Why Book Sales Aren’t the Greatest Measure of Writing Success
Every writer I know wants to sell lots of books (including me). But units sold doesn’t always translate to high-quality work. Get the deets in this video.
I have to admit that the manipulation of the bestseller lists burns my biscuit to almost black.
Maybe it’s just because I grew up so poor. I’ve had to work ridiculously hard to build what I have. The fact that people can just waltz in, disregard that kind of effort, and use money to push qualified writers out of the way feels like just yet another slap in the face on top of all the others I’ve experienced. I’ve never once bought my way into anything, and I take issue with anybody who does it given that hard work is supposed to mean something.
But as a wordsmith and musician, I also can’t help but believe that the practice also violates the entire concept of meritocracy that’s supposed to be present in the arts. There’s of course some subjectivity when judging things like writing, but the basic principle is that, if you suck, you’re at the bottom, and if you’ve got some chops, you’re at the top. Combining natural talent with consistent practice is where exceptionality sits.
The good news is, if you understand how money can talk, you can intentionally set it aside in your analysis. The points I mention in the video, plus other elements like what you hear in your feedback, can reassure you that your chops really are there.
As a final point, as others often point out, I’ll mention that TONS of authors we widely respect today barely paid their bills. Kafka, Thoreau, Dickenson — they all failed to reach acclaim during their lifetimes. So, if you don’t either, don’t worry. You’re in great company.