What Book Buyers Look For When Stocking Their Shelves
- At least a 40% profit margin on the sale
- 90 day grace period before payment is required
- The right to return all books that aren't sold
- Competitive retail pricing
- Professional products
Why Indie Books Can't Compete
- Variable profit margins set by the distributor/printer (Createspace, Lulu--terms vary)
- Payment is due upon placement of the order
- No easy return agreement
- Expensive retail pricing
- Product may or may not be professional
I was disappointed to learn that bookstores probably won't carry The Pet Washer. Now that I know why, it makes sense. If they can't sell my unknown and "overpriced" book, they will get stuck with it. Why would they order it when there are thousands of books for sale that offer industry standard terms?
The Pet Washer is priced at $10.99. I remember how disappointed I was when I couldn't price it at $5.99. Createspace left me little choice in my pricing. The good news is that Amazon and Barnes & Noble discounted the book online to $7.91. This price is competitive and I feel good about the product itself. The paper and binding quality are much higher than that of mass produced paperbacks.
But I didn't get where I am today by taking no for an answer. There is a way to break into local bookstores, consignment. Once my book is released with the updated cover, I will be taking it to independent bookstores and offering my terms.
My deal: they pay me $5.00 per book and they can sell it for whatever they want. If they sell it for $8.00, they will make a 38% profit. I will supply the product, I will collect payment in 90 days and they can return any books they don't sell. It's the same deal the publishers offer.
After removing all possible negatives, the only basis left for them to reject my book is they just don't want it. This could be because of shelf space, subject matter or unwillingness to sell an indie book and there is nothing I can do about that.
To Do: Approach local bookstores for a consignment deal. It's good exposure. If they say no, ask if they'll host a signing event. If they say yes, definitely ask for a signing event. If you've had success getting into bookstores, please let us know how you did it!
Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
author of The Pet Washer
a novel for children 8 and up
I will be very interested to know how your approach to brick and mortar stores go - its something that I, personally, had never considered. And good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteBack to the Books in Manitou Springs, Colorado http://www.manitousprings.org/ stocks books by Indie authors.
Rasana (loyal blog reader)
I will keep you posted on how it goes with me. Rasana, thanks for the tip about the bookstore in Colorado!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, at $5.00 you will be losing money. Obviously you consider it good exposure. Do you have other books that will benefit from this exposure? Unless you have other books up and ready, it seems, if not exactly futile but at least circular.
ReplyDeleteAlison
When I buy direct from Createspace, I pay about $3.50 per book, so I wouldn't lose money. But it is still a lot of work and I have to pay for the books up front, so I need capital. I'm going to keep feeling this whole thing out. I hired a professional cover designer, so I'm going to wait for the new cover before I try it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and you hit on the exact reasons why most bookstores can not or will not carry Indy titles. Your idea is great and actually, I have built my entire business plan on just such an idea. I only carry Indy titles and so far, the community loves the books.
Stop by our site and check it out,
Jon Renaud
Owner - Back to the Books
www.backtothebooks.net
Thank you for sharing your store with us, Jon Renaud! I think I speak for most indy authors when I say, I love what you're doing and thanks for stocking indy books :)
ReplyDelete