How Hard Is It To Become A NY Times Bestseller?

In the world of books, one phrase stands out: New York Times bestseller. It’s a mark of success that many authors dream of, but what does it really mean? And how hard is it to achieve?

In this article, we’ll break down what it takes to become a New York Times bestseller, including why it’s so important and the challenges authors face along the way, from fierce competition to the power of promotion.

Enjoy!

What Is The NY Times Bestseller List?

The New York Times Bestseller list is the most famous list of bestselling books in the United States. It has been published weekly in The New York Times Book Review since October 12, 1931.

While used as a badge of honor, signaling literary acclaim and commercial success, its consistency is also relied upon in a more practical sense. For example, bookstores lean on these rankings to gauge public interest.

The primary requirement to become a New York Times bestseller is to sell at least 5,000 books in a single week across diverse retailers and from multiple geographic locations.

However, The New York Times keeps its exact method for analyzing sales data tightly under wraps. Therefore, the specific retailers, locations, and other considerations remain a mystery. This secrecy aims to thwart any attempts by authors or publishers to manipulate the system, such as by purchasing their own books, therefore reflecting genuine popularity (ideally).

As NY Times wrote:

We receive numbers on millions of titles each week from tens of thousands of storefronts and online retailers as well as specialty and independent bookstores.

In addition, it is not just one list, but rather several lists grouped by genre and format. These lists include:

Adult Fiction – combined print & eBook (weekly)

Adult Fiction – hardcover (weekly)

Adult Fiction – paperback (weekly)

Adult Nonfiction – combined print & eBook (weekly)

Adult Nonfiction – hardcover (weekly)

Adult Nonfiction – paperback (weekly)

Adult Nonfiction – advice, how-to, and miscellaneous (weekly)

Middle-Grade – hardcover (weekly)

Young Adult – hardcover (weekly)

Picture Books (weekly)

Children’s Series (weekly)

Business (monthly)

Graphic Novels and Manga (monthly)

Mass Market (monthly)

Middle-Grade – paperback (monthly)

Young Adult – paperback (monthly)

Audiobooks – fiction (monthly)

Audiobooks – nonfiction (monthly)

Therefore, if a book says “New York Times Bestseller”, it could be from any one of these lists, not necessarily the overall most popular.

How Hard Is It To Become A Bestseller?

Reaching 5,000 sales might seem reasonable, but with only 10-15 spots on each list, it’s not just about hitting that mark. You’ll need to outsell other books in your category, a challenge given the sheer volume of books published daily in America.

Around 4 million books are published annually in the US – about 11,000 per day. The average US book sees fewer than 200 annual sales, while the typical self-published author sells just five copies each.

Moreover, a book can land on multiple lists simultaneously, complicating matters further. Big-name authors with highly promoted releases often dominate multiple lists, making competition fierce.

For self-published authors, breaking onto the bestseller list is even tougher due to strict qualifications for sales diversity across retailers and locations. Without the support of traditional publishers’ distribution networks, the required sales diversity is a significant hurdle.

Just writing an excellent book won’t cut it; you’ll need to be invested in promotion like book tours, social media, and more.

What Happens After You Are A Bestseller?

Earning a spot on the list instantly boosts visibility and attention, not only for the listed book but also for all your other works. With thousands more eyes on your title, opportunities like book club readings, interviews, and even movie adaptations may arise.

As you can imagine, increased visibility almost always translates to higher sales.

However, if your book reaches the list, it’s already selling well. The real advantage lies in expanding your author brand, attracting more readers to explore all your works.

Conclusion

Though immensely popular, the New York Times Bestseller list has flaws. The lack of transparency surrounding sales analysis and the editorial influence raise concerns about impartiality and fairness.

Also, the list prioritizes recent releases with high sales growth, potentially ignoring books that have maintained steady popularity over time.

Despite the imperfections, making it onto this list indicates thousands of copies sold all across the country. While not all will suit your taste, it can’t be denied that it is an impressive and telling feat.

The most important thing is writing the best book you can and connecting with an audience who will appreciate it.

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