So how do you measure success?

Willowhugger · Jan 31, 2009

Just curious how you measure the success of a published book in today's markets. I'm mostly interested in what the standards of success and not success really are in today's industry.

Amongst roleplaying games, 300-500 copies is considered a success for the independent scene.

So I was curious about the equivalent for other books.

Pamster · Jan 31, 2009

This would have been better posted in the AW Roundtable forum WillowHugger, it will probably get moved there so don't be surprised to see it appear in that forum shortly.

I think this is an excellent topic and one I would be interested in learning the details on numbers so hang in there and wait for the others to see this. I don't know yet...yet...

Willowhugger · Jan 31, 2009

Well I didn't know where to post it and hope it is.

Claudia Gray · Jan 31, 2009

Your publisher decides what success is. A lot depends on their expectations and what they paid. A book that sold for a low price and wasn't expected to break out will be a huge success at the exact same sales numbers that, for a book sold for six figures and heavily promoted, would mean total failure.

awatkins · Feb 2, 2009

Porting from Sharing Leads to Roundtable. Please keep your head inside the vehicle until it comes to a complete stop. Thank you.

Mr. Anonymous · Feb 2, 2009

I measure success by the thickness of my wallet. Which means I'm a total failure. lol.

Wayne K · Feb 2, 2009

I look at where I've been, where I am, and where i could have or should have been, and divide it by four.

I can look at myself in the mirror today, and decent people love and like me, so yes, I'm quite successful even if my book makes ten cents.

Spiny Norman · Feb 2, 2009

I'd say if a book earns back its advance, it's a success, because you get to keep writing and keep making money, however small.

Similarly, Stephen King says that if you are paid for writing, and then use that money to, say, pay your electric bill, then you are a writer.

blacbird · Feb 2, 2009

Spiny Norman said:
Similarly, Stephen King says that if you are paid for writing, and then use that money to, say, pay your electric bill, then you are a writer.

Lets me out.

caw

scope · Feb 2, 2009

Willow,

Although I'm a bit confused by your question, I'll assume that you want an objective answer (i.e., the sale of how many books translates to a book reaching success). Then again, I'm not sure what you mean when you say that 300-500 copies is considered a success for the independent scene.

In any event, when speaking of books written for a general audience, published by a medium or large size publishing house, the rule of thumb I know of (based on personal experience) is that in order for the book to stay in print it has to sell a minimum of 5,000 copies a year. Even at 5,000 copies a year it's iffy.

So how do you measure success?

Willowhugger

Pamster

Counting Stars

Willowhugger

Claudia Gray

awatkins

Not harboring illegal parrot

Mr. Anonymous

Just a guy with a pen & a delusion

Wayne K

Spiny Norman

blacbird

scope

Commonsensical Maverick