A Cynical Take On: How a Bestseller Author Always Have More Than One Bestseller

It may take much to have the first bestseller, it doesn't take as much to have bestsellers after.

A bestseller writer rarely has only one bestseller. A quick google search on the phrase bestseller writers reveals this list.

Take a look at the list and identify which particular writer has a total grand sum of one bestseller. The answer would be a resounding none. Still not convinced? A quick wiki search reveals the following list.

Let me know if you still think otherwise. So, why does a bestseller writer always exclusively have more than one bestseller?

I may have stumbled upon the reason years back.

About a decade or so ago, I had made a vow to buy a new book each month after my payday. That wasn't the starting point of my journey as a reader but a pivotal one. It leads to me discovering that there are cheaper avenues for me to source reading materials, given that a book generally costs quite a bomb in this part of the world. That has enabled me to acquire a truckload of books and the freedom to discover authors that I have not discovered before, without burning too big a hole in my pocket.

It is during this journey that I discover Man and Boy by Tony Parsons. I was mesmerized by the story of how a man comes to terms with his life and achieves a degree of self-respect, bringing up his son alone and, gradually, learning what words like love and family really mean. This was after a stupid decision on a fling, despite having a loving wife.

From the moment of putting the book down, I’ve tracked down Tony’s other works and discovered that the book was part of a trilogy. In the next couple of years, I have attempted to track down more books of his. Between discounted book fair and limited budget, it was hard work. Nevertheless, I have tracked down no less than a handful of books by the same writer.

But alas, I could not rediscover the magic, or should I say Tony did not replicate his magic across his other works? For every book from the same writer that I’ve read after this first book that captures my heart, I couldn’t help but feel that the first book is the best. Not wanting to give up, I tried other series from him too, though I was hit by the same failure nonetheless.

It dawns on me that, one of the reasons bestseller writers typically have more than one bestseller is fans like me. Fans who, after reading a great masterpiece, tried to find another gem from the same writer, only to be disappointed. And yet, because of the sensation of the first piece that capture our hearts, we gave the same writer one chance after another, and then some. We long for the same feeling again and fail to do so, over and over again. Before we realize it, we must have given the writer a dozen of chances.

The irony is that, before I pick up the next book from the same writer, I’ve always read a sticker or a banner on the cover or back cover of the book saying the writer was best known for other bestsellers. To add salt to the wound, the book I’ve picked is a bestseller on its own.

I can almost guarantee you that the next book that J.K. Rowling write if it ever happens, will be a bestseller regardless. So does Tim Denning’s next story in Medium. All their work may have been a bestseller but it doesn't mean that every one of them is a piece of art. Sometimes, just sometimes, it may be the reputation that precedes them, some luck, and a huge following.

Learning for success in life

As a writer myself now in Medium, as with other inspiring writers, I believe a similar phenomenon could happen to us. We may feel demotivated by our languished results. We may write great pieces but have nothing much to show in terms of returns and readership. But that doesn't mean we are bad writers or can’t be compared with other more successful writers.

We just need more time to get more exposure.Until then, let’s keep what we are doing well, and improve on where we can.

The same goes for other content creators, whether you are making Youtube videos, writing blogging, or building your own websites or businesses.

Writer’s note: This is a satirical piece for entertainment purposes. By no means its the writer's wish or intention to belittle other writers, especially given the wide gap between the writer and those accomplished writers through time.

Special credit to Yana for her piece that leads me to the discovery of Coffee Times.