What a fabulous post! It provides so many perspectives that are helpful to bookstores, authors, publishers, and more. I cannot begin to name the many Indie bookstores that have indulged me in my journey, even though some likely thought I was growing horns or worse! I'll share several favorites in the event they are helpful to others: ABC Books in Springfield, MO; The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, MO; Rainy Day Books in Fairway, KS; Pagination Bookshop in Springfield, MO; and Mitchell's Book Corner in Nantucket, MA. I also recently connected with Ashley Dawson who recently opened The Story Collective in St. Joseph, MO. Thank you, Brooke.
Great post! It reminds me of some of the points Mary Laura Philpott touched on in a #AmWriting episode about a year ago. Like Philpott, I work part time in retail and even though I work in a boutique, there are parallels. It's always surprising to me how many smallish entrepreneurs, jewelry makers for example, forget to develop the relationship with the shop that sells their product. Do you actually shop at our store? Why is your piece be a good fit? Will you share/like/follow us on social? Etc. Help us help you! Thanks again, Brooke.
Once again, awesome post. I found that when I tried to gently educate bookstores, they were certain of their knowledge and wouldn't hear anything else. With that said, bookstores have been good to me about having events - they just kept throwing around "Traditionally published" as to why they cannot put my book on their shelves. So weird.
I want to answer this more thoughtfully.... One of two things are happening. 1) The bookstore doesn't want to order the book, so you get pushback because of that. They can blame it on any number of things, or make excuses, or sometimes they'll tell you outright. But usually I find that bookstore employees make excuses rather than just tell an author they don't want to carry it. 2) They need more education than the author can give. When our authors get this kind of pushback, I so recommend sending me the bookstore contact info and then letting the sales rep make a specific and dedicated call to inquire. This has been super effective. It doesn't ALWAYS mean the bookstore will carry the book, but the difference between the author making the case and the rep whose account it is making the case is huge. The reps are in service of the publisher, so they'll do all they can and will support the author to be taken more seriously.
Awesome post, Brooke! I enjoy visiting bookstores. It's that one-on-one thing that I enjoy, talking to a live person about my book and engaging in conversation. The bookseller sees the author behind the book, and that can be the start of a very good relationship!
Brooke, thank you for a wealth of insight and information on this topic as I work on my next book/brand. We had crossed paths a few years ago and I remember how you showed up for me with honesty and integrity. I’m very new to Substack and it makes me feel I made the right choice to be here when I see writers/ publishers of your caliber and generosity on the platform. Best, Sunita
Great post! I have a question: My local bookstore insisted on consignment for my poetry book even though it’s through a traditional publisher, which I understand. They sold acfew and returned the rest to me. Now, a group of us with the same publisher are putting together a reading at that bookstore. When I bring my books to the event, should I pretend they’re on consignment and pay the bookstore, even though they didn’t stock them? What’s the protocol for this? Thanks!
I think you should talk to your publisher about this. I'm very very reticent to allow my authors to consign, and it does set a precedent with the bookstore. If the other authors are with your same publisher and those books are being ordered through the regular channels, your books should be too. You can't really "pretend" books are on consignment because you sign an agreement for them. So do you mean, should you "give" them the books and let them sell as if they're through regular channels and not get the money for them? I would try to push to have them order through your publisher's distributor—if it were me!
What a fabulous post! It provides so many perspectives that are helpful to bookstores, authors, publishers, and more. I cannot begin to name the many Indie bookstores that have indulged me in my journey, even though some likely thought I was growing horns or worse! I'll share several favorites in the event they are helpful to others: ABC Books in Springfield, MO; The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, MO; Rainy Day Books in Fairway, KS; Pagination Bookshop in Springfield, MO; and Mitchell's Book Corner in Nantucket, MA. I also recently connected with Ashley Dawson who recently opened The Story Collective in St. Joseph, MO. Thank you, Brooke.
Love these shoutouts!
Great post! It reminds me of some of the points Mary Laura Philpott touched on in a #AmWriting episode about a year ago. Like Philpott, I work part time in retail and even though I work in a boutique, there are parallels. It's always surprising to me how many smallish entrepreneurs, jewelry makers for example, forget to develop the relationship with the shop that sells their product. Do you actually shop at our store? Why is your piece be a good fit? Will you share/like/follow us on social? Etc. Help us help you! Thanks again, Brooke.
Interesting to see these parallels, Elizabeth!
Once again, awesome post. I found that when I tried to gently educate bookstores, they were certain of their knowledge and wouldn't hear anything else. With that said, bookstores have been good to me about having events - they just kept throwing around "Traditionally published" as to why they cannot put my book on their shelves. So weird.
I want to answer this more thoughtfully.... One of two things are happening. 1) The bookstore doesn't want to order the book, so you get pushback because of that. They can blame it on any number of things, or make excuses, or sometimes they'll tell you outright. But usually I find that bookstore employees make excuses rather than just tell an author they don't want to carry it. 2) They need more education than the author can give. When our authors get this kind of pushback, I so recommend sending me the bookstore contact info and then letting the sales rep make a specific and dedicated call to inquire. This has been super effective. It doesn't ALWAYS mean the bookstore will carry the book, but the difference between the author making the case and the rep whose account it is making the case is huge. The reps are in service of the publisher, so they'll do all they can and will support the author to be taken more seriously.
Awesome post, Brooke! I enjoy visiting bookstores. It's that one-on-one thing that I enjoy, talking to a live person about my book and engaging in conversation. The bookseller sees the author behind the book, and that can be the start of a very good relationship!
Thank you for this advice. It will be useful in helping me trying to get a local bookstore audience for my next work.
Great insight. Great article. Great advice.
Brooke, thank you for a wealth of insight and information on this topic as I work on my next book/brand. We had crossed paths a few years ago and I remember how you showed up for me with honesty and integrity. I’m very new to Substack and it makes me feel I made the right choice to be here when I see writers/ publishers of your caliber and generosity on the platform. Best, Sunita
Such excellent insider info! This newbie author thanks you!
Great post! I have a question: My local bookstore insisted on consignment for my poetry book even though it’s through a traditional publisher, which I understand. They sold acfew and returned the rest to me. Now, a group of us with the same publisher are putting together a reading at that bookstore. When I bring my books to the event, should I pretend they’re on consignment and pay the bookstore, even though they didn’t stock them? What’s the protocol for this? Thanks!
I think you should talk to your publisher about this. I'm very very reticent to allow my authors to consign, and it does set a precedent with the bookstore. If the other authors are with your same publisher and those books are being ordered through the regular channels, your books should be too. You can't really "pretend" books are on consignment because you sign an agreement for them. So do you mean, should you "give" them the books and let them sell as if they're through regular channels and not get the money for them? I would try to push to have them order through your publisher's distributor—if it were me!