’s life. The 10-second clip had already done its job. Receiving over 11 million likes on TikTok, Stanley got all the exposure he needed, without even knowing it. Sharing in another post, he noted how his book skyrocketed. From having one follower, he was suddenly famous with 208,000 followers within 24 hours. When Mae posted the video, people immediately identified the man and were able to follow him and order his book.
@michellekrysbooks said, “As an author who’s been there, go say hi.” @trizahterriz added, “Just followed Johanthan Stanley from Kenya.” Within a few days, @daymungaroo wrote, “It’s already sold out now. I love this app so much sometimes.” In a matter of days, what seemed like it wouldn’t work became an unbelievable dose of success. “And then the unthinkable: My book soared to the top of the Amazon bestseller lists in multiple categories,” the author said. But for Stanley, along with it, it was also a reminder of kindness. “But it wasn’t the numbers that moved me to tears yesterday. It was you,” he said.
@taymaed It was so wonderful getting to truly meet @Jonathan Stanley after everything that has happened over these last few days!! We are so thankful for all of the love and support!! #purposefulperformance #bekind #booktok #spreadingsunshine #spreadlove #spreadjoy ♬ original sound - Taylor Mae
He mentioned how strangers reached out to him — offering support, tips, tricks and whatnot. “Words of encouragement. Stories of hope. Notes from people who said the book changed their perspective,” he recalled. Ever since, his book has done amazingly well. And along with hard work and determination, he credits humanity and kindness that came through. “I never imagined this kind of response. And in a world that can often feel lonely, especially as a first-time author…You made me feel seen. You changed my life. And I’ll never forget it,” he wrote.
@taymaed It was so wonderful getting to truly meet @Jonathan Stanley after everything that has happened over these last few days!! We are so thankful for all of the love and support!! #purposefulperformance #bekind #booktok #spreadingsunshine #spreadlove #spreadjoy ♬ original sound - Taylor Mae
You can follow Johnathan Stanley (@johnathan.stanleyy) on Instagram for more content on reading and lifestyle and Taylor Mae (@taylormaed) on TikTok for more content on humanity and parenting.