Tweet

Why doesn't every bookstore carry my books?

Written by: Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Article Overview: Many new authors will be so excited about their debut book that they don't ask their publisher the right questions about distribution. Many assume that their books will get automatic placement in every bookstore across the country. Then the sad reality hits them.

Why doesn't every bookstore carry my books?

One question I hear from new authors is this:
Is it true that once you're published by a traditional royalty-paying publisher your books will be in all the bookstores across Canada and the US?

The answer is...no. Many writers believe that this is the big advantage to being traditionally published. But it's a myth.

Since my first novel was published in 2003, I have often been asked why my novels are not in every bookstore across North America. There are a few reasons for this, actually, but one of the main reasons is that the book industry just doesn't work like that. Yes, you'll certainly see the top 25 or so bestsellers in every store. These are big name authors who have proven time and time again that their books sell by the truckloads, and the 1 or 2 breakout authors whose book flies off the shelf at record speeds may be among them.

Believe me--I would be quite happy (and possibly a bit manic) to see my novels in every bookstore. It is a partnership between so many divisions of the publishing industry that helps increase a book's availability. I know one thing for sure, there are thousands of authors whose books have less exposure than my novels.

My publisher has been writing articles for Foreword Magazine, an industry standard for the book world, and his latest article touched on something I have believed since day one. If I want my books to sell, I have to do whatever I can to 'move' them off the shelves. I owe it to myself. Every author does.

The following is my reply to my publisher's latest article on Foreword's website:
In the years (okay, decades) that I've been researching the book industry, I've heard these statistics many times. And they're so true. I've also heard how publishers in the US are publishing over 200,000 new titles a year. This sheds some light on why my 3 novels aren't on every bookstore shelf. Can you imagine the size the bookstore would have to be to accomplish shelving every title? But it is a common assumption with aspiring or newly published authors that their books will be everywhere, in every store automatically. That's just not the case.

Today's authors have to take on the role of marketing even more than ever if they want to succeed. You can't wait for the sales to happen; you have to go out and get them. Book signings are a plus. I love doing them, meeting people and talking to fans. But most authors, including me, can't afford to tour all across the country 2-3 times a year. And publishers certainly can't pay for all of their authors to do so either.

I was the first author from Kunati Books to hold a virtual book tour (VBT). For one month, I blogged, wrote articles, answered intervews, spoke on radio shows--I loved it. VBT's are becoming more popular every year, and I believe that's where author tours are heading. Even bestselling author Margaret Atwood knows the trials of traveling; she invented the LongPen, a device that signs books with the author in one city and readers in another. I've signed up for that too.

I embrace the marketing of my novels and I am excited to do so. With three novels published, I am constantly searching for new ways, new ideas, and the majority of them involve online marketing. From my own experience, I can say that being computer savvy is a huge advantage as more and more authors are turning to internet marketing. Authors experienced in web design, HTML code, navigating the internet, and those who blog regularly and update their websites routinely have a headstart. I believe in working smarter, not necessarily harder.

Selling books is a partnership between everyone involved--author, agent, publisher, distributor, booksellers...they each have their role, and the common one is to sell books.

Today's authors have to be bold, daring, open to learning, open to selling, persistent, and driven. That's how you become one of the 2.1% of authors who sell more than 5000 copies.

If you'd like a better understanding of the book industry, please read my publisher's article:

Staggering Statistics in Book Publishing can Read Like a Stephen King Horror Novel. Is There Any Hope for Authors and Publishers?

What do you think about these statistics and the book industry's future?

©2008 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Related Articles
  Analyzing Your Website Traffic – Visitors v. Hits
  Get better results from email newsletters and promotional emails
  An Unfair Edge ? Offer Customer Financing At No Cost To Your Company! A Financial Program Via Canadian Vendor Leasing Works
  It’s All About PR
  Books, Licensing and Franchising

Article Tags: assumption, bookstore, bookstores, canada, decades, myth, new authors, north america, novel, novels, partnership, publishers, record speeds, reply, royalty, shelves, statistics, truckloads



