Best seller lists punish e-books - Page 2

sianon · 10-15-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hapax legomenon

Not to be flip, but who cares about Bestseller List anymore (except the companies with dinosaur business models)?

The Top 40/Top 10 Song List still exists, but who cares (except maybe to corporate DJ's)?

I would argue that lists like the NYT are merely a barometer of what books have received the biggest marketing budget. And that is not interesting except to booksellers trying to pick what books to stock. That's not really an issue with ebook sales.

There will always be those very very sad individuals who will read anything so long as it appears in the best seller list so that they can demonstrate what 'great taste' they have and how 'up to date' they are with what is deemed to be 'good'.

MaggieScratch · 10-15-2007, 09:41 PM

For those who don't care about the best seller list--you've never published a book, have you?

There's not much you can do to help your book--you do interviews, publicity, push your book at every opportunity, and when something comes along to give you a little bit of validation, boy, it feels good! If it helps your book sell more copies, then that's just gravy.

If your book doesn't at least sell through your advance, forget publishing another one. Unfortunately, it is important to authors.

(No, I haven't had a best seller on one of the big lists, but have hit the top 10 on some of the "categories" on Amazon.)

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-15-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

How do you show what ebook a celeb is reading without a direct shot of the device's front?

Silly rabbit... uh, Wolf. You just ask them.

RWood · 10-15-2007, 10:55 PM

If Oprah likes your book it will sell. If she includes your book in her book club it will sell like hot cakes.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-15-2007, 10:59 PM

So, somebody needs to introduce Oprah to e-books. I'd do it, but I don't think she's into science fiction.

bigumpah · 10-19-2007, 04:51 PM

He, he! Actually, Oprah did endorse Cormac McCarthy's book, the Road, which could pass as sci-fi as part of her book club. The Road's a darned nice book, about a father and his son in post-apocalyptic world.

http://amazon.com/gp/product/0307387...123281-5754406

Vincent

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-20-2007, 08:46 AM

Well, if anyone wants to give it a shot, Oprah.com's e-mail gateway is here. I'm going to think about an appropriate message, and I might urge someone at MobileRead to do so even more. After all, MobileRead has become somewhat of an authority on e-books in the industry, and should be able to construct a convincing and comprehensive proposal to consider the rich world of e-books (while I'm just one author who will sound like I'm blowing my own horn!).

HarryT · 10-20-2007, 09:52 AM

Sorry, who is this "Oprah" person?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-20-2007, 10:05 AM

Okay, since you didn't include a

, I'll assume you're serious:

In a nutshell, Oprah is the today's most famous and celebrated of American talk show hosts and one of the richest women in the world. On her talk shows, she occasionally surprises her audiences by giving them ALL gifts, everything from cosmetic bags to (I swear to God) cars. Her book club is arguably as popular in the US for book selections and recommendations as the New York Times Bestseller List (that's why we brought her up). She also publishes a magazine... something else that could be a viable e-book product, once large-size e-readers go color.

(BTW, by my first sentence, I wasn't suggesting that everyone in the world should know Oprah! Just messing with you!)

JSWolf · 10-20-2007, 10:06 AM

HarryT lives under a rock.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey

Alisa · 10-20-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Her book club is arguably as popular in the US for book selections and recommendations as the New York Times Bestseller List (that's why we brought her up).

Yep. Any book she recommends is pretty much guaranteed to end up on the Best Sellers list. She has millions of very devoted fans who will basically buy anything she recommends, whether it's a book, a movie ticket or anything else. Getting a product on her Favorite Things show before Christmas is a major pursuit for droves of marketeers.

JSWolf · 10-20-2007, 01:59 PM

I personally don't care for most of what Oprah has to recommend. If it has her seal of approval, I tend to stay away. I am not a lemming.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-20-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

HarryT lives under a rock.

No... he lives on an island. And it's a fair swim away from Oprah's territory. Seriously, I wouldn't expect someone who doesn't live in the U.S. to know U.S. celebrities, any more than I can identify most UK celebs (and when I do haunt UK sites, I often find myself saying, "Whodat? Whodat? Whuzzat?").

JSWolf · 10-20-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

No... he lives on an island. And it's a fair swim away from Oprah's territory. Seriously, I wouldn't expect someone who doesn't live in the U.S. to know U.S. celebrities, any more than I can identify most UK celebs (and when I do haunt UK sites, I often find myself saying, "Whodat? Whodat? Whuzzat?").

