How Many Book Copies Do First-Time Authors Sell?

In this blog post, you’ll learn how many book copies do first-time authors sell?

A lot of things go into predicting how many copies of a book an author expects to sell, especially for debutants who choose to self-publish.

Sales figures mean everything to most authors, especially if the objective is for a book to be “commercially viable.”

The term “commercially viable,” when applied to selling books, refers to the ability of a book to sell enough copies to generate a significant profit for the author and the publisher.

It’s not just about the number of copies sold but also about achieving a return on investment for the time, effort, and resources put into creating, publishing, and marketing the book.

Factors That Contribute to a Book’s Commercial Viability

Genre

Certain genres, i.e., romance, mystery, and fantasy, traditionally have larger readerships and, thus, may yield higher sales.

However, a well-written book in any genre can achieve commercial success if it connects with its intended audience.

But for argument’s sake, a fantasy novel may have more potential for commercial success than a non-fiction business book. And this has nothing to do with bias.

For instance, the “Harry Potter” series is the epitome of commercial success, selling over 500 million copies worldwide.

The reason is that people of all ages fancied the uniqueness of the series, its characters, and its plot, not to mention the incomparable knack of its author, J.K. Rowling, in creating a magical world of sorcery and adventure.

On the other hand, a non-fiction business book such as “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, though highly regarded and influential (and even deemed a “bestseller”), has sold a comparatively lower number of four million copies. These examples illustrate that certain genres inherently possess more potential for commercial success than others.

Audience

Understanding the target audience is pivotal to a book’s commercial success. Authors must be aware of their audience’s demographics, preferences, and reading habits. A book that piques the interest of its target audience is more likely to generate word-of-mouth publicity and repeat sales.

How an author identifies, understands, and caters to their audience influences their book’s sales potential. The more an author knows about their target demographic, the better they tailor their writing, marketing, and promotional efforts to reach those readers.

Choosing an audience isn’t merely about identifying a group of people who might enjoy a certain genre; it’s about understanding their tastes, interests, and habits.

For one, if an author is writing a young adult fantasy series, they need to understand not just broadly what young adults enjoy but what kind of characters, plots, and themes specifically appeal to fans of young adult fantasy.

In other words, there’s more to an audience than you see on the surface. It’s about getting into the reader’s mind and intimately understanding their needs.

Authors must likewise dig into their audience’s reading habits.

Are they voracious readers who consume a week or only read a few books a year? Are they willing to spend significantly on a book, or do they typically look for bargains or prefer to borrow from the library?

Do they prefer eBooks or physical books? The answers to these questions will help authors position their books to be more appealing to the market they’re trying to infiltrate.

Marketing Strategy For Authors

A strong marketing strategy is meant to increase the book’s visibility. Some components that make up the marketing aspect are the book cover, an engaging blurb, author interviews, reviews, social media promotions, and book tours.

A strong online presence can’t be ignored these days.

If we talk about marketing, we must take into account the importance of an author’s website and social media platforms.

An author’s online presence should be strong enough to convince a potential reader or reviewer to pause and put in the attention and time to investigate. Is this author or book something worth reading?

Establishing relationships with influencers, i.e., bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers, has also become a necessity these days.

Reaching out to influencers with sizable followings and offering them free copies of the book in exchange for an honest review or an interview allows readers to learn more about the author, their writing style, and what makes their books unique.

Marketing may not be every author’s cup of tea, yet its importance cannot be denied, especially for self-publishing authors.

Distribution Channels

Distribution channels play a unique role in a book’s commercial viability. Having a book available in multiple formats, i.e., hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook and through various outlets increases its accessibility and potential for sales.

The digital age has revolutionized how books are distributed, offering opportunities and challenges to first-time authors.

The rise of online platforms like Amazon has made it easier for authors to self-publish and reach a global audience, bypassing traditional publishers and bookstores.

Also, the popularity of eBooks and audiobooks has surged, affording alternative formats that cater to the changing preferences of today’s readers. These digital formats offer convenience and accessibility, enabling readers to carry an entire library on their devices and listen to books while multitasking.

However, the digital age also means increased competition as the number of books published yearly is skyrocketing.

As a result, discoverability has become a key challenge. Writing a good book is no longer enough to guarantee commercial success.

Authors must make sure their books are visible and accessible to their target audiences, either through online stores, bookstores, libraries, or other venues.

Societal Relevance of the Book

A book’s societal relevance adds to its appeal and commercial success.

Books that touch on current issues, trends, or cultural phenomena will attract a wider readership and generate media attention, boosting sales.

Books that bode well with the cultural pulse of the time tend to perform well commercially.

They reflect, critique, or illuminate aspects of our society, often sparking meaningful discussions and debates. By tackling contemporary issues, these books become integral threads in the fabric of our collective cultural consciousness.

They offer readers a lens to view, understand, and navigate the world around them, which, in turn, increases their appeal.

