One of the things that troubles aspiring authors is understanding just what amount of books need to be sold to be considered a successful writer. Obviously, we understand that the publishers expectations and the amount of money spent come into play. But there are such massive disparities, even on the bestseller list that it can be confusing.
For example, we all know that J.K. Rowling sold something like 8 million copies of whatever Harry Potter novel in 24 hours. Meanwhile, back in 1995, it was thought that John Grisham had the fastest selling hardcover ever when he moved 300,000 copies in a week. And then you compare that with smaller writers, but no less successful in their own way, like Tucker Max who said he sold 60,000 copies of his book in six months. All three were bestsellers, but all three had dramatically different sales totals.
So given the wide-range of sales figures, and the fact that the public almost never knows how many copies a book has sold, I always perk up whenever an article appears that gives the statistics.
From Galleycat, I learned about this AP article that provides statistics for books by OJ Simpson, Jenna Bush, Jimmy Carter, Denis Johnson, Valerie Plame, Junot Diaz, and others.
Actually, I’m at Riverhead and those AP numbers are WAY OFF. We’re on the Fourth Printing of OSCAR WAO (in three months!) and total numbers are over 90,000. And that’s not just a publicity statement. It’s fact. And the book just got back on the NYTIMES Bestseller Extended List. So again, worry not, neither Tree of Smoke or TBWOOW are causing any worries at their press. Diaz will easily sell 100,000 in hardcover, which for a literary writer of ethnic descent is EXTRAORDINARY.
Thanks for the comment Y.
I agree with your Diaz prediction totally.
The problem is that I just don’t understand why the whole thing is so murky. I posted something about that today. Maybe you can help me understand the confusion?
Thanks!
wow, this: “”Skinny B—-,” Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Oprah’s not the only hitmaker. Modestly successful when first published, in 2005, this trendy diet book soared after Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham was photographed holding a copy at a Hollywood boutique.” that could be a whole new part of the game: tossing the book at a tabloid celeb, then snapping a pic right as it’s in front of them.
I am wrtingn a book proposal and need to find out sales figures for books considered my competition in the market. Where does one go to find out sales figures for books?
Hi Alison,
There isn’t anywhere that you can go to discover sales figures for comparable books. That’s the whole point of how frustrating it can be. Publishers can get that information. And journalists can get that information from Nielsen BookScan. Some other industry people can get the information.
But for the rank and file person, there’s isn’t any single source of sales figure data. You just have to keep an eye out for articles that may happen to mention a sales count.
Good luck with your proposal!
My book came out in 1/2007. As of 6/07, according to someone who is good at computer tech, more than 650 copies were sold.
As of 3/3/08, it sold over 16,400 copies. But the publisher sent me a royalty check for 35 books!!!
( The book is soft cover and $14.95.
I think we need a new law to protect authors.. That is his income to survive. It seems actual sales figuress are never revealed to authors. My husband has written 6-7 books by now and he just trusted publishers since they were major publishers and he used to get ‘advance payment.”. Because he is a newsman, his main income supported him, and he didn’t pay much attention to his books sales figures. But if a man has to make living only from writing books, how is he going to be affected by the mysterious number of his book sales figure: the royal ty check and the actual sales figure are so far apart in my case. …
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As of March, 2008, a lot of publishers ask you to promote your own book at your own expense, etc. [since they must compete with internet business and the margin must be very tight]. We understand that; but there has to be a law that should reavel our book’ sales figure.
According to Dave Taylor [an internet columnist?], recently a major internet bookseller changed how to calculate book sales figures, so YOU DON’T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE THE “long tail” sales…..”
We stand with an empy bag in our hand, or we must do something together to protect good writers, who can do so much good to benedfit the public by writing good books.
PS: It’s very hard to read gray writing on the bright screen. Could it be possible to change it to dark black or something dark color which is easier to read?….. [I understand you want to be different from others..... ]
I’m having trouble tracking my sales figures. I am the author of Tennis Shoe Pimp. Please help.
This is just nuts. I am thinking of optioning a book for a film and understand it is not a publishing sensation but I cannot discover how many copies were sold. The publisher (small) is evasive. In contrast I can find the budget of a movie, its gross sales, number of screens it played on…all public knowledge.
Has anyone found a solution to getting accurate book sales figures? I have looked at a few sites. Please let me know if there is a way.