Shawn Warner (58) has tried a few jobs in his life. Among other things, the Texan was a parachutist with the US Army, therapist and engineer. But his greatest dream was always to be a writer, although many critics advised him against it, as he writes on his website: “‘You can’t earn a living from that’, they always said.”

But Shawn Warner was undeterred and wrote his first book. To spur sales, he offered a few copies at a local store. For this he had set up a small counter, behind which he sat down. What happened next, however, exceeded his wildest expectations.

Influencer discovers author in store and posts clip on TikTok

Luckily for him, an influencer called “internetfamouslol” came by, behind whom Jerrad Swearenjin was hiding. The TikToker was so impressed by Shawn Warner’s story and his likeable nature that he posted a clip of his short visit and small talk with the up-and-coming, friendly author on the Internet.

His fans were also touched: the video went viral overnight with more than 17 million views. It also garnered more than three million likes and 22,000 comments, with many people commenting that they really want the book, titled Leigh Howard And The Ghosts Of Simmons-Pierce Manor.

Author Shawn Warner explains what his book is about

In the video posted by TikToker Jerrad Swearenjin, the 58-year-old author, sitting alone in a camp chair behind some copies of his book, politely responds to the visitor’s interest and explains the book’s content: “It’s about a girl , which teams up with a multi-personality ghost to solve the mystery of her parents’ murder,” reads the video.

Influencer had to think of hard times themselves

As for his motivation for releasing the clip, Jerrad Swearenjin later wrote in his TikTok post, “I just wanted to show a stranger some kindness.” He also had to think about his own beginnings as an influencer: “I imagined all the moments when I worked so hard and never got recognition.”

A day after this encounter, Jerrad Swearenjin posted a follow-up on TikTok, revealing that Shawn Warner’s first book on Amazon has now garnered around 200 reviews, making the author “the number one bestselling author on Amazon.”

Texaner is overwhelmed by the interest in his book

Shawn Warner himself could hardly believe his luck and posted an emotional video on TikTok in which he thanks his fans for their great interest. “I wanted to thank everyone for the love and kindness for the video that was posted. It was totally unexpected.” He also said: “I’m in shock, I don’t know what to say at the moment.”

When Jerrad Swearenjin approached him in the market, he was “just so eager to talk to anyone” at the time because his book just wasn’t selling well. “And it was just something amazing that happened after that,” he said through tears. “I set out to write books that are fun to read. What happened is beyond my imagination,” concludes Shawn Warner. “I am so grateful.”