Writing a bestseller is akin to sailing into uncharted waters; the journey is shrouded in mystery, and the route to success remains elusive. Writers embark on this voyage, guided only by intuition and their storytelling compass, navigating the tempestuous sea of creativity with uncertain winds.
Danielle Steel, a prolific American author, writes about things like family, courage, loyalty, fear, revenge and love. Miss Steel herself humbly states that she writes "about stuff that happens to all of us," although some might argue she leans a bit more toward the dramatic side of life, featuring opulent palazzos and emotions, and a tad less on the mundane matters such as tax returns or the daily rituals like trimming one's toenails or grocery shopping. However, this apparent dichotomy hardly diminishes her literary prowess, for her books transcend the boundaries of ordinary storytelling. With an astounding repertoire of over 200 books to her name, including the recent release "Happiness" last August and the upcoming "Second Act" slated for October, Danielle Steel has solidified her status as one of the world's bestselling living authors. In fact, according to some claims, she might just be the best. Her words have resonated with readers worldwide, with over a billion copies sold, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape.
Her novels, like literary sediment, grace the shelves of countless
holiday cottages, and her name has become synonymous not just with books but
with an enduring brand. Even those who have never cracked open one of her
novels are familiar with the term "a Danielle Steel." Paradoxically,
the literary world often turns a blind eye to her immense popularity, but there
is no denying that she has made an indomitable mark on the world of letters,
capturing the hearts and imaginations of readers around the globe.
Miss Steel is a bit unusual in the writing world. The truth is
that writing and publishing books is a very strange business. In 2022, it was
worth a huge amount of money, about $21.8 billion just in America! But if you
look at the books that get talked about a lot in the world of literature, they
usually focus on smart and serious stuff, not the kinds of books that sell
really well. It is kind of like they ignore the fact that books can be a big
business. Imagine reading a history book about English literature. It talks a
lot about famous writers like Shakespeare and uses fancy words like
"sublime" and "blank verse." But when it comes to words
like "business" and "turnover" – the kind of words we use
when we talk about making money – it is like those words don't even exist in
the book.
Now, there is another way to look at this. Some people do embrace
popular novels, the ones that many people love to read. They even call them
"delights for the intellect," which means they think these books can
be smart and enjoyable. But there is also a feeling that these books sometimes
make people uncomfortable. When someone writes about these best-selling books,
they might start by saying that even the simplest stories have their own value.
But as they keep talking, they might start saying not-so-nice things about
these books, which can be a bit mean.
In the world of books, the business depends quite a bit on those books
that some people might not respect much – the bestsellers. When
September rolls around, it is like the starting gun for publishers. They
release new books, hoping that at least some of them will be money-spinners.
But here's the thing: most books don't end up making a profit. It is pretty expensive to make, print, and promote a
book, costing around £12,000-15,000 (that is about $15,000-19,000), according
to the available published evidence. To put it simply, publishers need to sell
about 5,000 copies of a book just to break even. But most books never get close
to that number. In fact, as reported in The Economist news magazine,
only 0.4% of books sold in Britain last year sold more than that. But then we
have authors like Danielle Steel, whose books fly off the shelves. In Britain
alone, she sold 268,000 copies of her books this year. You could call them
"jam tarts" – maybe not the fanciest treat, but people can't seem to
get enough of them.
Without putting it in so many words, even though publishers really
want to make money, they can't always predict which books will be the big hits.
It is like they are rolling the dice. Bestsellers, it turns out, are pretty
random. This explains why some publishers, like Random House, live up to their
name – they are random when it comes to choosing which books to publish. The
people who decide what gets published, the editors, aren't exactly experts at
picking winners. Instead, it is more like they are buying tickets for a
literary lottery and hoping for the best. So, in the world of publishing,
claiming credit for a bestseller is a lot like taking credit for the weather –
it is mostly just a roll of the dice.
It is worth pointing out that the term "bestseller" became a part of the literary world back in the 1890s,
and shortly after that, we started seeing lists of these popular books. What is
interesting is that patterns in bestsellers became clear pretty quickly. When
you read a best-seller, you might think the writing has to be really good, and
sometimes it is. For example, H.G. Wells, who was an English writer, had his
books top these early lists. But here's the catch – the writing quality doesn't
always have to be super high. You can see that in a book like "The Da
Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, which became a huge best-seller despite not
being seen as high literature.
