| Many new authors are mystified about how in the | | | | Most distributors start working with a publisher 6-12 |
| world to get their books into a bookstore. | | | | months before the book is printed. However, |
| While is it fairly easy to list your book on Amazon | | | | distributors will also evaluate books that have been |
| and Barnes and Noble.com, getting your book into a | | | | launched if they have sold 300-400 copies on |
| physical bookstore is very difficult for a new, | | | | Amazon in the first three months after release. |
| self-published author. | | | | Those Amazon sales figures show that the book can |
| According to Eric Kampmann, principal of MidPoint | | | | generate sales so a distributor would be interested in |
| Trade Books, large bookstore chains are not | | | | pitching it to bookstores. |
| interested in dealing with self-publishers or even small | | | | If you want to sell your books in bookstores, take |
| independent publishers. They are reluctant because | | | | these steps: |
| they are not sure that the books will be of high | | | | - Make sure you invest in a very professional cover, |
| quality with a professional cover and great editing, | | | | great editing, and professional layout. Your book has |
| and it is too time consuming for them to deal with | | | | to look first rate and be first rate. |
| small orders. | | | | - Start to research distributors before you publish |
| That's when a book distributor comes in. | | | | your book. The dates of publication are very |
| A book distributor is the intermediary between the | | | | important to bookstores sales and you will need a |
| publisher and store buyers. Distributors put books in | | | | distributor to help you time the launch of your book |
| catalogs and send sales staff to pitch books to | | | | in the most advantageous way. |
| buyers. They are experts in wholesale book | | | | - Be willing to pay. Book distributors do a lot of work |
| marketing and moving books into stores from | | | | on your behalf and deserve to be compensated well. |
| warehouses. They also negotiate contacts with | | | | Anticipate paying a distribution fee of at least 30% |
| stores for special sales, front of store displays, and | | | | and maybe more. |
| any type of special promotion for books. | | | | - Listen and learn. You hire a book distributor for |
| There are different kinds of distributors. If you print | | | | expertise in selling books. They are your partners in |
| your book with Lightning Source, as I do, Ingram | | | | the success of your book so if your distributor |
| Distribution will automatically distribute your book. This | | | | makes a suggestion for a revised cover, additional |
| is good. However, Ingram has a very large catalog so | | | | editing, or other changes, you would be wise to |
| your book will probably not get too much attention | | | | accept those suggestions. |
| from their sales staff unless you are appearing on | | | | If this whole idea scares you, give up on the idea of |
| Oprah. | | | | having your book in bookstores and concentrate |
| Other distributors are smaller and take a more | | | | your efforts on selling it on your own website and on |
| personal approach. MidPoint Trade Books, for | | | | Amazon/Barnes and |
| example, only agrees to distribute a book after a | | | | Putting books in bookstores is not for everyone. |
| very rigorous screening process. If a book passes | | | | However, if it is your dream, you now have some |
| muster, the sales staff will enthusiastically represent | | | | additional knowledge that will help you make that |
| it. | | | | dream come true. |