I've asked my wife (who is from Scotland) if she's ever heard of Oprah before moving to the US and she said she has. So take that for what you will.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-20-2007, 03:05 PM

I've never endorsed nor condemned her recommendations, and more than I endorse or condemn the NYT recommendations. But I recognize them as influential over many people's buying habits.

The fact that Oprah (and other critics and lists) do as well as they do, is simply because people trust their opinions. Sure, there are a lot of people who simply give up their opinions for someone else's, simply because everyone else they know is doing it... but even that is usually because they believe the people they know are fundamentally like them, and so they trust their opinion about another opinions.

Bottom line is, there's nothing wrong with following someone else's opinion or recommendation, as long as you believe they share your values and tastes. If you feel they do not, then you should not be expected to follow their suggestions.

10-19-2007, 04:51 PM	#21
bigumpah Member Posts: 23 Karma: 23 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Axim 5V, Irex Iliad	He, he! Actually, Oprah did endorse Cormac McCarthy's book, the Road, which could pass as sci-fi as part of her book club. The Road's a darned nice book, about a father and his son in post-apocalyptic world. http://amazon.com/gp/product/0307387...123281-5754406 Vincent Last edited by bigumpah; 10-19-2007 at 04:53 PM.

10-20-2007, 10:05 AM	#24
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Okay, since you didn't include a , I'll assume you're serious: In a nutshell, Oprah is the today's most famous and celebrated of American talk show hosts and one of the richest women in the world. On her talk shows, she occasionally surprises her audiences by giving them ALL gifts, everything from cosmetic bags to (I swear to God) cars. Her book club is arguably as popular in the US for book selections and recommendations as the New York Times Bestseller List (that's why we brought her up). She also publishes a magazine... something else that could be a viable e-book product, once large-size e-readers go color. (BTW, by my first sentence, I wasn't suggesting that everyone in the world should know Oprah! Just messing with you!) Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 10-20-2007 at 10:09 AM. Reason: web site addition

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10-15-2007, 09:41 PM	#17
MaggieScratch Has got to the black veil Posts: 542 Karma: 2144168 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2	For those who don't care about the best seller list--you've never published a book, have you? There's not much you can do to help your book--you do interviews, publicity, push your book at every opportunity, and when something comes along to give you a little bit of validation, boy, it feels good! If it helps your book sell more copies, then that's just gravy. If your book doesn't at least sell through your advance, forget publishing another one. Unfortunately, it is important to authors. (No, I haven't had a best seller on one of the big lists, but have hit the top 10 on some of the "categories" on Amazon.)

10-15-2007, 10:55 PM	#19
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	If Oprah likes your book it will sell. If she includes your book in her book club it will sell like hot cakes.

10-15-2007, 10:59 PM	#20
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	So, somebody needs to introduce Oprah to e-books. I'd do it, but I don't think she's into science fiction.

10-20-2007, 08:46 AM	#22
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Well, if anyone wants to give it a shot, Oprah.com's e-mail gateway is here. I'm going to think about an appropriate message, and I might urge someone at MobileRead to do so even more. After all, MobileRead has become somewhat of an authority on e-books in the industry, and should be able to construct a convincing and comprehensive proposal to consider the rich world of e-books (while I'm just one author who will sound like I'm blowing my own horn!).

10-20-2007, 09:52 AM	#23
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry, who is this "Oprah" person?

10-20-2007, 10:06 AM	#25
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,037 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	HarryT lives under a rock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey

10-20-2007, 01:59 PM	#27
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,037 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I personally don't care for most of what Oprah has to recommend. If it has her seal of approval, I tend to stay away. I am not a lemming.

10-20-2007, 03:05 PM	#30
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I've never endorsed nor condemned her recommendations, and more than I endorse or condemn the NYT recommendations. But I recognize them as influential over many people's buying habits. The fact that Oprah (and other critics and lists) do as well as they do, is simply because people trust their opinions. Sure, there are a lot of people who simply give up their opinions for someone else's, simply because everyone else they know is doing it... but even that is usually because they believe the people they know are fundamentally like them, and so they trust their opinion about another opinions. Bottom line is, there's nothing wrong with following someone else's opinion or recommendation, as long as you believe they share your values and tastes. If you feel they do not, then you should not be expected to follow their suggestions.

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