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What does it take for a writer to get her book on the bestseller's list?

Is there certain criteria that they look for? Because I've noticed that most of the books on the list are about women in New York pursuing careers and whatnot. Those seem to be the ones turning into movies and getting notoriety. But is that all they are looking for? Is there room for originality? Well, what if I were writing a novel about, say... lesbians or coming out. Would that lessen my chances of getting on the list?

Public Comments

1. Contacts.
2. i know a little cos this isnt really my territory but i think its about creativity and inspiration like for example j.r.r. tolkien inspirations were from norways culure and history
3. - A great agent - Strong marketing on the part of the publisher - Lots of luck - Oprah Bestsellers tend to be books that people can either easily relate to the content of (the content rings a bell about things they've experienced in their own lives) or those whose content takes them away to adventurous places/experiences that they can vicariously enjoy but in actuality probably never will in their lifetimes. Two examples that fit those criteria: Eat, Pray, Love & The Da Vinci Code.
4. You have to write a book that people want to read. Most of the books on the current list are not about NY career girls.
5. Most of the books on the New York Times' best sellers' list for fiction, if you were to keep track over a prolonged period of time, are written by authors who are prolific -- they write many books over the years -- such as Danielle Steele, James Patterson, Dan Brown, and others whose names you probably know. They have generally built a reputation as best selling authors; their books are available from book clubs, Double Day and Literary Guild. Their publishers pay large amounts for their manuscripts and market their books extensively; the authors do book signings and often appear on talk shows to promote their books. Their names are highly recognizable in the literary field, thus their books sell. Many readers purchase books on the reputation of the author rather than by reviews of their subject matter. And, as you noted in your question, often those books are also sold to movie producers. If, for instance, you were/are personally aspiring to produce a novel which will one day appear on the best sellers' list, regrettably, the odds are against you. However, it also true that those authors who have realized great fame and fortune through their writings likewise were once unknown, unpublished, and hopeful, and did manage to achieve their dreams, so, of course, you do have a chance, too! Naturally, too, talent and originality would be welcome, I imagine (consider J.K. Rowling and Stepenie Meyer, for instance); there's an adage I love: "An idea whose time has come is irresistible." I think that certain amounts of good luck and good timing are also required! Addendum: I just read your "Additional Detail". A book with a lesbian plot would naturally appeal to a limited readership, but, if that is the genre of novel you want to write, you shouldn't let the fact of its potentially smaller readership deter you. I have written (and self-published) two esoteric and erotic fantasy novels of Atlantis. They will never make me rich and famous, but they are the stories which I yearned to write and to see published. You should be true to yourself, I think. Later you may wish to write other genres; the fact that you've written a lesbian-themed novel should have no bearing upon your future success with another type of story. Good luck!