Defining Success in Publishing
The definition of success in the publishing industry varies greatly depending on various factors. These factors include the genre, author, and publishing method.
Book Sales and Genre Impact
The genre plays a significant role in determining a book’s success. Some genres have a larger readership and tend to sell more copies than others. Niche genres may have a smaller target audience, resulting in fewer sales.
Most self-published authors sell 250 books or less. The average U.S. book sells less than 200 copies per year. Traditionally published books sell around 3,000 copies on average with only 250 of those sales in the first year.
Fewer than 500 books sold more than 100,000 copies last year. 10 books sold over a million copies.
To be considered a best seller, around 5,000 copies need to be sold in one week. Selling over 15,000 copies would get a publisher’s attention for an author’s second book.
Success also depends on the number of books sold relative to the size of the book’s target audience.
Metrics for Success in Book Sales
For self-published books, selling 10,000 copies is considered successful since authors lack big publishers’ support. To hit an Amazon Top 100 list takes about 1,000 sales. Most books sell less than 100 copies.
Traditionally published nonfiction books sell around 250-300 copies in year one. For these publishers, 10,000 lifetime sales signals success. Books must also earn back advances paid to authors. A $200,000 advance needs more sales than a $3,000 one to succeed.
Bestseller thresholds also vary. The New York Times list requires about 5,000 sales in one week. But category and release timing matter.
The Reality of Book Sales Figures
Just a few big hits drive most sales. Last year only 10 books sold over 1 million copies and fewer than 500 hit 100,000. One blockbuster outsells hundreds of thousands of others.
Sales volume alone does not guarantee success. Some books sell modestly but launch lucrative speaking careers or consultancies.
The average book sells about 500 copies.
Of 500,000+ published books each year, under 20 sell a million copies. The odds are under 1 in 25,000.
Insight from Author Surveys
We’re all intensely curious about sales figures. My survey of published authors found 9% had no idea of their sales figures. Here were the results:
- If selling 10,000 book copies, it’s considered successful.
- With 10% royalties on a $10 book, an author earns $10,000 from 10,000 copies.
While $15,000 sounds like a lot, it could take years to sell 10,000 books.
Instead of focusing solely on sales, authors should consider how much opportunity, revenue, and fulfillment their book generates.