E.g., the book is likely to become a NYT bestseller. The exact position can be improved by more pre-orders. (The figure is currently at around 5k pre-orders, according to the q&a; +20k more would make it a #1 bestseller).
Chat says about that
If preorders = 5k, you’re probably looking at 8k–15k total copies sold in week 1 (preorders + launch week sales).
Recently, nonfiction books debuting around 8k–12k week-1 copies often chart #8–#15 on the NYT list.
Lifetime Sales Ranges
Conservative: 20k–30k copies total (good for a nonfiction debut with moderate buzz).
Optimistic: 40k–60k (if reviews, media, podcasts, or TikTok keep it alive).
Breakout: 100k+ (usually requires either a viral moment, institutional adoption, or the author becoming part of a big public debate).
Is that a lot? I don’t actually know, would be that’s not that many, but a decent number and might get a lot of buzz, commentary, etc. This is a major crux so I’d be interested in take.
If true: there might be an influx of people into this space, or who are hoping to get into this space AND the space could lose a lot of impact if it’s not ready to make use of this pipeline
I think the arguments here are clear but let me know if not
Therefore, people/orgs should be thinking about how to make the best pipelines for the inflow.
e.g.
If you have next steps for people (BlueDot, CEA, MATS), be ready to retweet / restack MIRI’s materials and be like “if you care about this, here’s a way to get involved”
Similarly, maybe pitch MIRI on putting your org / next steps on their landing page for the book and see if they think that makes sense
Landing page / resource hub: “So you just read the MIRI book?” page that curates your content, fellow orgs’ resources, and next steps. Make it optimized for search and linkable.
We pre-ordered a batch of 50 books for Mox, and are hosting a Q&A and book signing with Nate Soares on (tentatively) Oct 9th. I encourage other groups (eg fellowships like MATS, hubs like Constellation) to organize events like this if your audiences would be interested!
What are we doing about the MIRI book inbound?
Claim: The MIRI book might be a very big deal, read by lots of people
Mostly this is on vibes, and the MIRI team trying hard and seeming very successful and getting a lot of buzz, great blurbs, some billboards, etc.
I saw this tweet
Chat says about that
Is that a lot? I don’t actually know, would be that’s not that many, but a decent number and might get a lot of buzz, commentary, etc. This is a major crux so I’d be interested in take.
If true: there might be an influx of people into this space, or who are hoping to get into this space AND the space could lose a lot of impact if it’s not ready to make use of this pipeline
I think the arguments here are clear but let me know if not
Therefore, people/orgs should be thinking about how to make the best pipelines for the inflow.
e.g.
If you have next steps for people (BlueDot, CEA, MATS), be ready to retweet / restack MIRI’s materials and be like “if you care about this, here’s a way to get involved”
Similarly, maybe pitch MIRI on putting your org / next steps on their landing page for the book and see if they think that makes sense
Landing page / resource hub: “So you just read the MIRI book?” page that curates your content, fellow orgs’ resources, and next steps. Make it optimized for search and linkable.
Other?
Very interested in takes!
We pre-ordered a batch of 50 books for Mox, and are hosting a Q&A and book signing with Nate Soares on (tentatively) Oct 9th. I encourage other groups (eg fellowships like MATS, hubs like Constellation) to organize events like this if your audiences would be interested!