Question on Distibution and Sales.

[Tiaga]

If you visit the UK with a book from the US and relatives etc. like the novel, can they have a book store chain bring it in?
Is the book store chain shunned by the industry or pressured to wait until UK rights are bought?
Can the US store/distributor even send an order to the UK?

[veinglory]

As far as I can see UK bookstores are stuffed with US books that are not packaged specifically for the UK. What is the book? It may already be on UK shelves? Some countries are subject to rules and monolpolies but I think direct import is common in the UK. If not they can always get it from Amazon;)

[Cathy C]

If you visit the UK with a book from the US and relatives etc. like the novel, can they have a book store chain bring it in?
Is the book store chain shunned by the industry or pressured to wait until UK rights are bought?
Can the US store/distributor even send an order to the UK?

Okay, let's go through these one at a time:

1. If you visit the UK with a book from the US and relatives etc. like the novel, can they have a book store chain bring it in?

Yes, provided that the book is carried by a distributor or wholesaler that the UK store deals with. For international sales, this is usually Ingram's.

2. Is the book store chain shunned by the industry or pressured to wait until UK rights are bought?

"UK rights" are normally covered under "World English," which also includes Sweden and South Africa You will have to check your publishing contract to see if you gave World English rights to the publisher. The UK will treat the book as a US release, but there's no problem with selling it in British stores.

3. Can the US store/distributor even send an order to the UK?

Uhm, I'm confused now. Didn't you say it was a US book you're trying to place in the UK? If so, then it would be the UK distributor who would be ordering it from the US.

Does that answer your questions? Basically, you need to check with UK stores to see if they ALREADY have it shown on their sites. Check Blackwell's (http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk) and WH Smith (http://www.whsmith.co.uk)as two of the bigger UK chains.

Hope that helps!

[jules]

I've had no problems acquiring US published books from Waterstones, which is one of the largest bookshop chains in the UK. They often carry US editions on the shelves, as well. One word of warning, though: their pricing for imported books is usually $1 = £1, which is a ruinous exchange rate. :(

But, books seem to be cheaper in the US than in the UK in general, so they don't compare too badly to UK editions. :)

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Cathy, by "send an order to the UK" I would assume Tiaga meant actually fill whatever order made FROM the UK and then send it TO the UK. Just the way I interpreted it tho.

[Tiaga]

Cathy, by "send an order to the UK" I would assume Tiaga meant actually fill whatever order made FROM the UK and then send it TO the UK. Just the way I interpreted it tho.

Yes right

Thanks to all who answered.