ResourcesThe Skype Solution
By Suzanne Selfors and Suzanne Droppert How a children's author and an independent bookstore owner use free technology to increase sales. Read The Skype Solution 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 QuestionsWhat 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:
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 120 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 Baker & Taylor or a regional wholesaler, such as Partners/West? This information can be printed on a sell sheet, which can be mailed or faxed 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?
Are authors responsible for promoting their own books? These days, authors are more involved than ever in marketing their books. Just ask Craig Joseph Danner, author of the PNBA-award winning Himalayan Dhaba, which Danner self-published and was later bought by Dutton/Penguin Putnam. "Everything good that happened to Himalayan Dhaba can be traced directly to the independent booksellers at the PNBA show," Danner says."I don't know why more authors don't take advantage of this opportunity." Read more about Craig's success. What shouldn't I do?
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. |
LinksBookstore Training & Consulting
Author/Publisher AssociationsBook 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 AssociationsGLiBA--Great Lakes
Independent Booksellers Assoc MBA--Midwest Booksellers Association MPBA--Mountains & Plains Booksellers Assoc NACS--National Association of College Stores NAIBA--New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Assoc NCIBA--Northern California Independent Booksellers Assoc NEiBA-New England Independent Booksellers Association SIBA--Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance SCIBA Southern California Independent Booksellers Assoc National Associations |
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