Frequently Asked Questions – Book Trade

  • How are the Bestseller Awards claimed?

    Once a title has reached Silver/Gold/Platinum status, the publisher of the title is contacted and advised of the fact. They are then asked if they wish to accept the Award and place an order for the relevant trophy/s. Presentations to the author(s) can be made at an annual event organised by Nielsen Book (in January of each year) or at a relevant alternate award/prize event (suggested or negotiated by Agile Ideas) or presented privately by the publisher/agent. Sales are reviewed on a quarterly basis.

  • What are the trophies?

    There are official framed author trophies available to purchase from Nielsen Book, with multiple copies of the same trophy for publishers/editors/agents etc. available at a discount. All prices are available upon application from oliver.beldham@nielsen.com 

  • If a title reaches a specific milestone but the publisher does not claim a Bestseller Award for it, what happens?

    We will notify publishers when their titles become eligible for a Bestseller Award. If they decide not to claim the Award that is their prerogative, Nielsen Book will continue to monitor sales and inform publishers of subsequent milestones. Publishers can claim Bestseller Awards retroactively.

  • What about historical individual title awards made between 2001 & 2016?

    Many Platinum and Gold awards have been presented to authors by publishers and agents over the last 15 years. If any have not yet been presented, or if Silver awards are now eligible, framed trophies and replicas can be ordered. Sales have to be authenticated by Nielsen Book but a 25% discount applies to pre-Jan 2016 trophies and replicas ordered.

  • Can Bestseller Awards be claimed based on sales prior to 1 January, 2000?

    No, Nielsen Book cannot issue Bestseller Awards for titles based on sales prior to 2000. Bestseller Awards can only be issued for titles for which Nielsen Book has verified sales data.

  • Who runs the Nielsen Bestseller Awards?

    The Awards will be project managed by Agile Ideas Ltd. on behalf of Nielsen Book.

  • What happens at the Nielsen Bestseller Award launch & when is it?

    The Nielsen Bestseller Awards Ceremony takes place in Central London in January each year. There is a short ceremony outlining the bestselling milestones achieved by a number of authors throughout the previous year plus trophy presentations to the very biggest authors of the year. This annual celebratory occasion is attended by an audience of key executives from the book industry: publishers, booksellers, librarians, agents and authors.

  • Are Award stickers produced that can be utilised by publishers?

    Yes, official logos will be licensed free of charge to publishers from Agile Ideas in sticker artwork form, along with a logo usage guide and official styling for ‘Nielsen Bestseller Award’ copy lines to be printed on the books if reprinted. Logos are also available for franking machines, catalogues, websites etc.

    Please contact martha@agile-ideas.com for sticker artwork.