Related Forum Posts
Hi there! - I agree, pick up some good books from your local bookstore about how big-name companies have made it. There are also tons of magazines out, if you have a large bookstore nearby, take a few minutes to flip through some that target your needs specifically. ~Marie
Re: If It Ain't Broke... - [quote="BuzzAroundBooks":9tmoxwqy] If this guy's long-term companion won't let the co-workers use the title, why are they even allowed to carry on with the magazine and market to the same audience/subscribers? [/quote:9tmoxwqy] Well, I don't think he has a say in the matter. I think legally they're perfectly justified in starting a new magazine, using Scarlet instead of Scarlet Street. [i:9tmoxwqy]He[/i:9tmoxwqy] wants the magazine to die with its publisher/editor. [i:9tmoxwqy]They[/i:9tmoxwqy] want to continue to publish a new magazine in his honor. I think both of them are doing this with "pure" motives. (Print magazines, especially for this limited market, will not make a profit and they'll probably even lose money. But they want to honor their friend.) If it's not legal, perhaps it would just cost too much money to get the lawyers in and he doesnt' want to do it. He has expressed that he doesn't like the name, on the message boards, but the new publishing triumverate aren't going to change it, and no one rose up in his defense so the name stays. You'd have to know these guys to fully understand what's going on, I think... I brought this up for two reasons: *If you publish a magazine or have a business of some kind that you want to end with your death - make sure you put that in writing. If you want someone to be able to carry it on, make sure you say that, too. Otherwise grieving relatives may put the spanner in the works. *Just to complain about the name itself. Scarlet. I say again....it's terrible. And they dont' like it, but since they "couldn't think of anything better" - they're going to use it! Makes no sense to me...
Re: Kevin's Case Study #7 - How do you promote your new book? - [quote="litekepr":1x32rraa]You can't really guarantee a positive review although many people do make the effort to find something positive to mention in the book. Even paid reviews don't guarantee a positive review. Well, you could pay someone that is willing to "sell" a good review, but those don't carry any real weight. I always hate waiting for the first few reviews. I don't send any of my books to the publisher until they are the best I can make them, but you never know what reviewers will say. Sometimes I do limited free book giveaways and in the tours I coordinate, we do a free book for a random commenter during the month. But, I created a promotional e-book for each of my book series and I use those to giveaway. They give plenty of information about the books in each series, the first chapter, introduction, background information and much more. Its a great way to give readers more information, without giving books away. There are some Yahoo groups where 20-30 books are given away every week or more. That doesn't really help any of the authors. Bad reviews are definitely done -- one big problem with reviews is that you're at the mercy of a reviewer who just doesn't like a particular style or is being rushed by a deadline or that is just having a bad day. Shri[/quote:1x32rraa] Hi Shri, So how much does it typically cost to pay someone to take the time to read and write a review on your book? (i.e. for a review without the guarantee of being positive)
Re: Kevin's Case Study #7 - How do you promote your new book? - [quote="BuzzAroundBooks":36e553mt]Hi Everyone, Thanks for the great responses! Does anyone find that giving away free copies of your book to reviewers or as "prizes" produces a high return on investment? Or is that route just a waste of time? More importantly, if you send a reviewer a copy of your book, does that guarantee a "positive review"? Has anyone every heard of reviewers who have given poor reviews after authors sent their books to them?[/quote:36e553mt] You can't really guarantee a positive review although many people do make the effort to find something positive to mention in the book. Even paid reviews don't guarantee a positive review. Well, you could pay someone that is willing to "sell" a good review, but those don't carry any real weight. I always hate waiting for the first few reviews. I don't send any of my books to the publisher until they are the best I can make them, but you never know what reviewers will say. Sometimes I do limited free book giveaways and in the tours I coordinate, we do a free book for a random commenter during the month. But, I created a promotional e-book for each of my book series and I use those to giveaway. They give plenty of information about the books in each series, the first chapter, introduction, background information and much more. Its a great way to give readers more information, without giving books away. There are some Yahoo groups where 20-30 books are given away every week or more. That doesn't really help any of the authors. Bad reviews are definitely done -- one big problem with reviews is that you're at the mercy of a reviewer who just doesn't like a particular style or is being rushed by a deadline or that is just having a bad day. Shri
Finding creativity - Great topic Andy! For me it's: - Going for a walk (I always try to get out at least once during the day) - Taking a shower - Reading business magazines (especially Inc and Business 2.0) - Late at night (I'm more productive / creative at night than during the day) - Relaxing with a drink at the bookstore


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Marketing & Sales tools – going back to basics

What If You Had a 100% Success Rate?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.