| (In which I get cranky. Be warned.) Every Or rather, about people who tout themselves as bestsellers. I don't mean the NYT or USA Today bestsellers. That's a big deal, and frankly if I made one of those lists I'd probably redecorate my house with photocopies of it. I'd get a personalized plate for my car, I'd get t-shirts made, I'd get it tattooed on my ass. Well, okay, I wouldn't go that far, honestly. But you get what I mean. Those lists are a huge deal, in terms of money and prestige, and making one of them, even the extended lists, is something to be proud of. But am I the only one who is immediately suspicious when I see someone of whom I've never heard refer to themselves as a "Best-selling author"? Or, even better, "Internationally best-selling author"? (oops, I actually typod that first one to say "Vest-selling author". Which puts a totally different spin on it, doesn't it? Actually, I get a little twinge when I see "author" anyway. I don't know why. Maybe because it seems the siren call of the vanity press is "Be a published author"? And it seems like every vanity- or self-published writer I've ever met is very careful to describe themselves as such? I say "writer". I like it better; it sounds like work. It makes me think of rolled-up sleeves and green eyeshades and empty bottles of bourbon. And while I prefer the bottles full, anything which involves bourbon is good for me. Anyway. Here's the thing about 99% of best-seller lists out there: Nobody cares that you're on them. I don't mean to downplay it as an achievement, honestly I don't. It is gratifying to be on a list. It's gratifying to be, as I was, the #1 Fantasy bestseller on Fictionwise for two weeks (see? Even I am not immune, although my tongue is firmly in my cheek, which looks kind of rude to be honest.) But the difference is, I don't think being #1 in Fantasy on Fictionwise means I have the right to change all my blog headers to "National Bestseller" or "Nationally Bestselling Author". I was pleased to see it, it was kind of neat, as Fictionwise moves a lot of ebooks. I blogged about it here because I needed a topic that day. But I didn't think it meant anything, really. I didn't think, and don't think, that it gives me some kind of authority. Don't get me wrong here. I'm for the lists; I think that little sense of achievement can be really nice on a tough day. I think it's great when bookstores track their bestsellers, I think it's great when publishers do, although EC doesn't and I actually like that too. And sales are important, obviously. But I wonder--and this is the ultimate point of this post--if all the lists springing up everywhere, in every different permutation you can imagine, doesn't put undue pressure on writers, or encourage readers to buy things they ordinarily wouldn't? If Bestseller Madness isn't infecting us all to the point that we can't think straight anymore? If people don't build those lists up to the point that failing to make one leads us to think our careers are over before they begin? If there isn't some loss of perspective involved? What about you? How much do those lists mean to you as a reader? If you're a writer, what are your thoughts on them? |
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I couldn't agree with you more! Seriously, NYT big huge deal..other lists nice, but don't talk about it on every blog post and in every appearence. I read what I want to and best selling lists mean very little to me. I trust other writers and readers to help me pick what I read not some list. That being said I am all for recognition, but let the readers give it to the writers..not the writers giving it to themselves..Yikes..I didn't mean to rant..can ya tell I work in a bookstore!
Well, I'll tell ya.. from inside the publishing house, it's always nice to be able to slip national bestseller on a cover if we can. It doesn't mean anything to a degree, but I think it's like putting NEW AND IMPROVED on a product.. maybe it has some small significance to getting your book brought to the register.
I had one month on the Locus bestseller list, and if we can fit it somewhere on the cover copy, I hope we do.
That said, I understand the dubious nature of people calling themselves bestseller and such. I think a lot of people erroneously throw it around, but that doesn't mean that the legitimate bestseller status is less valid because of their ignorance...
Lol Psynde, I think that's it, it's the "Best Seller" slapped in huge letters across web sites and blogs, and then you discover it was, like, Best Seller in a subcategory of a subcategory on a teeny-tiny book site. I think those things are still fine, and being any kind of best-seller anywhere can be a much-needed ego boost, but the line has to be drawn somewhere.
