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Library/Book/The Shack
Grade B23 sourcesHIS-01306

The Shack

Book · 2007 · Notable

45Editable slideCertificate

A self-published novel reached No. 1 through reader gifts, radio and retail distribution.

Trailer · Lionsgate Movies on YouTube
Original cover of The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
William P. Young / Windblown Media
Official trailer for the 2017 film adaptation
Lionsgate Movies on YouTube
First look at the 2017 film: Octavia Spencer and Sam Worthington on the porch
Publishers Weekly

Spread Score

How it works
ReachNo data yetContagion60Breadth30VelocityNo data yetLongevityNo data yet45

Numbers

Seed to milestone
13 months
May 1 ’07 to Jun 8 ’08
Platforms
6
Started on Retail
Origin
Seeded
Media & publishing

Mechanics

  • UnderdogPrimary
  • Maker origin
  • Controversy
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop

How it spread

Trace the origin

Windblown released The Shack in May 2007 with Michael W. Smith's endorsement. Readers bought cases to give away, and the book reached No. 1 on the New York Times trade paperback list in June 2008. Its publisher later claimed over 25 million copies sold.

Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.

Google searchesAug ’06May ’07SepMar ’08JunDecMar ’11Mar ’14Mar ’17Apr ’20May ’23Jan ’26MilestoneOpen webRetailAudioPressTVBox office
Open webRetailAudioPressTVBox office

13 more events on this chart

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Timeline (16)

  1. April 2007

    Wayne Jacobsen precursor · Apr 16 ’07

    Jacobsen opened preorders and said word of mouth would support a May release.[1]

    Original cover of The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
    Open the first post ↗

  2. May 2007

    Windblown Media / William P. Young seed · May 1 ’07

    Windblown released Young's novel through its website and The God Journey audience.[2][3][4][5]

  3. July 2007

    Wayne Jacobsen owner response · Jul 17 ’07

    Jacobsen reported recommendations from Eugene Peterson, counselors and a former FBI profiler.[6]

  1. platform jump · Sep 22 ’07

  2. commercial · Nov 14 ’07

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Why it worked

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Origin
Seeded
Sector
Media & publishing
Region
US
Reported figure
—
Evidence
Grade B

Spread the same way

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Powerless

Lauren Roberts; Simon & Schuster (publisher)

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1M sold

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New cases, every week

How the next thing spread, the week it does.