Legality of selling my own books?

Technically what you're selling is used. In Canada anyway, when I sell a used book or a used washer or dryer or whatever, I don't charge sales tax.

Palmfrond said:

However, I find myself scheduled at events too small to interest a bookstore, or too far from any bookstore....What do other people do?

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You order a box of books at the highest bookstore consignment rate, sell them for the cover price, send the state an appropriate sales tax (don't charge the sales tax yourself, just calculate it on the sales volume and send it out of your profit on the books).

At least, that's what I've done with major New York publishers. Charging buyers sales tax on your own book that you're hand-selling is chintzy--you should send the sales tax yourself.

That sounds like a good plan. *Takes notes in case the situation ever arises*

What's behind this is that you selling author copies means invisible sales. The bean-counters at the publishing house can't see them.

You don't get royalties from the sales of author copies, though you do get the money you sold them for.

If the bean counters think your books aren't selling they might not offer a new contract on your next one. A few hundred "lost" sales here and there can make a difference.

Here's what you do: register a Doing Business As (or whatever it is in your state) so you get a tax number. In my state it's about 22.00 and good for 10-12 years.

You're now a legit business with a business name and can buy your books from your publisher as a vendor.

THOSE are counted as royalty sales. Your editor won't mind a bit.

I've bought boxes of my own books to sell at workshops and conventions. Not only do I get that cash, but they count toward my royalties. And of course I never return stripped covers!