Publicity Tip #61

Whether you’re self-published or with a small traditional publisher, your book is likely not being stocked in the local bookstore. Why? With limited shelf space many bookstores only carry books from the big guys. Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with bookstores get your share of the shelf space:

Know what you’re getting into

Know who to contact

Know how to make the approach

Know how to make sales

Know when to press your luck

So you’ve decided to make the plunge and get your book into a bookstore – congratulations! Now comes the hard part… Reaching out to the right person.

If you’re looking at getting your book into one of the big-name box bookstores then there’s two ways to go about this:

Walk into the store closest to you and ask to speak with the manager on duty.

Pick up the phone and call the store closest to you and ask to speak with the manager on duty.

Regardless of which option your prefer, you should introduce yourself as a local author interested in speaking with the consignment/events manager.

NOTE: Often you will not be able to get your book placed on consignment unless you:

a) agreed to do an “event” at the store

b) provide a free copy for the store to review

c) sometimes both

Here the wait time varies – if someone has to find time to read your book before you’ll be considered then this might take a while. I highly suggest that when you speak to the consignment/event manager you ask what the expected response time might be. It might be a week (they’re an avid reader with a lot of time on their hands). It might be 3 or more months (they’re busy and will put you in cue).

HINT: If you sweeten the pot by suggesting that you’ll do a free draw for book one, a prequel novella, a store gift certificate, book bling, etc. whether you’re doing an event or not then it might motivate them to get to reading your book faster. Also, if your book is timely (the subject is highly sought for), make sure you mention this as well as any formal reviews done, awards won, etc. and emphasize that you fully plan to highlight in all your local advertising that the book is available at their store (this gets their name out more to the local readership and acts as free advertising for them). You get the idea 🙂

Each big-name bookstore has their own policies to follow, shelf-space and schedules to consider.

While you might have an amazing book that they’d love to bring into the store they might be at their maximum for consignment shelf space until ___________ (insert month here) at which time they encourage you to re-connect and try again.

They might be fully booked for events until ___________ (insert month here) and suggest you try contacting them at such-and-such a date for consideration in the next block of available time.

And they also might have 7 other books that look at the same topic/category/sub-genre plot/etc. that are not getting the sales they’ve hoped for and don’t want to risk bringing on another book like the others.

The point?

Don’t give up. Try another store, try back at the specified month/date but know that if this is something you want to do, it may take anywhere from a month to a year to get into that bookstore – persistence pays off.

What about Indie Bookstores?

The process is far simpler. While you can choose to either walk in or phone this independently owned and operated book store, I highly suggested you walk in and ask to speak with the owner. Again, you’ll need to introduce yourself probably twice if the owner is in the back, on a break, or not currently in the store. From a sales associate you’ll generally get one of three responses:

1) I wish I could help you but you can reach ___________ (insert name here – and don’t forget it!) at such-and-such a time.

2) Leave me your business card/information and I’ll be sure to let ____________ (insert name here) know you stopped by.

3) It’s nice to meet you. Here’s our policy on consignment books. You can leave a copy for consideration and pick it up in __________ (insert number of weeks here).

NOTE: Never leave without the owners name and try to get their or the store’s email address/business card/bookmark before exiting the store. Always ask for the owner’s schedule so that you can come and talk to them in person (if the sales associate declines telling you then go with their best alternate option – see above). The point is, you’re more likely to get instant gratification if you can speak directly with whoever it is that handles the appropriation of new materials.

Sometimes these bookstore owners want to read your book, often they want to talk to you to learn more about you and your work, and occasionally they’ll pull out the consignment contract on the spot – give you their terms (see pt.1) and take a handful of your books on the spot (this has happened to me more often than not).

Once you know who to contact and what to expect from the exchange, you will empower yourself and get your book out there.

Categories: Publicity

Tags: book publicity, book sales, book store, bookstore, connections, contacts, indie bookstore, M.J. Moores, profit, publicity, publicity advice, publicity help, publicity tip, shelf space