For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers

Author Events & Bookstore Problems For Self-Published Authors

I have been trying to schedule author events outside my own town. My first event was held locally at the library, it was very successful for our small town. I enjoyed it very much. I have contacted Barnes & Noble in Ft Wayne, In. several times. I have two goals with them. Those are; to put my book on their shelves, and to be considered for an event. I spoke with their public relations manager and she requested a copy of my book. I delivered it myself April 23rd, almost 4 months ago. I discovered this morning that they are having an author event Sept. 24th for local authors. I'm going to contact her this morning, as per the instuctions to be considered for this event. By the time of their event, my second book will be live on-line. I'm hoping this will help my cause.
My second goal with them is to have my book stocked in the store, several people have went to their Ft Wayne location to order my book and were told that they couldn't guarentee a delivery date because there may be a minimum order for the book. (Even though it is sold at their on-line store.) I called their distributor myself and discovered that they could order 1or 100 books, there was no limit. It pays to do your own homework. Of course, they want a return book policy, which can be purchased for a mere $700.00 through my publisher. I don't have the money at this point for the policy. Does any know about presenting a return guarentee of my own that I will purchase any books that are not sold within a certain period of time? I would appreciate hearing from others about their experiences with these two subjects, and if they found any reasonable solutions

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Permalink Reply by Skeeze Whitlow on August 18, 2009 at 11:47am

The21writer@alumni.marymount.edu

My second novel is now audio – like old time radio. All you have to do is listen. It’ll make you laff. Go to www.NewFiction,com

Choose ‘Senate Parking’

Skeeze Whitlow

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Sue Morris on August 18, 2009 at 4:54pm

I'm not too sure what this has to do with author events, but perhaps it does. I know my next book, "AnnaBelle's Spirit" will be formatted in ebook as well as hard & soft cover. Maybe the ebook is a good thing. I will try to check out your site when I have the time.

Carolyn
www.csmorris47.webs.com

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Permalink Reply by J. Steve Miller on August 22, 2009 at 7:44pm

Different bookstores seem to have different policies, and some managers seem more willing to work with authors than others. They generally resist ordering a book without a return policy, unless someone specifically orders it to buy it, but your idea of giving a personal guarantee is a good one. Why not ask? Also, you might ask if they would sell some on consignment.

I think the more we talk to the managers and discover their concerns, the more we can work out win/win solutions.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Sue Morris on August 23, 2009 at 5:21am

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your response. I think I may approach Barnes & Noble about the personal guarantee. You're right, there's only one way to find out. There are quite a few book stores in Fort Wayne, perhaps I'll branch out to them also. I can't blame them at all for their policy, especially in this economy.
And then too, talking to them may be the answer for both of us. A little communication never hurts.

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Permalink Reply by J. Steve Miller on August 23, 2009 at 6:42am

And don't forget other stores besides bookstores, like locally owned restaurants, etc. I have a friend who's sold over 200 copies of his novel at one local restaurant. They sell it by the cash register.

Some stores may buy copies; for others, you might have to just get paid if they sell (consignment). Restaurants and stores are looking for new ways to make a buck and may welcome the opportunity to try to sell your book. Just give them tips on what to say to customers about how to sell it. They need a pitch. It sure can beat trying to compete with all those other books in bookstores!

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Sue Morris on August 24, 2009 at 4:46am

More good ideas I have never thought of. I hadn't considered restaurants at all, but I will check into that. I live a smaller town here, a close community, everyone eats out. I'm not far from Ft.Wayne either.
I've almost completed going over my final galley for this 2nd book. Finishing this will free up more time for me to persue these things, which are so very important. Without doing some selling, there may not be a 3rd book, I wouldn't like that at all.

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Permalink Reply by J. Steve Miller on August 24, 2009 at 5:40am

Let me know how it goes with the restaurant. I'm very intrigued with this and have my book at several local, non-bookstore outlets. I'm experimenting with what might work for my book. By the way, I bought cardboard counter displays and used the WordArt feature in MS Word to print off a short description to stick on the top of the display "The Money Book for People Who Hate Money Books"

Here's the place I ordered the displays from. They actually sent me a free sample to make sure I liked it and it was the right size.

http://www.meridiandisplay.com/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=24&am...

I think it's $6.95 for one display or about $4.34 each if you order 25. Oh, some bookstores say that customers really like to buy from their section of "Signed by author" books. I think I'll go sign all mine!

Steve Miller, author of Enjoy Your Money! How to Make It, Save It, Invest It and Give It. http://www.amazon.com/Enjoy-Your-Money-Make-Invest/dp/098187567X/re...