Do you sell your books at book stores?
@leafygreens08 (754)
United States
June 19, 2012 11:55am CST
This question is mainly directed to self-published/POD authors. I am such an author and I have been trying to sell my book at Hastings, Barnes & Nobles and Amazon with only limited success. Most of my of sales have been through word-of-mouth. Have you done well in selling your book at such book stores and if so, what advice can you give me to improve my sales?
2 people like this
3 responses
@hdc4free (260)
• United States
19 Jun 12
Local bookstores may be easier to get into when you are starting. I know quite a few that always have a section of just local authors, I would search around the area you live and see how many independent book stores you can find. Do you sell ebooks too?
2 people like this
@leafygreens08 (754)
• United States
22 Jun 12
Our city is quite small and so there aren't a lot of book stores available. I had my book in Hastings which is the largest book store. Many people here go to places like Walmart or the local supermarket that have decent book sections. I have figured out how to get my book at the local Smith's market. Hastings won't sell my ebook. I have no luck with their corporate contact yet. All I get is voice mail and no one ever returns my calls. Most of my sales are through direct contact with the public via book signings or fairs.
Oh, and yes! Realmwalkers is now an ebook and it's sold on Amazon. Solds are few but I have only just started selling the ebook about two months ago.
1 person likes this
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
22 Jun 12
I am not a published author yet... However, I do have many published author friends online and offline.
And, I did work for awhile in a local bookstore. The owner often spotlighted local authors. Hopefully you will be able to hook up with an independently owned and operated bookstore near you that will do same.
There are book bloggers aplenty who happily write book reviews in exchange for a free book. I have done this for friends on my blog numerous times.
Also, there are book review websites you can hook up with where you can register your book for review. Some of these are free, some are not. I happen to have a friend who runs such a site, so if interested send me a message and I will get back with you.
Good luck with book sales!
1 person likes this
@leafygreens08 (754)
• United States
22 Jun 12
Sounds good, Abit. I have a huge list of places to check out also, but there is always room for more. Send me your info/link and I will add them to the list. Thanks for the help. {{{HUGS}}}
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
21 Aug 15
I've never written a book, but the novel I just read was all about the publishing world, editors, marketing, etc. Marketing is tough work, and as a former bookseller, I know competition for shelf space is stiff. A store only wants books it is sure will sell. My store owners and managers decide on the basis of reading review copies unless the publisher is heavily promoting a book and gives a store great terms if they will try several copies.
