Book Inspiration: The Bestseller Code by Jodie Archer and Matthew L. Jockers

"There is no great writing, only great rewriting." – Justice Louis Brandeis

What makes a bestselling novel? Most people assume it's a mix of creativity, originality, and storytelling magic. But The Bestseller Code argues that bestselling books share quantifiable traits—certain themes, structures, and patterns that can be analyzed, measured, and even replicated. The book’s research suggests that while originality matters, structure plays an equally critical role in turning a good story into a great one.

The idea that a novel’s success can be reverse-engineered may feel counterintuitive. Writing seems deeply personal, artistic, and unpredictable. And yet, the most successful books—despite their differences in genre and style—often follow specific, repeatable patterns.

This lesson extends far beyond publishing. Businesses, like books, may feel unique, built on vision and passion. But great businesses often share common underlying structures that can be studied and optimized. Strategy, customer experience, and financial discipline may not be as glamorous as a brilliant idea, but they form the foundation of long-term success.

A business may start as a personal vision, much like a novel begins with a writer’s inspiration. But refining that business—learning from successful models, optimizing what works, and structuring it for growth—is what separates good companies from great ones. Just as a strong novel can be fine-tuned into a bestseller, a solid business can be shaped into an industry leader by understanding and applying proven success patterns.

In both fiction and business, creativity sets the stage, but structure turns potential into performance.