Several readers have asked me how the Bestsellers lists work and I'll try to explain it.
There are two Bestsellers lists that really matter - one is Bookscan, the most comprehensive (which appears in the Sunday Times culture section), and the other is Waterstone's list (for the Daily Telegraph) - and these are usually close to each other, but not always. If a book takes off in Waterstone's and nowhere else, it can even reach number one on that list and not appear on the Sunday Times list. The Bookscan list is done only on sales over the counter, not on how many books they have in store, which used to be the case some years ago when there was a no return or discount policy. Bookshops report their figures on a saturday night, having caluculated how many sales of each book they made from Monday to Saturday of that week. Having reported their figure on the Monday to the Sunday Times, the final tally makes the following weekend's culture and review sections.
Paths of Glory was officially published on Friday of last week, so when Bookscan reports to the Sunday Times this morning, they will be recording seven day's figures for most books, whereas my sales will only be for two days this week (it should be pointed out that you could buy Paths of Glory in supermarkets on Thursday). So I'll hear late this afternoon if I've made the top ten on the two day's sales. Always a nerve-wracking phone call from one's agent or publishing house.
The worst position you can end up is No. 11, because you do not get on the published list, which in the case of new authors means their book will not be reduced to half price (which would otherwise give them a real chance of climbing up the list the following week). If you just miss the tenth place, you will remain at full price and might never make the Bestsellers list, especially when you remember that new authors are up against established ones whose books are automatically discounted on publication date. I hope you're able to follow this....what it comes to is that I'll learn this afternoon if I've made the top ten after two day's sales.
There are two Bestsellers lists that really matter - one is Bookscan, the most comprehensive (which appears in the Sunday Times culture section), and the other is Waterstone's list (for the Daily Telegraph) - and these are usually close to each other, but not always. If a book takes off in Waterstone's and nowhere else, it can even reach number one on that list and not appear on the Sunday Times list. The Bookscan list is done only on sales over the counter, not on how many books they have in store, which used to be the case some years ago when there was a no return or discount policy. Bookshops report their figures on a saturday night, having caluculated how many sales of each book they made from Monday to Saturday of that week. Having reported their figure on the Monday to the Sunday Times, the final tally makes the following weekend's culture and review sections.
Paths of Glory was officially published on Friday of last week, so when Bookscan reports to the Sunday Times this morning, they will be recording seven day's figures for most books, whereas my sales will only be for two days this week (it should be pointed out that you could buy Paths of Glory in supermarkets on Thursday). So I'll hear late this afternoon if I've made the top ten on the two day's sales. Always a nerve-wracking phone call from one's agent or publishing house.
The worst position you can end up is No. 11, because you do not get on the published list, which in the case of new authors means their book will not be reduced to half price (which would otherwise give them a real chance of climbing up the list the following week). If you just miss the tenth place, you will remain at full price and might never make the Bestsellers list, especially when you remember that new authors are up against established ones whose books are automatically discounted on publication date. I hope you're able to follow this....what it comes to is that I'll learn this afternoon if I've made the top ten after two day's sales.
10 Comments:
Jeffrey
Fascinating stuff!
Will you post as soon as you've heard the figures please.
Very best of luck...
it makes sense then to always publish your book on a monday
Just wonderful to find you are on blogspot, I love it. Just yesterday bought Paths at the market so I hope that boosts the figures. I'll have to write again after I read it - right now I'm being entertained by False Impressions, and it is so good. Thank you for all your books, I appreciate your stories. -marina
always been a fan! false impression not a penny less prisoner o birth hon among thv sons o fortune...can wait for paths in malaysia...must be months!
Well Jeffrey all you can do is hope that all your fans have picked up their copies of Paths of Glory!!!!
I sure did...
An ardent fan
Hey Jeffrey, nice to find you here!!
What the figures said??
I have just finished paths of glory and yet again i read it in 1 day.Please keep writing and when can we expect the next book????
Holy Smoke! That's a hard system. I am not sure my single purchase made any difference - but it is great inside info for us would be authors!
I am enthralled in Paths of Glory, it saddens me that I have to stop reading it to go to work. In a way I don't want to finish it because I know it will be a long time before I read another book as good. Everyone of your books I have enjoyed. Keep writing. Many thanks for the hours of pleasure reading your books has given to me.
A fellow parent recommended your Prison Diaries Trilogy to me last week-end. (I must be the only perosn not aware of their existence!).
I have just listened to volume 1 in audiobook format (3hr daily commute).
It is absolutely superb, brilliant, funny and moving.
Can't wait to listen to the others.
All the best.
Post a Comment
<< Home