Best-Selling Book Bullshit

I’ve about had enough with all the people trying to teach you how to have a best-selling book. Sure, every author wants one, and it’d be nice, but it’s not a realistic goal. I’ll take a well-selling book any day, over and over.

First, let me give my definition of a “best-selling” book. That’s a book that made a list like the New York Times list or the USA Today list. Those are very, very hard to get, see below for how.

A best-selling book is NOT when you get your book to the #1 position on in your category on Amazon for an hour. Yet, it seems almost every book coach in the world is selling a service or solution that will help you do that. It’s disingenuous to say the least because new authors come in and think they’re buying a program that will help them get on one of those big best-seller lists. They’re not.

Anyone can get #1 in their category for a few hours on Amazon if they do a simple book launch. I’ve done it multiple times, both with a legacy published book and self-published books. All you have to do is sell about 150-300 books, depending on your category, during a 24-hour period or so. Then, after the initial sales drop off, you slide back down out of the top position. That’s all great, and important and you should strive to do it. But is it really a best-selling book? The book coaches want you to think so.

Want to really know how to get a real best-selling book on one of the big lists? Here are your options.

1. Pay a few hundred-grand to a company that works the system to order your books in increments to trick the NYTimes system into thinking it’s selling a lot. It’s not, you paid a bunch of people to go out and game the system.

2. Write a great book and get lucky.

That’s it. Either pay, or get lucky. Save yourself the thousands of dollars in “learn how to be a best-seller” coaching programs. That’s how it’s done above.

Aspire to write great books for sure, but don’t think that any coach or program can get you on one of the best-selling lists without $$$ or luck.

Comments

  1. Kelly Bunn says:

    It’s thrilling to be able to give readers the books they want…publishing company!

  2. I write to entertain and to educate. I don't need accolades from being on a list, I just like the feedback I get from someone saying "I enjoyed your book".

  3. Jim says:

    I tell ya, after reading a few of your posts about Indie authors, sales, and related things, I feel motivated. Motivated to take my book and piss on it (wait. I would have to print it out first).

    Who cares about writing a best-selling book, don't bother buying any ads because they are worthless, don't bother with review blogs because people don't read the reviews anyway, #1 on Amazon? Ha, that whole list is bullshit anyway, so don't go getting hopeful or let even the slightest positive thought enter your mind. Books suck, your book will suck, you won't make dick, and the dick that you do make will likely be shoved up your ass from all the "best selling book" scammers.

    That just about summarizes a number of blog posts I read of yours. Sounds nasty, but I am just exaggerating to make a point. Your obviously someone who is experienced and has went through good and bad methods, but I must admit I am depressed after reading these posts, lol.

  4. Hi Jim,

    I think most authors are happy to be on any best seller list, even if only for a few hours.

    I agree, however, that it's not fair for any coach or program to imply that they can get folks on to the New York Times List and such biggies since, as you point out, there are many factors involved. Even writing a great book doesn't guarantee that unless all the stars align at just the right moment.

Speak Your Mind

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