How the New York Times Crafts Bestseller Lists The New York Times bestseller lists are a benchmark of success in the publishing industry. They represent an author's skill and luck, but how do these lists come about?
What factors influence their rankings? And what role do online retailers like Amazon play in shaping them?
History of the NYT Bestseller Lists Since 1931, the New York Times bestseller lists have been a staple of American literature. Initially, they were based on sales data from independent bookstores and wholesalers.