Oh, it happened.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Libertine
Here's the WSJ story:
http://web.archive.org/web/200204270...-56/8-1-56.jpg
People have been resenting and tweaking the NY media establishment for nearly a century now. Maybe longer.
For cause. Remember how the NYT changed their magic formula for "bestsellerdom" to exile Harry Potter from its perpetual top spot? Well, they're at it again:
Quote:
For the last few days, the single best-selling PRINT book in the U.S. — #1 on Amazon.com, #2 on BarnesAndNoble.com — has been a SELF-PUBLISHED children’s book, a CreateSpace-printed paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Who-Wan.../dp/149617951X
In totally unrelated news, today the New York Times announced the following surprise change to how they compile their NYT Best Seller Lists:
http://lunch.publishersmarketplace.c...ardcover-only/
Yeah.  You can’t make this stuff up.
The NYT “Best Seller” Lists are pretty much a work of fiction, serialized weekly.
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http://www.thepassivevoice.com/08/20...comment-320273
From the publishers lunch piece we this nicely Orwellian explaination:
Quote:
The paper says the goal is to “better reflect the exciting range of novels for children and teenagers that are newly published.” Separate paperback and ebook bestseller lists for both middle grade and YA books will appear online only, rather than books from across all platforms.
As a result, in the first set of new lists, John Green’s three titles drop off the YA list and the only constant from this week to next is Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park, which goes from No. 9 to No. 1. The turnover is just as big on the Middle Grade list; only R.J. Palicio’s Wonder stays on from this week to the next, moving from No. 2 to No. 1.
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It is also tops in the UK.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/201...g-bedtime-read
And as of today, it is also #1 at B&N.com.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...=9781496179517
(At least until they get the memo.)
Shepherd himself said it best:
Quote:
“Did it ever occur to you that lists are compiled by mortals? When the Oscar is awarded for Best Picture was it really the Best Picture? Well, everyone is influenced by these critics. You may laugh at the people who read the Daily News, but then YOU believe in the New York Times! Did ever occur to you that the guy responsible for compiling these lists was some little guy who was stuck for four years doing obituaries? Now, it’s his job is to call bookstores and find out what’s selling this week. Well, Fred Applerot recently bought 500 copies of “Who Shot John,” and he still has 497 copies on the shelf. The guy calls and asks what’s hot? ‘WHO SHOT JOHN”! BIG HIT! Well, the little guy puts it on his list and soon everyone goes out and buys it!” — Jean Shepherd
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So basically, the hoaxes continue unabated only now the hoaxer is the NYT, hiding the real top sellers in favor of the pricier slow-selling hardcovers.