Writing Wednesday
Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey from writing to publication, marketing and writing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you have any tips please share them with us…
How do you get you and your book in bookstores…
To have a chance at having your book stocked in a book store, your publisher has to be willing to offer your book to them at a wholesale discount price of at least 55% off the cover price. The books must also be returnable to the publisher if they do not sell within the stores allotted time-frame.
All print books are ordered and delivered to stores through a book distribution center. The two major distributors are Ingram and Baker & Taylor. If the publisher you are planning to use does not use one or both of these distributors, move on from that publisher.
It is possible to have a CRM (Barnes & Noble) or an Event Coordinator (Independent) to allow you to bring books to the store and have them manually put them into the store’s inventory. This is not something they like to do so you will have to convince them the book has received decent reviews and that you can get people through their door.
If you have an agent or a publicist they will most likely ask you for a list of place’s you would like to have a book signing or a reading. Chances are they have a business relationship with the event coordinators for those stores and will have a better chance at booking you than you will have on your own. If you don’t have an agent or publicist, don’t give up. Follow the stores on social media, share their events and most importantly attend other author’s events at the stores and get to know the employees.
Once you have an event scheduled you will need to do your best to get customers through the door. Social media alone will not work. You also cannot count on foot traffic in the store. Once people realize you are selling something they will go the other way. You need to be creative to get them in front of your table. I use chocolate and promotional items like book markers, pens and notebooks.
Print postcards and ask the book store to keep them on the counter, mail them to everyone on your address list and ask other stores if you can pin one on their bulletin board.
Print flyers, do an e-mail blast, send press releases (see PR post,) post the event on the calendars of every local newspaper and magazine (online and in print if available,) write a blog post, social media posts and place a small add in your local newspaper.
Once the promoting is done it is time to completely stress out over what to wear, just kidding (no I’m not!)
Other suggestions for book signing/reading locations:
- Libraries
- Gift shops
- Book Fairs
- Holiday Fairs
- Charity Events
- Book Clubs
Did you know that if you go into a library and donate paperback books it is possible (highly likely) they will be thrown in the trash can? Libraries prefer hardcover books. Like bookstores they also use their own major distributors to order books. Ask the librarian what their policy is before leaving books. You would be better off donating books to Hospice facilities and homeless shelters if they will take them.
Happy Writing,
Doreen
I will be at the Big Blue Marble Book Store on August 1,2015-/551CarpenterLane/Philadelphia/19119/ Time 7:00pm. There will be lots of chocolate and cupcakes. For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1608653506076683/
18 thoughts on “How to get your book in a book store…”
This was so eye-opening. The route to a shelf in a bookstore involves so much work – but I’m sure it’s well worth it when the book makes it there!
It is like a dream come true.
Wednesday! Book advice! I’ve missed your posts on this stuff. Always good.
Thank you Carol!
Excellent advice, as always. Such info always makes me wonder if it’s REALLY worth publishing a book! So. Much. Work. And that’s AFTER the writing… and publishing. Still, I say yes. Still, it’s my goal. 😀
It is a lot of work but just like our children when you hold that first copy in your hands you forget all the pain and it is so worth it:)
This is such great information for authors. Thanks for sharing all of these valuable tips.
Thank you Lois!
You always share such good stuff. Libraries and charity events have been the two that have worked marvelously for me. Lasts time I spoke at a library there were over 60 attendees. Almost every single one of them bought my book, and then they went and told friends who bought it too. God, I love libraries for so many reasons!
I love library events!
As every Wednesday will have it, I’m booking marking this one too! Hoping someday to have a book to sell..this is great info!
Sit down and write that book!
Always ask a library when they plan to do with your book before you donate! Unless the book is a bestseller or you’re a much-valued patron, the library where I work will put your book out on the sale table. If you want to get your book into a library’s collection, a better tactic is to get a bunch of potential readers to request it. If there’s enough demand for a title, many libraries will add it to the collection.
Thank you so much Roz. That is exactly how I was able to get my first book into the libraries. People asked for it. I started leading workshops and speaking in the Delco Libraries after the director heard me speak at an event.
Oh how I wish I was going to be at the Big Blue Marble Book Store on August 1! And not just for the chocolate! Good luck and thanks for the great suggestions for places to do signings and readings!
Good luck to you too!
I learned that the hard way about libraries. I had what i thought was a very important health book that I wanted to donate to our library. The weren’t even interested. Not at all. It was sad to me as I knew if one person needed that book, their chronic illness would be soothed. Sad.
It is sad.