It's All About The Numbers

Here's an interesting factoid for you I just found out:

Traditionally published books come out on Tuesdays because that's when the bestseller week starts.

Now back in 2012, it's been postulated that it took 20,000 sold copies of a book before one could potentially think about hitting a bestsellers' list. But that's not all--what is important, is also the velocity of those sales. Therefore, the traditional publishing industry will think a book that sells 20,000 copies in one week then never sells another copy again is a better book (think best seller) than one that sells 1,000 copies per week for 20 weeks, even if it keeps selling 1,000 copies/week for 20 years!

And in these times where all big publishing houses are on or owned by companies on a Stock Exchange where profits are supposed to increase every year (never mind being happy with simply being profitable every year), best seller lists can make or brake many a great/fun/[insert cool adjective here] author.

Anyway, all this to show that it's more of a numbers game than one of true talent (though talent could help tip the scales in your favor).

Source:
Really great and detailed article by Kristin Kathryn Rusch.