In the world of bestsellers, there are a couple
of key things to keep in mind. First, it is no secret that stories involving sex
tend to sell well, but the real jackpot is celebrity. Books written by famous
people or about famous people often become bestsellers. A great example is
Prince Harry's book "Spare," which came out in January and set
records as the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever.
Now, let’s jump ahead to 2018. A group of
researchers from Northeastern University decided to dig into almost eight
years' worth of New York Times bestsellers. What they found might
surprise you – bestsellers are kind of predictable. So, if you are an aspiring
writer, there are some tips to keep in mind. Fiction books sell better than
non-fiction, and the genres that sell the best are thrillers and romance.
Having a famous name matters, so if you want to make it big, write a lot. And
if you are set on writing non-fiction, which usually doesn't sell as well,
consider writing a biography because those tend to do pretty well in the
market.
Explaining why some books become successful while others don't is
like trying to unravel a mystery for many writers. Ian Fleming, the famous
author who brought James Bond to life, took a crack at it in 1956. In his essay
about writing successful books, he argued that there is a simple recipe for a
bestseller: you need to keep readers turning the pages. It is a bit like saying
the secret to making a delicious meal is simply making it taste good. While it
is true to some extent, it doesn't exactly answer the question of what makes a
story truly engaging. Many thriller writers compare crafting good prose to
cooking a tasty dish – you might not always know the exact ingredients, but you
sure know it when you see it and read it. Some writers even think that if there
were a surefire formula for success, then everyone would be writing
bestsellers. After all, no writer sits down with the goal of creating a story
that only a handful of people will ever read.
To put it plainly, if you take a closer look at the recent
bestsellers on the New York Times list, you can spot some trends. In one
particular week, the top ten bestsellers had a few common threads. Three of
them were romance novels, one was a thrilling suspense story, and four were all
written by one author, Colleen Hoover. What is intriguing is that Colleen
Hoover, a writer known for romance novels, first got her start by
self-publishing her debut book, "Slammed." Her journey shows that
success in the literary world can be unpredictable and doesn't always follow a
set path. Among these top ten bestsellers, only one book, "The Covenant of
Water," leaned more towards the literary side. It had melancholic
characters, an abundance of comparisons (similes), and a tendency to use
uncommon words like "gloaming." This contrast highlights the diverse
preferences of readers and the various routes to literary triumph.
Prolific Pens
Bestselling books often transport readers to exotic locales, a
trend that has persisted over the years. Ian Fleming, the mind behind James
Bond, noted that his stories basked in perpetual sunshine, evoking glamorous
settings. Similarly, Danielle Steel's book titles like "Five Days in
Paris" and "Sunset in St. Tropez" showcase her penchant for
alluring destinations, steering clear of mundane places like "Fortnight in
Glasgow." Furthermore, a distinctive character naming convention emerges,
where female protagonists often bear names like "Lily" and express
sentiments like "I only want you," while male characters employ
terse, action-oriented dialogue such as "We’ve got rifles and grenades.
They’ve got .50-cals." Interestingly, the realm of accountancy remains
underrepresented in the pages of these bestsellers. A closer look at the stylistic aspects of these books reveals concise and
repetitive sentences, drawing a parallel to the literary brevity associated
with authors like Ernest Hemingway. It is as if the authors are taking a
literary vacation, favoring succinctness and ease of readability.
Delving deeper into the craft of bestsellers,
research plays a pivotal role. Bestselling authors meticulously utilize their
research to enrich their narratives. For instance, in a recent Danielle Steel
novel, readers are immediately immersed in the grandeur of Rome, as the heroine
gazes upon iconic landmarks like "Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City,
the dome of the San Carlo al Corso Basilica, and to the north, the Villa Medici
and the Borghese Gardens." Such vivid descriptions not only immerse
readers in the setting but also contribute to word count, a subtle technique
employed by authors. In a similar vein, "The Da Vinci Code" provides
readers with meticulously detailed tours through Paris, to the extent that it
feels akin to using an elaborate and somewhat verbose navigation system rather
than simply reading a book. This meticulous attention to detail serves to
transport readers to the heart of the story's location, enhancing the overall
reading experience.
