# The Shack

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

- Owner: William P. Young / Windblown Media
- Kind: Book
- Sector: Media & publishing
- Seed date: 2007-05-01
- Milestone date: 2008-06-08
- Date basis: Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.
- Spread Score: 45 (Notable, provisional), v1.2
- Mechanics: Underdog, Maker origin, Controversy, Platform jump, Press loop

## Summary

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.

## Timeline

- 2007-04-16 — Wayne Jacobsen (Open web) — Jacobsen opened preorders and said word of mouth would support a May release.
- 2007-05-01 — Windblown Media / William P. Young (Retail) — Windblown released Young's novel through its website and The God Journey audience.
- 2007-07-17 — Wayne Jacobsen (Open web) — Jacobsen reported recommendations from Eugene Peterson, counselors and a former FBI profiler.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/the-shack

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “The Shack.” Case HIS-01306. Spread Score v1.2: 45/100. Updated 2026-10-22. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01306