New York Times Bestseller lists?

[roger]

Do they mean anything? Can they be useful if you get on them for promoting future books, etc?

I only ask because I discovered today for the first time that my book got on one way back in May, but nobody from the publisher either noticed or bothered to tell me, so presumably they think it's not a big deal. I don't imagine it equates to anything significant in sales, but it would have been nice to know! And I am wondering if it is the kind of thing they can put on the paperback? I let the publicist know, just in case she hadn't noticed.

Here's the link, if you're interested: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06E6DA1031F934A15756C0A9619C8B 63

[sneakers145]

I thought it was a huge deal and cause for celebration for authors, agents, and publishers alike! I definitely think it helps future books when you can be billed as a NY Times Bestselling Author.

I'm not sure why nobody noticed this or told you! Certainly it means your sales must be terrific!

Congrats!

[maestrowork]

Absolutely. If you can prove that you were on the list, even for just one week, you can call yourself "New York Times Best Seller" and put that on your books. It may or may not matter to the readers, but certainly wouldn't hurt :)

[roger]

I've just heard from my publicist at Penguin and it seems I wasn't on the list after all! Sorry, folks for raising excitement. I was one of the 'editor's choices' for that week and as such was listed on the same page as the NYT bestsellers. I am sorry for misleading everyone, but I genuinely thought that's what the link means. If you take a look at it it says nothing about Editor's choices, just is a list of books! I feel a bit silly now.

[BarbJ]

Ouch. But being listed in the NY Times is still a good thing. Along with the review you show, a very good thing. Think of all the writers who would love to change places. :D Someday you'll hit that list, from what Furst writes.

[WittyandorIronic]

Hmmm....well. First: Congratulations on being the Editor's Pick for the NYT!! That is awesome, and definitely post/blurb worthy. Second, bummer that you originally misunderstood it, but very understandable.

[Susan Breen]

Editor's choice is impressive too. I always look to that column for advice on what to read next. Congratulations!

[sneakers145]

Editor's choice is still good! Still I'm surprised nobody noticed or mentioned it when it happened. I wouldn't think the NYT would pick a book that wasn't a solid story. Congrats, again. :)

[ORION]

Actually yes and no (Lottery was one of the NYT featured debuts but wasn't on any list- it makes for a nice bump in sales)
The NYT is ORDERS not SALES and many of the best selling authors you see make the list because of a bit of machination of the publishers - embargoing or shipping all the books at a specific time to specific NYT stores. Tess Gerritsen (sorry I am such a P*** poor speller) blogs about this - her publisher asked her if she'd like to be number one - it meant changing when her book was released - going to January/feb- instead of fall-- The down side? it would mean less sales as she does HUGE Christmas sales-- she opted not to change and accept that she wouldn't be number one but she would have more sales.
You see books hit the extended list the first week they're out and then drop.
There have been a few posts about this and are several good articles about the various lists and what they mean. For example my editor says if I want to look at anything re sales numbers - look at the barnes & noble site. NOT amazon...

[roger]

Thanks everyone. I'm very embarrassed but you're all being nice about it.

It's very interesting what you say, Orion. So even if I had made it on the list, it wouldn't have meant that much? I shall console myself with that thought!

[maestrowork]

Hey, Roger, being a NYT featured or editor's pick is nothing to sneeze at. Congrats!

[Penguin Queen]

Hey, Roger, being a NYT featured or editor's pick is nothing to sneeze at. Congrats!


Well, excactly. Especially since the Editor's Choice means they actually thought about it & chose a book they really did like (unless they had been bribed, of course :-P) -- rather than engineering by publishers, as ORION points out.

I'd be bloody proud of it, if I were you!

[Will Lavender]

Like others, I watch for those Editor's Choice lists in my NYT as well.

Congrats to you, Roger, even if you misunderstood. I can clearly see how you would have done that.

[preyer]

unfortunately, you also didn't win the publisher's clearing house sweepstakes, either. man, it sucks to be you. worse, you didn't make 'preyer's list of books he bought in '07,' either! before you contemplate suicide, remember that you're worth more alive than dead as far as taxes go.

by the way, congratulations on making editor's choice. hell, yeah, i'd use that as a selling tool! i'd use the reviews from my third grade production of 'peter and the wolf,' which read: quote, 'preyer kicked ass as that tree!' unquote. then again, i'm not above that kind of thing (i.e., having a bit of pride, not whoring myself out, trying not to smile when i lie). now that i've grown up (sort of), i can use my soap opera good looks to help sell junk. now, i've seen your picture, you ain't no preyer, but if you write better than he does (trust me, that's hardly stretching your talents), maybe that'll pull you through.

i know that's a helluva dream to have seeing how i rule so much, but it's conceivable. good luck! may the force be with you.

[maestrowork]

Speaking of Soap Opera good looks... why hasn't my agent called me yet?

[preyer]

like i've told you a million times, ray, while it's great to have those gay abs, you've *got* to start trimming your toe nails. women notice stuff like that. i also told you your porn career would hurt your acting career later on, but, noooooo, no one listens to uncle preyer and then winds up living in a dumpster.

can you imagine that? preyer as someone's life coach? oh, man, the possibilities....

[David I]

worse, you didn't make 'preyer's list of books he bought in '07,' either!

Actually, there's still time to make that list--if certain people would get with the program!

NYT Editor's Choice is blurbable material! Belated congrats. And remind everybody involved in the jacket design when your next cover rolls around.

[PeeDee]

Blurable material aside, it means someone is reading your book, and someone liked your book. Heck, that'd be good enough for me.

[preyer]

*blurb!*

excuse me. damn carbonated drinks....

[Bo Sullivan]

I've just heard from my publicist at Penguin and it seems I wasn't on the list after all! Sorry, folks for raising excitement. I was one of the 'editor's choices' for that week and as such was listed on the same page as the NYT bestsellers. I am sorry for misleading everyone, but I genuinely thought that's what the link means. If you take a look at it it says nothing about Editor's choices, just is a list of books! I feel a bit silly now.

Very impressive and I would be over the moon if any editor chose my book so pat yourself on the back!

[roger]

Thanks everyone!

Hey, David I - just got to the bit where they pick up the you-know-what. I can't believe you actually... no, I won't give it away...

[David I]

Hey, David I - just got to the bit where they pick up the you-know-what. I can't believe you actually... no, I won't give it away...

I did? Cripes, that's what happens when you write drunk.

But you'd think the editor would have caught it...

[roger]

It's a great, high-energy ride, David. Seems to me that the best thriller writers achieve a kind of terse poetry in their writing. You certainly do.