The NYT Bestseller List is BROKEN!!! Reactions from a hard-working author.
- Angel Ramon
- Aug 25, 2017
- 5 min read
Disclaimer: This is an editorial piece and reflects my opinions about the topic. Feel free to leave your own opinions in the comments section.
As the title suggest, looks like "gaming and farming" the system is not limited to Amazon. It's been discovered that someone was bold enough to game their way to the top of the holy grail of the author trade. Yeah that's right, the New York Times bestseller list. The ultimate measuring stick for the most successful of authors has been made into a total mockery. Now I could go into how the scam was done and how it was uncovered, but I won't. I don't want to simply be another website that says the same thing that has been said already. If you want to learn more about the scam itself, please read this well-written article.
Above is the book in question, "Handbook for Mortals". I read a preview on Amazon and could not continue. It was written poorly, but I think what hurt more was that this book had cheated its way to the top to the point where I just refused to read anymore.
I will give you my simple theory on how this scam was probably pulled off:
The idea of the scam was the book was labeled "out of stock" and the guy (Probably from the publishing company) placed the order knowing the books were never going to arrive because he's with the publisher and the book was labeled "out of stock" on purpose. He knew that the books could not be delivered at a decent time for his so called "public event". That ensured he could get his money back to return them although it was labeled as a sale to the NYT reporting algorithm. It sounds dirty, because it really is and it's probably the worst scam to hit the author trade in history.
It's so bad that this scam makes clickfarming Amazon look like child's play. While it doesn't make clickfarming right, but this scam hit the paperback market and might have netted the author and publisher hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of just tens of thousands.
Now enough about the scam itself, what I really want to talk about is the fallout. What will become of the author trade, will this affect new authors coming into the picture, will the NYT list be the same ever again, and what do I think myself. So sit back and read on my fellow fans.
What will be of the author trade and how does this affect new authors?
While it's too early to tell what will be the effects of the scam to the trade, one thing is for sure, consumer confidence will dip down even lower to the point where they will refuse to give new authors a chance. Even though the new authors could actually be good, but because the scamming author was a newbie, the scammer label will be placed on new authors from the beginning until proven otherwise. To put it another way, new authors will have a stigma of being a scammer and someone looking for a quick buck until they release their first book and prove the public otherwise. It's like a baby is born with "original sin", until they are baptized they are considered dirty sinners. The same will go for future authors as scamming has taken off this year. Basically this major scam might introduce a "original sin" aspect to the author world and new authors will find it harder to gain respect and actual help. I will say that this scam has created a huge dent in the author trade and is going to create a nasty stigma for us authors where readers will be alot more careful in choosing books to read. As a result some well written books could be left out and cause authors to quit because of a lack of readers. I think its important for readers to remain loyal to their favorite authors and try to understand that these scams do not represent the whole author community, in fact it only represents the dark 5 to 10% of the community.
As a Amazon bestseller for horror short stories, I would love to hit the NYT bestseller charts. However, I always felt that the NYT charts were overrated and only favored the books that were published by the big five. Well after this scam, I guess I was right about my train of thought. Only now, the NYT times is not only a joke figuratively, but I'm afraid it's been made into a joke literally as well. The NYT bestseller list is at best tainted and at worst is no longer a reliable source of the best books that are out there. I know you're saying, "Angel is only one book!" Well it might be only "one" book, but how do you know it will be the only book and a smarter scammer won't try the same thing with the only difference that he/she takes their time.
Listen, the problem is that ppl are acceptant to loopholes and scams. People have become attached to the idea of pusedo/fake love, items, bestsellers, and fake news. It's a much bigger problem I'm afraid. Although the book was taken off the list, the fact that it got there is still insulting to all authors and shows even the most gateway protected list can be scammed. To finish off this section, the NYT is at best still an ok way to measure a books success and at worst it's a complete joke of its former self.
Finally how do I feel about it. Well I'm pretty pissed off, but as you can tell how this article is written, I'm rather calm about it. I have to be as I'm doing well for myself. However, I'm still concerned about the future of my dear trade, but it's more concern than anger. This could be why I never become traditionally published, too much about money and less about the creative art. I'm concerned for the authors who are new and those who might be stuggling to make it. This alone can destory one's confidence and it will be up to me to restore that confidence one might lose. On the flip side of the coin, this is a problem that needs to be fixed right now! Or at least a solution should be discussed, because I'm sure this is not the last time we will see a book scam its way to the top.
I just never thought I would be covering another scam so soon... so the saga continues I'm afraid. Until next time everyone, enjoy your weekend!
