Here's my new plan for literary world domination: Strip the tape off of my change jar, which now reads "Starbucks $" and replace it with one that says "New York Times bestseller $." And set up a Paypal account for contributions, while I'm at it.
While I'm not so sure this would do the trick (not on my budget, anyway) Seth Godin's blog post, Payola, indicates that highly-esteemed -- and often financially rewarding -- New York Times bestseller status can easily be bought.
I've heard of this happening, and I've also heard that many books (romances in particular) which sell more copies than the listmakers are routinely ignored by the New York Times. As a member of the reading public, how do you feel about this? And how much are you influenced as you select your books by the bestseller status of the author?
While I'm not so sure this would do the trick (not on my budget, anyway) Seth Godin's blog post, Payola, indicates that highly-esteemed -- and often financially rewarding -- New York Times bestseller status can easily be bought.
I've heard of this happening, and I've also heard that many books (romances in particular) which sell more copies than the listmakers are routinely ignored by the New York Times. As a member of the reading public, how do you feel about this? And how much are you influenced as you select your books by the bestseller status of the author?
Comments
As for me, I would be honored to appear on either one, and the Times list is a goal I've dreamed of (along with most other authors) since I began writing. As long as I don't have to personally buy my way onto it. :)
The books I love the most (like anything by William Trevor) simply don't show up on the list, and never will.
BookSense picks make more sense to me. They have nothing to do with payola, or who your agent is. The list is made up by booksellers, people who read and love books of all kinds. Some picks are bestsellers, some are not. My work has appeared on that list. And that, my friends, was a dream come true.