Oh, no, Anton. Locus is a big, legit list, and being on it is a great thing. I don't mean to imply here that all lists except NYT and USAT are crap; I'm talking about the ones like in my above example. Because I think the constant barrage of bestsellers tends to make the legit lists like Locus look less important, if you know what I mean. When everybody is a bestseller, nobody is, right?
I've seen people include the amazon rankings as being on a bestseller list.
Swear to God.
Which reminds me...
#12 on the Contemporary Fantasy Bestseller list.
...for like an hour.
Honestly as a reader, I don't really pay too much attention to those lists. Yes, I check out who is on the NYT list and if I see a list I stop and read it but it seldom factors into what I buy.
I think if I was a writer...that it would be very cool to see my name on a list, but as I have no actual talent...this will never happen.
I agree with what Psynde said!
#2 Fantasy & Wizards (on Amazon), baby!
Not that I technically HAVE wizards...
The words "Best Seller" doesn't mean a bloody thing to me. There are books on the best seller list that I really couldn't give a flying flip about. Maybe it's an automatic hook for some of the mindless fish swimming in the bookstores (no offense to fish), but it never hooks me.
Not that I wouldn't mind actually being on a list like that. I just wouldn't rely on it to get people to buy my book. Nor would I pound people over the head with it. Much. Ahem.
It's like listening to critics.... if you go by some of them say, you might miss some of the really good books.
Kinda OT but I agree with you on the author/writer thing. My cardiologist asked me what I did for a living and I said, "I'm a writer."
"What do you write?"
"Books."
"Then you're an author."
Fine whatever dude....*sigh*
Great post
I also say writer by default, but I say "local authors" when it comes down to folks who are writers who live in the area. So I'm probably not really biased, just have odd defaults.
I don't mind people calling themselves bestsellers when they specify the particular list. That gives you actual information. "National bestseller" doesn't.
I stopped paying attention to bestseller lists a long time ago. And I couldn't agree more with your post.
Best Seller on the means nothing to me. The author's (writer's) name means everything. If I've never heard of him/her, then I read a bit.
Really, cover art catches my eye, then if the back blurb sounds interesting I'll look inside.
#6 on Amazon's vampire list!
I outsold all of Ann Rice's vampire books... for that particular hour...
;)
I rarely pay attention to the lists, because there are so many and I don't have the skills to evaluate which mean what.
You know, the whole "Best Seller" idea can totally backfire. I have refused to read some books, many movies and several TV shows because they were so popular.
Anyway, I don't think less of someone for claiming they're a best seller. I'm a Gen Xer who grew up in America. Hyperbole flows like wine here.
Seeing "bestseller" or some variant on the cover of a book doesn't make me rush to buy a particular book. However, I do pay a lot of attention to cover blurbs, so if an author whose work I really enjoy blurbs something, I'm far more willing to go ahead and buy it, because I figure that if I like that author's writing, and they liked a new book, then I'll also like that new book. Sort of like a recommendation from a friend of a friend, in a way.
I am always happy to see au..oops I mean writers I enjoy on various lists because it means (hopefully) they will continue to write and I can continue to read. *hint, hint* But I will not buy a book just because it made a list (unless it is recommended by someone whose opinion I trust).
I look at the NYT list in my Sunday paper each week, but I've yet to rush right our and buy a book because it was on there. In fact most of what is listed isn't anything I would be interested in anyway.
(Though I will say I was very glad to see two paranormal writers on there a couple of weeks ago.)
What attracts me to certain books by new-to-me writers is cover art. Yes, I admit I have bought books strictly because I was attracted to the cover art. I think I even get this kind of glazed look in my eyes while in my little brain is squealing "Oooo Shiney!! Must have!" before I even read the back blurb to see if it will interest me.
Another thing which catches my eye is if a writer whose works I like has a comment on the cover. But the "best seller" stuff doesn't really register too much with me.