Comments on: How Does a Bestseller Happen? A Case Study in Hitting #1 on the New York Times http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/ Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:39:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jeckson http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-120423 jeckson Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:35:31 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/#comment-120423 The book that first launched Knut Hamsun in the European literary scene was Hunger. When asked about the book, he told a friend, “What interests me are my little soul’s endless emotions, the special, strange life of the mind, the mysteries of the nerves in a hungry body.” And that is exactly what the book is about. An extremely strange book, and a literary revolution in the making when it was written - a lit torch thrown right in the face of the predominantly social-realist European literary establishment of the time. Its refreshing viewpoint and impulsive, lyrical style had an electrifying effect on European writers. The book that first launched Knut Hamsun in the European literary scene was Hunger. When asked about the book, he told a friend, “What interests me are my little soul’s endless emotions, the special, strange life of the mind, the mysteries of the nerves in a hungry body.” And that is exactly what the book is about. An extremely strange book, and a literary revolution in the making when it was written – a lit torch thrown right in the face of the predominantly social-realist European literary establishment of the time. Its refreshing viewpoint and impulsive, lyrical style had an electrifying effect on European writers.

]]> By: jeckson http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-120422 jeckson Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:32:55 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/#comment-120422 The book was turned down by 13 of 14 editors, and the president of one large book wholesaler even sent me PDFs on historical stats to “reset my expectations”–it could never be a bestseller. The odds seem impossible: there are more than 200,000 books published each year in the US, and less than 5% ever sell more than 5,000 copies. On a given bestseller list, more than 5 spots could be occupied by unbeatable bestsellers like Good to Great or The Tipping Point, which have been on the lists for years. The book was turned down by 13 of 14 editors, and the president of one large book wholesaler even sent me PDFs on historical stats to “reset my expectations”–it could never be a bestseller. The odds seem impossible: there are more than 200,000 books published each year in the US, and less than 5% ever sell more than 5,000 copies. On a given bestseller list, more than 5 spots could be occupied by unbeatable bestsellers like Good to Great or The Tipping Point, which have been on the lists for years.

]]> By: Gabrielle Holmefjord http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-120083 Gabrielle Holmefjord Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:07:12 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/#comment-120083 Hi Tim, I've just discovered your article/blog in my search for information on how to become a NYT #1 best seller. It was great to read about your publishing/marketing process. The information you provide is valuable to me as I'm finishing off my first book and am standing at the threshold of publishing and marketing. I was happy to learn about the idea of a meme - that was new to me. I have one too, but it'll be the content of my second book. This is going to be an exciting adventure:) Wishing you all the very best in all things!! Gabrielle Holmefjord Hi Tim, I’ve just discovered your article/blog in my search for information on how to become a NYT #1 best seller.

It was great to read about your publishing/marketing process. The information you provide is valuable to me as I’m finishing off my first book and am standing at the threshold of publishing and marketing.

I was happy to learn about the idea of a meme – that was new to me. I have one too, but it’ll be the content of my second book.

This is going to be an exciting adventure:)

Wishing you all the very best in all things!!

Gabrielle Holmefjord

]]> By: Denise Duffield-Thomas http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-118567 Denise Duffield-Thomas Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:13:01 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/#comment-118567 Really inspiring Tim - what if it does work?! Really inspiring Tim – what if it does work?!

]]> By: Michele Beauvoir http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-112173 Michele Beauvoir Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:41:54 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/08/06/how-does-a-bestseller-happen-a-case-study-in-hitting-1-on-the-new-york-times/#comment-112173 OMG! That was phenomenal advice! I'm a self-published author and it has been such a struggle. I appreciate you sharing your heart. I've been trying to so hard to get my book in the best shape possible, it takes money to get professional help. I would love your comments on my book. I can give you access to it for free if you have the time. This is my first book and I really want it to be a great blessing for people suffering from the recession. I appreciate your help in advance. Thank you. Michele Beauvoir. OMG! That was phenomenal advice! I’m a self-published author and it has been such a struggle. I appreciate you sharing your heart. I’ve been trying to so hard to get my book in the best shape possible, it takes money to get professional help. I would love your comments on my book. I can give you access to it for free if you have the time. This is my first book and I really want it to be a great blessing for people suffering from the recession. I appreciate your help in advance. Thank you. Michele Beauvoir.

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