Want to see your books in an actual bookstore?

[Jody]

Hi everyone,
I wanted to tell you about a really neat venture: a (physical) bookstore that ONLY sells indie books. If you're a self-published author who has books available online but has yet to see them in a real store, you should read about this (and no, I'm not a salesperson for the store - just super excited about this idea!)

An author friend of mine told me about Back to the Books, a bookstore in Colorado that only stocks Indie books. They just opened in February. I have 3 of my titles there already (yes, my books are actually in a store, for the first time EVER!) and they're continuing to build their stock. They give authors a very fair deal, too.

The owner is a self-published author who saw how hard it is for indie authors to get their books into actual stores - and so he decided to do something about it. He's all about authors helping to promote each others' work. So in the spirit of paying it forward, I wrote a blog piece about it, and you can check out the Back to the Books website.

Hope this is of some help to you!
cheers,
Jody K

[Lauryn]

I havn't even published my book yet and I'm excited. Thank you so much for sharing, this is a wonderful idea.

[Sandra]

Sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, the link didn't work for me. Is this the right link?

http://www.backtothebooks.net/

[Jody]

Oh, thanks for pointing that out - I've fixed the link!

[Michelle]

This is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing this!!

[Laekan]

Jody wrote: "Hi everyone,
I wanted to tell you about a really neat venture: a (physical) bookstore that ONLY sells indie books. If you're a self-published author who has books available online but has yet to s..."

This is really awesome! Jody, I'd be really intrested in hearing about your experience working with them. is the process fairly simple? I looked on their website but couldn't find much information about it.

[Laekan]

Oh thanks for the blog post!

[Jeffery]

Wonderful idea. I hope they are greatly successful. I'll definitely be contacting them. Thanks so much for sharing!

Jeff

[Rebecca]

Thanks for the tip! I have sent a message and will see what the response is.

[Brenda]

Thanks for posting!!!

[Rebecca]

So here's the deal. Author pays a one-time fee of $39, and provides the books, sets the price (sales are on consignment). Split of sale price is 75/25. I'm doing some math. . . If I set the price same as Amazon, 13 sales would pay back the set-up fee. I honestly don't know if it's a good gamble or not. Manitou Springs isn't a very big place, but there's the tourist trade. . . Just don't now how any copies of one somewhat quirky book a single market can move.

[Brenda]

I have worked with other bookstore consignments and most request a 40/60 split plus a stocking fee of usually $25. Using Media Mail will help save on shipping costs, but does reduce the profit margin. Realistically, the odds are against making it big in the book publishing world, but if I don't put my book out there for others to see, it will most likely never happen. I'm willing to take the risk, write off the loss if any is acquired, and attend book signings knowing that I am helping promote the book store as well as myself. Must stay positive, must stay positive!

[Rebecca]

Sounds like a good perspective. Brenda!

[Tellulah]

Sometimes it's just cool to think someone walking into a place somewhere else in the world will stop and pick up one's book.

[Brenda]

Just some additional information from my perspective - The real money in book publishing, initially, is in selling rights (translation, movie, play, etc.). So here has been my plan of attack for Wilkinshire:
1. Write the best book possible. I'm not the best writer in the world and do not possess the covenanted Masters in Fine Arts, but I have done my best and have written a good book.
2. Enter it into as many contests as possible. This takes a bit of research, but it has been worth my while. I was honored to receive the 2010 Gold Medal in the Midwest Book Awards for YA Fiction and 2011 Silver in the Moonbeam Children's Book Award for Pre-teen Fantasy. The shiny little stickers have helped attract attention to Wilkinshire as it is displayed in book stores.
3. I try and book as many signings as my time allows. Some book stores are wonderful and go out of their way to help you. Others will never return your call. I also take advantage of consignments whenever I can. I have tried to get Wilkinshire into B&N, but because it is a print-on-demand book, they won't stock it. I could pay a restocking fee to my publisher, but I am currently struggling to justify the cost.
4. I have an account and registered my books with ForeWord Magazine. The editor invited me to send a copy of Wilkinshire, for a fee of course, to the Bologna (Italy) Book Fair and the London Book Fair. I thought this was a good opportunity for additional exposure. Wilkinshire received the attention of two publishers from China while at Bologna. Nothing real solid as of yet though. I'm crossing my fingers.
5. I continue to write with the hope that Wilkinshire will be picked up by a publisher and they will want to see more of my work.
6. Bottom line - Wilkinshire is a great story and I believe once many know of its existence, many will enjoy reading it. I just keep pushing forward, working my plan, and hoping for success.

Fellow writers - keep the pen moving and the keyboard clicking! Never give up!!!!

[Rebecca]

Brenda, you clearly have this much better figured out than I do! I struggle with knowing how to out it out there (not at all helped by my natural introvert tendencies) and have made very little progress.

Don't most of those contests cost money to enter? I've been put off by that, both because I don't have a budget for it and because it always seems just a little off--like buying your way in (though I suppose in most cases it's more about the expense of running such contests.

[Brenda]

Yes, the contests cost money ($45 to $95, but many have early entry lower prices), but I write the expense off on my taxes (Schedule C). I wouldn't be "put off" by such contests, after all, I don't win every one that I enter and the contests where I am recognized, I feel it is an honor to receive the award.