New York Times: Billie Eilish Book Are Not Selling

[RAMROD 107,757]

 

A book by Billie Eilish seemed like a great bet. One of the most famous pop stars in the world, Ms. Eilish has 97 million followers on Instagram and another 6 million on Twitter. If just a fraction of them bought her book, it would be a hit.

But her self-titled book has sold about 64,000 hardcover copies since it came out in May, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks most printed books sold in the United States — not necessarily a disappointing number, unless Ms. Eilish got a big advance. Which, of course, she did. The book cost her publisher well over $1 million.

Even having one of the biggest social-media followings in the world is not a guarantee.

“The only reliable part about it,” said Shannon DeVito, director of books at Barnes & Noble, “is that it’s unreliable.”

“It’s become more and more important as the years went on,” said Marc Resnick, executive editor at St. Martin’s Press. “We learned some hard lessons along the way, which is that a tweet or a post is not necessarily going to sell any books, if it’s not the right person with the right book and the right followers at the right time.”

In an effort to mitigate these issues, some book contracts now specify the number of posts required before and after a book is published.
 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/books/social-media-following-book-publishing.html

 

 

So, what's the issues? Perhaps Gen Z doesn't read?

[Chlorine 47,976]

Gen z illiteracy confirmed 

[Meat 18,962]

I don’t think her fanbase will run to buy a book so it’s not surprising 

[Stephen 30,420]

Now I'm just imagining the serve when Gaga writes a proper book 

[doraemon 989]

maybe a photobook like GAGAxTERRY back in 2011 would be better?

[FentyGa 14,340]

i mean she hardly promoted it, so

[ProfessionalClown 10,647]

I didn’t even know it existed??? I woodiness bought it 

[Serial Chiller 8,044]

Why would she write a book at this stage? 

No offense but the majority of young people are not gonna rush to buy a book with words. 

[CyanDante 6,033]

It would sell if there were some tiktok dances attached with it.

[PartySick 155,571]

It's 2021, who reads?

[boyerased 2,883]

Didn’t know about this… like a book with words? Her fanbase skews young so it’s not as safe a bet as let’s say Mariah with her memoir. 

[salty like sodium 1,301]

3 hours ago, RAMROD said:

 

A book by Billie Eilish seemed like a great bet. One of the most famous pop stars in the world, Ms. Eilish has 97 million followers on Instagram and another 6 million on Twitter. If just a fraction of them bought her book, it would be a hit.

But her self-titled book has sold about 64,000 hardcover copies since it came out in May, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks most printed books sold in the United States — not necessarily a disappointing number, unless Ms. Eilish got a big advance. Which, of course, she did. The book cost her publisher well over $1 million.

Even having one of the biggest social-media followings in the world is not a guarantee.

“The only reliable part about it,” said Shannon DeVito, director of books at Barnes & Noble, “is that it’s unreliable.”

“It’s become more and more important as the years went on,” said Marc Resnick, executive editor at St. Martin’s Press. “We learned some hard lessons along the way, which is that a tweet or a post is not necessarily going to sell any books, if it’s not the right person with the right book and the right followers at the right time.”

In an effort to mitigate these issues, some book contracts now specify the number of posts required before and after a book is published.
 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/books/social-media-following-book-publishing.html

 

 

So, what's the issues? Perhaps Gen Z doesn't read?

 

3 hours ago, Frank Potion said:

Gen z illiteracy confirmed 

 

2 hours ago, doraemon said:

maybe a photobook like GAGAxTERRY back in 2011 would be better?

Isn't it already pretty much a photobook ? Her website says it's a "visual narrative journey" through her life. Billie knows her audience can't read 

But also who would pay 35$ for a Billie Eilish book?! That's almost as much as a vinyl, no thanks.

[SharkmanthaC 111,980]

1 hour ago, PartySick said:

It's 2021, who reads?

Me. 

Although I feel like it’s taking me forever to get through HOG. 
 

OT: Did she promote it? I don’t follow her but usually there is discussion here about her and I don’t recall seeing anything about it. 

[PartySick 155,571]

10 minutes ago, SamanthaC said:

Me. 

[TheSlash 14,539]

1 hour ago, Serial Chiller said:

Why would she write a book at this stage? 

No offense but the majority of young people are not gonna rush to buy a book with words. 

It's a picture book  .

13 minutes ago, SamanthaC said:

Me.