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I recently contacted 5 local bookstores and 3 have agreed to sell some of my books. One of them will take the book on consignment. Has anyone had any problems with this type of agreement...is there any other way? The other two stores are owned by friends so there isn't an issue.

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Were any of these major chains? I was considering this just this morning.
At my MeetUp I have a member who does fairly well. he is very active in several MeetUp groups, attends a variety of events surrounding his book subjects and always has at least 3 copies of his book every single place he goes. He's never afraid to talk about his book but does it in a that is constructive and relative to the discussion. In addition, he volunteers for speaker events and markets online.

Hope this helps.
The only problem I foresee with consignment is the book sist on their shelves being handled, read and beat up, then when they don't sell, they are returned to you at your cost and you cannot sell them. This also happens with larger stores and distributors, but you might consider some kind of safeguard against getting a book back that someone in their store rips and they cannot sell.

Returns are an issue with any book sale, but consignment doesn't offer you any protection.

Karen
http://karensyed.blogspot.com
True Karen, but if you have a clause in your consignment agreement about damages, then you're okay. Our agreement states that it doesn't matter how damages occur, if they occur while in the possession of said bookstore, then they are liable for the cost of the book.

Ellen
There are a lot of questions here which can be answered by some of the articles I've posted on Self Publishing Review (selfpublishingreview.com). Let me note that while it is hard to get a single book directly handled by Ingram or Baker & Taylor, there are small distributors who will feed your book to them, but there are also fees for that service. These distributors handle returns, billing, collections, etc. But not sales and not marketing and no promotion. Even authors at traditional publishers who are not brand names find themselves doing it themselves.
hi!
I am working on a new delightful
children's book and I want for
a couple of my freinds at book
marketing network to help to
spread the word, before my
book is finished. It's called:
carmyn the loving centauress
bug. It would be a great thing
to let the bookstores know
too.
here's my website:wwwandreabaxcy@jakaylahpaperbackpublishing.org
email me at:ANDREANORWOOD2008@LIVE.COM
I'd love to hear from friends.
Yes, there can be problems with consignment books. A good idea is to get them to sign a receipt for them that states the number of books, the titles and the date left. Give them a specific time to sell them - say 3 months, And then go back and reclaim the unsold books and get paid for the rest. Offer to do a book signing for the store, to get things started. Contact the local newspaper and get them to take your picture, mention the bookstore's name and the date of the book signing. Provide the store with hand out flyers that promote the signing, as well as a large sign that goes in their window. Balloons for the actual day will draw attention if placed outside the bookstore.

Offer coloring sheets and bookmarks with every book you sell.

Hope this is helpful.


Margot Finke

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My first booksigning was at a Barnes and Noble in Waterloo, IA and I was suppose to be part of the Author Panel that was having an event there that day but since my book was froze due to someone trying to sue me I was unable to take part in the Author Panel according to the bookstore. It turned out all right though as my book 'In Yahweh's Hands' sold more copies, had more people attend the booksigning and the store had to keep ordering in more copies. My publisher was basically useless and I had to do all the contacting with the bookstores myself. I walked in, found out who was the top manager in charge of booksignings and promotions and strong armed her into taking on my project. I have found that you have to be determined, not back down and hold your ground. If you get a really ugly manager who tries to walk on you let it be known that you chose her/his bookstore first but have an oportunity at their competion down the street if they don't want your business. Make sure your book is available for the event is vastly important, supply your own copies if necessary if the store will not purchase them and have handouts like magnets, bookmarks, mouse pads etc to draw bigger crowds and have rainchecks available with ways that customers can order your book if you sell out.
Most independent bookstores will pretty much always take books on consignment. I usually offer the standard 40% discount (they pay you 60% of the books retail price and keep the rest) when the books sell.

YOU CAN NEGOTIATE with bookstores! If they want a 50% discount then tell them that that's ok as long as they put the books on the counter next to the register, or face out on the shelves. Remember to leave bookmarks and postcards with the books info, ISBN and your website on the counter!

Remember that you have something they WANT. I see a lot of authors who act like the bookstore owners are doing them a huge favor, but remember that if you put your books in on consignment, set up a booksigning and put in your marketing materials then you are doing a LOT for the bookstore!

This should always be a win/win situation for both you and the bookstore owner.

Robert Morgen :)
Kundalini Awakening for Personal Mastery 2nd Edition

http://kundalini-awakening.info
Hi There - Bookstores require 40%, consignment and delivery for POD books like mine, and won't stock them despite the fact returns are guaranteed by my publisher. So, I recently decided to "minimize" use of bookstores in my marketing plans to concentrate on shows and exhibitions, readings and signings, and carefully vetted direct-to-purchaser websites that take much less of a percentage. My novel, poetry book and PR guidebook are doing okay, despite the crushing volume of new books pouring off traditional or digital printing presses.
P.S. - Joslyn Bleick, owner of Mountain Lore Bookstore, a fine venue that does a great job of marketing local authors, mentioned your name to me a while back.
No. My publisher is handling mine so far.

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