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The bestseller code : anatomy of the blockbuster novel Cover Image Book

The bestseller code : anatomy of the blockbuster novel / Jodie Archer & Matthew L. Jockers.

Archer, Jodie, (author.). Jockers, Matthew Lee, 1966- (author.).

Summary:

"What if there was an algorithm that could predict which novels become mega-bestsellers? Are books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl the Gladwellian outliers of publishing? The Bestseller Code boldly claims that the New York Times bestsellers in fiction are predictable and that it's possible to know with 97% certainty if a manuscript is likely to hit number one on the list as opposed to numbers two through fifteen. The algorithm does exist; the code has been cracked; the results are in; and they are stunning. The system analyzes themes, plot, character, pacing, even the frequency of words and punctuation, to predict which stories will resonate with readers. A 28-year-old heroine is a big plus. So is realism. Giving 30% of your novel to only two specific topics. And if you can include a dog rather than a cat and few sex scenes, you have a better chance of writing a bestselling novel. The project is an investigation into our intellectual and emotional responses as humans and readers to books of all genres. It is a big idea book that will appeal to fans of The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb, a book for data-mining nerds, as well as a book about writing, reading, and publishing. Anyone who has ever wondered why Gone Girl, Girl on the Train or The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo captured so many readers worldwide will find their interest piqued"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781250088277
  • ISBN: 1250088275
  • Physical Description: 242 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
  • Edition: First edition
  • Publisher: New York : St. Martin's Press, 2016.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:
The bestseller-ometer, or, How text mining might change publishing -- The godparents, or, Why you must take time to date -- The lists: theme -- The sensations, or, How to form some perfect curves -- The lists: plot -- The debutantes, or, Why every comma matters -- The lists: style -- The noirs, or, What the girl needs -- The lists: character -- The one, or, When the algorithm winked -- The lists: all data points -- Epilogue: The machine-written novel, or, Why authors really matter -- Postscript, or, Some background on method.

Search for related items by subject

Subject:
Best sellers > United States.
Fiction > Authorship.
Popular literature > United States.
Publishers and publishing > United States.
Books and reading > United States.

Available copies

  • 4 of 4 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
  • 1 of 1 copy available at McDowell County Public Library.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 4 total copies.
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Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Marion Library 028.9 ARC (Text) 37810435477350 Adult Nonfiction Available -

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MARC Record

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020 . ‡a1250088275 ‡q(hardcover)
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1001 . ‡aArcher, Jodie, ‡eauthor. ‡0(CARDINAL)414214
24514. ‡aThe bestseller code : ‡banatomy of the blockbuster novel / ‡cJodie Archer & Matthew L. Jockers.
250 . ‡aFirst edition
264 1. ‡aNew York : ‡bSt. Martin's Press, ‡c2016.
264 4. ‡c©2016
300 . ‡a242 pages : ‡billustrations ; ‡c22 cm
336 . ‡atext ‡btxt ‡2rdacontent
337 . ‡aunmediated ‡bn ‡2rdamedia
338 . ‡avolume ‡bnc ‡2rdacarrier
504 . ‡aIncludes bibliographical references.
5050 . ‡aThe bestseller-ometer, or, How text mining might change publishing -- The godparents, or, Why you must take time to date -- The lists: theme -- The sensations, or, How to form some perfect curves -- The lists: plot -- The debutantes, or, Why every comma matters -- The lists: style -- The noirs, or, What the girl needs -- The lists: character -- The one, or, When the algorithm winked -- The lists: all data points -- Epilogue: The machine-written novel, or, Why authors really matter -- Postscript, or, Some background on method.
520 . ‡a"What if there was an algorithm that could predict which novels become mega-bestsellers? Are books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl the Gladwellian outliers of publishing? The Bestseller Code boldly claims that the New York Times bestsellers in fiction are predictable and that it's possible to know with 97% certainty if a manuscript is likely to hit number one on the list as opposed to numbers two through fifteen. The algorithm does exist; the code has been cracked; the results are in; and they are stunning. The system analyzes themes, plot, character, pacing, even the frequency of words and punctuation, to predict which stories will resonate with readers. A 28-year-old heroine is a big plus. So is realism. Giving 30% of your novel to only two specific topics. And if you can include a dog rather than a cat and few sex scenes, you have a better chance of writing a bestselling novel. The project is an investigation into our intellectual and emotional responses as humans and readers to books of all genres. It is a big idea book that will appeal to fans of The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb, a book for data-mining nerds, as well as a book about writing, reading, and publishing. Anyone who has ever wondered why Gone Girl, Girl on the Train or The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo captured so many readers worldwide will find their interest piqued"-- ‡cProvided by publisher.
650 0. ‡aBest sellers ‡zUnited States.
650 0. ‡aFiction ‡xAuthorship. ‡0(CARDINAL)238504
650 0. ‡aPopular literature ‡zUnited States.
650 0. ‡aPublishers and publishing ‡zUnited States.
650 0. ‡aBooks and reading ‡zUnited States. ‡0(CARDINAL)231919
7001 . ‡aJockers, Matthew Lee, ‡d1966- ‡eauthor. ‡0(CARDINAL)595449
902 . ‡aMARCIVE 201809
902 . ‡aMARCIVE 201912
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