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It's a gimmick by the publishers as how often have I seen a new book released as 'the new best seller by' before sales even happened!! This practice shouldn't be allowed unless books sells the amount required to be classified as a best seller but what is that figure? Any ideas anyone?
To be fair a book can be classified as a bestseller simply by selling bulk copy to the reseller.
For instance if Waterstones buy 1,000 copies of a book to pop on shelves across the country because it's not being pushed by a marketing-strong publisher, is small press, or is simply dipping a toe into the water to see if it sells, it won't go out as bestseller.
If however they agree to take in 100,000 copies to stash countrywide, it technically is a bestseller, because they've bought thousands of it ;) There's also more likely to be a marketing engine outside of their control pushing it forward somehow, whether that's simply the name of a celebrity attached to it, or it being the newest in a heretofore bestselling series.
Also bear in mind that the UK imprint may just have been released, but the book may have been a bestseller in other markets, or in another format (hardback or tradepaperback, for instance). Thus it's perfectly okay to announce the new Jim Butcher Harry Dresden book as a bestseller before a single UK copy has even hit the shelves, because they've already sold thousands in the US before we even get to see it.
It could also depend on the genre and what source you use. The Dandelion Clock is No.1 on Amazon UK's gay romance listing, so in that sense it's a bestseller. But I've a long way to go before JK Rowling need look to her laurels.
Thanks for all of your replies.It was interesting to hear of the different sides of the writing game. Though, I guess the same thing happens in the pop music charts.
Interestingly sales figures for CDs are often very similar to books, but you don't see writers releasing a short story from a larger book and having weekly readings on the radio or TV, so we get paid less than popstars ;)
(It's not scientifically proven, but it is FACT! ;) )
Comments
For instance if Waterstones buy 1,000 copies of a book to pop on shelves across the country because it's not being pushed by a marketing-strong publisher, is small press, or is simply dipping a toe into the water to see if it sells, it won't go out as bestseller.
If however they agree to take in 100,000 copies to stash countrywide, it technically is a bestseller, because they've bought thousands of it ;) There's also more likely to be a marketing engine outside of their control pushing it forward somehow, whether that's simply the name of a celebrity attached to it, or it being the newest in a heretofore bestselling series.
Also bear in mind that the UK imprint may just have been released, but the book may have been a bestseller in other markets, or in another format (hardback or tradepaperback, for instance). Thus it's perfectly okay to announce the new Jim Butcher Harry Dresden book as a bestseller before a single UK copy has even hit the shelves, because they've already sold thousands in the US before we even get to see it.
(It's not scientifically proven, but it is FACT! ;) )