One of the most remarkable qualities of bestselling authors is
their astonishing productivity. Take James Patterson, for example, an American
thriller writer who has penned over 340 books, with some created in
collaboration with other writers. This prolific output might seem less like
traditional writing and more like a continuous stream of typing. A common mantra
among bestselling authors is "Don’t get it right, get it writ,"
emphasizing the importance of getting words down on paper, even if they are not
perfect. Danielle Steel, in her pursuit of storytelling, pushes herself to the
limit, even writing until her fingers are sore and her nails bleed. This
dedication to the craft is a testament to the relentless drive that fuels these
authors.
However, it is worth noting that the fast pace of writing in
bestsellers may come at a cost. The sentences within these books sometimes lack
the depth that introspection and self-criticism can provide. In some instances,
a more thoughtful review or editing process may have improved the quality of
the prose. For instance, there are sentences that, upon closer examination,
leave readers with lingering questions. In one scenario, a character discovers
her lover in bed with someone else and reflects that the only thing that struck
her was his face, which appeared as expressionless as his buttocks. Despite
multiple readings, this sentence may still retain an air of mystery, hinting at
the complexities of human emotion and reaction that could have been explored
more deeply.
In the world of bestselling authors, the balance between prolific
output and literary refinement remains a topic of discussion. Some argue for
the importance of quantity, while others advocate for a more measured approach
with room for introspection and refinement. Surprisingly, if your aspiration is
to write a bestseller, you might want to disregard the advice of seasoned
authors like Danielle Steel and other novelists. The best-selling book in
America over the past decade wasn't penned by any of them; it was "Oh, the
Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. Another literary gem, "The Very
Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, secured the third spot on the list.
What is fascinating about these works is that they are children's books, not
only selling well but enduringly popular, amassing fans across generations.
Children's books have a unique knack for adhering to the
bestseller formula effortlessly. They often feature sentences of Hemingwayesque
brevity, which means the writing is concise and straightforward. Additionally,
these stories typically unfold in pleasant settings, immersing young readers in
inviting and relatable environments. The importance of good weather often plays
a role in these narratives, contributing to the overall appeal. Eric Carle's
description of a sunny Sunday morning in "The Very Hungry
Caterpillar," with the warm sun rising and a simple "pop," is
emblematic of how children's books can create a world that captivates readers
and transcends boundaries.
The enduring popularity of children's books
demonstrates the timeless appeal of well-crafted storytelling. These books not
only capture the imaginations of young readers but also resonate with adults,
fostering a love for literature that lasts a lifetime. So, if you are
considering writing a bestseller, perhaps exploring the world of children's
literature could be a rewarding avenue to explore.
Notes
Bhatt, J. (2023, May 2). 'The Covenant of
Water' Tells the Story of Three Generations in South India. Retrieved from
NPR: https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173052459/cutting-for-stone-author-abraham-verghese-new-novel-the-covenant-of-water
Britannica. (2023, July 18). James Patterson.
Retrieved from Britannica: Arts & Culture: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Patterson
Brown, D. (2006). The Da Vinci Code. New
York: Anchor Books.
Mead, R. (2023, January 13). The Haunting of
Prince Harry. Retrieved from The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/23/prince-harry-memoir-spare-review
Prince Harry . (2023). Spare. New York:
Random House.
Schulze, B. (2023). Oh, the Places You’ll Go,
by Dr. Seuss. Retrieved from The Children's Book Review:
https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/oh-the-places-youll-go-by-dr-seuss-book-review/
Steel, D. (2023). About Danielle Steel.
Retrieved from Danielle Steel: The Official Website: https://daniellesteel.com/about-danielle/
Strom, M. (n.d.). Parents' Guide to The Very
Hungry Caterpillar. Retrieved from Common Sense Media:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-very-hungry-caterpillar
Temple, E. (2019, May 28). Ian Fleming Explains
How to Write a Thriller. Retrieved from Literary Hub:
https://lithub.com/ian-fleming-explains-how-to-write-a-thriller/
The Economist. (2023, August 25). Pulp
Fiction: How to Write a Bestseller. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/08/25/how-to-write-a-bestseller
Tikkanen, A. (2023). Colleen Hoover.
Retrieved from Britannica: Arts & Culture: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Colleen-Hoover
Watson, A. (2023, June 16). Estimated Net
Revenue of the Book Publishing Industry in the United States from 2008 to 2022.
Retrieved from Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/271931/revenue-of-the-us-book-publishing-industry/#statisticContainer
Wikipedia. (2023, August 9). Bestseller.
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestseller
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