The hottest Book Sales Substack posts right now

The author shares their journey from financial struggle to success, highlighting how generosity from readers helped him transition to writing full-time.
Pre-ordering a book can significantly impact its success by influencing bookstore orders, placement, and potential to become a bestseller.
The book "Troubled" contains personal narratives about foster care, social class, and challenging societal norms, aiming to promote important conversations in the culture.

The book 'Ejaculate Responsibly' had significant achievements such as making the New York Times bestseller list and receiving international editions.
Despite positive reviews and coverage, the book has sold only 55,000 copies, which is seen as a disappointment in reaching its potential impact.
To expand the book's reach, there is a need for a new and effective marketing strategy to increase sales, along with the support of people leaving positive reviews on platforms like Amazon.

The author tried investing $250 in ads for their self-published book but didn't see good returns, highlighting the challenges of advertising for self-published authors.
Despite spending on ads, the author sold very few copies through Facebook and Amazon, underscoring the risk of not getting desired results from advertising efforts.
Data from the failed ad campaigns is seen by the author as a way to learn and refine future advertising strategies, showing the importance of using past experiences to improve future marketing efforts.

Authors may need help from outside marketing teams if they lack time or marketing expertise.
Search-optimizing author platforms and book pages can help boost book promotion.
Authors should not solely rely on social media for book marketing; there are other effective strategies.

What constitutes 'good sales' in publishing is subjective and varies between houses and genres.
BookScan data on Amazon may not be reliable for tracking book sales.
Having a book tour included in your contract doesn't guarantee that your publisher will actually organize one for you.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Social media followings are crucial for authors as publishers consider the 'platform' when deciding on book deals.
Self-publishing a book involves challenging odds, as most books sell fewer than 300 copies in their lifetime.
Tracking and analyzing book sales data is essential for authors in understanding promotional tactics' effectiveness and areas for improvement.

The Great Depression had a significant impact on the American publishing industry.
During tough times, unconventional strategies and adapting to the audience's needs can lead to success.
Observing consumer behavior and offering affordable options helped Crown Publishers thrive post-Depression.

Correlation does not equal causation, a lesson learned through analyzing book sales data.
Promotional efforts like interviews, podcasts, and social media posts contribute to book sales, showcasing the importance of multiple strategies.
Self-publishing involves hard work and dedication to drive sales; creative approaches are needed to boost book sales further.

Setting the price for a self-published book involves considering market factors and personal ethics.
Authors often make more royalties selling books online, like Amazon, compared to through bookstores.
Charging more for books might increase royalty percentages but could also impact potential buyers' willingness to pay.