📰 The Truth Behind WSJ Bestseller Status (And What You Can Do Instead)

Kyra Schaefer
May 7
2 min read

“Wow, she’s a Wall Street Journal bestselling author!”

For many people, that phrase feels like the ultimate badge of honor—proof that a book is wildly successful and that the author is someone you should listen to. But what if I told you that many of those #1 spots are engineered—not earned through traditional readership?

This post isn’t meant to call anyone out. Instead, it’s a gentle reality check—and a guidepost for those of you who are trying to build real, lasting success as authors.

💸 How WSJ Bestsellers Are Really Made

Yes, the Wall Street Journal bestseller list is technically based on book sales. But it’s not as straightforward as you might think.

In fact, a whole industry has popped up around manipulating the system to get books on that list, especially in the business and nonfiction world. Here’s how it works (and this is all legal—just not exactly organic):

The "Secret Sauce":

Buy 5,000–10,000 copies of your own book.
Disguise the purchases by spreading them across retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, airport bookstores, etc.).
Time everything perfectly so all orders hit in the same reporting window.
Work with consultants who specialize in these launches and know how to avoid red flags.

Sound expensive? It is. These campaigns often cost $65,000 to $150,000 or more. But for many, the prestige is worth the price.

🎭 The Illusion of “Best Seller”

The problem isn’t just the cost—it’s what happens after the list.

Many of these books don’t continue to sell well.
They don’t necessarily have a real readership, reviews, or community behind them.
They might not even be remembered a year later.

At its worst, this approach reduces authorship to a vanity metric, more about optics than impact.

✅ A More Sustainable Path: Visibility + Community

If your goal is to help people, grow your readership, or build a body of work, you don’t need to drop six figures to hit a bestseller list.

We use Amazon bestseller strategies, yes—but not for bragging rights.

We do it to:

Train the algorithm to see your book as relevant and valuable.
Improve long-term discoverability.
Get real customer reviews that build credibility over time.

These tactics are more affordable and actually work in favor of your book long after launch week.

💡 Want Something More Meaningful Than a Bestseller Badge?

Here’s an alternative that costs less—but creates a bigger ripple:

Build a Book-Based Community:

Co-market the book so everyone wins.
Host local events, virtual panels, or reader discussions.
Offer books as part of workshops, courses, or client onboarding.

With a fraction of the investment, you’ll build a tribe of engaged readers, collaborators, and long-term advocates. That’s a win you don’t have to manufacture.

🎤 In the End...

The best authorship journey isn’t the one that looks successful for a week—it’s the one that feels aligned for years to come.

Bestseller lists are fine. But making a difference, building trust, and creating a body of work you're proud of? That’s the real win.

P.S. We are currently taking applications for our publishing services.

Visit www.asyouwishpublishing.com/apply to learn more.