A Pilgrim in Narnia has just now had its 1,000,000th hit! A million page views is right, according to WordPress analytics. After passing our 9th Anniversary last month, after 1,057 posts (this is number 1,058), this little sandbox of literary criticism, fan writing, intellectual discussion, and academic experimentation–a blog about reading well–has had its 1,000,000th-page view. That’s probably about 600,000 visitors, 7,750 blog followers–including nearly 4,000 readers who get blog posts by email or through their WordPress reader–and 19,000 comments and live links to the blog.
Thanks to those who have shared the blog with friends and social media connections. More than 75,000 viewers found their way here through Facebook, Twitter, and other social sharing sites.
Thanks to all the guest posters over the years. There have been about 100 guest posts and reblogs from all you great readers and writers.
And a deep thank you to all you great readers who provide intelligent discussions and give me a sense of gratification for taking the time to write. In 9 years of writing–more than 1,000,000 words of material–I have never received a dime for my work. Unlike tenured and full-time professors who are stipended for their time, the thousands of hours I have dedicated to A Pilgrim in Narnia have been entirely volunteer. But I believe in open-access free material, and it is nice to know that there are some who appreciate my writing. I also, it seems, want to be my own editor, so this works!
What’s ahead? I don’t know, actually. I still have a “5 Books Series” I want to do, and a dozen or so half-written posts on Lewis, Tolkien, Montgomery, and the books I’m reading. There’ll be a bit of vampire and macabre fiction in the weeks ahead, which will inform my writing. I am preparing a book proposal on C.S. Lewis’s spiritual theology, and a grant proposal on L.M. Montgomery and the Spiritual Life, so I may try out some material. In any case, I suspect that A Pilgrim in Narnia will go on as it ever has, with me posting material that interests me, writing what I want to write, reading and talking about and inviting others to experience great books. I wanted to write a “Great Books Blog” when I started in 2011, a place to stretch my abilities, extend my reach, and heighten my scope for imagination, to use Anne of Green Gable’s great phrase. Books to me are like the Narnian wardrobe, a place where we are transported to other worlds. I am glad that there are others who join me on the pilgrimage of reading from time to time.
WordPress’s blog stats are a little wonky, which I didn’t realize until trying to capture this millionth view. A watched blog roll doesn’t roll, it seems. The daily stats go up one-by-one, but the yearly ones by chunks. But I managed to hit the crossover, which was kind of fun!
Here are some of the top blog posts of all time. I wish #1 wasn’t #1–clever and arrogant, it was, even if it was on the right track–but there are some great posts here still.
Congratulations!!! This is exciting!!
Thanks Wayne!
Congratulations! And what would Puddleglum say? 🙂
I suppose something like, “I’ve never seen one of these blogs that didn’t fall apart after a good spell.”
Heh. Perfect 🙂
Congratulations, quite a milestone.
Thanks Ken!
I’m new here; glad to be part of the second million! Peace, Larry
Great, welcome Larry!
Please keep it up. I like the CS Lewis and LM Montgomery posts best.
Thanks Allyson! I suspect the next 3 years are going to be pretty Lewis & Montgomery heavy, given what I’m writing.
Nicely done! May you be blessed with a million+ more! You’re miles ahead of me in the stats… but I’m not quite 3 years old yet, so your success gives me hope!
Well, I think yours is the best blog of its kind. There is the work we do and response is variable. My numbers are also Google-driven, which just happens sometimes.
Wow, that’s a great milestone indeed. Wishing you millions more to come, and thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Congratulations! I liked your list of top blog posts, and your bringing back the post on Orwell’s review of That Hideous Strength. I hope you’ll continue to bring out of your storehouse what is new and what is old! (Matt 13:52).
Thanks!
Woo-oot! WELL-deserved—you are a brilliant writer, warm and interesting personality and an erudite credit to the higher literary community. 🥳🥳🥳🤩🤩🤩🙏🏻
LOVE the fact that you screen-capped the rising page views at 999,999 & 1M! Such a little thing; such a big moment!
Thanks Jared! I too like that kind of thing.
Congratulations! Much fun, much enlightenment!
Thanks Joe!
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