BiblioChart Eligibility & Reporting Standards
BiblioChart is designed to recognize independently published books and small press titles through a transparent monthly reporting process. These standards define who may participate, what sales may be reported, and how submissions are reviewed for chart eligibility.
Who May Participate?
Independent Authors
Authors who publish their own books directly through retailers, distributors, print-on-demand services, or their own websites may participate.
Small Presses
Independent publishers and small presses may submit eligible titles from their catalogs, subject to the title limits of their membership level.
Hybrid Publishers
Hybrid-published titles may be eligible when the author or publisher can report verifiable monthly sales activity.
Eligible Book Formats
BiblioChart may accept reported sales for the following formats, provided the sales occurred during the relevant monthly reporting period.
- Paperback books
- Hardcover books
- Ebooks
- Audiobooks
- Special editions
- Direct-sale editions
Eligible Sales Channels
Retail Platforms
- Amazon
- Apple Books
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Google Play Books
- Bookshop.org
- Other recognized book retailers
Publisher & Author Direct Sales
- Author websites
- Publisher websites
- Direct invoice sales
- Email campaign sales
- Online storefront sales
Event & In-Person Sales
- Book fairs
- Conventions
- Author appearances
- Readings and signings
- Pop-up sales
What Counts as a Sale?
| Sale Type | Eligible? | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Paid retail sale | Yes | A customer purchased one copy of the title through a retailer or direct channel. |
| Paid direct sale | Yes | A customer purchased one copy directly from the author, publisher, or event table. |
| Library purchase | Yes | A library purchased one or more copies of the title. |
| Bulk order | Conditional | Bulk sales may be eligible but should be identified separately and may require supporting documentation. |
| Free download | No | Free downloads, giveaways, and zero-price promotions do not count as sales. |
| Review copy | No | Complimentary copies provided for review, awards, publicity, or sampling do not count as sales. |
| Author-purchased inventory | No | Copies purchased by the author or publisher for inventory, resale, or personal use do not count until sold to an end customer. |
Reporting Period
BiblioChart rankings are based on sales that occurred during the designated monthly reporting period. In most cases, this means sales from the first day through the last day of the previous calendar month.
Sales Month
The month in which the eligible sales occurred.
Submission Window
The period when members submit sales data for the previous month.
Publication Date
The date when the BiblioChart Top 20 is published on Proxima Emporium.
Required Submission Information
Each monthly submission should include enough information to identify the book, sales period, sales total, and reporting party.
- Book title
- Author name
- Publisher or imprint, if applicable
- ISBN, ASIN, or other retailer identifier
- Primary format being reported
- Total eligible units sold during the reporting period
- Sales channels included in the total
- Contact name and email
- Certification that the submitted information is accurate
Supporting Documentation
BiblioChart may request supporting documentation when needed to confirm eligibility, clarify reported sales, or resolve inconsistencies.
Examples of Documentation
- Retailer sales reports
- Distributor reports
- Direct sales summaries
- Event sales logs
- Invoice or receipt summaries
- Order export files
When Documentation May Be Requested
- Unusually large sales increases
- Duplicate or conflicting submissions
- Bulk order reporting
- Incomplete submission details
- Random quality checks
How Rankings Are Determined
BiblioChart rankings are determined by eligible reported units sold during the chart period. The books with the highest eligible reported sales totals are ranked in descending order.
If two or more titles report the same number of eligible sales, BiblioChart may use submission timestamp, documentation completeness, or other internal review standards to determine final ordering.
Advertising & Rankings
Advertising purchases, promotional services, banner placements, newsletter features, or other paid promotional opportunities within Proxima Emporium do not affect BiblioChart rankings.
BiblioChart rankings cannot be purchased. Paid promotion and chart eligibility are separate programs.
Corrections & Updates
If an error is discovered after submission, members should contact BiblioChart as soon as possible. Corrections may be accepted before the monthly chart is finalized.
Once a chart has been published, BiblioChart may issue corrections at its discretion but is not required to republish a ranking due to late, incomplete, or corrected submissions.
Member Responsibility
By submitting monthly sales data, the member certifies that the information is accurate to the best of their knowledge and that reported sales meet the standards described on this page.
Repeated inaccurate, inflated, misleading, or unverifiable submissions may result in loss of eligibility or removal from the BiblioChart program.
Ready to Submit Your Sales?
Review the standards, confirm your title eligibility, and join BiblioChart to participate in the monthly independent bestseller rankings.
Join BiblioChart