I published my first book, Speak Up, in December 2021 at the height of the pandemic. Like many people, I found more time to focus on a lifelong hobby: writing. I hired a friend who was also a published author to help walk me through the steps of publishing independently from start to finish. In addition to coaching me, she helped lead me towards accountability to finish my project.
In the first three months, I gathered all my poems to compile them to create my first book. The next three months, I spent building up my audience, brand, and organic marketing for my book, all of which I had no clue how to do. I had spent countless hours thinking of how to market my book. I watched YouTube religiously, searching for ideas, and invested too much money to count on signs and gimmicky products I could pair with my book. And then it hit me, I could market my books in someone's bookstore, and then I'd become famous and a NYT Best Seller.
So, I did my research again and started on the path to get my book into a store. I started with stores I frequented like Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, and my local libraries. The path forward to get into a big box store was challenging and, for the most part, a mystery to me. I sent an email sharing my book description to numerous parties, hoping someone would take a bite and help me become a renowned author. But no luck. I considered it luck if they even responded to my email with a decline letter. But for the most part, there was no answer. But then there were other paths forward, like submitting your book manuscript into an online system and waiting... and waiting... and waiting for someone to respond. After many failed attempts at trying to get my book into big stores and corporations, I realized this path wasn't for me.
Then I moved to smaller, more localized stores—for example, my book Speak Up was placed at Charlotte's only Black-owned bookstore for about a year once it was released. I was so excited that my book was in someone's store. I had paid a small fee of about $25 and would get a royalty percentage payment for any books sold. I knew this was my big chance. I left the store after paying my fee, thinking I was on my way to the top.
As time passed, I realized that just because it was in the store didn't mean people would automatically purchase it. My book was one of thousands of books on the shelf; among literary royalty was me, an independently published author with no accolades or big following. A few months passed before I was given my first royalty payment, which was no more than twenty dollars, maybe less. I went to the store and talked with the owner to ask her how activity had been for my book. Why wasn't it selling?
The owner, being in the literary industry for over twenty years, gave me a myriad of options to try and sell more. Whether it was attending more events, hosting signings, or just marketing better. But my marketing plan was for her store. I felt it was enough that my book was there, but that turned out to be terribly false. Through my experience, I learned 5 things you should know when you place your book into a bookstore.
They do not market your book. It is your responsibility to market and share the availability of your title in the selected store.
Depending on the store, you may have to pay a per-book fee for them to house your title on shelves.
They do not market your book. Most independent authors' books just sit on shelves; there are no direct attempts to market the availability of the book. It's just put on a shelf.
The bookstore will have a larger percentage of the proceeds from your sales, which means you get paid less.
People still buy books in the store. Regardless of the shortcomings, putting your book in a bookstore is still a good idea. The audience of people interested in reading books seems to be getting smaller and more niche. Being able to have your title in a space where people want to read is important and necessary.
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