Local Bookstores

[Cindy Jost]

I recently contacted 5 local bookstores and 3 have agreed to sell some of my books. One of them will take the book on consignment. Has anyone had any problems with this type of agreement...is there any other way? The other two stores are owned by friends so there isn't an issue.

www.freewebs.com/cindyjost

[Georgia Richardson]

I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more thing. I promise to keep it short. If a store manager turns you down, they have their reasons. Their job is not an easy one, so be kind, be courteous, and respect their decision. That seems obvious, I know, but I have witnessed the opposite and it wasn't pretty.

Remember this, a person may not remember your name, but they will always remember how you made them feel. As the beloved Aretha Franklin sings, R-E-S-P-E-CT!

[Deborah Rummelhart]

Hi Georgia:

This is great advice; thank you som much. Would you be willing to share a copy of the "Consignment Sheet" you use? If not, do you know where I can see a sample? Also, what percentage do you suggest to bookstores? I was thinking 60% for me, 40% for the bookstore, I come back in a month a take the books that have not sold, and I provide a bookstand to them for my books.
I have written and self-published a book about the stress relief and other health benefits of yoga, and the book and my website have a coupon for a free yoga class honored at 45 yoga studios nationwide. Go to www.funnypath.com to get the free coupon, and thanks in advance for your advice.

Best wishes,

Deborah Rummelhart

[Diane Eble]

Hi Cindy,

In a way, all books sold in bookstores are "on consignment," because they get to ship them back to the publishers if they don't sell. (In my opinion, this is one of the fatal flaws in publishing, as I mention in a blog post). So, they're not offering you anything less than a publisher has to settle for.

Are there problems? Sure. The bookstore could "lose" your book, not pay you, etc. But it's the same risks any author/publisher takes. I'd say keep it in the bookstore, and use that for leverage. "The bookstore in X city is carrying it ... I think it will sell in your store, too."

Of course, when you visit, you should ask where your book is (don't say you're the author), and see if the staff can find it. Then, put it face out. Ask your friends to go and at least ask for it.

Good luck!

Diane
http://www.wordstoprofit.com
http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com

[Peter N. Jones]

From my experience, every bookstore is different. I know one bookstore that took three copies straight up, and then put them up on the register area with a little "local author" sign. They sold out fast, but it was the author's responsiblity to check back and get them to restock the books (a small, local new/used bookstore). Another one, with four floors and thousands and thousands of titles took two on "consignment." They put them on the bottom shelf and nothing happened. I asked them how to get the books in a) a more prominent position, b) to get a face-out, c) to get moved to their "new arrivals" section. They said they only give face-out and position to those books that have sold. To reach this "status" on their system, one needs to sell 10 books. Kinda hard if the first two copies are on the bottom shelf. However, with a little side promo (i.e., word of mouth, flyers, a signing/reading in a local coffee shop) they sold the two, ordered more, and now the book is up on their "best seller/we recommend" section (for how long, I don't know, probably only as long as the book sells 10 or more copies a week - not long after the buzz dies down). A third bookstore said they would take two, but would also be happy to hold a book signing/talk, but they would not cover the cost of ordering the extra books since the author was new and unknown. Well, the author got the books themselves from the publisher, held the signing, gave the bookstore their cut, and now the bookstore has 5 on hand on their "new arrivals" area.

Lesson learned? Every bookstore is different. If it is a chain, then you probably have to go through their main buyer at corporate headquarters (not a likely chance unless you can show that you have Ingram or Baker and Taylor orders, which they can look up on their i-page system). I prefer the local independents myself, since I'm an independent publisher (of sorts) I like working with them. Either way, they all expect the standard 40%. The other thing is that more often than not the small, independents don't have the time or energy to hunt you down if your book sells - it is the responsibility of the author/publisher to check and see if the book has sold and if the store is interested in more.

[Nicole Davis]

The most important marketing advice: Just ASK! The more people you ask (in your case, bookstore owners) to more YES"es" you'll get. You may be rejected more than you are accepted but without asking you'll never get accepted.

[Nicole Davis]

There is a great new report that I publish if you are interested in garnering publicity for your book. Check it out at www.perfectguestreport.com. The advertising rates fits most self-published authors budgets and you get one-on-one attention to help reach key media.

[Lorraine Harris]

Cindy,
I have books in a consignment bookstore and my books have done very well. The bookstore only takes $2.00 on every book that I sell.

I suggest you ask how much will be taken regarding the sell of the book. One consignment store took 60% of the sell of the book. I did not place my books there.

[H. Court Young]

Cindy:
I have had good luck with the small local bookstores. Some take my books on consignment and some purchase them outright. Still having them in the store gives you an "in" to speak, do signings and have other events at the store. The owners generally appreciate the author's help and publicity especially if you have a book on consignment.

Consider it a tribute to your book that the stores are interested, even on consignment. Good luck and congratulations.

Sincerely,
H. Court Young
Geologist, author & publisher
Promoting awareness through the written word
http://www.hcourtyoung.com
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[Lorraine Harris]

Hi Cindy,

I have not had the experience of a bookstore wanting to take my books on consignment except for some independent bookstores.

[Mary J. Dressel]

Oh, boy, I've heard it all, too. My local barnes and noble always purchases my books for book signings, but then others won't. My son in California talked to his local b&n and they stocked a few. The same with a friend in Oregon, who took his copy of my book to a local store, and they ordered some. No one ever offered to take my books under consignment, and I really don't know if that's good or bad. I guess it can be good as long as we don't mind buying them back. Yes, it can be difficult to have stores stock for us when we aren't well known, or if they think our books can't be returned. Make sure the stores know they can be returned if ordered through Ingram. Am I correct on that?

Good luck!

Mary

[Peter N. Jones]

Mary,

Great that you are having luck getting your book into B & N and other stores. Often times just asking is the key. However, one thing to note is that not all publishers make books returnable. If they do not, then it becomes very hard for a book to get picked up by B & N or some other bookstore unless there is enough local demand. Sounds like your publisher did the right thing; some publishers can not afford the financial burden/gamble of making books returnable. Ingram does not set the returnability of a book - the publisher does.

Cheers.

___________________________________________
Director and Editor: Bauu Institute and Press
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues Today
Publisher: Great New Books Reviewed

[H. Court Young]

I have had very good luck with this type of arrangement. Just remember, follow up with each of the stores is essential. This arrangement also provides opportunities to work with small store owners to promote your books because they want the traffic and the events.

Sincerely
H. Court Young
Geologist, author & publisher
Promoting awareness through the written word
http://www.hcourtyoung.com

*subscribe to my free ILLUME newsletter and get
my free How to Prepare for the Coming Energy Crisis 3-part mini-course
mailto:[e-mail]*