'Stone Maidens' Sells 65,000 Copies After Viral TikTok Video

One short TikTok video helped a decade-old book go from zero sales to 65,000 copies in just two weeks.

"Stone Maidens" took author Lloyd Devereux Richards 14 years to write, and now 11 years after its release, it's become the number one serial killer/thriller on Amazon thanks to a little help from his daughter Marguerite Richards.

Marguerite created a short video to share on TikTok in the hopes of getting her father's book some much needed attention, and the attention it received was more than anyone could have predicted. During an appearance on the "Today Show" last week, Marguerite explained how the TikTok video came to be.

"I was just kind of going through, making a video without him really knowing and I created an account and posted it, and no one knew this," she explained. "Just in the hopes that a few people would read his first book - that was what I was hoping for."

The video that grabbed so many people's attention has now exceeded 48 million views, 10 million likes and 43,000 comments. And better yet, book sales have soared in the two weeks since the video was shared, and the book hit the number one spot on Amazon's list in the genre of serial killer/thriller books.

Lloyd couldn't believe the outpouring of love and support from that one TikTok video.

"So many people were saying such kind things to me, it gave me a totally different opinion. I didn't know that young people wanted to even read a book like mine or that they like reading so much," he said. "It seems like they really are reading, and that really touched me - that our country is in good shape if people want to read books."

Marguerite said her dad has been so happy about the newfound attention and is grateful for it all. "My dad wasn't really sure what TikTok is, but he has been so pleased and grateful," Marguerite told CNN. "I love how people are appreciating him."

This entire experience has been a lesson of determination and to never give up.

"A lot of people who are struggling with a project, who thought they were way off track, this has given them the inspiration to recharge," she said. "Everyone can relate to the feeling of being a late bloomer."

A recently shared video on TikTok reveals that the father and daughter will be appearing on the "Today Show" as well as how many copies of the book have sold since Marguerite's original video.

"How many copies of 'Stone Maidens' have been sold? Everybody's asking my dad and I this and we wanted to tell you guys first," she began the video. "I'm literally trying not to cry when I tell you this but after months, years, decades of no sales, my dad has sold 65,000 copies of his book this month."

She continued to say that this has been a dream come true for her 74-year-old dad. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," she said. See the video HERE.

Many of his newly made fans took to the comments to leave their thoughts and give their support. "This is the update I needed. I’m obsessed with Stone Maidens, reading it now. He is just the cutest," one person wrote. Another added, "I just purchased a copy for my library (I’m a librarian) ❤️."

One follower wrote about how word is getting out quickly about the book. "I was flipping channels and happened to see @drewbarrymore talking about his book on her show also! Congratulations to him ❤️waiting for restock!"

Another follower talked about the "power of social media." "I love the power of social media when it’s used to do good things like this 🥺🥺🥰."