Someone asked me a really great question today:
“Why don’t you think I should aim for a bestseller?”
And oof—what a question. I had a lot to say (obviously), so I recorded a short audio about it. You can listen to that below if you want the unfiltered version ⤵️
But if you’re in skim-and-scroll mode right now, here’s the gist:
Bestseller lists aren’t what they used to be.
We all grew up thinking that being a “bestselling author” was the pinnacle of success. That it meant your book had been chosen, celebrated, universally loved. That it would change everything for you.
But in reality? Most bestseller lists are smoke and mirrors.
Amazon categories are notoriously easy to manipulate—you just need a niche category and a decently timed spike in sales. Even the prestigious lists (yes, even the New York Times) are curated based on opaque criteria, personal preferences, and, in some cases, literal pay-to-play marketing strategies.
And here’s the real kicker: even if your book does hit a list, that doesn’t mean it’s going to last.
Because writing a bestselling book doesn’t mean you’ve written a good one. It just means you sold enough copies in a small enough window to spike a chart.
And that’s the part I want you to pause on.
Do you want your book to spike… or to stick?
A bestseller might look good in your bio, but it doesn’t guarantee lasting impact, long-term income, or a meaningful connection with your readers.
Now, I get it—“mid-list” doesn’t sound nearly as glamorous. But in publishing, mid-list books are where a LOT of money is made. In fact, MOST of a publisher’s income (and hint: the AUTHOR’S income) comes from those mid-list books.
Instead of focusing all your energy on hitting some arbitrary list during a three-week launch window, I want you to write a book that builds. That might not sound as sexy, but hear me out:
Mid-list authors are the ones whose books don’t make a huge splash on launch day—but they quietly, steadily sell over time. These are the books that build audiences organically. That people recommend to their friends. That get dog-eared, underlined, and brought up in conversations years after they’re released.
These are the books that sell steadily for years.
The ones people actually recommend to their friends.
The ones that keep working for you long after the launch hype is over.
You might be surprised by some mid-listers, like:
- 📚 Rich Dad, Poor Dad
- 📚 How to Win Friends and Influence People
- 📚 In Cold Blood
None of those were instant bestsellers. But they’ve gone on to become legacy books. Books that continue to influence, inspire, and generate revenue decades later.
That’s the kind of book I want you to write. Not a flash-in-the-pan “bestseller,” but a book that actually makes you money, gets you clients, grows your brand, and positions you as the voice in your space.
Not a launch-day trophy. A long-term asset.
If you’re going to spend three (or six or twelve) months writing a book, wouldn’t you like it to work harder for you?
Wouldn’t you like it to keep selling while you sleep? To keep bringing new clients into your world? To keep landing you speaking gigs, podcast interviews, and media features?
You don’t get that from a book that peaks during a carefully engineered 10-day window. You get that from a book with substance. A book that delivers actual value to the reader. A book people remember—and talk about.
And the truth is, your dream clients can tell the difference.
They can tell when a book is all fluff and no depth. When it’s a recycled blog post in hardcover clothing. When it’s just another marketing play.
But when you give them something real? Something that actually shifts their thinking or solves a meaningful problem?
That’s when everything changes. That’s when your book starts working for you—long after the launch confetti settles.
So if not “bestseller,” then what should you aim for?
Aim for resonance. Longevity. Impact.
Write a book that actually helps people.
Write a book that reflects the depth of what you do, the power of your voice, and the unique perspective only you can offer.
Write a book that becomes the book in your niche—the one everyone passes around, the one your peers reference, the one your audience keeps on their nightstand.
Pin for later ⤵️
Want to write that book?
That’s exactly what I help my clients do inside 90 Days to a Damn Good Book—my small-group program for coaches, speakers, and big-idea entrepreneurs who want to write a high-impact nonfiction book that lasts.
Inside, I show you exactly how to:
- Design a book that aligns with your brand + business
- Create a book structured to keep readers hooked from first to last page
- Write it in a way that’s joyful, efficient, and sustainable (no burnout here)
And yes, you can do it in between 6 weeks and 90 days.
So if you’re done chasing launch-day vanity metrics and ready to create a book that works harder than any funnel ever could, check out 90 Days to a Damn Good Book. Your future readers—and future clients—will thank you.
If you’re ready to write a book like THIS, then you need 90 Days to a Damn Good Book. It’s my small-group program that shows you exactly how to design + write your high-impact book that lasts. And the best part is, you can write your first draft in 90 days!
Your nonfiction book bestie
Hi, I’m Holly.
I’m Holly Ostrout, a nonfiction book and publishing coach. I’ve worked on books since 2014 and coached nonfiction authors since 2018. I help entrepreneurs (mostly women) write one Damn Good Book™ that brings in clients, lands speaking gigs, and makes their business simpler, smarter, and more visible.
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