What Makes a Bestseller?

What turns a book into a bestseller—great writing, smart marketing, perfect timing, or a touch of luck? This panel will explore the ingredients of commercial success, from spotting market trends and building author brands to harnessing publicity, bookselling, and reader word-of-mouth. The discussion will look at the balance between literary quality and market appeal, why some books capture the cultural moment while others slip away, and what lessons publishers, authors, and agents can take from the stories behind the biggest hits.