Getting Books into Bookstores

MumblingSage said:

Yours, or somebody else's. I've heard people talk, here and elsewhere, about getting local or chain bookstores to carry their books/ their favorite author's books/an anthlogy they're in. How does one go about doing this? It sounds like an extremely useful skill to have, but as a very timid young writer I'd have no idea where to begin.

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Start by talking to some bookstore managers.

If the books have normal trade distribution (the sort that normal commercial publishers have), sure, bookstores stock those (within limits of space, customer interests, and maybe the store's particular emphases). If not avilable through normal trade distribution, then not. Print-on-demand books are not stocked by bookstores. But sometimes an author can arrange to place a few copies on consignment (typically at 40% discount from list price). Bookstores cannot stock more than a very, very small fraction of books in print, and have to be selective. They can order pretty much any book in print on request for a specific customer (sometimes requiring payment in advance). But they won't stock books on the shelves just in response to a customer or author request.

--Ken

Actually, the local Barnes and Noble is stocking my POD book. It took considerable gentle persuasion from me before the manager agreed to order TWO copies. They sold. I bugged him. He order six more copies. They sold. I bugged him. He ordered ten, then ten more. I bug him every two weeks. He refused to take them on consignment from me, for which I'm grateful, but ordered them from the publisher himself. At least this way I'm able to direct questioners to a brick and mortar store, not just Amazon.

The local Borders branch was also considering taking a few and arranging a book signing for me, but about that time they were told by corporate headquarters to cease everything except selling out, as they were about to be closed.

My debut novel will be carried by the major chains. For local small bookstores, I've gone in with a postcard about the book that I had made, and a sample book that they can see. The independent bookstores are usually pretty psyched to feature local authors and may ask you to autograph a few, or hold a reading in their store.

those are really great ideas. i know that i have talked to employees at borders before and ancient egale is right. if you talk to the managers of the store you might be able to persuade them to get your book in. also, if they let you do a book signing there it is very likely that they will buy some of your books to put into their own store. :0)

MumblingSage said:

Yours, or somebody else's. I've heard people talk, here and elsewhere, about getting local or chain bookstores to carry their books/ their favorite author's books/an anthlogy they're in. How does one go about doing this? It sounds like an extremely useful skill to have, but as a very timid young writer I'd have no idea where to begin.

Click to expand...

Books of local interest are usually brought in stock without having to ask. Here they don't take on books that you suggest. Not your own or anyone else's. They will give you the option of ordering it in. I would guess they might grant a signing if you supply the books and set it up on your own. I am speaking for the stores in my area.

You might also try your local grocery store. I mentioned to the manager, at the Kroger's down the street, that my book was coming out and he said that they love to feature local authors. I stopped by, to pick up some milk a few weeks later and he said that they were planning a book signing for me. I didn't even know they did book signings in grocery stores.

Also, my library has readings by local authors and they allow you to sell your books there.

This is a good website of information that tells how an 'Indie' author got her self pub book in stores. I heard KL Brady speak on this and she was very inventive and generous with information.

http://cheapindieauthor.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.htmlhttp://cheapindieauthor.blogspot.com/