Episode 372: Do most books really only sell 12 copies? w/ Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 6, 2026 · 12 MIN

Episode 372: Do most books really only sell 12 copies? w/ Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

from A People's Guide to Publishing · host Microcosm Publishing

A few years ago, during the Penguin Random House/Simon and Schuster merger trial, a claim was made that most books only sell around 12 copies. But if you listen to this podcast, you know statistics are rarely that cut and dry (or generalized). So where did that stat about 12 books even come from? What's the truth of book sales?This week on the pod, Jane Friedman of The Bottom Line is back to talk to Joe and Elly about interpreting book sale statistics.For more from Jane, check out janefriedman.com************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: https://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

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Episode 372: Do most books really only sell 12 copies? w/ Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

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