A book, be it fact or fiction, is usually available for sale as a script, on the www., through a site like Amazon, although the writing could be hand-written or published in a printed form (which would make it physical).
The chances of someone stumbling on it, like a painting in an artist’s garret, are improbable. Therefore, the writer or their representative must promote the contents to gain a wide range of viewers.
Some people publish work after work and achieve moderate success because of word of mouth. However, heaven knows there is a glut of books to choose from, and without the support group, their work would never see the light of day.
What happens to all those writers who are unable to promote their work? Some, like me, are aged or infirm. They just can’t get out and about to talk about their stories. Self-publishing might be unattainable to them because of their lack of expertise. Others, also like me, may have a publisher, but they still need to promote their work themselves.
The whole process must drain the writer’s spirit and the will to go on producing.
Is the effort worth the disappointment?
My books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Francene-Stanley/e/B007XP8D7C/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1