Self-published poet outsells everyone

(image via Kimura Kobo)

Asia One News reports on this "highly motivated" 98-year old literary phenom:

JAPAN, UTSUNOMIYA, May 14, 2010 - Selling an unprecedented 40,000 copies, a 98-year-old woman's self-published poetry anthology is the latest--and unlikely--literary hit.

"Take it Easy, Don't Try Too Hard," "Everyone's Dreams are Equal"--these are just a couple of the poems penned by Utsunomiya resident Toyo Shibata, and introduced in her freshman effort, "Kujikenaide" (Don't Lose Heart), first published in autumn last year.

Most self-published books are considered successful if they sell several hundred copies . . .