Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
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Resources


Seven Habits of Successful Bookstore Owners / Entrepreneurs
       provided by The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates

Owning a bookstore involves developing skills to operate a small business and following the 
entrepreneurial curiosity to continuously look for and find ways to use great ideas.

Read Seven Habits of Successful Bookstore Owners / Entrepreneurs

Frequently Asked Questions


What is PNBA?

The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association is one of ten regional non-profit trade associations promoting literacy, free speech and independent bookselling in the United States. The PNBA represents booksellers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

What benefits does PNBA offer authors?

Our member benefits for authors include:
  • Annual tradeshow (free attendance and discounted exhibiting fees for members)
  • Annual membership directory with contact info for all bookseller members
  • Mailing list rental (with discounts for members)
  • Monthly newsletter
  • Advertising opportunities in our Holiday Catalog, newsletter, tradeshow program, membership directory, and on our website with the Northwest New Title Preview program
  • Book awards for NW authors
  • NW Independent Bestseller List e-mailed weekly

What kind of resources does PNBA offer?

PNBA provides resources to help you promote your books. A PNBA membership is worthwhile for an author if you want to attend or exhibit at our tradeshow and market your book(s) to the independent bookstores of the five Northwest states in our region. The member directory and handbook is helpful in doing that, as are the discounted mailing lists and the networking opportunities that present themselves at the shows.

Where do I start and how do I find and approach bookstores?


PNBA has more than 130 independent bookstore members in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, all with distinct personalities and communities of readers. Many stores have specialties in areas such as travel, children's or Northwest books. With that in mind, research stores before you approach them. If you can, visit a store and note where your book might be shelved and if it's a strong section in the store.

Who should you contact?


Every bookstore has at least one book buyer, and your first step is to identify this person. A phone call is usually all it takes. Ask for the book buyer and be prepared to briefly describe your book and the section(s) where it might fit. Most stores require that you make an appointment. When you meet with booksellers, they'll want to know if you're doing any promotion and how the book is being distributed. Is the book stocked at a national wholesaler such as Ingram  or a regional wholesaler? This information can be printed on a sell sheet, which can be mailed or emailed to the buyer.

What terms are typical?


If you're distributing the book yourself, most bookstores will ask about consignment. You have a much greater chance of having your book stocked if you agree to leave copies on consignment. Some stores have consignment forms, but it's good to bring your own. If your book is print-on-demand only, keep in mind that bookstores won't order many because POD books can't be returned. A 60-40 split on the sale of the book is common (you get 60 percent), but some stores have different policies. Also, you will probably be asked to check back with the store about sales, usually in 3-6 months.

How will your book be stocked?


The book's placement in the store should be left to the bookstore's discretion. Not every book can be faced out or displayed at the front of the store.

How do I propose a reading/signing to a bookstore?


Book event etiquette applies whether you're nationally or regionally recognized, a bestselling or a first-time author. Our stores like to bring interesting authors to their customers and to provide authors with an enjoyable, productive venue in their hometown or stop on their tour. In scheduling an in-store signing, speaking and/or reading event, first call the store to find out how its event manager prefers to receive proposals for events. You might be asked to fax, mail or e-mail a press packet.

What should I include in a press kit?


  • publicity contact, name, phone, and fax
  • book press release that includes title, isbn, price publisher and a brief description
  • a brief biography
  • a copy of the book and/or a book jacket
  • a publicity photo of yourself
  • book reviews or excerpts from reviews
  • event proposal & date ideas
  • your target market and marketing ideas
  • info on how the book is being promoted
  • if a signing or reading is scheduled, provide the store with a list of friends and family who will be likely attend your event

What shouldn't I do?


  • Overwhelm the booksellers with too much paper.
  • Ask the bookseller to surf the web to find the information on your website.

Where else can I find support and information on selling my book?

Join one of the following author/publishers groups. Learn marketing tips. Network with other authors and small publishers. Find out how to approach an agent or what a publicist can offer. Many of these groups have informative newsletters and web sites, monthly meetings and annual conferences. The following list is just a small sample of groups in our five-state region.

Links

Bookstore Training & Consulting

Paz & Associates

Author/Publisher Associations

Book Publishers Northwest

Pacific Northwest Writers Association

Publishers Association of the West

Romance Writers of America

Sisters In Crime

Society of Authors and Journalists

Western Writers of America

Willamette Writers

Women Writing the West

Regional Bookseller Associations

GLIBA--Great Lakes
Independent Booksellers Assoc


MIBA--Midwest
Independent Booksellers Association


MPIBA--Mountains & Plains
Independent Booksellers Assoc


NACS--National Association
of College Stores


NAIBA--New Atlantic
Independent Booksellers Assoc


CALIBA--California
Independent Booksellers Alliance


NEIBA-New England
Independent Booksellers Association


SIBA--Southern
Independent
 Booksellers Alliance



National Associations

ABA-American Booksellers Association

ABFFE

BINC - Book Industry Charitable Foundation

Children's Book Council


Library Reads

Publisher's Weekly

Shelf Awareness



Holiday Catalog

Fall Trade Show

Book Awards

Rural Library Project


Members Only:

Member Handbook

Board / Committees

_____________________________

​PNBA Code of Conduct


In Support of Black Lives Matter
June, 2020


Contact PNBA:

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
520 West 13th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97401

Phone: 541-683-4363

Fax:       541-683-3910

info@pnba.org