The best examples are dystopian novels like “1984” by George Orwell or “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.

Though published long ago, they seemingly have this resurgence in sales due to their commentary on contemporary political climates. Similarly, books addressing issues like racial inequality, climate change, or mental health have found a receptive audience in recent years as these topics have dominated global discourse.

This cultural resonance extends beyond the narrative content of the books.

For instance, a novel written by an author from a marginalized community brings a fresh perspective and voice into the literary world, attracting readers who seek diverse narratives. These titles enrich the literary landscape and hold significant commercial potential due to their unique vantage point.

Furthermore, when a book becomes a cultural phenomenon, it often transcends the literary realm. It may be adapted into films or TV series, translated into multiple languages, or incorporated into academic curricula, thereby reaching a wider audience and driving sales. So, a book’s cultural relevance and impact will boost its commercial viability by enhancing its visibility, broadening its audience, and extending its shelf-life.

Price of Your Book

For obvious reasons, a book’s price will definitely impact its sales figures.

While covering costs and ensuring a return on investment is paramount, potential buyers must consider the price fair.

High pricing will deter buyers, but a price too low may devalue the book. A balance must be found to ensure commercial viability.

Sensibility and economics play a critical role in determining a book’s price point.

The price should reflect the book’s perceived value from the sensibility perspective.

A well-known author, a unique topic of interest, extensive research and high-quality writing can command a higher price.

Economically, the price of a book needs to cover the expenses incurred in its production, including the author’s time, the cost of editing, cover design, marketing, and distribution.

Nonetheless, the objective is not just to cover costs but also to make a profit.

As such, authors and publishers are responsible for carefully analyzing their costs, the competitive landscape, and the willingness of their target audience to pay to find the optimal price point.

What’s The Average Figure For First-Timer Authors?

It’s impossible to determine the average sales figure for first-time authors without first distinguishing fiction from non-fiction, the genre and the publishing platform.

Fiction is a rather broad category encompassing numerous genres, each with sales trends.

Romance and thriller genres typically lead the pack, with sales figures that can reach the thousands for a debut author, especially if they have an effective marketing strategy or a publishing deal.

On the other hand, genres like literary fiction or fantasy might see lower average sales numbers, often ranging in the hundreds for new authors.

Meanwhile, non-fiction has a wider range in average sales. Here’s what we mean:

• Business or reference books can sell thousands of copies, especially if they tackle a subject with timely significance or the author has proven industry credibility.
• Memoirs and biographies have comparable sales, especially if they center on an infamous or prominent personality.
• Niche topics will see the smallest sales figures mainly because of the limited audience, usually ranging in the hundreds.

The Self-Publishing Platform

Working with self-publishing platforms is the way to go for many first-time authors who don’t have the luxury of a publishing deal. One of the perks if you choose to go this route is a higher royalty rate.

Traditional publishing contracts usually offer authors royalties ranging from 10% to 15% of the retail price.

In contrast, self-publishing platforms, i.e., Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), offer authors up to 70% royalties on the retail price, providing a substantially higher income potential.

However, while the higher royalty rate is attractive, it has challenges.

The primary downside is the absence of an advance against royalties. In traditional publishing, an advance is a sum of money given to the author before the book is published.

It’s essentially a forecast of how well the book is expected to sell. Although it must be earned through book sales, it provides authors with financial security during the writing process. In self-publishing, the author carries all the financial risks and does not receive an income until the book starts selling.

Another challenge is that the author is responsible for all aspects of the publishing process, from editing and cover design to marketing and distribution. It’s time-consuming and requires a certain level of expertise.

Moreover, the high royalty rate only applies to eBooks and printed copies sold directly through the platform. The royalty rate is lower if authors opt for expanded distribution to bookstores or libraries.

What Constitutes a Success Sales Wise?

A book’s sales success is a complex metric that blends qualitative and quantitative factors.

Quantitatively, high sales volumes are the most apparent indicator of commercial success.

For some authors and publishers, selling thousands or tens of thousands of copies signifies a successful book. For others, particularly those operating in niche markets, selling a few hundred copies is already an achievement.

However, sales figures alone can’t define success.

The qualitative impact of a book, i.e.,  its cultural influence, the discussions it sparks, and its longevity in the public consciousness, are critical measures of success.

For instance, a book that sells modestly but significantly impacts its readers and induces meaningful conversations on its subject matter could be considered successful.

The royalty return is another factor to consider. A book that sells fewer copies at a high royalty rate is more profitable than one that sells more copies at a lower rate.

The author’s net earnings from the book sales, rather than the gross sales figures, are to be weighed.

And, of course, achieving the author’s personal goals is a pivotal success factor.

Success might mean reaching a wide audience for some authors, regardless of the financial return. For others, it could be having their work recognized by critical acclaim or simply having their work published.

In a way, success is a multifaceted concept that depends largely on individual goals and expectations.