The hottest Book Sales Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Forever Dying and the Always Dead; or, Literary Fiction and the Novel

Counter Craft • 1030 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
📚 Literature Literary Criticism Book Sales Cultural Commentary Reader engagement Creative Writing
  1. Literary fiction is often seen as declining, but it's still selling well. We should broaden our view and not just focus on the bestseller lists to understand its impact.
  2. The way books are sold has changed a lot over the years. Nowadays, most people find books in big stores or online, which favors more popular, commercial fiction.
  3. There's a lot of pressure on publishers to find big hits, but they could do better by supporting more authors and promoting a variety of books, not just the ones that are trending.

Common Misconceptions About Publishing IV

Notes from a Small Press • 26 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
📚 Literature Publishing Book Sales Authors Industry Trends Misconceptions
  1. People in publishing often know the industry better than outsiders, but even they may only see a small part of it. It's good to read from multiple sources to get a fuller picture.
  2. Not all books go through agents, and many small presses are bigger than people think. In fact, a small press is defined by bringing in less than $50 million a year.
  3. Bookstores decide what to stock based on profit margins, and there can be a big difference between books ordered and books actually sold. This means authors shouldn't always trust early numbers on how well their book is doing.

We've Come a Long Way

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Publishing Book Sales Writing
  1. The author shares their journey from financial struggle to success, highlighting how generosity from readers helped him transition to writing full-time.
  2. Pre-ordering a book can significantly impact its success by influencing bookstore orders, placement, and potential to become a bestseller.
  3. The book "Troubled" contains personal narratives about foster care, social class, and challenging societal norms, aiming to promote important conversations in the culture.

Joy (And Disappointment) on the One Year Anniversary of Ejaculate Responsibly

Design Mom • 1297 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Book promotion Book Sales
  1. The book 'Ejaculate Responsibly' had significant achievements such as making the New York Times bestseller list and receiving international editions.
  2. Despite positive reviews and coverage, the book has sold only 55,000 copies, which is seen as a disappointment in reaching its potential impact.
  3. 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.
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#8: How to Blow $250 on Ads For Your Self-Published Book

Shades of Greaves • 412 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Self-Publishing Advertising Book Sales Marketing Strategies Data Analysis
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Diary Entry #1: Early Numbers

Shades of Greaves • 216 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Publishing Marketing Self-Publishing Book Sales
  1. Social media followings are crucial for authors as publishers consider the 'platform' when deciding on book deals.
  2. Self-publishing a book involves challenging odds, as most books sell fewer than 300 copies in their lifetime.
  3. Tracking and analyzing book sales data is essential for authors in understanding promotional tactics' effectiveness and areas for improvement.

An Unhinged History of American Publishing, episode 3.3: The Crown Publishing Group, or: Look At That Trash Panda Go 😭

How to Glow in the Dark • 199 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📚 Literature Publishing Authors Reading Book Sales
  1. The Great Depression had a significant impact on the American publishing industry.
  2. During tough times, unconventional strategies and adapting to the audience's needs can lead to success.
  3. Observing consumer behavior and offering affordable options helped Crown Publishers thrive post-Depression.

Diary Entry #5: Correlated Numbers

Shades of Greaves • 137 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing Self-Publishing Book events Book Sales Book promotion
  1. Correlation does not equal causation, a lesson learned through analyzing book sales data.
  2. Promotional efforts like interviews, podcasts, and social media posts contribute to book sales, showcasing the importance of multiple strategies.
  3. Self-publishing involves hard work and dedication to drive sales; creative approaches are needed to boost book sales further.

Reckoning Season

Notes from a Small Press • 31 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📚 Literature Publishing Book Sales Market Trends Author insights
  1. It's possible to predict how many copies of a book will sell by looking at past sales data. This can help in planning budgets and marketing strategies.
  2. While some new books may not sell as expected, backlist titles often gain popularity over time and keep a publishing house afloat.
  3. Publishing involves managing expenses for new titles while also hoping that older books will continue to sell well, balancing both sides is key for success.