Matthew L. Jockers Books
Jockers is an associate dean and professor of English at Washington State University, known for his work in computational literary analysis.
Known for: The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel
Books by Matthew L. Jockers
The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel
This book explores the science behind what makes a novel a bestseller. Using a computer algorithm trained on thousands of novels, the authors analyze linguistic, thematic, and emotional patterns that correlate with commercial success. They reveal how data-driven insights can decode the elements of storytelling that resonate most with readers.
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The Genesis of the Project
Our collaboration began at Stanford University, where the idea of computational literary analysis was shifting from novelty to frontier. Jodie brought with her years in acquisitions at Penguin UK—a career spent spotting potential bestsellers by intuition, taste, and market savvy. Matthew, by contras...
From The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel
Defining a Bestseller
Before we could decode bestseller DNA, we first had to define it. What, exactly, is a bestseller? For our study, we used data from *The New York Times* Bestseller List—a cultural barometer for commercial success. Yet even this measure has complexities. Some books make the list for a week and vanish;...
From The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel
About Matthew L. Jockers
Jockers is an associate dean and professor of English at Washington State University, known for his work in computational literary analysis.
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Jockers is an associate dean and professor of English at Washington State University, known for his work in computational literary analysis.
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