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Which is correct: Best Seller, Bestseller, or Best-seller?

By Jared Dees

Once your book sells very well, what do you call it: best seller, bestseller, or best-seller?

As is the case with so many things in the English language, multiple versions are acceptable.

Look, for example, at the names for the following lists:

  • The New York Times Best Sellers
  • Wall Street Journal Best Sellers
  • Barnes & Noble Bestsellers
  • Amazon Best Sellers

So, there is some disagreement there.

What does the dictionary say?

There are multiple dictionaries with multiple versions:

  • Merriam-Webster: Best Seller
  • Dictionary.com: Bestseller
  • And Wikipedia: Bestseller

So, it would seem that either “best seller” or “bestseller” are acceptable.

“Best-seller” is only necessary as a modifier as in “best-seller list,” but even that is uncommon.

Personally, I like “best seller” (two words) and “best-selling” book or author. It fits with the most popular lists available.

(Side note: Be careful about calling your book a “best seller.” As more and more authors and publishers use the term, it has lost a lot of its meaning. Plus, its relatively easy to hit one of the many, many Amazon Best Seller categories.)

June 17, 2018 Filed Under: Author Tips, On Writing, Which is correct?

About Jared Dees

Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children.

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Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children. See all of Jared's Books →

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