Bestseller List, Take 2--Part 1

Anybody out there notice that the current bestseller list for fiction wasn’t posted until around November 8? It was very late, along with all the other lists, except for the Top 50 list, which was put up around the end of October, as it should have been. Fiction continues to make a good showing on the Top 50 list. The top twelve spots on the fiction list all made it to the Top 50. (The Top 50 list represents all books—other than bibles—sold within the Christian market, both nonfiction and fiction.) Unlike the general market, in the Christian market nonfiction has traditionally outsold fiction by far. But for the last 1 1/2 or so years, I've been watching fiction make a better and better showing on the Top 50.

Remember some months ago when I posted about the bestseller lists, how they’re put together and based on what data? (These posts started May 3, '06.) Data-gathering was supposed to change, but apparently it hasn’t. I asked questions of my agent and my publisher, neither of whom could tell me what’s happening. So I figured—go to the source. I wrote CBA, asking what’s up. Tomorrow my letter, and CBA’s answer. Plus some insider info on the placement of my novel Violet Dawn on this list, and another of my books that should have been on the list, but isn’t.

Sigh. It’s all so very convoluted.

November Fiction Bestseller List (representing sales in the month of September)

(The number in parentheses refers to the title's placement on the Top 50 list.)

1 (3) The Brethren: Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker)

2 (5) Found: Karen Kingsbury, Tyndale

3 (9) Before I Wake: Dee Henderson, Tyndale

4 (18) House: Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker, WestBow (Nelson)

5 (32) Night Light: Terri Blackstock, Zondervan

6 (33) Redeeming Love: Francine Rivers, Multnomah (WaterBrook) (#6 was a tie)

6 (33) The Bishop's Daughter: Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour (Tied with Redeeming Love)

8 (37) Leave a Candle Burning: Lori Wick, Harvest House

9 (39) A Merry Heart: Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour

10 (40) Like Dandelion Dust: Karen Kingsbury, Center Street (Hachette)

11 (45) The Ezekiel Option: Joel Rosenberg, Tyndale

12 (50) The Copper Scroll: Joel Rosenberg, Tyndale

13 The Englisher: Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker)

14 The Last Jihad: Joel Rosenberg, Tyndale

15 The Prophet: Francine Rivers, Tyndale

16 One Tuesday Morning/Beyond Tuesday Morning: Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan

17 Last Light: Terri Blackstock, Zondervan (#17 was a tie)

17 The Witness: Dee Henderson, Tyndale (Tied with Last Light)

19 Forgiven: Karen Kingsbury, Tyndale

20 Violet Dawn: Brandilyn Collins, Zondervan

--------------------
Read Part 2