We’re told that 10,000 pre-orders constitutes a good chance of being on the best-seller list (depending on the competition), and 20,000 would be a big deal
Bestseller algorithms are secret and shifty, but hardcover is generally believed to count a little more. And as for overall impact, if either format is good for you, a hardcover preorder helps more because it encourages the publisher to print a bigger initial run of physical copies, which can get pumped into stores and onto shelves where people will see them.
I would assume e-book orders will also play a role in encouraging the publisher to print more physical copies, because it indicates that more people are interested in reading the book.
Yep! This is the first time I’m hearing the claim that hardcover matters more for bestseller lists; but I do believe hardcover preorders matter a bit more than audiobook preorders (which matters a bit more than ebook preorders). I was assuming the mechanism for this is that they provide different amounts of evidence about print demand, and thereby influence the print run a bit differently. AFAIK all the options are solidly great, though; mostly I’d pick the one(s) that you actually want the most.
Does hardcover vs. ebook matter here?
Bestseller algorithms are secret and shifty, but hardcover is generally believed to count a little more. And as for overall impact, if either format is good for you, a hardcover preorder helps more because it encourages the publisher to print a bigger initial run of physical copies, which can get pumped into stores and onto shelves where people will see them.
I would assume e-book orders will also play a role in encouraging the publisher to print more physical copies, because it indicates that more people are interested in reading the book.
Yep! This is the first time I’m hearing the claim that hardcover matters more for bestseller lists; but I do believe hardcover preorders matter a bit more than audiobook preorders (which matters a bit more than ebook preorders). I was assuming the mechanism for this is that they provide different amounts of evidence about print demand, and thereby influence the print run a bit differently. AFAIK all the options are solidly great, though; mostly I’d pick the one(s) that you actually want the most.
I’d assume so, but the post didn’t mention that as a consideration. @So8res, edit the post to point that out?